Morals

The Civil Aviation Authority has presented the investigation report of the Moongra Hills plane crash incident, which claimed lives of 182 passengers including its crew members to the Court of Inquiry. It clearly indicates the disaster was caused by the pilot's error. Black box recordings reveal that the control tower repeatedly told the pilot that he is heading in the wrong direction. Also the co-pilot  asked the pilot very loudly to take the plane up, but it was very late before he could have done it.

She switched off the TV and sat down on the sofa. One person’s mistake can destroy hundred lives. Who was to blame? What fault was it of the passengers eagerly waiting to see their beloved? Hundreds of dreams crashed along with the plane and died a silent death. Some time God too act like a sadist. He punish innocent people for no fault of theirs?

Raag, Don’t play with toys when you study.

Mom, My home work is finished. 

Ok. Have your milk and go to bed.  Don’t forget to brush your teeth and wash your feet.

But, I wanted to wait till papa comes..

No. Flight is late.  Now, be a good boy and go to bed. 

Noooo… Papa promised to bring me the Xbox game.

Don’t argue with me Raag.. go to bed NOW..  Look at Pallavi, she slept like a good girl …it is past your bed time.  Go Now. Good night.

You are Bad.

Did I hear you say something???

Nothing I said good night.

She looked at the clock. He will be home soon. She was becoming impatient to meet him. It was more than a week since he left on his business trip. She missed him so much. She was not ambitious like him. She just wanted a sweet home with lots of laughter, happiness and peace. Her life revolved around him and the kids.  She was content with her small world. She could never understand why people ran after money sacrificing the small joys that having a family offered.  This was a sore point between him and her.   He was always thinking about his work. Although he does try to make time for them, still it was not enough.

It was almost time. She went to kitchen and switched on the  the micro wave. Pulaao and subzy was ready. She will just heat it up and make hot rotis when he comes.  He always needs hot food. She worried if he had proper food all these days or not. He never like outside food, he loved her cooking and preferred to eat at home.

Her mind wandered back to her college days. They were class mates. He was a simple guy with innocent looks; he was shy, silent and reserved in nature…just her opposite. She had never seen him talk to girls. She was everything he was not, vivacious, talkative and always in the middle of everything. What they say about opposites being attracted is true. A smile curved her lips remembering and wondering even after so many years how she fell for this oily haired old fashioned guy. God, she loved him so much.

Suddenly she realized she forgot to take curd from fridge. She took the bowl and filled curd in it. Crazy fellow...will have more curd than actual food. She chopped raw onions for him. That was another one of his crazy habit., to have raw onions with everything. Pallavi took after him in food habits but Raag was not picky, he ate anything.

Children loved him a lot. He supported all their mischief. She had never seen him scold the children for anything. Not even for studies. If possible he will stop their schooling and have them enjoy full time with no constraints. He liked to see them always playing. It was not his fault. He missed his childhood as both his parents were working. He had told her about how lonely he was in a locked flat with pre-prepared cold food. Holidays were the worst. He used to stand at the window all day and watch other children play. He never complained to anyone for anything. He said he lived in his own fantasy world and how he missed his parents even when they were around and he was living with them.

His only condition when they decided to get married was that she should be a housewife. At first it was impossible for her to consider such a request. She too had ambitions, she was qualified and had dreams of becoming a career woman and she had argued with him that she could handle both her job and family. But then, he had gently explained his reasons and said at least till the children are independent and grown she should stay at home. Today with raag and pallavi, she had no regrets of forgoing her career for family.  She was happy and content to be at home with her loving family around.

Ding dong… it was the door bell. He has come. She ran towards the door. There he was standing with his arms wide open. She jumped in to his waiting arms, hugged his neck as if she had not seen him for years. She noticed that Rajan uncle from the opposite flat was watching them from his balcony..it was his time for a after dinner smoke. Feeling shy, she gently disengaged from him but he held her tight and walked inside their home and still holding her he sat on the sofa.

I missed you so much…

Me too. How are the children? Pallavi got her results?

They are fine. She got good grades. She was waiting you to show her results and Raag refused to sleep until you came… I had to force him to bed.

How was your trip?

Hectic as usual. That Roberto idiot tried to walk out of our deal because of those Nigerians. 

Then?

Then what, I had to call boss at middle of the night and convinced him to approve their unusual demands. Otherwise we would have lost the deal and incurred heavy loss. We needed Roberto to meet the deadline for those orders from US. I may need to go back again to keep things moving.

