A talk in the train! Meet-up 4! (i)

Ratan had asked Raghubir to bring his story book for him to read his works. On their next meeting at Cha Bar in Connaught Place, Raghubir brought his selected stories for Ratan to read. It was not a book that Ratan had asked for, but many stories were bundled together in a folder. Those weren’t much organised but Ratan did not say anything but grabbed on to it, as soon as he saw it. 

While they talked on issues of their country, from the new government to the Economic policies that were being formulated by the government ministry; Ratan had something in his mind. That thing he had already received, to read the stories his friend wrote. Those were quite a many, and he was looking at the folder and the papers placed in between, with stories stapled and differentiated from one another, on A-4 sized sheets. Few looked old while few looked as new prints, done just for Ratan. There was more of his friend, Ratan had wanted to know. In this man, had many deep a stories that kept him so imaginative in his own world; that he wasn’t triggered much, by whatever great or big was happening in the fashion-frenzy world. What new fashion was storming in, Raghubir didn’t seem to be moved with. But, he was unlike other people Ratan had ever known. There was a different light, from his eyes; that enamelled in his words, whatever he said. So much so, his world seemed different from the one where Ratan felt, he was living in. Raghubir always had his own views, that is why he was referred to as a deep person. The person who was hard to be understood because he didn’t even understand himself; let alone others to know him well. Or maybe, no one had been that close to him, to understand even his mood swings, or reactions. 

So, they parted to meet until the next meet-up when Ratan and Raghubir would interact over his writings. Ratan was all prepared to read them all, and to keep them as closer to his heart, as anyone would keep a precious gift. What for the society was the greatest luxury- was for this actor, his friends’ treasure of love. Where he wrote his heart out, what he could never say to people straight because simply- no one had the time, to listen to as much he had to say. Because it asked for time, to listen to him, to know him and no one was as free, to listen to him. 

Ratan reached his home and started reading the stories by his friend. The first story he started with, was titled; “Load on the roof”. This story talked about a man, who was married at a young age and how he was leading his life. From, getting rejected in job offers from places, when he finally got one good job; and then, how his relatives ran after him, pleading for favours all the time. When, there occurred to be an imbalance in his family life because of so many people affecting them; on how his wife left him, and his mental peace was lost. He had given up on all his relatives, who had been the reason for the disturbances. On how, this innocent guy answered everyone on their face. Regarding how, he had his life to lead; and the life which wasn’t meant to please others at every point. He got his wings, and one day his wife came back to him; they had peace at home, and peace started from one’s own self was a good message expressed through his story.

In the next story Ratan read, there was another young boy who worked at a tea shop for very less money and it’s his story on how; he went on to become a rich person. When he listened to the trade talks by the shopkeepers in the street he worked; he learnt at every step by himself; to end up making a beautiful future for himself. It had been because he didn’t really let his reality break his dreams; he sheltered his dreams and didn’t lose himself to any intoxication which young people often get into. The young boy, who visited Sai Temple daily, had his faith answered; when he believed he could, that he finally did. 

Ratan was impressed but he had kept his eyes at the characteristics of the protagonists in the stories; those were similar to what he found in Raghubir. Was it the fact of the matter that Raghubir had seen people from their suffering’s, and hard work that they had to put to win their bread and butter. It was a characteristic that Raghubir surely had, the vision to read people by their faces. True that one could not be understood merely by the first impression. But, what connected him to those people was that pain, the pain that is universal. It belongs to all beings, and comes to all. In life cycle, sadness, happiness came to everyone and was not secluded to only few. Yes, it was true enough that many people had to fight for little happiness, the battles within themselves. But, then Ratan thought what was happiness and what did it really mean? 

Ratan couldn’t wait but call his friend, he dialled his number and they began the conversation.
Raghubir wasn’t much interested to let his heart out on telephone, but his friend couldn’t wait for their next meeting at the train station the next morning, and also they were meeting again in the day later.

“Okay, Raghubir. What is happiness?”

Raghubir was wondering what had happened to his actor friend. Why was he so curious to hear him? Then, he answered him; by simply putting his thoughts across on the phone. Although somewhat shy to say much more of himself to his friend, without being sure if he was going to make sense to him; he could only continue because at that point, Ratan was adamant to listen to him all the way more. Unfortunately to say but in the next moment the telephone line was cut, and Ratan’s wait had remained to be a wait. In the meantime, Ratan searched for different titles in the many stories which he had taken from his friend. He got to read, ‘Happiness’ and held it tighter to read it. "Wooww. the spirits knew it somehow, I was searching for it. Yay!" He expressed his excitement on reading the title of the article. 

