Two Strangers - Exchanging Their Prayers !!!

Life is a beautiful journey where we get a chance to interact with many people over the course. If we force our mind little bit to recall those names whom we still remember since childhood, then list will end up within 300. This list includes the name of a person whom we like, dislike, love, don't want to meet and wanted to be in touch.

“An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place and circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle. But it will never break.” - Ancient Chinese Proverb

I am sharing a fictional story where two strangers are connected together through invisible thread of like, dislike, love, don't want to meet and many more. Even though this story is part of imagination, but assuming it would be real somewhere... 

The story begins here:

Shiva “a farmer’s son” belongs to a small village in Bihar. He had grown up in very cultured environment and respects the value of others. His family had struggled a lot to get the good education for Shiva & his sister. Shiva wanted to follow the foot-steps of his father and helping him on his work every weekend, but his father had planned something for him.

Several instances happened where his father noticed when Shiva took a different stand in Gram Panchayat meeting and convinced the people with practical examples to change their opinion. His father was very well aware about Shiva’s commanding power, never give up attitude and helping others; therefore he wanted his son to join the Army and serve the nation.

One day while working over the field he shared his dream with Shiva and suggested that to join the Army. Shiva never thought about it but to fulfill the dream of his father; he started studying hard from class 8^th and within the course of 2 years he developed himself physically and mentally for that examination with full-confidence.

He cleared his 10^th standard with flying colors and also cracked the written paper of NDA. Prior to next interview round he got an abdominal pain and got to know that he had a small hole in his lower bone by birth because of that sometime nerves were getting stuck on it & causing pain when body got stretched. Doctor advised his family to get operated as soon as possible else it had a big problem down the line.

After discussion, he got operated where small hole was blocked by external stuff, but he left behind to fulfill the dream of his parents. He started living silent & thinking too much about that incident. Other side his father worried from his son’s condition so he decided to shift him to some other place for graduation after 12^th standard.

Shiva appeared for Engineering Test and cleared it with good mark. To continue his engineering degree he moved to Uttar Pradesh. Some Kilometers away from his home and started new phase of his career with zeal & goal. When he entered in 3rd year then another tragedy happened at his home where right hand of his father got poisoned because of snake bite which happened while harvesting the crops. Doctor recommended we need to remove the impacted part quickly else we would be in danger situation.

Operation happened; his father lost his right hand. Slowly –slowly things were getting worse & financially moving to weak stage. Shiva suggested his father to give the land for Rent to someone and take 25% of all sales to continue the basic necessary of our house and requested not to send any money for him.

After college, he started taking tuition classes of engineering subjects and schools (10^th to 12^th standard). He got enough to continue his education fees, room rent/food etc and some portion he started depositing to his father’s bank account. In final year he got selected in one of the IT Company; his family was feeling very proud that his son had become the First Engineer & selected in MNC from his village.

Shiva got his joining date and joined the office in Mumbai. He was very dedicated IT professional who work hard to meet the deliverable prior to the deadline; tackled the clients & project impediments easily. All the peers and managements were impressed with his dedication and aware about his never give up attitude. They started giving the assignments to him one by one and Shiva delivered it with good results.

After working hours, he started taking coaching classes related to engineering subjects nearby institute.

When Shiva realized that things were in good shape so he decided to shift his family here and did it. All members were again started living together happily.

One day while catching the local train for office; he noticed a girl whom he always imagined in his dream, but in Mumbai local train (Dhaka- Mukhi, Bheed-Bhaad) he lost the eye contact and she got disappeared. He reached office on time, but working in hallucination state. He was trying to force his mind to concentrate on work but something happened; peers also noticed his different behavior.

