The
sky was an opened faucet few moments back. The tar black clouds have passed
away and behind the light gray linings, crimson red rays of the setting sun are
peeping in. The wind is still strong but promises to calm down. It is that time
of the day, when Adil needs to prepare himself for the long evening ahead. As
he gently pushed the cart to the road, he realized over the years, his
enthusiasm has gone down considerably. The cart was neatly designed with a red
cloth in the base enhancing its beauty and fairly clean, keeping in mind the
hygienic conscious new generation Indians. However Adil knew that these brands
of food is a perennial business in India and has its own appeal amidst the high
rise.
The
food cart was the only cherished asset in Adil’s life other than his wife’s memories.
He needed to walk down at least 2000 meters’ before he reached his regular spot
near Bandra Fort, where he sold his Potpourri - Bhelpuri, Papri Chaat and Gol
guppah which was hot cake among college going crowd. His food helped to spice
up the evening of those loves –struck couples. Watching them, he was reminded
of his younger days, when he was new in the city which was known as Bombay
then. Taking a deep breath, he recollected his journey from Bombay to Mumbai.
Suddenly,
he chanced upon a street fight at the corner of the road where it bends towards
dead end. Couples of kids were mercilessly beaten by College students and three
other kids tried to defend their friends. An overdose of abusive verbose was on
flow, when a kid was being slapped and pushed in the road. Adil left his cart
to intervene. The men got violent and pushed him but he valiantly defended
those kids from getting hurt. Soon he gained support from local public in
driving those goons away.
As
he cleaned up his bruises, dolts from his memories were out in open. Adil had
lost his son in one of those random street fights seven years back which claims
so many lives in Mumbai every day. His bruised body lay for 8 hours before Adil
came to know. It was too late by then when police informed. While his son’s killers
were never caught , Adil never cared for it either. He had lost him to the harsh
realities of life long back. His son had big dreams and chose short cuts to
achieve those.
After
a brief distraction, it was time to concentrate on his day’s business. He saw
those 5 kids standing just behind him. At this tender age, their faces had a
stark story to tell. Their eyes were simmering with tears as if someone had
touched their chords for the first time. They rushed to hug Adil. This sudden gesture
of warmth had taken back the man deprived of love of past few years. He smiled
first but later rebuked them for their behavior and warned them against
fighting in the future.
The
kids thanked him for his concern and also expressed their anguish for being an
orphan in this world. For the first time in years, he felt human again. He felt
loved and important. For those kids Adil was a hero. His wife, even in her last
days, told him to be live life positively with the happy memories, before she
finally succumbed to cancer.
He
offered the kids some food from his cart.
The
kids looked at each other and refused saying they were not hungry. But their
eyes reflected otherwise.
Adil
understood their predicament, smiled and said “If you guys like this food, you
can tell this people around here and then my food will sell”. The kids looked convinced
and accepted the food. In no time they gobbled it up. Satisfied, they
introduced themselves one by one. Meena, Bittoo, Gudiya, Aslam and Raja. Meena
was the youngest and Aslam was like their eldest brother. Since they had no one
whom they could call their own, they have grown to be each other’s family. The
pavements of Mumbai were their home to sleep at night and the signals their
workplace to make their living. In the evening, they came to this place to play
and also if they could earn a little more.
But
from that day, Adil too became their extended family. After work hours, late
evening, Adil would sit with them and narrate tales of his childhood and his
dream to come to Bombay from Sultanpur in UP. And how fate changed in the City
of Dreams - Bombay. He would tell them story of famous Bollywood heroes who
made it from rags to riches. And how he met his princess called Nikhat who changed
her life forever.
Young
Nikhat was also born out of the streets of Mumbai. She got to learn magic from
a fellow peddler, which became her profession when she grew up. She made a
living by performing at Gateway of India. Her shows were popular among kids. And
that’s where Nikhat met Adil. Love blossomed and they got married. Nikhat and Adil
worked tirelessly, not only to make their two ends meet but to buy a Kholi,
before they could start their family.
Nikhat
was source of strength to young Adil. She ensured he was a fighter. They wanted
their best for their son but despite their best efforts, they lost their son to
street crimes. Adil saw Nikhat break down post their son’s death and gradually
faded away to oblivion. Adil had mortgaged his Kholi to borrow money for her
treatment, which is yet to be repaid fully till date.
The
kid’s voice brought him back to present. They were looking to hear the story of
the princess called Nikhat. Adil always narrated the happy stories of his life
to them. And most stories involved Nikhat. Kids were excited and demanded to
meet her.
Adil
promised some day she would come and give them lot of love and gifts. At night,
when sound of the waves would grow, he would point at them and that Life is
just like sea, and it always gives back what it takes. He ensured that the hope
and dreams in these kids life never got lost. The young kids would stare at him
while listening to his stories and often hug him, as if Life has given him as
their gift. He loved them as his own child.
