A LIFE LESS ORDINARY

“She wanted you to have it” said the old lady thrusting the old rusty metal box in Ramesh’s hands. Patting his hand, “it will please her soul” the old lady added and left the dimly lit room. Ramesh went to the door and bolted it. Where am I going to keep all these useless stuff? Ramesh looked at the mountain of gifts wrapped in colourful shinny papers which the neighbors have been giving him ever since his arrival to this god forsaken place. A creaking sound coincided as he sat on the old worn out bed.  Ramesh threw the metal box among his clothes, what the hell. A thuk sound was heard from the fan indicating another power-cut; it’s the fourth since morning.

All started on an eventful rainy day. Ramesh was running late for a client meeting due to the water logged roads caused by the continuous rainfall. The snail like traffic and his boss’s constant questioning, where have you reached? You should have known about the water logging, was getting on his nerves; so it was natural that in this chaos he decided not to respond to a call from an unknown number. Finally three hour late when Ramesh came out of the client’s office and reported back to his boss about the developments of the meeting did he check the fifteen missed call from a solitary number. And frowningly he hit call button on his mobile and heard the bell ringing. “Hello” said a female voice, “this is Advocate Verma’s office, and how can I help you?”

“Advocate?” Ramesh said, “Sorry wrong number” and he disconnected the call. Ramesh came out of the building and looked at the dark clouds which augured for more rainfall. What would an advocate want to do with me? He shook his head to discard the thought and sat in the driver seat of his car.  He looked at his wrist watch, enough time. Ramesh decided to take a quick bite before heading for office and with that thought in mind he put the Honda civic into motion.

Ramesh heard a knock on the door which brought him back to reality as he found himself sitting on the bed in the darken room. He went to the door and opened the latch. Ramesh saw the old lady who had given him the old box carrying a try containing tea and biscuits. “You should have called me?” Ramesh said.

“Called you? You are always inside as if someone has imprisoned you.” The old lady said.

Ramesh takes the tray from her hand and was about to close the door, “see that is what I am saying” putting her hand in the door, “you must go and meet people, after all this was your grandmother’s village” she added.

He looked at her in silence, “you must see for yourself, at what pedestal these villagers have placed you” she added.

Ramesh closed the door and placed the tray on the floor. What time is it, and as a reflex checked his wrist, oh I have forgotten it back home.

Ramesh knocked on the door with the plaque reading, Advocate Verma. “Come in” a male voice said.

He entered the room and saw a fat middle aged man sitting at his seat going through his files, “you must be Ramesh Gupta” the advocate said looking up from his files.

“Yes”

“Please take a seat”

Ramesh took a seat and sat in-front of the advocate who by now had left his work and was looking intently at Ramesh. “Don’t you remember me?” the advocate asked.

Ramesh looked at the stranger sitting across the table for a few seconds and then shook his head. “How could you, you visited Basoli just once” placing a hand along his receding hair line, “it must what thirty-thirty five years ago and we were very so young” advocate added. Extending his hand, “I am Sandeep Verma” advocate said. And they shook hands.

“Pardon me but I don’t remember you” Ramesh gestured with his hands in a defensive manner, “Will you please elaborate my being called here on such a short notice”. He added.

Sandeep Verma took out an envelope from a drawer and placed it in-front of Ramesh, “take a look” Sandeep said.

Ramesh emptied the components of the envelope on the table which were a folded paper and two photographs.  He took the photographs in his hand looking at them, “it’s me with my grandmother” a smile came on Ramesh’s face as he pointed a finger at the boy standing next to him in the photo, “and this is Chimpu...why are you showing me these” he asked.

Sandeep laughed aloud, “Don’t tell me it’s you?” Ramesh said.

“Yeah, It’s me”

Ramesh thought for a few moments, “You used to be so skinny” Ramesh laughed and then composing himself, “nice to meet you after so many years” he added.

“You have done well for yourself” Ramesh looked about the office, “when did you leave that village...What was the name?” he added.