To refresh his mind during 4 pm, he went to downstairs with his colleague for having some snacks. Fortunately, he noticed the same girl was entering in the same building. He left half-eaten Vada-Pav aside and hurried to follow her. Both got the same lift; his floor was in 3^rd, but he pressed 11^th button because he was interested to know that she was going to which floor? At 9^th floor she stepped out from lift with a pleasant smile. Here was the time when both exchanged their first smile…

Shiva was thanking to god for today’s incident and he felt that something had common in our destiny that why we meet by this way. Next morning he noticed her in same platform & both were waiting for same local train. Train came; both entered inside… Shiva had taken a deep breath and greeted her. Both started their initial conversations and took shared auto-rickshaw to reach to office. Shiva got to know about her a lot… first thing was her name “Gauri”.

Gauri “a pandit’s daughter” belongs to a small city in Rajasthan and joined this firm recently. Rajasthan has artistic and culture traditions which reflect the ancient Indian way of life but still gender inequality was common on that day when Gauri landed in this world. People were not celebrating the birth of girl child and also giving secondary priority to girls as compared to boys. Gauri’s father had created his own way and provided good education & fulfilled all the dreams of her daughter.  Gauri groomed in traditional environment and connected herself with classical dance, arts and craft designing.

She had a faith in god but prior to that she believed on her work. For her “Karma” was the most important. She had started teaching along with her education to empower the girls of our society and also trained them very well. In resultant of Gauri’s hard work… All the girls who got the good learning under Gauri supervision; cracked their academic examination with highest scores as compared to boys; few of the girls cracked the Jobs in Govt. sector.  After Gauri, when she moved to Mumbai to continue the job, then Girls of her society & city started following the path of Gauri; helping others, teaching girls, etc.

Gauri was intelligent, beautiful, very expressive and helping in nature. Gauri never mentioned about the challenges which she faced in her life but Shiva identified that if she won’t be in IT then definitely she would be in teaching profession. 

Slowly-slowly; day by day – Both started sharing the things and feeling happy through-out the day. Gauri noticed the helping nature of Shiva and the way he did for other. She asked Shiva the reason for helping that specific person, but that had a separate story so Shiva stopped it with this phrase “Will let you know one day for sure”. Shiva was feeling more confident in her presence and positive things started happening around him after meeting with Gauri.

Followed the same routine; meeting at platform for same local train, sharing auto and returning home together at same time. The bonding between Shiva and Gauri were getting hard and hard; sometime they understand the problems of each other without even sharing.

Few instances happened where they both proved lucky of each other e.g.

• Shiva’s father faced some health issue but they were in contact of local doctors where they spending their money like water, but getting no proper result. Shiva was getting upset on those days; noticed by Gauri. Gauri suggested Shiva to go to best hospital for check-up & mentioned that will add in my prayer for your father quick recovery. Shiva followed her word and within few days his father recovered from the disease.
• During her initial time in the new firm; Gauri faced problem to get the good project. Wherever she joined that projects were getting scrapped by client. One day she shared her frustration to Shiva; he advised her to deal with this situation calmly. While crossing the bridge nearby his home, he noticed one temple where he prayed for Gauri’s new assignment and better career. Also communicated the same to Gauri; if things will go well then please offer some Prasad to that temple. Next day Gauri got the new big project in her firm and shared this good news with Shiva.
• Down the line many instances happened e.g. health issue at Gauri’s home, Accident of Shiva by bike, someone stolen the purse of Gauri and thrown near railway station, etc. Every time they did prayers for each other and it proved lucky for them.

During Diwali vacation, Gauri went to her native place as it was her first Diwali after job; & here Gauri had created a respective image at Shiva’s heart.

Shiva was in ON & OFF mode but one day he developed the courage and expressed his feeling to her after discussion with his family, but got to know that her parents had already decided someone for her… & she respect her father a lot &  cannot go against their decision.

It was very tough phase for Shiva to destroy the feelings, but he respected the decision of her parents and understood the situation of Gauri. Both ended with this promise that we need to start our parallel life…

Next morning, they started their parallel life & behaving like a strange people who never met before. It was strange for both to behave in this way even though both liked each other thoughts, nature and company. Whenever they had an eye-contact then their eyes were trying to say “Please don’t consider me as a wrong”, but “I don’t want to hurt you  & myself anymore”.