Six
months have passed since then. Adil had managed to put Rajaa, Meena and Guddu
in Municipal school, with help of some support. And that ensured their mid-day
meal as well. Aslam and Bittoo still had to earn their living but had promised Adil
they will never gamble again.
On
Diwali night, Adil took them to show magic in the sky at Marine Drive. It was
an artistic display of scintillating fireworks and the sky had turned into
rainbow of colors. As if some magician was painting it with light. Mesmerized
Meena asked innocently “Abba, when we will magic happen in our lives”.
He
smiled and replied “On the Christmas Day, my fairy Nikhat will send Santa Claus
to you all and fulfill your dreams”. Adil instructed them to write their secret
wish so that he can send it to his fairy and get it for them. The kids looked
at each other, discussed and then Guddu wrote it in piece of paper and gave it
to Adil. Nikhat had told him about how older men in garb of Santa Claus,
fulfilled dreams of kids.
Adil
was unwell for last couple of months. He had a promise to keep. Thoughts of
fulfilling their promise kept troubling him. Their dreams and hope became his
objective in life. More he feared another Aslam or Bittoo dying in the streets.
He missed Nikhat. She would have patted her back and given her confidence. But
this fifty year old man had an important battle to fight for him and these
kids.
Two
days before Christmas, Adil met the kids. Meena, Rajaa was excited to show him
that they had learnt how to write A to Z and 1 to 100 completely. Adil looked
pale. They did not understand but knew something was not alright. Scared, Aslam
hugged him. He felt a sense of security. He has been the guardian of these kids
all these years but for the first time he felt like having a guardian too. Adil
tried to drift their attention by gifting their Christmas dresses, which they
promised to wear on Christmas night.
Christmas
Eve was night of celebrations. Young smiling faces flocked everywhere. One of
the kindest men of the world was born this day. The streets and the church ,
looked beautiful in their lights and color. One could hear the Christmas choir
round the corner.
As
promised, kids reached their destination, well before mid-night and waited with
baited breath for their surprise to unfold. On the way, they had seen Santa
Claus so they wondered how they will identify their Santa.
It
was well past midnight and there wasn’t trace of Abba or Santa Claus. Disappointed
as they planned to return, they saw a tall man in a red cloak and beard all
over the face, smiling at them from a distance. They rushed towards him and
asked about Abba. He leaned forward to handover chocolates and kissed them
softly. He asked them to follow him quietly. They were driven down to a narrow
lane, down a bridge. Santa asked them to close their eyes. When they opened their
eyes, they found themselves in a well-decorated room, with red-lights and gifts
on table. And right above the table, they saw photo of Abba with a lady. Santa
softly whispered in their ears “This is what you wished for. A home for you all
where you can stay with your Abba”.
They
screamed with joy. They had a new home. They had to no more sleep on roads.
They hugged Santa and wondered if Santa was their Abba after all. Santa looked
at them and said Abba has gone to meet his fairy Nikhat and he will take care
of them till he comes back. As kids got engrossed themselves in opening the
gifts, Santa left the room teary eyed, wondering if the happiness of the kids
were momentary.
Adil
had passed away the night he last met the kids. He was suffering from tuberculosis.
He knew he would not survive but he was determined to fulfill their wish.
And
only way he could was to give them his Kholi. But he had to repay loan for
that. Nikhat had handed over some of mother’s jewellery to him and asked him to
use it when he needed it. Adil had preserved it for so many years like a
guarded treasure. But he knew that was the only means by which he could get his
Kholi back. Nikhat’s soul would also be happier knowing that it meant providing
home to few street kids. He not only repaid his loan but with help of his best
friend Asfar, he ensured the Kholi was transferred to these kids and assigned
his best friend as their custodian. He knew his end was near and hence had
planned Christmas for the kids in advance and in case, he failed to make it
Asfar would on his behalf. He did not allow death to come between him and the dreams
he promised to the kids.
Asfar
wondered if Adil couldn’t fulfill their second dream of staying with them. But
then he knew that the souls of Adil and Nikhat were bestowed in that home
forever. He looked at the sky and thanked Allah for allowing him to fulfill
this great act of kindness of Adil. Kids will probably not know for long that
Adil is gone forever, for them he was the peddler of their dreams which will
remain in their heart forever. And for other things, Santa Claus is there to
take care of them. After all act of kindness do not need any face, it just
needs good intentions and faith.
The last lines, "After all act of kindness do not need any face, it just needs good intentions and faith.".....this is what I had always been believing while growing up. But u know it happened that when I moved to this big city from Lucknow for studies, I observed that people in general do not believe in that... It was a shock to my belief as a new adolescent in a bigger town and there were many a times when I felt out of the place or rather out of the world as they generally do not consider it a smarter or say practical choice........It used to dishearten me. I would say there was a dust which got settled on my soul and suddenly after reading this, it all got smoked-out as I realize that there is no need to be disappointed as it is not neccessary for them to see what I intend but it is definitely important for me to feel and firmly believe what i really am and what are my intensions........and then you feel at peace,......thanks for the wonderful story and a experience like always!!! :-)
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