She looked into his eyes and asked 'you have to go again?? When are we going to have enough time to live our life?, Work isn’t everything, children are growing fast and one day, I don’t want you to feel that you missed watching them grow.

I don’t know dear… sometimes even I feel that that this rat race is not worth anything..not at the cost of missing ones family. Give me some more time, I want you all to have the best of everything. If I struggle for few years, the children’s' future will be guaranteed and then we will have all the time in the world for each other.

Ok…let hope for the best. Now have some food. You must be hungry.

You are looking anemic and pale. Why don’t you take care of your health?  I told you to make an appointment with the doc while I was gone. Did you go?

Aahh…yes. I did. I had an overall check up and underwent some tests..just routine.  But I haven’t had the time to collect the test reports.

Go tomorrow and collect it. No more excuses.

She smiled at him and helped him to remove the cloths and pushed him to bath room.

After having dinner, he went to see the kids. He kissed on their forehead as he always did and returned to her. He put his hands on her and she placed her head on his chest and was hearing his heartbeat silently.

I am really lucky to have you. I don’t know how can I ever repay you for everything you have done - he said.

What?? What did I do?- She asked curiously.

Just think, you are equally qualified, you could be making a name for yourself in the corporate world,  but you sacrificed your dreams to be with me. I am so proud of the way you have single handedly brought up Raag and Pallavi.

Don’t talk like this. We are family and this is what families do..share responsibilities….She paused and then continued…

-  You know,  actually my responsibility is bigger than your  responsibility. A housewife and a mother is the foundation of a family.  She is the ruler, teacher, care giver, chef, finance manager, nurse. And she is actually the brain of a family. Creation & Maintenance is her responsibility. So I don’t feel inferior being a housewife…infact if you see,  I am your real boss. She giggled.

Yes True Boss. - He smiled.

And remember, there is no You or I in a family, it is always US ..together forever. - She hugged him tightly and put off the night lamp.

When she woke up the next morning, her head was heavy and the body was hurting. She could not get up but the children had school and he had to go to office too.  She forced herself to get up but her legs trembled and she sat on the bed with a thump.  He woke up and placed his hands on her neck..

Oh..you know ? you had a mild fever last night ? You sleep, I will take care of the kids . He helped her back on the bed, covered her with the blanket and left.

She tried to sleep.  She could hear the kids shrieking in delight and playing with their father. He was enjoying too. Left to him, she knew they would be playing all day and school would no doubt be forgotten…so she forced herself to get up and went into the kitchen. He had already made breakfast and packed their lunch boxes. He got angry that she got up and then forced her to sit and ordered her to have some breakfast.

"You are not eating well and are falling ill frequently. I will drop you at the hospital on my way to work. Collect your results and visit the doctor.  Get ready" he said knotting his tie.

Not now…the doctor will not be available now.  Don’t worry. I will go myself in the afternoon..it must be some bug… I heard even Mrs. Sharma upstairs was ill last week..

Whatever it is, I don’t want you to neglect your health. I will arrange  a maid to help you around.

Hmmmm…that’s a good idea but she should be in her sixties. That will be convenient for both of us.- She said combing pallavi's hair.

He laughed loudly and said “grow up my dear .

Both kids kissed them and ran towards the car to catch the front seat near him. He came took her in his arms and said “ I love you a lot “she looked into his eyes and replied “ I Love u too “.

The kids were fighting for the front seat. Raag was sitting on pallavi and pushing her down and pallavi was pulling Raag's hair. "Stop fighting you two…" She made them both sit at the back with a firm voice.

She then turned to him… drive carefully specially at bridge. It had rained all week and the river was in spate and the roads were slippery.

At school gate, he waved the children. Pallavi ran back, hugged him and blew him a kiss. He smiled and started towards his office.  Boss would be upset that he had to agree to that proposal. But there was no other way. The Nigerian party was pushing. Competition was tough because Chinese was introducing new technology which would reduce the production costs , although the quality is not as good as what we can offer.

Have to convince the boss to consider new strategy.  He waved hi to his secretary and walked into the cabin. He saw that Ronnie was already there waiting for him.

How was the trip dude ? - Ronnie asked lighting his cigarette.

Hmmm…that Roberto again did his shit in business.  He had Jiang Min from Shanghai to negotiate over the same deal.

I am not asking about the business….Nowadays I don’t give a damn. I am asking how did you spend your week there…he winked.

Nothing special…the whole trip was spent negotiating with Roberto and group ….just had couple of beers and retired to my hotel room after the meetings.

