THORN FIBER

“The tag ‘Social’ is yet to justify. No one can be 100%, but we should stay on our own words. We make rules and wish others to follow but when the payback time comes we hesitate and step aside. The revolution for ‘Brotherhood’ will not succeed, until the respect for others takes place of understanding. When an individual’s weakness won’t be a threat for him and well understood by others then only the slogan for ‘all equal’ will stand complete. Nevertheless, we are getting better and better with the passage of time. Let’s reach to the most civilized state and sprout social.”

In one summer, I was in my native. I spent times with family and relatives as decided earlier. Bangalore and sea has no connection and I always love to see the sunrise from the ocean end. I was working in Bangalore and my native is near to coastal area. Therefore, one day in earlier dawn I started off for Gopalpur on sea so that I could reach there before the Sunrise. The sea is a 10KM away from my home. Though my native has got the metro status and economical hub of south Orissa, but still has the smell of village. Now also people from here are farming traditionally with the Ox and Bulls. I saw some wonderful scenarios; the ladies got up early and sweep their foreyard, wash their veranda. I admired on my fate, and clicked some snaps. On the road, inhaling fresh airs, I forwarded my vehicle. Morning really has a pleasant voice, which is soft and awesome. The sounds of birds really steal hearts. I was on my way and felt that was the day for me. The men were walking on the road with bulls towards their field. All domestic animals were dancing on the road, as if they were in a marriage party. Old men and women were sat on their own verandas. It was still dark. I could hear the roar of sea. My excitements were float like flood. I could inhale the nectar; rather I would say that I born that time. Years of waiting freshness I got that time. I felt as if I would have died if I won’t get those that time.

Sea was dancing as like always. Fishermen were waiting for the sunrise with the nets. Some fishermen were mending their boats. I played with waves, fought for its anger. I was looking at my clothes, which were laid down on the sea shore. I came from the water and kept those clothes in my vehicle and came out with camera. The sun was about to rise. I was ready to click some beautiful snaps. I pictured some fishermen, boats, other health conscious persons. I saw from the east, at the end of the sea, someone was focusing light. “As if that is in trouble and asking others help. Or else someone has lost his path and searching for someone to help him. To get some help he is focusing the light to the light house.” Rays were penetrating the dark sea water. They were fighting for their freedom. Soon a blooded ball came out by bursting all the obstacles with a lot of shining and rays. I wondered. Something I watched after a long period. The red ball slowly changed into fire color and spread the light with a joy of victory. The rising sun inspired me. I clicked a lot of pictures, but a heavenly feeling scene ended early brought me some aggravation. I pictured some clips. I jumped into the sea. Fought a lot to capture some crabs, collected some sea stones and conchs. I played in the water. I really had enjoyed those moments.

With the risen sun and brightness, everything had started on. I could see a tea stall from the distance. Two young children were working there. After a salty bath I wished for a cup of tea. I went to that stall. My visibility was getting clearer when the distance was getting shorter. I could notice a girl of fourteen or fifteen years old was engaged her selves washing plates and cleaning of the hotel and a boy of same age was cooking. Both were dressed well. When I reached at the hotel, the girl came to the counter.

