Just Nothing

That day I was walking with my friend. Suddenly seeing a crowd in front of a house, friend Vikram asked: "What happened here, friend?" Anything wrong? "

"No, Vikram, the crowd gathers for any reason. Something good has happened in this house! "

"Then, these cops, cameramen ...?"

"Come on, Vikram, I will tell you the whole thing, just don't interrupt me and don't ask any questions ..."

 Vikram said,” Yes”.

I started to narrate:

“This house belongs to Savyasachi. Savyasachi is a big man - the Managing Director of a big company. Being a director of a multinational company is not a joke. With many abilities, it is very important to have the ability to work tirelessly, non-stop. If you stop you will be thrown out mercilessly from the prestigious position. You get a fat salary. You do not realize how you are deprived of the small pleasures of living with family members. You do not know when and how the children grew up, what all degrees they have obtained, I did not even know. When you return home, everyone would be busy with one’s work, or they might have gone to sleep. I get a few moments of peace, so no one brings their daily problems to me, but I became disgusted for the same reason. I used to think of leaving the house but was it possible? No, I have to keep moving in the fear of competition, faster… and faster… ’

Savyasachi was thinking all these while returning home in his car late at night. Thankfully the car was being driven by the driver, otherwise, immersed in his own thoughts, he would have got involved in an accident.

He remembered the days of the college. In order to get lucrative jobs with fat salaries, all his classmates were craving for admission in prestigious management institutes. Savyasachi was also working hard. Family members, especially parents, had high expectations from him. This son of a higher middle-class family was dreaming of joining the elite class.

His dreams were also fulfilled. When he got admission in the management institute of Calcutta, then all of them became happy. He soon forgot the jealousy hidden in the greetings of his friends. Two years passed away very fast. Savyasachi also got a job in a very famous multinational company. It was obvious that the wedding also took place soon. Savyasachi continued to get job promotions and his wife, Sachi, took care of his every mood and supported him in all respect. Whatever be the problem of the family, whether it was the admission of children, or someone’s sickness, or a party, or a celebration at home, everything was handled by Sachi! Savyasachi would just do the job, get promoted, manage to uphold the company's reputation and move forward.

But he was getting aged. By the time he attained the age of fifty years, Savyasachi began to feel intensely that he had grown a bit tired, tired of the same monotonous environment, but it was impossible to get even a few moments of leisure in the life-threatening competition of the market. Sachi used to see everything but was helpless. She starting feeling a bit scared about the husband’s health, his tiredness, the increasing competition in the market day by day and more so about his reputation.. She wanted to stay behind her husband like a shadow, but it was not possible to do so.

As usual, Savyasachi went for an early morning walk. This was a habit he had not given up till now. In other words, the morning walk was very important to keep the body machine in working condition. Savyasachi would leave at five in the morning and after about an hour would come back and get absorbed in his routine.

But on that day it was half-past six, but Savyasachi did not return till nine. Sachi was familiar with the route he followed. She took out the car and went in search of him to ensure that he was not involved in any accident. After return, she contacted on phone all acquaintances and relatives and enquired but they had no idea.

She had to file a police complaint ultimately.

The moment the police complaint was lodged there was news about the disappearance of Savyasachi in all newspapers, on radio and on Doordarshan. Police search started. His friends, enemies, officers of the company were all questioned. Savyasachi was popular in the company; he had no enmity with anyone. No other company even intended to take over his company.

Probably he might have gone to the hospital due to extreme fatigue. Hope he had not fallen due to tiredness.. But all attempts to get his whereabouts were futile. Sachi’s condition worsened by constant crying. The closest relatives also came. The children were also upset. The elder son continuously kept sitting near the telephone and the younger one used to go to the police station again and again, asking if there was any news of his father.

Now it was being guessed that Savyasachi might have been kidnapped. If they ask for ransom money or wish to know the secrets of the company...

But no call came from the 'kidnappers'.

One day had passed. Nobody ate food at home. The second day also passed. Today in newspapers and T.V. it was reported that no news has been received so far about Savyasachi.

The third day… It seemed that everyone had forgotten Savyasachi through publicity. Then the days passed on ... No one was worried about him except the family.

But once again the photo of Savyasachi appeared in the newspaper as he had returned, safely!

A lot of acquaintances and colleagues had gathered in the house.. Policemen, C.I.D. people kept him engaged asking different questions. The tired Savasachi repeatedly told that he did not know who had kidnapped him also where and why he was taken there.

Early that morning, when he had gone for a walk, suddenly two men caught him in the car and drove him to some unknown place. Savyasachi was put on the back seat; he could not get up so both of them, who caught him, sat on him. So Savyasachi could not see what place he was being taken to. On reaching the destination, he was asked for a large sum of money. It was ordered that he would call his family members and ask them to arrange for the money. Savyasachi told that if he sells his house and all belongings he may not be able to make up that required amount.

The kidnappers decided to set him free, thinking that they had misjudged Satyasachi's financial status. They took a decision to release him. He was put on a train. After sometime when Savyasachi managed to look through the window he guessed that he was not far from Calcutta. As soon as he came to Howrah station, he got down and came to his house by a taxi wthout any scratches, or any symptom of fear. He had got tired so much replying to the questions of the police that his tongue began to falter while facing the journalists. He could see darkness in front of him. He was almost unconscious.

Sachi prayed that no questions should be asked to him until her husband's mental tension was released. He is tired and needed to rest desperately.

All have gone. Savyasachi went to sleep and after about two hours when he woke up he saw that the children have gone to their work. The sweet smell of good food was coming from the kitchen. He got up, immediately, took a bath, came to the kitchen and from behind hugged his wife and said: “Hat’s off to you! Really I rested for a whole week! All the fatigue has disappeared! Now feed me a good meal. I shall relax today and go to the office from tomorrow. ”

The wife was also smiling. While feeding, she said, "There was no other solution either. Neither would you take leave, nor would the company give you leave. After the kidnapping, no one could exploit you! Now, I am worried about only one thing. They should not come to know about the truth. They should not ask, why the kidnappers didn’t have even a pistol? Why did they not tie your hands and feet? How could they agree when you told them that you could not afford to pay the required amount as ransom?. They simply agreed and left you. They made you sit on the train. There was not even a scratch, no sign of fear on your face. You reel out good stories.Well, leave it.I shall manage the rest. I shall remain with you

Savyasachi smiled and said, "You had suggested this trick, to send me to Didi's house in the village for rest ... Now you can handle everything ... I have full faith in your wisdom."

THE END

Charumati Ramdas 

https://storymirror.com/read/story/hindi/3g9w6rk8/bs-yuun-hii/detail

बसयूँही... 

★★★★★