(AI translated version of  पत्थर दिल!)  

Last Chapter

Moaning loudly, she tore her bangles and tried to control the flood of tears in her lap, but this attempt failed. She began to faint while hiccupping loudly.

Seeing her serious condition, Dr. Rajeev Malhotra got upset. He took Rajeshwari’s mobile phone and called her nephew Suvarna. After talking to the doctor, Suvarna reached the hospital with his father Bhagirath, and two to three friends. He first talked to doctors to improve his aunt’s health. When she got some relief from the doctors’ medicines, Suvarna took Umakant’s body home from the hospital and started preparations for his last rites. He informed Manish about Umakant’s demise by sending a voice message. Manish sending a reply voice message said only these words, ‘I miss you, papa!’ 

About 15 days after completing all the rituals after Umakant’s death, Suvarna went to his home. Rajeshwari became active to bring her deserted Chaman back on track. She kept thinking about Manish day and night. She often get confused that Manish is knocking on the door saying Maa Maa. She would run towards the door. Would open the door. But when Manish was not found there, she would start sobbing. In such a situation, neighbors Subhan Khan and Jagdish Harure would try to control her by pacifying her.

On the other hand, Manish’s problems started increasing in New York. Initially, the owner of the flat where he lived on rent got angry over some issues and asked him to leave the flat. Then one day he got into an argument with his immediate boss L Anderson over some shortcomings in a project.

The last nail in the coffin of Manish’s troubles was driven by his assistant Carla. When he saw that Manish was not getting along with his boss, he understood what would be Manish’s fate in the future. Therefore, to distance herself from Manish, she accused him of misbehavior. Manish started getting defeated from all sides. The time cycle turned and Manish lost his job at Poogal in the very next month and he started searching for a new job. It’s been about three months. He didn’t want to get a job so he didn’t get it.

In such a situation, he started missing his home. One day he called Rajeshwari very nervous. When Rajeshwari saw that Manish had a call, she understood that perhaps the days of the camel coming down the mountain were about to come. She spoke in a loving voice – And son! How do you remember?

Manish: Mother, I have been troubled for three months. I have lost my job. Carla also betrays her and joins the side of her American lover Nielsen. Mother, I have no one here! Now tell me, mother, what should I do?

Rajeshwari – Son! Wherever you live, you live in any situation. The doors of this house have neither been nor will be closed for you. Even though you did not remember your father in his last moments, he was chanting the same tune as Dashrath – Manish, Manish! No matter how ruthless you have become in pursuit of your career, your father loved you very much. His heart was very soft for you, son! Son, as they die, a message for you –

Manish: Yes, say yes, mother! What message did Dad leave for me? 

Rajeshwari – Son! He had asked to give half of his wealth to you.

Just hearing this made Manish feel a surge of emotions. He felt that there was no one in this world more selfish than him. The scene started flashing in his mind when his father would be yearning for him while counting his last breaths. How they would be dying while chanting the rosary of his name. Thinking about all this, tears started flowing from his eyes and his throat started getting choked.

xxx

He remembered those childhood days when he had insisted on a new dress for himself. It so happened that when Manish was ten years old, one day he insisted on buying a new dress for himself from his father. At first, Papa kept procrastinating for a while. But when he returned from his office in the evening, he had a box of new dresses in his hand. Manish used to roam around proudly wearing that dress. But one day he realized how much of her father’s sacrifice was hidden behind his happiness.

It happened that day father went to the bathroom to take a bath. But forgot to take his vest. After bathing, he called Manish to bring the vest. Manish went to collect his vest which was drying on the balcony of the house. When he picked up the vest he was surprised. Tears came to his eyes. There are holes in Papa’s vest! Not one but twenty-twenty-five! The poverty, despair, and father’s duty reflected in those holes made his child’s heart sad. He understands how much his father loves him and even though he wears old and torn clothes, he gets true happiness in seeing Manish happy by getting him a new dress. From that day onwards, Manish had vowed that no matter what happens, he will take his family out of this quagmire of poverty and when he grows up, he will find a good job for himself and become his father’s right hand.

It is a different matter that when he got a job in Poogle Company after completing his studies, with time the memories of all these things became blurred in his mind. A layer of dust had settled on them.

He also remembered those days when his father got promoted from a humble clerk’s post and became a class one officer. He achieved this success based on his dedication, hard work, and ability. When he became an officer, he started taking care of Manish in a better way. By the time of his retirement, he had collected lakhs of rupees for Manish by depositing money at many places, investing, etc. However, he did not give any hint to Manish about how much money he had deposited for him. He often used to say – I don’t do anything, everything is happening due to the luck of Manish and Rajeshwari.

xxx

While remembering all these things he said in a hoarse voice – Mother! I understood how great my father was! How worried he was about me! I am the only one worthless who could not be present with him even in his last moments. Mother, I am so ungrateful that I put my godlike father at risk for my career. Was deprived of their service and care. Mother, you were right when I said that I could have got another job but I would never get a father like him again. Mother, I am coming to my country! I will survive there in whatever way I can. The hearts of the people in this city of gold are like stones. Perhaps his shadow had fallen on me too. I wouldn’t want to live here at all!

Hearing such words Manish, and Rajeshwari felt very relieved. She said emotionally – Come on! Even though you came to your senses late! Come, return home now! Your mother is ready to welcome you with open arms! Start your own small business right here with the money you get from your father! And…

Manish – What else mother?

Rajeshwari – Nothing son! When your business gets established, bring a beautiful daughter-in-law who gets along well with everyone so that we can live a peaceful life!

Manish: Mother, it will be as you say. I’m coming to you next week!

Hearing such words of Manish, innumerable candles of hope lit up in Rajeshwari’s mind.

 (fictional story)