Camaraderie

- Pj

There was an uproar and loud cries of anger in the air. The town which remained calm until then was thickly crowded and an air of fuming anger filled the whole surrounding. The people who relaxedly were talking and gossiping now noticed this change of the atmosphere. In a fraction of second, the town was filled with students- may be high-school students. There was a friction among them, no one knows why but everyone was sure that something unexpected at that moment was going to happen. 

“He was looking at my girl and flirting with her. Hit him.”

 Loud enough was this bellow as there was a second of silence due to an unknown reason. The cry that broke the silence was proceeded by a gust of wind and the whole area was wrapped in dust for a few minutes by cause of tussle and fight those callow kids made. Those who were beaten up were wailing yet yammering and vociferating, unwilling to give up even though the blows they received had turned their faces distorted. 

Arun, having gone ludicrous in the quarrel, reached out for an iron rod. Having a heavy and menacing weapon in hand made him heedless of the havoc it could cause. He made a swish with the rod that ended in a bang which neither he nor anyone in the gang had forethought. It had hit Safwan, his best friend’s younger brother, who ran into the chaos unawares. He fell to the ground screaming out ‘Ummaaa….’ The sounds and sights around became less obscure all at once for this was unanticipated.  People around immediately took notice of the kid fallen on the ground who was making frantic efforts to have someone take care of him as the blood oozing out of the wound seemed really alarming. A kind, old shopkeeper shouted, “Scoundrels! Kill each other and die!” 

 It took a few seconds for Arun to realize his best friend’s brother was the one on the ground. The realization made him go mad and he desperately begged people around to call an ambulance. Someone in due time had called an ambulance which arrived shortly and carried Safwan to the nearest hospital. The rage in the air was no more. All looked at Arun hatefully. Witnessing the bitterness in the eyes around and feeling torment of the wrong he had done, he ran. 

The nature stood motionless- neither hot nor cool. The wind wasn’t blowing. The birds on the trees all seemed to be quiet as he reached the hospital. Was nature really impassive or was he feeling so because of what he’s done? Through the transparent door he saw Safwan with O2 mask on and still with his eyes shut from which dropped tears. The baby he held close always came to his mind. He sat there on bench and closed his eyes rolling to the past. 

He was very close with Nishil (Safwan’s brother). It was a daily routine for them to go for swimming everyday. As usual that day, Safwan came to Nishil’s house to take him along for swimming. Routinely Safwan also ran to follow them. Throwing stones into the waters was his favourite sport there as he was hardly a swimmer at all. “Come over. Let’s try something new today,” called out Arun to Safwan. As eagerness accompanied by lack of any seriousness or thought is the best description for him, Safwan jumped in where water was upto his neck level. 

“We are going to see who got the best breath control. We three will dip into the water and the one who comes up the last is the winner. Are you ready?” asked Nishil. The positive affirmation was assumed. Ready 1, 2,3…dip… The dipping made a splashing sound which was followed by the ascent of bubbles as the trio held on in under the water letting out the air they had in possession. The water snake who was tracking the camouflaged frog took a break to see the winner. Out of breath, first came Arun followed by Nishil. They couldn’t believe that Safwan was the winner. Little had they known that Arun wasn’t in fact competing but battling for life. Soon, Arun got attuned to the danger and dipped himself in to find Safwan struggling inside the water. In no time, he was lifted out of the water with belly filled with water more than its bound. As he sat next to the little boy Arun decided never to take him to the water again. Pushing out the water was good time pass which even the water snake who had lost his prey enjoyed watching. Walking back home with the boy in the middle, holding on to his two elder brothers was a sight that fill heart. 

The sound of ICU door open awoke him. An old looking doctor came out to see Safwan’s mother. The family was eagerly listening to everything the doctor said. Arun was afraid to go near. Gathering courage, he walked into the conversation. He heard, “The boy will be paralyzed for the rest of his life.” Tears welled and flowed. His mother’s cry filled the hallway and broke Arun’s heart. Her pain was inexpressible and she kept cursing herself and God. Turning to the side, she found Arun, the reason for this mishap. She wanted to curse him. She drew near to him, caught his shoulder and endeavoured to speak, but she couldn’t. She didn’t have to say anything. He cursed his own life. A fight, all for nothing but jealousy and hatred for each other made him a loser, made this family a loser. He walked away- away to a place nobody could find him. 

Years later, with grey hair as he took an evening stroll through the park, Arun’s eyes caught sight of someone very familiar- it was his friend Nishil. Shame and regret led him to move away but Nishil had already spotted and called out to him. They hugged each other for a long time. Arun hardly knew what to say but he wanted to know and asked “How is Safwan?” With a wistful smile, he pointed his finger at a couple who were playing with their new-born baby. Arun couldn’t believe his eyes- Safwan and his little family. It was learned that Safwan had a miraculous recovery.  

 “Let’s try something new today?” came the voice of Safwan. The trio looked into each other’s eyes and giving a vent to smile they ran into the water. 1, 2, 3….dip… as the bubbles made their ascent, the water snake and the camouflaged frog eagerly waited to see the winner this time.