Sacrifice

Smita was the only daughter of her parents. So she had a special place in the family. Brajesh and Anjali both were very fond of her. After all, she had filled their life with happiness. Smita also could not live without them. As long as Brajesh and Anjalie were at home, she did not leave them even for a moment, but after they left for their office leaving her in charge of their servants, her face dropped. She found this time very difficult to spend without them. She would often go to the window and look out through it in hope of getting able to see her parents, but her hope turned into disappointment when she could see none of them. Her face brightened up only when Brajesh and Anjali returned home in the evening and picked her up on their arms.

Brajesh was an LIC agent. He was a hardworking, honest and humble. Most of the time he kept quiet and opened his mouth when it was most required. He always sold the best policies available in the market without caring for his commission. This was the reason that the number of his customers was increasing day by day making him a bit busier with every passing day. His simple and loving nature had made him very popular among his customers, and that was one of the reasons of his thriving business, otherwise there were several such LIC agents who were struggling hard even after spending tens of years in this work. Some were not skillful in convincing the customers about their policies while some had lost their credibility.

Anjali was also an educated woman. She worked as a clerk in a bank. Her sweet and helpful nature had made her very popular among her colleagues. Like her husband, she was also very hard working and whenever any assignment was given to her she always finished it before the time that was given to her.

One day when Anjali was busy in doing something on her computer, the peon bought her an envelope. She was surprised to find a promotion letter in it. She had been promoted to the managership on condition that she would work in a rural area for two years.

The promotion brought happiness and sadness both. Happiness in the sense that her work had been appreciated and sadess in the sense that it meant separation from her family.

That evening she discussed this matter with Brajesh. He was also disturbed to know about the condition of her promotion. He felt that her bank was jealous of their happiness and was conspiring to destroy it.

"What've you decided? Will you go there" he wanted to know of her decision. "You needn't worry at all. I'm with you."

"But.. but... Smita? What'll happen to her? She is so young that you can't manage her alone? "

"It's perhaps true, but she is already suffering and I see her suffer any more. Something is required to ne done ", tears swelled up in his eyes.

"Yes... something is required to be done. " Anjali got up from the table and went into the bed room. Smita was in the arms of the deity of sleep. Her innocent face was shining bright in the milky light. She looked at her baby for quiet somtime, then kissed her forehead before going to sleep.

Next morning, she got up early and reached the bank sometime before. There was an unusual brightness on her face. Each of her colleagues congratulated her for her promotion. She also distributed sweets among them. Then, she herself went into the chamber of the manager with the tray of sweets.

"Oh, Anjali... I knew you would rise very soon. "

A smile played on her face.

"When are you leaving for you new bank? "

"Today... Sir ... "

She put an envelope in front of him.

"What... what's this?"

He opened the envelope. There was an application inside it. Mr. Das read it and then looked at her with surprise.

"You resign... but why? What's the problem? "

"Sir, I have a young child to bring up. It's my duty to love her and take best care of her. Being a working woman, I'm not being able to take care of her. Now, I want to give all my time to her."