It's only a meager sum of money. He counted it thrice. There is clearly nothing to do with it. He flops down on the couch. The days are not good enough nowadays. It is true that he earns ample sum as monthly salary. But the socialist God has made him yet another socialist paying out what he have to the needy.
Still he managed to save some amount for buying a gift to his brother. He had put aside as much as she could for months. But Unexpectedly, a day before he came across the girl. What an innocent girl she was!
A small girl of 5 or 6 she was. Her old maroon t-shirt was small, but on her it was like her big brother's shirt, clinging where it shouldn't and hanging loose where it shouldn't. Her concrete steps were damp from the morning rain, and her hair a perfect mop of rod. But she was so cute, an angel sent to poverty may be.
"Uncle "she called desperately.
He was taken aback. The cute innocent voice endeared her to everyone present there.
He kneeled before her and asked affectionately. "aap akela aya hai kya. Mamma papa kaha hai?"
Without paying heed to the question she asked " aap gayab logom ko dhundkar laata hai kya?
He patted on her head . "haa becha. Kisko dhudna hai"
She took a torn photograph from her pocket and showed it to him. "isko"
He was really surprised. "par ye"
Girl: Ye mere Bhagwaan ka photo hai. Doctor uncle kahta hai ki sirf bhagwaan meri maa ko bacha sakta hai. Aur Maa mujhe kaha dha ki bhagwaan gayab hai. Usko hum nahi dekh sakta. Par mujhe apne maa ko bachana hai. Maa ke alawa kitty ko koi nahi hai. Isliye aap mere bhagwaan ko mere pass lana hai.
What should he say to this innocent soul? The only thing he felt was a heart wrenching pain. He took her in his arms and kissed her lovingly.
The girl again asked "aap dudhonge naa"
His eyes automatically flooded. He managed to wipe it off and nodded simply.
The girl become so happy. She took a few coins from her pocket and offered it to him.
"Ye kya hai baccha". He was again struck with surprise.
Ye bhagwan ko dene ke liye. Aap use ye paisa dena . vo zaroor aapke sath aaunga mere mamma ko bachane ke liye
He became stand still and couldn't utter a word for some moments.
He swayed his heads , his eyes teary and heart crying.
"Bhagwaan paisa nahi mangta. Aap sirf use sacha pyaar karo. VOo zaroor aaunga."
Girl: sachi
His heart brimmed with love and he nodded his head in positive.
He went to the hospital. Her mother's condition demanded a sudden surgery. Without a second thought he used his leftover savings for settling the bills. And she recovered. And those lines told by the girl while saying good bye made him astound.
Girl: Mamma ne jhoot bola dha.
He: kaise jhoot pari
Girl: ki bhagwaan gayab hai
He: kyom.?
Girl: Mai janta hoon aap hi bhagwaan hain. Isliye meri maa ko wapas laya hoon. Tho bhagwaan kaise gayab hoga?
The sweet memory bought a sweet smile over his lips. But soon he was struck with the grave reality.
Yes his brother is too much understanding. They are not kids too to please each other with some birthday gift. But they loved it. Who doesn't like to get a birthday present from their loved ones? And he knew his brother, brought up in a very horrific environment, finds soothe of the childhood in such silly acts. How can he miss that soothing smile on his brother's lip. And he had had many happy hours planning something nice for him. Something really good enough. He will surely expect it and will get disappointed. He may never show it. But it will be there.
He thought for hours. He can easily borrow some money. The entire bureau will never hesitate to lend him some money. But his self-respect will never allow him. He should also keep it a secret from Daya. His eyes went to his mother for help. His mind got stuck for a moment. Yes , his mother's necklace is there. Perhaps her last testimony. If he pledges it, he can get a good sum to buy a gift. He can take it back in the coming month or the next . But the emotional attachments to it….
Maa Daya ke liye hai na. Aap please mujhe maaf kijiye. Ye apki akhari tasveer hai. Mei isse khone nahi dunga. Pur Kuch time ke liye usko dhoor rakhna padega . aap samaj raha hai na.
Once he stopped for a moment and stood still while a tear or two ran down her face. S. Then determined, he put on her coat. With the bright light still in his eyes, he moved quickly out the door and down. His eyes once again overflowed while handing over the necklace. But he repeated the same excuses to console himself.
And the next two hours seemed to fly. He was going from one shop to another, to find a gift for Daya. He found it at last. It surely had been made for Daya and no one else. There was no other like it in any of the shops, and he had looked in every shop in the city. It was a gold watch chain, very simply made. Its value was in its rich and pure material. Because it was so plain and simple. All good things are like this. He smiled.