37. Death of Prutvi’s father

CHAPTER 37

Death of Prutvi’s father

Prutvi told Arvind what had happened in the bazaar. “There was gang war in the bazaar between Daga and Mustang. They threw bombs. That bastard Daga fell at my feet. He was still alive. Maybe he is dead by now in the hospital for he was wounded in the legs. Also one another man was dead in a jeep.”

Arvind said, “That Daga is a very big mafia leader. Since 30 years, he has cut the city into pieces to fill his stomach. Mustan is also of the same type. That is why both of these are rivals.”

Prutvi said happily, “He must be dead by now.”

“If he dies also no use. Another daga arises just like the minister’s son becoming the minister. The children of the mafia boss become the next mafia boss. That’s all.”

Prutvi said, “Such gundas have political leaders and the police as supporters. They steal directly and the three of them share and eat indirectly. Tomorrow there is bandh it seems. As if they are great leaders.”

Arvind asked, “Why are you taking tension? Let us celebrate at their house or here itself.”

“Her mother does not know about us. You know, I have never told her that I love her and she has not told me either. I plan to tell her tomorrow. I feel that she too will tell me tomorrow. We have planned to go to the beach.”

Arvind said, “Fine. Good idea. You go to sleep now. Good night.”

“Good night.”

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At 2am, a car stopped in front of the compound. One man entered the compound and knocked on Prutvi’s door.

Prutvi opened the door. “Who are you?”

The man asked, “Are you Prutvi?”

“Yes. What do you want?”

“Sir, your father is dead.”

Prutvi was shocked. “What are you saying?”

“True sir.” He took his cell and punched a number. “You can talk to your mother.”

Prutvi took the phone. “Mommy, what happened?”

Mother said on phone, “Your father died in an accident.”

“When?”

“Yesterday. You come home immediately by car with the man I sent”

Prutvi returned the cell to the man and closed his eyes.

Arvind started crying. Prutvi patted him on the back. “Take it easy, fellow. Please.”

Danalakshmi came to their room. “What sad news.”

Prutvi said, “My parents are very good people. My father was a very big man.”

Arvind said, “Not just big man, he was god. Today if I am studying Engineering, it was all because of him. Prutvi is not his only child, he has thousands of children. Today, at the ashram thousands are getting food, shelter and education all because of his donations. I feel that I have lost my real father.”

He cried loudly.

Prutvi said, “My father stayed in foreign earning a lot of money all for the sake of donating to the ashram. I wonder what will be the fate of the ashram now that he is no more.”

Danalakshmi said, “Death comes to everyone one day or the other. What to do? Nobody can escape death.”

Prutvi said, “Aunty, death is a big boon to man. I am not afraid to die. Nor am I sad on the death of my father. But I wish he should not have died so early. He should have just lived for 10 more years. I am sad for thousands of children living at the ashram.”

Kotari said, “Your heart is very big, my boy. You love those children so much. You love that ashram so much.”

“When I was just 3 years old, my parents left me at the ashram. Swamiji was my father, mother and everything. As I grew up the ashram too grew. I have never visited my father’s country even once. That is why the ashram is so dear to me.”

Prutvi got ready to go. “Arvind I will go and came back soon. It might take me 10 to 15 days to finish the karma.  Please tell Chandini.”

Arvind nodded. “You don’t worry.”

Prutvi turned to Danalakshmi. “Aunty, I am going now. I will return in 15 days.”

“Ok, my boy.”