                                                       Happiness

Many a times in our lives, we feel sad; that means we are not happy. Sometimes, happiness is seen as peace. Surely, it is the peace of mind that matters the most. But, what does it mean to everyone, differs from person to the person. Few for that regard, feel MASLOW’S NEED HIERARCHY THEOREM SITS THE BEST, example for determining the level of happiness and satisfaction. Where, one’s self actualisation needs accord the highest level of peace and merriment in an individual’s life. Similarly to put it, in his words; what was the first level of peace was to fulfil one’s basic needs. But, still was it to be left on, the things that we accomplish that make us happier? What was it, that triggered one person the most. Yes, it depended from person to person; but yes, to reach one’s goal is the best feeling in the world. But then, do we get peace guaranteed for all our lives? Don’t we succumb to fall yet again? Yes, we obviously do, but then we get up too. 

For that matter, look at an old couple, who are left alone after their children leave them; are not there for their parents, like the parents were there for their children. Few people often say that, old age is the second childhood but what happens when there are daily fights over property, on ridiculous matters. Where was the peace of the old parents, who wanted to see the happy faces of their children and now, all they have got is tears. A man can do hard work and labour all his life, and then he has to keep on doing his job till his last day; because there are trouble makers in his own relations. So much so, that this old couple in the old age, have to sacrifice, their income; their dreams still, dreams being nothing more than to find their children happy but see what becomes of the world these days. In India, parents do keep their children with a lot of care; and even with less resources with them, parents work to bring the glitter and smile to the faces of their children. When the mother teaches her child and fulfils all the childish desires for toys, dolls etc. But, when they grow up and marry; the truth of the world threatens the lives of their parents every other day. They have to believe in their prayers that things will get better but no, the trouble makers kill each left day of their parents’ life. Where is the scope of happiness, when there is no respect? Well, that’s not the case with everyone, but still; such stories exist in this world. 

There’s a story of a old man, who was waiting for his sons to end the conflicts after their meeting in the temple. His eyes were hopeful, with the Gods’ name; his eyes that were pale, with his wife sitting next to him, holding his hand; to let her husband know, that he was not alone. That, they would live through whatever becomes, together and not leave each other alone. That lifelong togetherness of the two, if could not act as a valid example of love and care for their children; then what else could anyone expect from life? It was all the way much, so forth; realistic world to be in, when dreams of love and togetherness were better to be left in dreams. The materialistic world, was enough to disrupt the peace of the world. Whilst the people in high social standing, who would wear branded clothes would look down at other people as inferiors and would mock at them. Not realising their journeys and challenges of and behind their lives. There was a lot to learn than to mock at. 

End.

Ratan wanted to read more of it, but whatever he read; he was speechless. To him, the dream of being a stage actor was the driving force towards his daily rehearsals and practices. When he wanted to reach to his audience with his sense of wit, his ideals and thoughts; and the holding up of precious moments in the play wholly together. A little emotion was gone, a little mind was diverted and the situation was out of hand. Maybe, the effect that was prolonged to exist upon was left unreached and unpressed; if the actor lost his state of mind during the performance. This time, after reading the article; he was left with many emotions to counter. In no time, he glanced the sight of a old couple waiting at the bus stand; from hours, as visible from ‘The Attic’, the place where Ratan and his team practiced. In through that window, was the couple visible and each time Ratan rehearsed a monologue, he had to cover the space of the room; that was seen as the stage. At this junction, he could see them; their faces looking far long the blank road for a bus to come their way and ride them, to their destination. 

Faces seldom revealed the truth behind their feelings and emotions in general. Faces, that don’t pretend; faces that mean themselves. Whatever people did good or bad, in the end it was all visible. For that matter, no one’s pretence was ever hidden, while no one’s good deeds ever went without love. People who did good, didn’t ask for anything; but the pretending faces asked a lot, more to sustain their selfish desires than to experience bonhomie or to experience the sight of real beauty. For, the facial beauty may not live forever so bright and charming, but the beauty of the heart; could not fade as goes the saying. 

Like always, even that day; Ratan was left to rally in his many thoughts; thanks to his schoolmate, his childhood friend who had now become a good friend. The next day, ’twas Raghubir’s stage play; like every Saturday-Sunday, he was performing at The India Habitat Centre, in Lodhi Colony. He had already given an invitation to Raghubir, to come and watch the play. 

Curtains. 


Gagandeep Singh Vaid
29th october’ 2014
                      

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

a dream that was, and that ended.

Definitions of love~

Love is togetherness.