EMPATHY LOST

It was a progressive city similar to any other developed city of the world with diminishing natural resources, a souvenir from development. The concrete jungle built by men for men lacked humanity as its inhabitants were quickly aping machines while discarding the human traits which distinguished, man and machine.

Dilip Varma lunged and boarded the slowing down taxi leaving the fellow commuter stunned, who was waiting patiently for it to halt. “Domestic Airport” he said to the irritated driver.

The cabby nodded and put the car into gear as Dilip looked straight ahead avoiding making eye contact with the sorry commuter. He knew he was in the wrong but shrugged his shoulders, I am getting late.

His eagerness to catch the hometown bound flight for diwali holidays blinded him from admiring the view of the city basking in sunshine from the taxi’s window, “will you press the paddle,” he said to the driver.

The crowded airport terminal was in accordance with the festive season. Dilip escaped boredom of being stuck in a queue by striking a conversation with a fellow passenger, a jeweller and a companion. His conversation turned out to be informative as by the end Dilip’s knowledge of the trade increased.

A passenger, “How long are we going to wait here,” said echoing Dilip’s thoughts which brought laughter out of the assembled travellers at the expense of the airline’s executive sitting at the counter.

The comic relief broke his dialogue with the jeweller and he looked towards the counter with anticipation. Dilip looked about the lively atmosphere adorned by children’s animated and the adult’s pleased faces for the good times they were expecting.

“Sir” A voice broke Dilip’s meditation, and he looked at the face of a man standing in front of him in the queue.

“Yes” he said with a smile.

“Will they share our luggage” the man said gesturing at the jeweller and his associate, “we are over the prescribed limit” the man added.

Something triggered and he uttered an empathic, “No.”

“Our luggage is over the allowed limit” the man said pointing at Dilip’s luggage, “both of them are carrying single briefcase” the man added.

“I am not interested, you can ask?”

The queue had progressed and the turn of the man in front of Dilip came, “sir you are way over the weight limit” the executive at the counter said.

The man looked back in Dilip’s direction, “sir, you have to reduce the weight of the luggage” the executive added.

The man tried making eye contact with Dilip but he ignored the pleas; and the dejected man went away to a corner.

He went forward for his turn, “sir, you are over limit” the executive said.

“The contents of the bag are important, I will pay the fine”

Dilip paid the bill and took the receipt along with the boarding pass.

Throughout the flight he couldn’t shake off the thought of declining help to the fellow passenger. Was the man’s religion the reason? The question lingered and he didn’t remember went he fell asleep.

On reaching home the animated discussion with his parents failed to lighten the mood as the seed of doubt sowed in the morning kept muddling his thoughts. And it was Sona, his girlfriend’s words, “You did the right thing” that relieved him; when he discussed the issue with her later that night. Thanking her Dilip went to sleep in peace.

Many months elapsed; Dilip was back to his daily grind of being an investment banker. The week have been hectic but he was happy as it was Saturday; the day for relaxation. Just on queue his mobile vibrated, and he checked the caller, it was Sona. He took a drag from his cigarette exhaled the smoke before answering the call.

“Hi” she said.

“Hi love”

“We are meeting at seven o’clock?”

“Yup”

“Ok, see you soon, love”

“Love you” he said and hanged up.

He stood outside his office gate where smokers like him enjoyed their fag after the company adhered to the court orders of prohibiting smoking in public places by issuing a decree stating that a hefty fine would be levied on any offender. With a smile Dilip took a long drag from his cigarette remembering Sona’s irritated face when even she caught him smoking as she deplored smoking, and extinguished the smoke.

He was not an addict but enjoyed to smoke once or twice a day. Whenever Sona tried to reason his out of his habit, “it is just what men sometimes do” was his lame reply.

Dilip held Sona in an embrace, their bodies coiled together on the dance floor swayed in unison under the spell of music. The air heavy with smoke smelled of alcohol and the shroud of darkness soothed his tired mind; from the weeks hard slog. The gay atmosphere and the closeness of her body excited Dilip who took his face close to her and felt her warm breath on his nose. The longing of melting her lips in hers was overwhelming but he resisted as he wanted to heighten the excitement. Another idea came up, let’s see who budge first.

He studied the longing etched on her face and saw her parting lips invitingly, but stood firm. Sona looked into his eyes for a moment then as an afterthought inclined her neck bringing her lips closer to his and finally closed her eyes. He knew he was fighting a losing battle; a mischievous smile came on his face. Dilip playfully caressed her buttocks, and she as a reflex responded by kissing him. The wet salty kiss felt warm and he wished it lasted till eternity, “It’s cheating” she said in his ears breaking the kiss. He laughed knowing that his trick have been caught; and blushing they walked towards the counter.  

The prolonged dancing had made them thirsty and famished so Dilip ordered a long island ice tea; for Sona, a scotch; for himself, along with starter.

Throughout the night dancing, liquor and food were consumed in that order which went late in the night till Dilip and Sona along with other patrons, “it’s the last song” heard the Dj address the crowd through the mike. The announcement brought a collective sigh from the dejected patrons. Nevertheless a few more tracks were coaxed out before the discotheque was closed officially for the night.

