Cozy

August 08, 2020

That day, Arjun woke up suddenly early morning. Actually, he could not sleep the entire night. It was his results day and he knew for himself that he had not attempted his papers to the best of his abilities and he knew somewhere down the line that he would not be able to cross even this time.

This was his 3rd attempt at Board Exams and Arjun somehow could not give his best when it came to studies. Though his parents did not say anything through words but their actions always pointed out his failure. Arjun digested these gestures but he was frustrated from inside as this education was ruining his otherwise normal life. This frustration was slow-poisoning his mind and he was becoming a victim of depression too.

His mother came rushing to him, she tried to calm his nerves as she was aware of things going through her child's mind His father though did not talk to him, gave a glance and moved away. He completed his morning Chores and went to school to know about his result. Anxiety and nervousness was obvious on his face.

Being a Private student, many students who had gathered outside the school gate did not know him. Friends are a great source of stress buster at such times but Arjun found himself pushed to a corner because of this Board Exams. The Principal ordered the peon to put up the Results on display board and requested students to check their results patiently.

Waiting for his turn, Arjun was praying for some miracle to happen. His anxiety and nervousness reached the limits, gathering courage he looked out for his name. Alas!!! The result was negative and he broke down. Arjun could not hold his tears. Everyone could gauge the reason for this breakdown. Suddenly, his mind said to him - "Don't go home.. ". A split second decision, Arjun decided to listen to these words and go away somewhere, not thinking twice, he left wiped his tears and went towards the Railway Station - Pachora.

Arjun hailed from this small town and knew the direction of trains which goes towards Mumbai. He caught a train and sat near the door and reached Mumbai CST. He was baffled by the rush and the lights in the station. He slowly moved out of the station premises in search of basic requirements of life - food & shelter. It was late evening and shops were closing. Since he could not find anything, he drank water and decided to sleep in the railway station only.

Next day morning, he was feeling "Free" and woke up with a bright smile but then he was feeling hungry too. His emotions were on a high and he was sure to find a job on his own to survive in this wonderful city. Moving from shop to shop, he asked for any job but nothing happened. His positivity was slowly being crushed into tears. He remembered all the "Cozy" luxuries he enjoyed at home. Though he got a regular taunts for not studying, he was fed well. Today he was hungry and not a single person to ask for food. He was shooed away as a beggar. He started crying profusely in a corner.

A Cloth merchant saw this and called him. Understanding the situation, he fed him food first and also, heard his story. The cloth merchant was an elderly person and he had seen such situations many times. He later counselled Arjun that life in this city was not easy unless you had a proper education and job at hand. The merchant explained him that tough he would get a job now, it would be short term and not everyday, anyone would feed him. Arjun was now convinced about the importance of education and promised to visit this city in a new 'avatar' - educated and matured.

Arjun was ready for change and a new purpose was set in his mind. He learnt the bitter lessons of life practically. He made up his mind to go back home and improve upon himself. He was unsure how his parents would react, his mind was continuously thinking about how others at his hometown would react, but he was now a determined man with lot of clarity to face any challenge. He took the train back to his village.

The one day stay at Mumbai taught this young boy many lessons which textbooks could not teach him. He understood the basic facilities available at home, were much "cozier" than the footpath and basic food at home was much better than nothing.

*******

12 years later

CST station was ready to welcome the new Municipal Commissioner. Many political party representatives had gathered with bouquet with many many kartyakartas. Even the Officers from BMC were there in large numbers following the official protocol for welcoming the Commissioner who was going to be at the helm of the affairs from tomorrow. The Municipal Commissioner got down from the train and was pleased to see the sea of people for welcoming him. He accepted the warm greetings and slowly moved out towards his residence. On reaching his house, when he sat down on his chair, his mind flashbacked his impromptu visit 12 years ago.......a drop of tear and sweet little smile refreshed memories of young Arjun.