RISHI AND BADAL (1)

Rishi had been living with his father, Badal in Rajrajpur slum for almost 4 years. The house that they used to live before had been auctioned to pay for the loan taken from the bank. That house was the only thing they had, after Rishi's mom died. His father never had a stabled job to begin with. But two of them tried their best to keep their house. Rishi used to give away 75% of his scholarship money to pay the debt. Whereas his father used 90% of his money from the part times he earned. Still they failed to pay back the loan in due date and lost their only shelter.

Later, they ended up in this slum. Though they always struggled for bread, they never had to worry about the water. In their house, the water was supplied 24/7. But, in this slum, there's no water supply. A tank would come to give water once in a whole day.

While staying in the slum, they also learnt one thing --- the most important thing: NO ONE IS A FRIEND WHEN IT COMES TO LIVE AND DEATH.

The Survival Of The Fittest

In the slum, water is the only source of life. No water means nothing to cook, nothing to drink, nothing to wash, nothing to bath. Nothing! Just nothing!

The thing doesn't end here. At first there would be a long line waiting for the water tank to come and when it would arrive the line would turn into a beehive. Then what? Push, Pull, Hit, Bite, Pinch and etc. etc. A typical example of trampling someone to death. If anyone wants to trample someone to death, he can try this EXTRAORDINARY place. So, in total, it would become no less than a battleground. And those who succeeded in taking the WATER that day, only their family would have the honour to eat that day.

The people who were fighting to collect water a while ago like sworn enemies, would become like a long lost relative the other moment, if they got a stirring topic for their gossips.

Rishi and his father, Badal had got used to these stuffs, as if these were normal daily life activities. They always kept their noses away from these.Their main target was to get out of this mess and get back their house. Either by good process or bad, they don't care.

Oh yeah! Badal had been working in the local biscuit factory since 6 years where Rishi started to work after finishing his school. Because of the family problems, a bright star student couldn't score his deserved marks. So, he couldn't get admission in any government colleges and their financial condition was 'too good' to admit him in any private college.

Moreover, to add more fuel, they encountered the local bully who was a typical example of 'power hunger'. And only few months ago Rishi had found out Badal had taken a loan from that scumbag to pay the last 5 month fees to his school as he couldn't get a satisfied salary.

There's one more thing about Rishi. Though he had quit studying, his brain was still intact..... Isn't it a good thing out of all? So, sometimes, he would bring few broken gadgets or parts to make a new usable thing. And by selling those he would get a 1000 or so in handy. Badal was proud of his son, but he regretted that because of him he couldn't give his son a proper education.

What's more? Though Badal knew what he was doing or teaching his young son were wrong, still he stood in that path.

Yes! The father and son had been hooking around with those clumsy rich girls who gave them money in sake of their bodies. And if necessary they can even break someone's heart after making them fall in love, if they were given a perfect, handsome reward. That is M.O.N.E.Y.

All of these are normal for Rishi and Badal. It's like a daily routine. Love! This word is just a joke to them. More correctly, a plaything. They can even go extreme if they can trap a golden bird. But deep inside, they knew! They knew what they were doing are all wrong. It's a SIN. A CRIME. Still, Rishi's mom's house was the only thing they cared more about.

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Oneday, Rishi and his father went to the dumping ground to collect the newly arrived broken things to convert them into something useful, like normal regular days. But who knew they would be facing a catastrophe from that very day?!

They encountered Ana, a girl who appeared in front of them out of blue. They got scared for a moment and assumed her to be a 'Monster' because of her messy hair. Her dress was fully damaged, still it was like a beautiful dress in a modern style of torn clothes only because of her attractive skin and curved body.

That day Rishi was a bit upset as the day before he had a quarrel with the manager for a salary rise. But that old thing turned deaf ear to him. And so, he wasn't in a mood to a sweet talk that he often did. He was a bit harsh.

But after sometime spending with the girl, he found her to be like his old self. A little kid who had just lost hope after his mother's death.

The father and son duo brought her home and even gave her clothes. While she was changing clothes, the duo decided to wait outside their small house. But who knew a disaster was coming for them.

Badal had been waiting outside and Rishi just stepped out of their house. And--

BANG! THUD!

A loud sound of hitting someone and falling echoed in Rishi's ears. The next moment he found himself and his father on the ground. He looked up and found those bullies. They had come again.

There were fear in Rishi's eyes. No! He wasn't afraid of those hooligans. But because of Ana!

Rishi maybe a playboy, but he's also a human, right? He can break someone's heart. But he can never play with someone's safety. Whereas, his father cared neither ones.

Mangu, the boss of the hooligans had himself come to them. Rishi tried to get up, but before he stood on his legs properly, Mangu grabbed his collar and pulled him up, "Hmph! What you thought? You can digest my money and live a happy life? Huh? Digesting my money is that easy?! You rascal-"

Then again he was thrown hard on the ground.

Badal was already nearer 50. It was already hard for him to stand up. But when he saw the bullies to hit his son so badly. He hurriedly dragged his body towards Mangu's feet, "Mangu Bhai! Mangu Bhai! Please, please leave him. I promised that I would pay all the money back. But please give me sometime. I'll pay you each paisa back. Believe me! But please leave him. I beg you."

Mangu scoffed, "Leave him, huh?!" Then he kicked away Badal hard.

Badal rolled towards a corner, but not a single noise escaped from his mouth.

Mangu continued, "If you want me to leave him, then pay back the money now." Then he eyed his two companions, who nodded their heads seeing their boss. They continuously hit Rishi, who had managed to stand up.

Seeing this Badal couldn't stop and began, "Mangu Bhai, Mangu Bhai! Please! I beg you! Don't beat him. The money! We had the money. But-"

Mangu looked at Badal who was looking at their house, as if trying to hide something. He couldn't conceal his curiosity. He asked his men to stop hitting Rishi and turned to Badal, "But? But what? Say fast."

Badal stammered, "But... But that... money" his eyes left the door of the house.

Rishi who was accustomed with his father, soon realized what he's father was planning. He immediately forced himself to walk towards the door and stoody in front of it. He guarded the door as if there's a treasure behind it.

Rishi's this gesture made the three hooligans more curious. And they forcefully removed Rishi from the door. Badal caught him from falling down.

"Rishi!"

Rishi looked up at his father's face, "Why!? Why did you do that?"

"They were hitting you so much-"

Before he could finish, Rishi already pushed him aside and went inside their house. That time Badal was too weak. So, Rishi's slight push made him lose his balance and fall soen on the rough ground.

He tried many times to stand up but failed. And at last when he stood up, he quickly walked towards the house. But after what he saw inside, he began to lose self control and doubt his 48 years of life. His eyes were broad open as if they would pop out after few seconds. His body began to tremble. His kness couldn't support his weight and he fell on the ground beside the door.

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1. Mangu bhai: Indians use the word "Bhai" with the names to address the hooligan boss as a respect to them.

2. Paisa: Indian currency.