The cool breeze of the night coupled with the tipsiness; an after effect of alcohol heightened Dilip’s excitement as he walked on the pavement arms wrapped around Sona’s waist. His fingers were playfully exploring the upper region of her hips, when a loud crash accompanied by a human cry brought him back to reality shattering the mischievous plans.

The screeching sound of tyres indicating vehicle coming to a halt; made Dilip body hair stand erect. And his feet quickened towards the sound.

As far as Dilip’s eye traversed no irregularity could be seen in the flood lit street. Till his mind could process what happened? The roar of an engine broke the silence and the sound of a quick speeding away vehicle was heard. As reflex some pedestrian ran after the sound but gave up the futile chase considering the options.

A few people gathered around the corner of the road and inspected the spot below; watching their interest a crowd formed. Dilip also quickened his feet to reach the spot.

“Watch your step” Sona said, the anxiety in her voice made him look down and noticed his shoe drenched with blood. Watching blood flowing on the tarmac had a paralysing effect; his feet resisted movement and heart shuddered in horror. In fear Dilip stepped back and watched blood saunter on the road finally trickling in the crevice.

By the time Dilip caught up with the crowd at the far end of the road his eye noticed moment as a few bystanders brought and laid the victim on the flood lit spot of the road.

Oh God! Why? Why? Was the first thought that filled Dilip’s mind looking at the victim’s innocent face.

“He is breathing” someone said.

The statement charged everyone into action; suggestions were thrown about to get the injured to hospital.

The melancholic effect piqued by shock and compassion engulfed Dilip, and he placed victim’s head in his lap. The chaos made his numb as he felt trance overpowering his actions.

Dilip felt himself pushed inside the auto along the victim and Sona. Unable to respond he kept looking at the victim, he is so young; barely out of his teens. Among the wishes and many best of lucks auto moved towards it destination. In the silence that ensued he could hear the shallow breathing of the victim and noise of the auto’s engine.

A jerk broke the trance when the auto passed over a speed breaker. Dilip found his bearings and noticed the presence of a third person inside the auto on whose face discomfort was clearly etched.

“How much more time to reach the hospital,” he heard Sona’s voice.

“Ten minutes” the auto driver said looking in the rear view mirror.

 “Nothing to worry” Dilip said to the stranger who gave a half hearted nod in reply. Dilip looked at Sona with assurance, and calmly placed his hand on the victim’s head, “all will be fine,” he said in victim’s ear. And looked ahead in anticipation of the hospital.

Constant mumbling from the stranger fell on his ear; at first he couldn’t fathom the head or tail of it. But concentrating a little harder he understood the reason; it was anxiety caused by fear. Dilip understood it but tried to distant himself from the distraction as he wanted to concentrate on the victim; but the desperation in the stranger’s voice forced him to reconsider. “What’s the matter?” he said.

 The question opened the floodgates and the stranger recited everything like a parrot, that he was out parting to celebrate the occasion of him leaving for States for higher studies, and see what mess he has got himself into, the victim said pointing at the victim.

The stranger’s insensitiveness angered Dilip but tried to take a diplomatic approach considering the delicate situation, “What is your name?”

“Raman”

“Raman don’t worry”

“You don’t know my father, he will get angry” Raman said, and exhaled, “Police may stop me from leaving the country” 

Raman’s nervous energy was contagious and Dilip started to feel the anxiety spilling over him, so he made a decision and dropped off Raman on the road and went ahead.

Inside the hospital no doctor was ready to monitor the victim, what is your relation with the victim? It is a police case; were the questions they kept asking. It was only when Dilip filled the hospital form, and assured them that they would cooperate with the police that the hospital authorities took a serious look at the patient.

By the time police came to question them about the incident the hospital authorities had taken their blood test as a proof that they were drunk on the time of bringing the patient to the hospital; which Dilip and Sona testified.

Dilip and Sona were interrogated and let go only when the police were sure of no wrong doing. They were given the instruction to be present in the court when ever called upon for the hearing.

It was five o’clock in the morning when Dilip and Sona reached their flat. Dilip was sitting on the sofa in a pensive mood. Sona entered the dining room holding two cups of tea; she passed one to Dilip. Sona sat comfortably beside him sipping from her cup.

Dilip’s mind was clogged with questions but was not sure which one to ask and which one to pass.

“Don’t worry, we did the right thing” she said.

Dilip turned towards her giving a questionable look. His mind replayed the sequence of events starting from the encounter he had with the Muslim stranger in the airport queue few months back to events of last night. What further confused him was the information he got from the police, the injured person was a Muslim.

Why different approaches? The question lingered which bothered Dilip. Was prior information about one’s religion reason enough for helping or blatantly ignoring the individual? His mind responded with a weak; No. 

Sona took the cup from his hand and placed it on the table, “Don’t over think” she said.     

“My mind and heart are saying two different things”

She held the shivering Dilip in a warm embrace, “you are in the right.”

Sona’s words had a soothing effect, and Dilip held her tightly in response closing his eyes to the disturbing images which kept on replaying.

Her body heat warmed his cold limbs and fragrance vitalised his tired brain, and in response Dilip made love to her on the sofa. Later on lying exhausted after the completion of their little adventure, “you are a good man,” she said in his ear.

Dilip kissed her forehead lovingly.