Realization

“May I come in, sir?”

“Yes. Come in.”

“Thank you, sir.”

It was the third interview in a row that month. He had been desperately running after a job of any nature and in any position, as he was in dire need of employment. Securing a job, either in the government sector or in private, was the only option left to him after losing hope of getting loans from banks or any financial institution. His experience had taught him that despite regular government announcements, it was not easy to get a loan sanctioned in favor of a person like him, who had neither money nor references; and above all, had staunch faith in moral values.

Rajesh knew the complexities of life and was not unfamiliar with the blunder of having faith in social and moral values — which were nothing but weapons in the hands of powerful and influential people. The ethics and social obligations, which set social life in motion, were shedding their colors, and their ugly face was emerging.

He had great respect for his father, but sometimes, unknowingly, he felt ill against him for implanting good manners and behaviors in him since his childhood, particularly when his dark moods overpowered him. It seemed to him that it was not him, but all his good qualities nurtured by his father, that revolted against him and despised him.

Sayings of great souls were now meaningless sermons with no practical implications — Rajesh had begun to think this way. He recalled one incident from his boyhood when he was appearing for the secondary school examination. It was the final day of that examination, and most surprisingly, the invigilator himself had been helping the examinees in their unethical copying of answers. It was enough for Rajesh. He stood up and openly protested against it. Neither any examinee nor the invigilator reacted to his objection. He was happy and satisfied that he could raise his voice against immoral practices. But when the final results were declared, he secured the lowest marks in that paper — obviously, there was something sinister about that, he concluded, and it was the first blow to his faith in moral values.

Swimming against the flow, he completed his academic education, but to his dismay, he realized that he was the most uneducated person. He read many books, participated in seminars and symposiums — but couldn’t understand the ways of life.

When he was on the verge of collapsing, a ray of hope came into his life. He met her at a literary program organized by a little-known cultural club. Like him, she was there to recite her poems.

On his turn, Rajesh recited his poem, ‘The Cloud’ — a poem that dealt with a gloomy theme, where life was dull, monotonous, and colorless.

The next to him was Sneha, who read out a beautiful poem. It was also not a poem of happiness. The poem was full of sorrows and tears — but with a profound sense of faith and belief wherein no darkness could prolong. Rajesh visualized answers to all his doubts in her poem. He congratulated and praised her for the poem.

Gradually, the frequency of their meetings increased, and they became closer. Sneha was all alone except for her handicapped mother. She was always cheerful in adversity. Her incredible belief in humanity had been an inspiration for many. It was no wonder that she became the source of inspiration for Rajesh.

The job he had been mad after had lost its charm. When he stopped hankering after it, it came to him. Not only the job but Sneha as well. She became his life partner. He was a successful person in the eyes of his friends. Was it a fact?

Rajesh knew the truth. Success meant nothing. It was a shadow — which was closer to realit

y but not the reality.