Young Man

January 19th, 2010 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Young Man

Short Story- the Man

The man

Dalip Singh Wasan, Advocate.

101-C-Vikas Colony, Patiala-147003.

When I was just entering youth, some of my friends told me that this man on this earth is very weak. He has got no character, no standard and he can break all types of relations and therefore, a Young Girl should try to save herself from these men. But I was not believing in all these things. A man could be a father, an uncle, an elder brother, a brother in law or the like and this man is a social animal too. He lives in this society and he is bound to keep the norms intact which have been established this man himself and therefore, he shall be keeping all these norms in life and only then he can say that he is a honourable member of this society.

I completed my education. I completed my training. I applied for the post of teacher and I got the same. My first posting was in a village and that village was situated about eight KMs from my house. I was boarding a bus and then I had to walk about one KM and thus I had been reaching my school in time. Punctuality had been taught to me by my father, who himself was very much disciplined and therefore, I could learn from him discipline and also this concept of punctuality. That had been the reason I had divided the syllabus in parts and I had fixed this part quarterly. I had been completing each part within that quarter and thus when there were annual examinations, I was not forced to put more labour because my students were very much ready for the examination and it is on record that I could give hundred per cent result during the last two years. The headmaster was giving a list of my achievements while pronouncing results and he specially requested all the teachers to follow me and he specially had a mention of my preparing syllabus quarter-wise and then follow the same.

The first two years were going on well when all of sudden a primary school was also opened in a village which was falling in my way. It was situated where I was leaving the bus and started on foot. One day I noticed that a young man in forties left the bus with me. He came forward and said, “ Jai Hind”. I stopped and reciprocated, “ Jai Hind sir.” I had never seen this man earlier and therefore, I enquired, “ Sir, I do not know you. I have never seen you earlier. We never met. I think you have been transferred to my school. One teacher of Social Studies had been transferred from our school and the head master has given that subject to me. This is not my subject, but I have started working on the subject and now I am giving justice to my students”. He had a smile and said,” No madam. I have not been transferred to your school. I have been given charge of this newly opened primary school. I have hired a room here and If you want to have some rest, you can utilize my room. I have set up a small kitchen in this room. If you want, you can visit my room today while returning from the school. I shall be waiting for you.”

I could not understand all this because such a man had met me for the first time. I reciprocated the smile and said,” Yes Sir, I am thankful to you. People like you are Very Rare in this world. I shall be happy to stay with you. But my parents are living in the town and after boarding this bus, I reach my home within a period of half an hour. But as and when there is rain or there is too much heat, I would be utilizing your room.”

I noticed that this man was very punctual and he was always present when I started my journey on foot. He had been persuading me on all the occasions, but somehow I could take leave of him and never said that I would never come to his room where he has set up a small kitchen. I had been giving him hope against hope and I noticed that he had been offering me some fruit, some sweets or the like and had been walking with me for half a mile.

I was in a fix and I was not understanding what should be done with this fellow. I started recalling the suggestions of my friends who had been discussing such events in their own life. One day I said to him, “ Sir, tomorrow is Sunday. I shall be waiting for you in Hanuman chowk. You may please reach there exact at eleven in the noon. We shall be going to the canal side and we shall be sitting on the bank of the canal and shall be having long talks.” He agreed and next day, as per promise, I reached Hanuman Chowk. He also came in time and we both started on foot towards the canal which was about four KMs from our town. I asked him to keep a space so that none could collect that we both were going ahead jointly. He had been following me on this journey of four KMs. I did not sit there. I was still walking on the bank of the canal. I walked and walked on. Then I stopped and waited for the man. He came near to me and I said, “ Sir. This is the village of my Bhuaji, sister of my father. I was all alone and therefore, I needed your company. I requested you and you accepted my request. I am really thankful to you. If you want you can accompany me to the house of my Bhua ji and if you do not want, you can go back and I would like that you should go back on foot and you should try to learn a lesson.” The man stood up there without any words from his lips. I came near to him and started speaking, “: Sir, you are like my father. My father has reached just fifty. You too might be having a wife, some children, your parents, your brothers and sisters. You are a member of a respectful family which could establish this family with hard labour. I am sorry to note that you have forgotten all these people when you were accepting my suggestion and when you had been following me on foot for all these eight KMs distance. What is extraordinary which you noticed in me and started following me. It would be better if you keep in your mind your age, your family, your wife, your children, your parents and all those who have got some respect for you. If something wrong happens with us and it is known to all in your family, there could be chances that you would be running out from your house and even you can commit suicide. Be careful in future. You men should see that we the girls who are joining service are not of bad character. We want to serve the country and its people. It is not so that we want freedom and have contacts with men like you. The woman of India has joined the main stream and therefore, you, the men of India must realize this fact and work with us. We are not a commodity for your enjoyment.” The man was still standing there without a word from his mouth. I went into the village and the next morning he was waiting for me. He uttered only one line, “ Thank you madam. You have taught me a lesson and I shall never forget this lesson. If need be, I shall be spreading this message amongst all men of my age.” And he left me. After that day he was never waiting for me.

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