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Aadhunik Karna - Part - 1 (Translation of my original Gujarati Story Aadhunik Karna)

It was Thursday's morning. As the clock showed up 8:00, I had just enjoyed my cup of tea and was ready to go out. No sooner my mind realized what day it was, I decided to go and visit Mr. Mahesh Singh. He was a 46 year old man, regular donor and sponsor of our Non governmental organization.
As I was the chief accountant of my organisation, it was my job to maintain and keep record of each and every transaction, funds and donations made to us for any purpose. Mr. Mahesh was our main sponsor who used to donate highest amount to us at the 1st Thursday of every month. His reason of donating on Thursday could be Astrology based, who knows. It was my duty to go to him and collect the cheque from him personally. Due to such generous and kindness of him, we entitled him as 'Aadhunik (modern) Karna'.
{ Karna was an important character of the epic Mahabharata. He was known for his charity and will to donate everything to the one who asked for alms. }
Mr. Mahesh was an owner of a Jewellery shop at 'Shah Market'. I decided to leave my vehicle at home and started walking towards his shop. The special thing about this market was that it was witness of my sweet childhood spent here. My father owned a grocery store here and my whole family was dependent on this store for our livelihood. After my Education, I was no more interested in running the shop anymore and hence we sold the shop, so yes I can say that my father is retired now.
As I entered the market and memories of childhood floating in my eyes, I realized I was at the shop of Mr. Mahesh the very moment.
Mahesh ji yelled loud, " Laliya! Why are you standing there outside? Come inside. Look we have Jeevram's famous Masala tea here. "
" Oh, no no. I'm too late for now. Also I'm not carrying my Bike. " To be honest I lied about being late as to avoid the tea. Formalities you know... It was not ethical to ask the donor for a cup of tea. But inside I was craving hard for tea as Jeevram was best in making tea, only a fool could deny. I further said, " If you don't mind, you know I'm here for the donation money. If you... Ammm... "
" Oh my bad! I've a bad news for you. Today, I came in such a hurry that I forgot my chequebook at home. But if you can wait, I can send someone to bring it for me. " He said.
His house was 8 kilometers away from here, and this location was engaged with traffic all the time, especially in morning. I did a quick calculation of how much time will it take to go and come back again to the shop and thus I replied,
" it's okay. Just give it either next month or I'll collect it some other day this week as per your convenience. "
" Sorry for whatever happened. All goes to circumstances. "
" Don't be sorry, it's not your fault. Please allow me to go now. Goodbye. "
" Bye dear "
And that's how I left from his shop. Just to say it, I had walked a distance of 3 kilometers from my home upto here and now I was going back without getting my work done. I was feeling frustrated a lot. When in Mahabharata, Karna was about to die and counting his last breaths. Shree Krishna himself appeared in disguise of a Brahmin to test Karna. On his demand, Karna offered his Golden tooth to the Almighty without even thinking for a second, even at his death bed. But it was this 'Modern Karna', who had let me go empty handed. It was not his mistake though, as he asked me to wait. But frustration can make any Human go crazy. And so was the case with me.
With such thoughts in mind, as I was going through the market, I saw an old man.
Every time I visit this market, this man was always present here on roadside, selling some Handkerchiefs. He used to sit here all day hustling hard to sell a few of those colourful handkerchiefs. With an immense energy, he tried hard time drew attention of people onto those pieces by extending his hands.
The only problem probably existed could have been that already many of clothing shops existed there in the market with attracting outlook. So why would anyone bother to buy some cheap handkerchiefs from a roadside old begger like seller. Although I had never bought a single item from him, but I felt a sympathy towards him every time I saw him.
Just two more steps and I heard a familiar voice calling out my name. As I saw in the direction of the call, it was Ramesh. My childhood friend who was calling me from his footwear shop. He was my school friend too. His father and my father were both running their respective shops here together and thus we knew each other. Now he was the owner of his father's shop. After education, he decided to further succeed his father's shop. All the childhood memories were floating in my eyes, left me mesmerized.
" Laliya! " He again called me. " Have you completely forgot your old friend or am I not important to you anymore? "
" No, that can never be true. Believe me, I'm really going through a very tough time where all responsibilities are on my shoulders. "
" Yeah, I can understand you and your organisational work. "
I Further added, " Even I'm here today just to collect monthly funds from Mr. Mahesh ji, as he's the highest donor of our organisation. You know, we call him 'Modern Karna'. "
" Yeah... Modern Karna " He replied in a very unpleasant tone.
" Why? What happened?
" Nothing, leave it. By the way, what would you like to have? "
Without Hesitating, I asked for exactly what I rejected at the jewellery shop, " Nothing else. Just bring me Jeevram's cup of Masala tea. "
" Aha! I'm glad you're still fond of that. "
" You know, his tea beats every pleasure. Just marvellous it is. "
With a smile, he ordered one boy to go and bring tea from opposite side of the road, i.e., Jeevram's Tea shop.
As I peeped from the glass door, I looked outside and that old man was visible again. He was busy with the same tasks as before. A rush was there, a large crowd in the market can be seen but not even a single person was willing to at least have a look on the handkerchiefs as well as on the old man. But none of these were successful in discouraging the old man. He kept doing what he was supposed to do.
I was busy in spectating him, and at the same time my thought process came to a halt when the boy offered me tea and suddenly I was like being interrupted by the boy.. ..
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Hey! Glad you read my story.
As many of my friends and known ones were not familiar with Gujarati language, here's my story's translated version.
I'll post the 2nd part soon. .
Suggestions, feedbacks are welcomed and appreciated.
Thanks.
Jay Mata di
- PRATHAM SHAH