May 27, 2008

He was encountered by the darkness. The detachment was not easy. He did not remember his name nor his identity or the location. It could be a dream. He was unsure. His attempt to reposition his body resulted in throbbing pain. The constituents of the body were inflexible. He was burdened by the heaviness. The excruciating agony made him miserable.

“He moved his fingers.” A women’s familiar voice ruptured with wobbly tone. “Perhaps he is gaining consciousness.”

“It appears like Krishna Kumar is responding. We should thank God.” Now a man intonated with deep and heavy pitch.

Was he Krishna Kumar? During the recollection he felt so. Yes, he was. The lady with shaky voice was none other than his wedded life partner Saraswati. The flicks of his memory expanded with the images of his two school going daughters.

“We have tried the best what we could.” The reply sounded like a Doctor’s tone. “He was knocked down from a substantial height. The spinal column is damaged and the blow on the skull is severe. Even if he survives we do know how far he could be normal. There are chances of paralysis.”

Krishna Kumar realized that he was in the hospital.  How did he reach here? He was not in any trance. It was reality. He was burdened by the pain and heaviness.

“Do not worry about expenses.” The deep and heavy pitch came back. “Krishna Rao is my most trusted man. I want him to be normal.”

He managed to recognize the deep and heavy pitch. He was Chowdhury Veer Pratap Singh, the wealthy and rich land owner of a village in Bihar. Krishna Kumar had been working with Veer Pratap Singh for more than 25 years. Initially he had joined as accountant, but later on was promoted as manager for all kinds of business. The ancestral business in a village in Bihar was centered on cultivation of Rice, Wheat, Cotton, Sugarcane, Milk and dairy products. Veer Pratap Singh had his political interests and ambitions. Krishna Kumar had become the power center of the unprofessionally managed traditional family business.

“If not for your money he would have been dead by this time.” Doctor was frank in his opinion. “We will continue our efforts.”

Krishna Kumar comprehended the truth. Veer Pratap Singh was battling for his employee’s existence. He was no ordinary boss, but a living picture of compassion and kindness.  The backing and support given by his chief at this critical hour had lifted the quality of humanity to a different and higher level.

But why was he in the hospital? What kind of accident? He sensed the oxygen mask while trying to open his mouth. He could feel the needle on his hand, possibly was connected to a dripping glucose bottle.

He made an attempt to move. Krishna Kumar had turned frail and fragile. The weight was unbearable. He had become a burden to his own self. The craving for redemption was on acceleration.

He could not think further. By then he was asleep. He was not aware the number of hours he had slept as the senses switched back.  The struggle to slide out from the darkness had reached an acute stage. The salvation was vital. The head-ache, body-pain and heaviness had turned intense. Krishna Kumar sought liberation from the burden. He opened his eyes. The blurred vision gradually moved to clarity.

The anxious faces greeted him. His wife Saraswati, daughters, Veer Pratap Singh, his assistant at the work place Mr.Narayan and the doctor came closer. He made an attempt to talk. The mask was still on. He just murmured which nobody understood.

“Please do not talk.” Doctor advised him. “You should be careful.”

The doctor continued the check up. The nurse assisted him.

“Would he become normal?” Saraswati was worried. “I have promised food for the homeless at the local temple.”

“You may keep faith in your God.” The doctor pacified her.

“He has just gained consciousness.” Veer Pratap Singh appeased. “He would be alright. God is always kind to honest people.”

Krishna Kumar gazed at his boss. Veer Pratap Singh was God in form of human being. The care and concern shown for his recovery was beyond eloquence. Was he worthy of such impressive treatment? Krishna Kumar’s eyes turned moist. Doctor instructed the visitors to step out from the ward. 

The therapy and rehabilitation continued for next few days. No major improvement was visible except for some clarity in speech. He was trying hard to speak, but lacked the confidence of recovery. The death seemed very near and he was constantly bothered by the inner self. He had gained memory and he could recollect the sequence of his accident.