“Basoli”

“Yes...yes...Basoli, when did decide to leave Basoli?”

“I still have my house there and take my children during vacations”

 “Don’t tell me you take your children there?”

“I do” Sandeep replied with intent, “They love the open sky and like to run in the fields inhibited” a glow came on Sandeep’s face, “after living in these cramped up flats" he gestured about his room, "they enjoy the open spaces that Basoli offers.” He added.

Ramesh looked at Sandeep with a questioning look but decides against pressing the point further, “tell me the reason for calling me?” he said.

Sandeep pointed at the letter lying on the table, “read the letter first and you will get your answer.”

Ramesh opened the folded piece of paper and began reading, Dear Sonu, when you get this letter it means I am no longer in this world and gone to the almighty. I have entrusted this letter with Chimpu, remember him? You played with him on your solitary visit to Basoli. That was many years ago, you were what four-five then.  I am enclosing two photographs which will help you in remembering him.

I know you are a busy man and not taking much of your time I will come straight to the point for writing this letter. You remember our ancestral house and the farms. After my death you are now the sole owner of the place do whatever you wish with it. Chimpu who is an advocate has prepared papers with my consent. Take the papers and do whatever you want to do with the land and the house. It’s he who has written this letter.

God bless you

Your grandmother,

Savitri Devi

Ramesh folded the letter and kept it on the table. Sandeep took out another envelope and placed it in-front of Ramesh, “the will” Sandeep said, and “she wants you to visit Basoli once before you sell of the land and the house, it was her last wish” he added.

There was another knock on the door, “I do not need anything” Ramesh said.

“It’s me” Sandeep said.

Hearing Sandeep’s voice Ramesh rushed to the door and promptly opened it, “what took you so long?” and closing the door, “you know how bore I was sitting in this room since morning.”

“Do not worry everything has been taken care of and your tickets is booked for tomorrow's 5am train.”

Ramesh exhaled a deep breath, “so finally I will be free to go from this village” he said.

“Why don't you get ready and I take you on a tour of the village”

“What is there to see” Ramesh nonchalantly said.

Sandeep went over to the corner of the room where Ramesh’s bags were placed and threw jeans and a shirt, “get ready.” Ramesh made a face but decided to go with Sandeep’s wishes.

Sandeep was leading Ramesh through the village they walked past the village maidan where ramlila used to be held. Next they passed the village market, “it’s still the same, nothing much has changed” Ramesh said.

Ramesh saw the old dispensary, “you remember, that day when you fell from the tree and hurt your head” pointing at the entrance he said, “we brought you here for treatment” he added.

Sandeep felt the place with his hand where he got stitched after the fall, “how can I forget, I was plucking mangoes for you” he said.

They both laughed at their foolishness of time gone by. From there on they remembered all the incidents and stories which the two shared in those two months which they had spent together. They became so engrossed reconnecting the past that they failed to realize the setting sun.

It was Ramesh who remembered it first and stopped mid-step. He looked at Sandeep and winked. Sandeep gave him a puzzled look and was about to enquire, “You ready?” Ramesh said and started to run. A knowing smile came on Sandeep’s face, “you can’t be serious?” he said and ran after him. Ramesh was ahead as he had taken a head start but Sandeep quickly reduced the gap and in a few moments was on Ramesh’s heals. “Don’t tell me you remember this after all these years” Sandeep said.

“I had forgotten it but walking in these old lanes and talking of the summer gone by brought back nostalgic feeling”

Both of them had settled on a steady jog and kept looking at the setting sun. “Do you remember the way” Ramesh said.

“it's being a long time and I stopped going there after you left”

“So let’s do it like old times and follow the sun” Ramesh said. Sandeep nodded and keeping the sun in-front they followed a straight line. The geography of the village had changed over the years as many new houses had spurred up along with more shops. At some places they encountered dead ends and on other large pits. Averting all the obstacles both Ramesh and Sandeep reached the peak of the hill which was three kilometers outside of the village. They were huffing and puffing due to  physical exertion but their faces conveyed a unique tranquility as they watched the setting sun. “You remember one can see the sunset for the longest duration from this spot” Ramesh said.

