II. BROKEN AND LONELY
A lone figure, wearing a dark jeans and casual grey shirt, is walking numbly on the road while rain is heavily pouring on him. His clothes are soaked but it doesn't effect him.
Nobody would be able to recognise him due to his current state, he looks so broken as if he lost the last reason for which he was living until now. People passing around him are whispering among themselves 'Who this beggar is? He must be mentally imbalanced. Oh! I think his girlfriend broke up with him or worst his wife cheated on him. Poor man, looks like he lost someone very close to him.'
They are talking among themselves as they don't know him but the truth is mostly every passer-by might knew him or atleast knew his name for that matter. But if anyone told them that this man is none other than the same man who owned the title Business King and is among the winners of Asia 's Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards for last five years.
He is, Arjun Suryakant Rawte, the owner and the president of the 'Jyoti Corporate', the founder of 'Nurture foundation' which assist and associates many orphanages, schools with stationary and kids toy shop. He is alone in this world so he tried to help the lonely kids and immerse himself in their happiness but looks like he shouldn't be happy or should not have existed in this world where he have no one to rely and no one to support even today.
The road is not crowded due to heavy rainfall. Only few vehicles were passing by. Some drivers were throwing weird glances towards him while few were shouting at him "Are you mad?" "Oh insane!! Go, die somewhere else." Two or three drivers even asked him "Hey, are you looking for lift?" "Oh bro! Should I drop you somewhere?"
But nothing reached his ears, as if he is deaf or lost somewhere else. And he was lost. Lost in the happenings of the last few hours, where he got to know the cruelty of life as he saw the death of his last hope, his reason to be alive. His life.
.
.
.
.
Few hours ago
It was around 9 in the morning, inside a formal yet cosy five star restaurant known as Meet & Treat, there almost every tables were empty except three.
On one such table sat five official persons, wearing formal dresses. Anyone can say, they were having one of their early morning conference related to some deal and that's what happening here.
"Sir, this consignment will brought a huge benefit to our company as well as it will be helpful for our US expansion." Shreya Sharma, the project manager explained the profit of the deal to her boss.
Her boss as usual just gave a curt nod in reply. Shreya continued her business talks while Mr. Smith also added his preferences, shares and about their expected benefits.
Soon after one hour of the talk about their deal and compromises. Finally gesturing at Brian Sandy the PA, Shreya exclaimed meekly "Sir, what do you think about this deal?"
Curiously, Brian also looked towards his boss as he was quiet more than usual today in the entire meeting. No interruption in between the presentation, no comments on anything about the deal, it's very unusual thing to expect from his boss.
Their boss stood up from his chair so suddenly that Brian, Shreya alongwith Mr. Smith and his secretary got startled.
Then he exclaimed in his usual slow yet firm voice "Okay then, nice meeting you Mr. Smith. Hoping to see the progress of this deal soon. Brian complete the legal document of our collaboration and finish the needed settlement with Mr. Smith. Excuse me, I have to go."
"And one more thing Shreya about yesterday's interview, make sure to send the acceptance letter to that candidate with part-time experience at Nurture Orphanage."
Saying so he walked out of the restaurant with urgency in his steps as he don't want anyone to know anything about him. As he has started feeling suffocated and his left shoulder, arms and ribs are paining badly while he is feeling his heart drumming loudly. Until now he was able to sit composed without letting anyone know about his real condition but with passing seconds the pain is increasing, so he left before anybody could get a clue about his health.
He sat in his car and start driving to reach the only person who know him and his health very well. He reached at the entrance of Emerald Clinic, his only friend come Doctor Sameer Rathore's clinic.
Opening the door of the car even before he could stand properly, he felt tremors ran down his body. He fall down on the road as his heart slowed it's pace suddenly which in turn didn't let his lungs inhale right amount of oxygen. And before he could let a word out, he lost his consciousness and felt darkness engulfed him.
One hour later, he opened his eyes feeling slight tinkling pain in his left shoulder and arm. He looked around him and found himself at the bed of his friend's clinic with IV tube attached to his hand. He knew this time, something major has happened to him. He had this feeling as if it's once and for all. Soon Sameer entered and found him awake.
"How are you feeling Arjun?" Sameer asked "You scared me to death, you know? One of my patient came to me and told someone is lying outside unconscious, when I saw its you, I couldn't believe my eyes."
"Sam, sorry to scare you." Arjun replied.
"Anyways, tell me what the hell were you doing to yourself? What is going on, haan!?" Sameer asked loudly.
"What are you talking Sam? I just felt an unbearable pain in my left arm and shoulder and felt palpitation and high heart rate. I was in the meeting and had all these under controll but within half an hour, I lost consciousness. I don't know why did I feel that?" He replied confused.
"Since when did you have these problem? Do you have to have this late for diagnosis and treatment? Do you even care.." Sameer asked seriously looking concerned for his friend.
"Sam, You are talking as if I had only few days left in this world or something. Come on, out with the truth. I just had slight pain in chest and shoulder since three months, so just took casual pain killers and they were helpful until recently. So tell me what's the problem, huh!?"
"Rawte, are you out of your mind? You just took pain killers without doctor's prescription and check-up. Now you are in this situation it's very much your fault. You would have been fine if you got checkup three months ago but now I am just wishing it is not too late." Sameer replies, worriedly put his palm on his forehead.
"What do you mean by not too late? What has happened to me? Come on Sam, say it already." Arjun asked anxiously.
Sameer looked down, before saying "Relax, you will be fine. I will see to it. Just don't stress. I had called a specialist Dr. Richardson for your treatment, he will be arriving soon."
Arjun asked loudly "Shut up and speak up what happened to me, Sam? Tell me already, Sam. Sameer speak!!"
"Congenital Heart Defect!"
.
.
.
.
.
Present
"Congenital heart defect, a hole in between the wall of the two upper chamber of heart." The words Sameer said still echoes in his mind with same vigor.
"I am too much of a burden on this world. Why was I bring in this world? Just to teach me the true meaning of heartbreak and loneliness. First my birth parents, then sister like bestie Jyoti, then Maa Dad and now after all this when I tried to live by giving happiness to others, still I am not allowed to live. Why? What have I ever done? Argghh!! Why me? Why? Why didn't you kill me before them." He shouted his lungs out while rain intensely pour on him hiding his grief-filled scream by loud sound of rain and thunder.
"AAHH!!"
"AAHH!!"
Suddenly two shouts echoed in the now-silenced road followed by loud *Thud*.
......
To be continue..
Edited by etfr - 3 months ago
comment:
p_commentcount