Me: A cup of tea please.
Girl: Anything else sir? Idly, Puri or Biscute?
Me: No, simply a cup of tea.
Girl: (Shouted…) Munna give him a cup of tea. Four bucks sir.
(I paid four rupees and bought a cup of tea. I hopped on the chair. I could notice the boy, he seems happier rather the girl. The girl was murmuring her selves. Then she shouted.)
Girl: Saala, if I will tell all these to your father, then he would take a class of yours.
(The boy was silent; he looked at the girl and smiled. The girl’s anger went on high.)
Girl: Saala, why are you laughing? Was that joke to you? What you did last night with me? If you will do the same with me then I definitely go to your father.
Munna: What I did… what I did? (He also asked in anger.) Was that new to you? You are working here and I am the owner, you should obey me. Anything goes to my father then you will see my original face. Whom are you scaring out? I am not scared of anybody. Go and tell him.
(I was listening to their conversation, found the girl remained silent. Literally she was crying. That place remained silent for some moment, I was thinking something and in between I finished my tea. To be there, I asked for a biscuit packet, so that I could listen to their whole drama. The girl gave me a biscuit packet and took money in return. She started again…)
Girl: Because I am working here, you will do everything to me? (She went sentimental) Don’t have I wishes?
Munna: (The boy got softened) She I really don’t mean that. But since last night you were keep on saying. I lost my tempo and said something. Aare… you are my queen.
Girl: You did me when I was in sleep. At least you would have taken my permission.
Munna: Sorry, but last night I could not control my selves and on the other hand papa was not there. I felt you might not be agreed for this. Hence I forced you. How did you feel?
Girl: shut up! I was crying in pain but you were unstoppable. You were just an animal last night and drunken too. Nobody is here for me. Because I am poor and illiterate I am working here. And you swine, shame on you. You took advantage of my poverty. I cannot go from here also.
Munna: Don’t get upset. Look this happens. Previously you were doing those with my father and yesterday I did. I am not as old as my father. So don’t worry, just let the thing go on.
(I was looking at both of them. I felt sorry for the girl. But I behaved there, as if I am not aware of their words.)
Girl: If this happens then who will marry me? What shall I tell to my sick mother? In case I get married also… (Suddenly a person came and dropped milk packets. The boy went there and kept those milk packets on their place. I asked the lady for another cup of tea.)
Girl: Sir, are you new to this area. I have never seen you before.
Me: No, no. I am from Berhampur only. I came here early to see the sunrise. (During these I could not able to see the girls’ face. I felt ashamed of my selves.) I will wait here till 9 or 10 O’ clock. Then I will go to the university.
Girl: Sir, tea and Biscuit.
Me: Oh… thanks for the biscuit. (I paid the money and sat on my reserved place. After sometime that boy came. They started again.)
Munna: Papa has arrived at home. He may come at 9 O’clock. Please don’t make drama before him.
Girl: Don’t worry, I won’t tell him anything. After all he is also a MAN. (I depressed a lot. Because of a few people whole race is blamed. I could see the sorrow of that girl.) But promise me you won’t do that with me next time.
Munna: Can you refuse to my father?
(The girl remained silent. I also surprised with that question and lost the patience of listen to that pathetic and cruel story. I was helpless too. I decided to leave for university. While leaving for university I hear some…)
Munna: You can never. So just do with me. I will protect you from my father.
(After a long silent the girl said.)
Girl: I cannot die also. Because your father is taking care of my sick mother and embezzle me instead. Now you will do the same. All men are equal.
(The boy was laughing and I left that place.)

I did require some fresh air and funny incident to forget all those at the tea stall. I sat near the sea for a while and looking at the wave and trying to measure the depth of the sea. I could see the light house was still focusing light to the distance ships and steamers. At 9 I started for university. That is 3km away from Gopalpur on sea. Berhampur University or Bhanjavihar is my university. Where I had studied and got my MBA degree. When I went there, my memory got fresh. I recalled all incidents of my past days. Tough my friends were not there but I visited all those places, which had stored some memory for me. I went to the deer park and play with those deer. I sat on the botanical garden. I visited Deepa Market and Lord Shiva temple near to girl’s hostel. I roamed in nearby villages. I went to the bus stop. Meanwhile all buses were arrived. I could notice each and every individual’s face, but all were unknown. I went to my department and met with Prof. Mohanty and Prof. Padhy. We shared some past that we crossed together. I saw some juniors too, but I maintained personality. I visited my hostel and met with hostel peon Mr. Suri, we chat for a long. Then I visited some old pupils, who were preparing for government jobs. I became more refresh. Time was 2.30 pm. I was feeling hungry. I went to my favorite hotel but that was closed. A few new shops were taken place in the market. I went to a new hotel and ordered my lunch.

I had a superb lunch. After lunch I was usually chewing sweet paan and lime soda, during my university days. I had a fixed shop for that. I went to him, fortunately that was not closed. He became happy at my presence. We talked a lot; he gave me current news of university. I asked him about that hotel and the hotel owner. He narrated a pity story. He was fingering me out a bagger. A lean and thin person had half covered turned dirty clothes. I could not believe. Just in two years how a person could change a lot. I spent a little more time and return to home in the evening. I scolded by my mother for being late. I experienced a lot in a day.

Let me tell you the hotel man’s story.

In 2007 he was a well known business man in the university. He had only two daughters. He had no wife. He was a gentle man. He had no bad habits at that time. He was staying near to the professor’s colony. His elder daughter was studying in college and younger daughter was in primary school. On that Kumar purnima (An Indian festival, during this festival we play cards and gamble games.) he lost his all property. He had left with his hotel. To settle all his due he sold his hotel as well. He went on depression. His elder daughter left the college and the younger school as well. He started drinking, but he had no money that time. His daughter was beautiful; he forced her to sleep with other for money and wine.

One day, he met with a university professor. He narrated his story. The professor was known to him. The professor advised him not to do these with his daughter. The old professor had a bad reputation. He had no family with him. The professor made a deal with the hotel man that the hotel man won’t allow any other person in his house and his daughter would sleep with the professor only. The professor took all the responsibility of the hotel man’s family. The younger girl continued to go to the school. The elder one was upset. She had to sleep with the professor to meet his father’s and family’s wanting. One day she left her house. She already had developed a relation with a boy, who had a cycle mart in the university campus. They ran away from the house. The girl was so beautiful that the cycle mart boy had no problem with her continued life. They were in Mumbai then.