A few days later, Shiva texted her “I respect your decision, but have one request – Can we continue our friendship and promise will never ever discuss on that matter”. Gauri replied “If we continue this friendship, then it will hurt both of us always whenever we meet and our past memories flash back again”.

Shiva left a note “Okay, Thanks for everything, you are the best person I have ever met, I respect your decision and do well at your work-space and life too. You will be in my prayers forever and every day”. Gauri replied the same.

Whenever they faced any problem in their life and if it turned out to positive then they assumed that it happened because of their prayer and last promise which they made.

Practically in current days people are doing the prayers for their purpose first but still we have Rare who do the prayer for others – “Shiva & Gauri are the example who exchanged their prayers even though they went through the phases of like, dislike, love, don’t want to meet, respect but still they are in touch through their exchanged prayer via Lord Shiva”.

Ignore My Tears, but Add More Happiness...

Mumbai (Sapno Ki Nagri: The Place Of Dreams) where people come from different regions with their dreams and do many sacrifices to achieve it. I am sharing a real story of someone’s life with whom I met fortunately on my visit to Mumbai. She came here 40 years ago with her husband in the search of good job and better life, but what god had written on her way was very painful and tough.

The story begins here:

It was a Ganesha Festival time where Mumbai crowded with a lot of devotees to get a glance of Ganesha. Some people joined long queue (of 1.5+ lakhs people) for Lalbaugh Charan-Darshan and some did Mukh-Darshan. Some people wanted to have “Siddhivinayak” Darshan where some visited nearby Pandaal.

While crossing the narrow street after having Darshan of Ganesha; I noticed a woman was selling beautiful flowers and garlands. I wanted to capture those natural colors of flowers through my camera so I stepped little bit toward her. While changing the setting of my camera to take the perfect shot; I noticed she was making garland of flowers from small needle with tears in her eyes. It seems she was in any pain, to know more in detailed I walked further. I asked “Amma (Aai: In Marathi) – Yeh Phoolon Ki Mala Kitne Ki hain” and she replied – 30 INR. I started more conversations in a different approach to get the reason behind her tears, but she didn’t tell anything. So many thoughts were coming on my mind e.g., “No-one purchased anything from her shop since morning”, “May be she is not feeling well” or “Having problem at her home”.

I requested a lot and shared tough phases of my family; also promised her “Will purchase more stuff from her shop” but she was replying the same phrase all the time “Kuch NHI Huya Beta, Main Thik Hun”. I replied “If you are okay, then why tears are in your eyes”; I was sure that she was hiding something. Finally, I convinced her & she agreed to reveal the reason behind her tears and few incidents.

Sudha belongs to a small town in Uttar Pradesh and came to Bombay 40 years ago with her husband after marriage. She had higher dreams and excited to start new phase of her life. Initial few days they had spent their day & night around station, park, street and sometime near temple to find out some job to do.  After some days, her husband got the job to load and unload the items for new building construction. To help her husband she also wanted to join, but her husband didn’t agree. He wanted his wife should do something different so she started making garlands of flower and selling it near temples. Both got the shelter near the construction area and every day they go for their jobs & return in the evening with handful of money. Month by month; Year by year things improved and they started putting their steps to fulfill their basic needs.

Added new member in the family that was a boy “Vinod”. They wanted to give all the happiness to their son that they didn’t get it. They started working hard and hard; extend the working times and sacrificed many things in order to save something for Vinod’s education and fulfill his necessities. When Vinod turned to 4 years then they shifted to their own small home (a box shaped room having one window and door where people can customize it according to their needs; I mean to say use the little space for Kitchen, Bed Room and Bath, etc.)