Alone?

Ya..alone. What do you think?

Are You Crazy… You were in Bangkok for one whole week and you spent your leisure time sleeping alone?

Ohh hahaha…. You know I am not interested in all those things.

Ohhho messiah..…have you forgotten the Shanghai Episode?? I haven’t ..he winked.

That was because of you and I was drunk…it will never happen again.  I love my family. 

Ronnie laughed…Ha ha ha …very smart. Morals and Ethics fly out of the window when there is a blued eyed beauty with glowing skin. Great great people in history have forgotten their   principles and have succumbed to temptation. All have their family, it doesn’t mean that to imprison the self through out the life in the name of some thing.

Forget it. It was my first and must be the last. I don’t want to think those things again.

Ohh buddy…..come on…don’t get upset. Which century are you living in? It is common these days.  No one cares.  When you are old and feeble, you will regret that you didn’t have fun for nothing. All I am saying is when opportunity comes, you have to grab it with open arms or else will regret. All is fair in today’s world. Ease up. Okkkkkk??  What did the baldie say ?

He says I gambled with the offer of Obrien.

Hmmm… He is never satisfied. Greedy Oaf. Wish I could throw his job on  his face and start my own business. Whatever you do, no rewards and regards. Really…I get irritated to see his face now days.

True. Responsibility without authority is stupidity.

By the way what’s your plan for tonight? Shall we meet for a toast at On the Rocks with family?

Not today. She is not well.

Ok. Fine. Have a nice day - He went off the cabin.

When he called, she was getting ready for the hospital. His work had piled up during his absence. He wanted to go home early tonight.  Spend some time with her and the children. He stood at the window.  It had rained last night..the weather was pleasant. There were children playing in a ground nearby. He had never enjoyed playing games with other children, maybe because of his inherent inability to compete with others. He avoided all types of competitions in his childhood. But now, his life had become a race. There is competition growing like cancer cells taking the life out of us. Since childhood, our system inject this steroid through our education and making more robots than humans. In the name of making  them capable to face this competitive world.  Do we ever have time to actually live it? Enjoy small things? What an appropriate question she had asked last night..couple of years..he promised himself. It is impossible without her. Her arrival totally changed his life. Her life is totally dedicated to him and kids. He owed it to her. She looked so drained out. He would spend more time with her and share her responsibilities. He took a deep breath and returned to his table.  He called up and she was yet to get the results. He looked at his desk….sighed and sat down to tackle it. Soon he was immersed in his work.

The phone was ringing incessantly….it was dark around.  He was sitting motionless.. was it minutes or hours?  The peon looked impatiently at the clock..it was past his duty time. HE had to lock the office and leave. He had promised his wife to take her for a movie.

Sir, Is everything ok?  He walked blindly towards the parking lot. There were hardly any vehicles there. It was only quarter past 7 but looked like midnight.  Road was empty, it was drizzling.  Her trembling voice was echoing in his ears…

They say I am HIV Positive. Tell me can you believe this?

No no…there maybe mistake…calm down. don’t worry about it.

No…they did it twice…they are confirming it…It is positive..why are u silent…please say something.

Don’t worry. Nothing will happen.

I am scared… Oh God…how can this happen?  I am really afraid… 

It is not possible..relax..take deep breaths. There must be some mistake. 

No, infact the doctor himself confirmed it. 

…….

Why are you silent????  Please talk to me… Do you doubt me?  I love you a lot….. please say something…tell me straight even if you doubt me…

Nooo..I can never doubt you.  I trust you more than me.

I never betrayed you …I swear on my children…believe me… please .. I don’t know how It happened…..I really don’t know…please believe me…

I know you can’t. Please relax. Everything will be ok my dear

I can’t….please come… I need you…am afraid…am so afraid. What will happen to our kids….what will happen to us?

The road was almost empty. Some pedestrians were standing under the awning of some shops. Buses were over crowded. It started pouring….the heavy rain drummed on the top of the car….he was feeling numb… he pressed the accelerator….the car sped. He couldn’t feel a thing.he stared straight through the windshield blindly.. his eyes shone…A man jumped back to save his life…the car sped.

The river was roaring…the bridge was empty… The mobile in the dashboard started to ring..her smiling face appeared on the screen….he looked at her sweet face and said "I love you………".suddenly he crushed the accelerator to its maximum and forced the car on the walls of the bridge and dived into the roaring river as cupid's arrow pierced his heart…

                                              

Created: 09 October 2010

Author : P-Kay

Editor : Ss