When such happened, the professor stopped financing. The hotel man got more depressed. He had no other way of income source. He started begging. He always had complained to his elder daughter that she did not understand her father. She was the only source of income and she ran away with a mart boy. She left her father and sister alone. The hotel man was desecrating his elder daughter always. Sometime they had food to eat and sometime they had not. The younger daughter was innocent and missing her didi a lot. She could not leave his father because she had no idea about the cruel society. Without wine and money the hotel man became mad. He had no other way to income. Once he was dreaming of his elder daughter he saw his younger daughter. He thought that the poor little innocent girl would buy a bottle of wine for him.

He asked the little girl to him. The girl came.

Hotel man: Jhua, don’t you miss didi?
Girl: Yes papa, a lot. When she was with us, I had full plate rice. But now I have to sleep in empty stomach. Papa, where have she gone?
Hotel man: She was not a good girl. She has stolen all my property. She along with that mart boy took your bread and butter.
Girl: Papa, why didi did this? She is bad.
Hotel man: Indeed, she is. Do you know professor uncle?
Girl: Yes papa.
Hotel man: I engaged him for her study. Haven’t you seen both in that dark room?
Girl: Yes papa.
Hotel man: But your didi, she did not want to read. She left us with no property.
Girl: Papa, what we will do now?
Hotel man: Jhua, just follow my instructions. I will engage that professor uncle for your study. You just keep on reading and one day we will not have such kind of problem.
Girl: Papa, shall I get a plate of rice?
Hotel man: Yes, Jhua.
Girl: Papa, I will read like didi but I never let you alone.
Hotle man: Thank you jhua. Go and sit on that room, let me find out the professor.

The innocent girl went to the room. She had no idea about the unknown threat. She was in full of joy that she will do what her didi were doing earlier. The hotel man searched for the professor. He could not find the professor. He came home alone. The poor girl looked at her father and asked…

Girl: Papa, have not you get professor uncle?

Hotel man: Bastard, he has been somewhere.
Girl: Papa, can’t I read? Can’t we get full belly rice?
Hotel man: Don’t worry child. I will catch him tomorrow and we will eat tomorrow.
Girl: Papa, why did he come today?
Hotel man: My sweet jhua. Don’t become like your didi. She is betrayer. She has screwed our life. She left us in foot path. Just be with me, we will income a lot.
Girl: Okay papa.
Hotel man: I will call the professor in the morning. You just be there in the dark room. Read all the things from him and do not get afraid of him.
Girl: No papa. I will do well than didi.

They both slept in the night. The innocent girl was happy that she will play her favorite didi’s role. She will get a full plate of rice tomorrow. In the morning, the hotel man went on searching for the professor. The little girl dressed well and waited in the dark room. The hotel man discovered the professor.

Hotel man: Sir, where have you been? I have been searching for you since yesterday?
Professor: What is the matter?
Hotel man: Sir, you are not coming to my home now a day.
Professor: What shall I do at your home? Your child ran away. There is nothing for me.
Hotel man: Sir, I never will disappoint you. Come I have arranged a better one than the first one.
Professor: You are not lying, right.
Hotel man: Never sir. I never lie.
Professor: Okay, I will come in evening.
Hotel man: In evening, why not now sir?
Professor: No I have some work, I will come in evening.
Hotel man: Sir, some advance…
Professor: Advance… (He gave him money.) Okay. Arrange me for the evening.

The professor left by saying that. The hotel man went to wine shop and drink wine. The poor girl was waited anxiously that she and her father will eat a plate of rice today. Time went by… it was about to evening. The hotel man came from the wine shop. He brought some food for his daughter and flower as well. He explained to her that he met with the professor now and borrowed money from him as well. The hotel man gave the parcel to his daughter and asks her to ready for the night. The girl ate all those and got ready for the night as instructed by her father. She had waited in the dark room. After sometime the door opened. She saw a fat person came and close the door. She could see the person was turning his clothes off, and sweetly in a rough voice asked her to turn her clothes off. The girl had no idea, but as her father instructed to follow the professor and she did the same. She thought that her didi were doing this. She had no idea of what kind of study that was. Her father had instructed unless she studied she won’t get food. She was confused. Meanwhile the fat man came closer to her. She felt an unknown fear. When the fat man caught her hand, she got terrified. And with no second the fat man dragged her in his arm and pressed her smooth body. That time she terrified a lot and cried, “Please papa don’t do this to me, papa leave me. I don’t want to read.” By hearing this, the fat man left the girl. The girl was trembling in fear. She asked to wear her clothes on. The fat man switched on the light. She saw he was professor uncle. The professor acknowledged his mistake and adopted that girl as his daughter.

The hotel man is alone now and his elder daughter is never seen in university and the younger daughter is staying with professor. They are now staying in Berhampur.

In India lots of people are below poverty line, let not humiliate them. We have less literate in this country, let be literate. Let forget all difference, let behave all equally. Humanity has lost somewhere; let’s take a step to find out the humanity. Let’s establish one brotherhood. Just live and let others live. Create, distribute and preserve smile and happiness.