CHECKMATE

Chapter 4

"Sir you have come in the disguise of God to us." Cried a poor feeble man falling at the dark mud smothered feet of a tall man.
"Oh no!" exclaimed the man, and gently picked up the old farmer from his feet. "You are like a father to me, how can you fall at my feet? Please don't embarrass me. What I did here today was not done by me, but the one who sent me."

The peasants looked at the dark man completely clueless as to what he was saying.

"Swami please tell me who has sent you, so that we may worship him." Pleaded a woman.

The dark man's lips stretched into a gentle smile and his delicate long finger pointed to the bright blue sky above them. The farmers looked up, shielding their eyes from the son. They still couldn't understand what he was saying.

"Ease your troubled minds my people." He said gently. "Lord Vishnu has himself sent me, to take care of his people. To serve them and be one with them."

The peasants looked at the young man with reverence for him. The divine look on his tranquil face made him appear more God than human.

"Despite being a rich man yourself, why do you desire to work for such untouchables like us?" Asked a farmer falling to his knees in tears.
"The world has gone beyond untouchability my friends." He said gently, as if applying a soothing balm over a burning wound. "Riches are given by God, he can take it away from me wherever he wishes. Who am I then that I should hoard God's wealth in my home? Isn't it to be used for the betterment of the people?"

The commoners were touched by his words. The twenty-six year old was just a social worker, but not just any ordinary social worker. He had worked for his people whom he found to be treated like dirt by the present Chief minister of Rajasthan, Mukesh Chauhan.

"If only I could be of more help to you'll." He sighed.
"Swami, you have already done so much for us. We only can bless you to be successful in your life." Blessed a farmer raising his skeleton thin hand.

He bowed his head with joined palms and graciously accepted their blessings. He then walked for a while until he was out if people's sight and sat in his car. Turning on the AC he allowed the breeze to cool his sweat dripping, heat ridden body.

~

"What a pleasant surprise!" Exclaimed the man as soon as he opened the door to his villa.

Meenakshi smiled at him saying, "I and Vinayak had been waiting for you since an hour. Where gad you been?"
"Oh bua..." he smiled embracing the woman. "You know I'm a social worker and am constantly on my toes. The people need me..."
"Yes they do..." Nodded Meenakshi cupping his cheeks. "But Ranveer, how long will all this go on? Don't you want to have a better job, just like Sudeep had?"
"Bua, pappa never worked for the betterment of the society; he worked, earned and lived for himself. Making profits makes you a businessman, but working for the society makes one a good man." Replied Ranveer.

Meenakshi couldn't help but smile. She loved her nephew, who was a pure soul. All he sought was to change the society and uplift the downtrodden. He had never done anything for favours nor for recognition, yet the people loved him and adored him like a God.

"How are you dear cousin?" Asked Ranveer embracing Vinayak.
"Oh well I'm good..." He smiled sheepishly. "I wonder how good you can be?"

Ranveer simply laughed saying, "It doesn't need any goodness Vinayak, it only needs dedication and seeing everyone as your brother's and sisters."
"That only means you aren't going to get married." Laughed Meenakshi, accompanied by Vinayak and Ranveer.
"Though bhaisa despises my acts, I shall still continue to serve my people." Sighed Ranveer.
"You mean Bhagwant  doesn't like what you do?" Asked a horrified Meenakshi.