“Hmm...Just be quite and let me watch the spectacle in silence” Sandeep said.

Ramesh sat atop a cliff and savored the majestic view. They remained silent till the last of the reddish tinge that had coloured the sky turned to darken. Thereafter both of them reluctantly made their retreat to the village.

“Wow...never experienced such calmness in a long time” Ramesh said as if talking to himself.

“Hmm...”

“Don’t you feel the same?” Ramesh asked Sandeep.

“I understand how you feel?” with a smile on his face, “the peace I get visiting the village away from the daily hustle-bustle of the city life fills me with new vigor.” He added.

Ramesh had stopped walking and was listening intently to Sandeep’s words, “thanks for bringing me here” he said.

“It’s not me, it’s your grandmother who is the reason of you being here.” Sandeep said

Sandeep’s nonchalant reply made Ramesh a little self couscous, how selfish of me. And he again started to walk in silence and his thoughts took him to Sandeep’s office.

“Do I really need to be their personally” Ramesh said.

“It was her last wish” Sandeep said.

“You know our life is so busy, where will I find time”

“Can’t you do this much for her?”

“You see it not about wanting but one should also have time”

Sandeep mulled over it for a few moments, “two weeks from now 24th August is a holiday and 25^th is Sunday, what you say?”

Ramesh felt caught up, he didn’t want to go but Sandeep had got him, I should have thought a better plan, and reluctantly agreed to Sandeep plan of visiting Basoli.

A pat on his shoulder brought Ramesh back to reality, “where were you?” Sandeep said. 

Ramesh avoided his eyes in the fear that Sandeep could not see the embarrassment he felt. “Now to where?” he said changing the topic.

Sandeep with a wink, “let’s enjoy the night for old times’ sake” he said.

Sandeep took him to the best dhaba of the village, “I hope you eat non-vegetarian” he said.

Ramesh nodded in reply. Sandeep ordered a tandori chicken and meat gravy along with butter rotis. Taking the parcel he took Ramesh to a liquor shop, “whiskey or beer?” Sandeep said.

“Whiskey” Ramesh said.

After that returning to Ramesh’s room they spent the night enjoying their drink along with the tasty food and talked all night about their summer together. Ramesh didn’t remember when his eyes closed and sleep engulfed him.

  

“Get up...Ramesh...get up” he heard Sandeep calling out his name. Ramesh opened his eyes and saw Sandeep standing with a cup of tea in hand, “its 4am” Sandeep said.

Ramesh took a small sip from the tea and let it settle on his tongue till its aroma filled the inside of his mouth and reduced the pungent smell. He looked at Sandeep who was collecting his stuff, “it’s mine” Ramesh said.

Sandeep turned around, “I know, I am packing your stuff , you go and quickly get ready. He said.

Ramesh remained silent for the whole duration till Sandeep dropped the luggage on his seat, “you have a safe journey” Sandeep said.

“Thank you” Ramesh blurred out.

The train whistled signalling the commencement of the journey, “you take care” Sandeep said and with those words he was off the train. Ramesh sat rooted to his seat unable to utter another word. The train jerked into motion which brought Ramesh out of his daze and he rushed to the door to find Sandeep but by then the platform was long gone and he viewed a single track. A sudden pang of loss pinched his chest, why didn’t I bid him farewell? Dejected he came back and sat on his seat and kept looking outside the window to a picturesque sunrise.

“Excuse me” a voice said.

Ramesh turned to the sound and looked at an old man sitting on the adjacent seat, “yes” he said.

“Son, what’s the time?”

As a reflex Ramesh looked at his wrist, no watch, a smile originated on his face as he took out his mobile “Its 5:30 am” Ramesh said after checking the time. He quickly surfed to the missed calls section of his phone and scroll down the numbers and settled his eyes on the number which had fifteen written besides it.  He pressed the select button and saved the number under the name, Chimpu.