November 21, 2011
He looked at his watch again, it was 1.30 am and all he could see were empty streets that are crowded during the day, and a few trees still lucky to be on earth. He looked at the sleeping dog and smiled to himself. Maybe the tea he had two minutes back was still keeping him awake. He knew that a watchman's duty was not an easy job as he had to try hard not to fall asleep and guard the building under construction from trespassers. The moment he stepped into this job he realized that if he made the rich bosses unhappy he would be fired.
Joe is 72. People his age usually take volunteer retirement and sit at home sipping coffee on the porch. But Joe is not so lucky. He was an orphan. In a city, thousands of kids are orphans, yet they manage to survive. When he was a kid he used to fill his stomach begging by the bus stop. As he grew up, he started collecting plastic bags and bottles which were thrown into the dustbin. Whatever he earned was sufficient for him. He lived in the slum. When he was in his late twenties he married a girl from the same slum. After a few years she ran away with another man who earned more than him. Left alone, Joe moved on and has been since working as a watchman. He's been doing this for 40 years now.
He still remembers the night, when this big-eyed tiny pup got into the under-construction building he was guarding. He wanted to chase the puppy away but something made him stop. He looked into those big moist eyes and he knew this would be his pet. He was named Jupiter. He didn’t know what it meant, but he had heard the kids mention it while studying. He loved to listen to them. Years passed but Jupiter never left him. He was happy to see that there was someone who loved him back and was faithful to him. He shared his meals and home with Jupiter.
He lights up his beedi. He knows he is getting old but he has to work. People like him who don’t possess anything, have to work until they die. Joe pats Jupiter’s head. He knows even his dear dog is growing old. He is almost 11 years old. The belt around his neck is torn and faded. Joe takes one more puff and stubs out the beedi. He works nights because it gets him extra wages. He looks at Jupiter, his black hair turning grey. Like master like slave, he thinks, and starts praying. Whenever he feels drowsy he starts to pray. He doesn’t know which religion he belongs to, but says his prayer to all the Gods.
He smiles again. He sees the time, it is 4 am. Soon the sun will come up and he can go home with Jupiter and sleep. At that very moment something catches his attention. He sees two small figures trying to get into the building. One look at them and Joe realizes that they are beggars. His childhood comes flooding back to him. He allows the kids to stay there for a while. When it is 6 am he wakes them up and asks them to leave. When the kids are about to leave, he calls them back and gives each one 50 rupees. Their small saddened faces light up. They smile at him with gratitude and leave the place.
Around 7 am Joe’s replacement walks in. Joe whistles for Jupiter and starts walking towards his home. He prepares a small meal for Jupiter and himself. After saying good night to Jupiter, Joe closes his eyes.
The clock strikes 7 pm. It is time for Joe to be present for his watchman duty. But he isn’t there. Someone from the construction site comes over to check. He knocks on the door, then bangs, still there is no response. At last with some help he breaks down the door and is struck at the scene. There lay Joe, with eyes that will never see daylight again. Jupiter is resting his head on his master, following him in his death. Like master, like slave.
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