Sudha wanted her son to study more and become an Engineer in the future. After some days of struggle, she got one ray of hope; her son got an admission in some school. Ramesh (Sudha’s husband) advised Sudha to reduce her working time and give some time to Vinod in order to take care and all where he was ready to work 16+ hours every day. Sudha was very strong, had will power and always wanted to help her husband so she came up with one option. She decided to work near temple in the morning to mid-noon and after that tailoring work at her home under small bulb so that she would take care of her son and contribute something for her family. In parallel Ramesh learned from his co-workers and got an expertise over Tiles, Granite and Pipe fitting. He switched to new firm with his new skill sets and started earning good money. Both Ramesh and Sudha followed the same routine next 15 years and managed to fulfill all the things for their son.

Whereas Vinod was growing day by day and completed his 1oth & college with good marks. He joined electrical firm and got the hold on some technical stuff.  Slowly-Slowly he became a good Electrical Technician in his firm. By god grace they purchased new home (First 1 bhk around 400 sq. ft. in remote area) and sold the old one. Vinod had taken some loan where maximum contribution done by Sudha & Ramesh (that was the only Punji which they saved for their future use).

At least they got the space to live their life comfortably. During the same course of time Ramesh got infection on his eyes because of dust and tiny particles which were coming out while cutting the tiles. Therefore, he stopped doing tiles work and continued with only Pipe fitting and Sudha continued only her tailoring work.

Everything was happening very well and they were enjoying their life with all the basic amenities. Vinod got married after 2 years and added a new baby in his family that was “Welcome of Sudha’s Grandson”.  He was so cute and spending plenty of time with his grandmother/father.

As we know that No-one holds the time; One side Sudha’s grandson was growing up and another side health of Ramesh was getting down. Economically they were getting little bit weak and Vinod/his wife was worrying about the future of their son. Sudha earned sufficient to manage her and her husband medical expense from tailoring stuff, but the atmosphere of house was getting changed.

Day by day peaceful home turned into intense and Sudha & Ramesh were getting indirect remarks from Vinod/his wife. One month Sudha didn’t get any consignment to work so she asked Vinod to give some money for his dad medicine and check-up. Vinod replied “Sure with unhappy expression” and went to office. Vinod’s wife listened everything; she added some comments in the absence of Vinod to Ramesh which hurts a lot to Sudha & Ramesh. Vinod returned very late on that day with upset mood. When Sudha asked him “Beta Tum Late Ho Gaye… Aaj Kaam Jada Tha Kya” but she got unexpected response in a different tone “Ab Ghar Ki Condition Eshi Hogi to Extra Kaam Karna Padega Na”.

Sudha and Ramesh were tolerating a lot because it was a wish of Ramesh to live together. Sudha had already anticipated about the coming time therefore she requested Ramesh to leave this house with me. Finally, Ramesh agreed and both left the home with a small note in the absence of Vinod & his wife.

She started following her old routine “selling of flowers near temple and tailoring stuff” and was staying with her husband in Dharam Shaala.

The day when she shared this incident with me; it was “Birthday of her son”. While making garland of flowers she was remembering the happiest moment of her life history and requesting God to “Ignore My Tears, but Add More Happiness to My Son’s Life.”

After listening her story tears automatically came from my eyes, but what she has written in the note before leaving the house that is still a question? My intention to put this story is not to force anyone, but just one request… please read the below lines:

Our parents have done a lot of sacrifices for us; today wherever we are and whatever position we have achieved just because of them.

·         They don’t sleep at night when we are in pain…

·         They don’t care about their dreams when it comes to their son/daughter dreams…

·         They don’t care about their health when it comes to fulfill the necessities of their son/daughter…

·         They awake several nights / days when we land in this world to provide the comfort zone…

·         They protect us from the outer world when something goes wrong around their children…

·         They support us when we are not wrong…

·         They correct and guide us when we do mistake…

Must respect your parents and always stand with them till the end of your last breath because you can get anything in your life again but “Parents only one time”.