The catastrophic evening had occurred last Saturday. Krishna Kumar had returned from a 3 day business trip from Patna. Veer Pratap Singh was conspicuous by his absence and he could not meet or reach his boss. Narayan had assisted him in his daily routine.  Veer Pratap Singh’s hundred acres of land was always keeping him occupied and breathless. Krishna Kumar had the knack and skill to squeeze the maximum from the staff and laborers.

By evening he had handed over the cash to Veer Pratap’s wife.  As usual Narayan had accompanied Krishna Kumar to the liquor bar. Narayan had vacated the place after the first drink. Krishna Kumar had stayed back for two more drinks. His house was about 4 kilo meter away from the township. He had to cover the mud road to reach home. Throughout the summer and winter he managed well with his scooter. But during the rains the red mud would get wet and soggy. Then he was left with no choice but to walk.

A wooden bridge was located on the way after 3 kilo meters. The structure of the 12 meter long and 1.5 meter wide bridge was weak and the application for the renovation was resting in the government office without action. The courageous two wheel drivers would daringly ride over bridge without getting down. The rest would climb down and push over.

While going to work in the morning even Krishna Kumar would prefer to walk over the bridge with the scooter on his side. But after couple of drinks in the evening he would turn fearless and his scooter would speed up like a non-stop express. On that disastrous Saturday night while riding over the bridge unexpectedly his scooter had plunged into the lake due to the sliding of the wooden planks. He had plummeted into the lake 25 feet down before he could realize the reality. In his unconscious state in the water Krishna Kumar’s story would have had come to end if not for the help rendered by a bicycle rider. He was saved and taken home. There after Veer Pratap Singh had arranged the hospitalization and the treatment.

“The weak floor board was burdened by your weight. It collapsed.” Saraswati explained. “Veer Pratap Singh bailed you out from death. We are indebted to him.”

He would be grateful to his boss even after death. Tears trickled from Krishna Kumar’s eyes. The bridge had released the burden by tossing him down. How would he liberate the heaviness from his conscience? He was truly burdened by the weight in his heart.

“Why are you crying?” His wife soothed him. “Believe in God, everything will be okay. Think that your honesty was paid by God through Veer Pratap Singh.”

Was he honest? The sense of right and wrong was in severe test. His conscience was ripped open. He turned remorseful. He did not have the confidence of survival and wanted to save his soul before death.

“I have to speak to my boss.” His voice vibrated.

“I will inform him.” She assured. “He will come.”

Veer Pratap Singh arrived in the evening with Narayan. Krishna Kumar signaled his wife to go out. She moved out. Reluctance to face his boss was evident in his eyes. He gazed at the ceiling.

“How are you?” Veer Pratap Singh affectionately asked him.

“I have something to talk.” Krishna Kumar struggled for breath.

“We can talk in plenty once you get alright.” Veer Pratap Singh rubbed Krishna Kumar’s hand.

“I am running short of time.” Krishna Kumar whispered. “I want to make a confession. I hope you and God will absolve the sins what I have committed.”

“I think you have gone out of your mind.” Veer Pratap Singh snubbed him. “Your brain must have been knocked off while falling into the lake.”

“I am a scoundrel. I have betrayed you and God.” Krishna Kumar sobbed. “You have been busy with your ambitions in politics and you entrusted your business operations in my hands with complete faith. I took advantage of this situation and swindled funds by claiming clandestine commissions from our buyers. I managed fraudulently as you never dealt directly with the buyers. Now while looking at the way you have been fighting for my survival at this critical hour of life, I feel ashamed of myself. I am really sorry.”

The confession had unburdened the heaviness from his heart. His cheeks had become wet with tears. He felt weightless. The aftermath of the declaration of the guilt was beyond Krishna Kumar’s imagination. The facial expressions of Veer Pratap Singh turned murky and flinty. Frighteningly hostile transformation zipped across.

“You crook…..” Veer Pratap’s eyes emitted venom. “Your shady practice was exposed by Narayan when you went to Patna. I arranged the dismantling of the timber of the bridge.  Now at least you should know why I decided to unburden you!”