Is Life Fair?"I must hit the hundred crore mark…" Rajiv reminded himself. His son, overhearing him, said, "Whoa Dad, back up a second, did you just say hundred crores?"
"A turnover of hundred crores son, that doesn't mean a hundred crores in my pocket."
"Your dad is way too ambitious. Take it easy Rajiv" Smita, his wife, cautioned him. Gulping down his juice, Rajiv gave his wife a smile, ruffled his son's hair, grabbed his briefcase, and dashed out. A few minutes later, they heard a car roaring out. Smita sighed. Do husbands ever listen?
Ever since that talk with Babaji three years back, Rajiv has been on this 'I-must-get-ahead' race, Smita thought to herself, as she cleared away the breakfast dishes. She had been married into a prosperous Hindu family with a thriving family business. Who knew that ten years down the line the father and son would have a massive disagreement, and the company would break into two parts - each trying to outdo the other?
"How was your day?" Smita asked a tense Rajiv when he came back in the evening. ...
One day, there was a phone call. Smita picked up the phone, "Hello? Hello?"
A teary Maji sobbed into the receiver, "Smita, Smita."
"Maji! Kya hua?"
"Babaji, he..."
"Maji, tell me."
"Babaji, he's had a heart attack..."
"What?"
"We're in AIIMS. Come quick..."
"Rajiv, Rajiv."
"Smita? What? Why are you shouting like that?"
"Babaji's had a heart attack."
The drive to the hospital was filled with screeching tires and tense comments. "It's all my fault" Rajiv berated himself, "I should have known better."
"Rajiv, just drive", Smita said.
They reached the hospital, only to find that Babaji's condition had stabilised and that he was in the ICU.
"Thank God, thank God" Rajiv wept. Maji was in a silent prayer.
"Promise me you'll go and apologise Rajiv. You'll talk to him and say you're sorry. Promise me…" Smita begged.
"Oh Smita, do you think that I could even dream of doing otherwise?" Rajiv moaned.
That evening, Babaji was stable enough for visitors. Rajiv went in and both men had their reconciliation with each other, and God. Babaji hugged Rajiv and said, "Forgive me, Raju. I went senile in my old age."
"Nahin, nahin Babaji, I didn't behave with proper respect. You are my father after all."
Rajiv came out and smiled at Smita, "Things are going to be okay from now on Maji. I promise."
That night, Babaji had an appendicitis attack. He didn't survive the operation.
Who knows what life will throw our way?
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Bani Bedi -----------
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