Chapter 14: The first change

Uncle Maran continued from where he left off, "I was then working as an underdog in Gorudan Suea, the name of the group at that time." He roled up his sleeve to show a tattoo of a tiger. "All of us swore our loyalty to our boss by tattooing ourselves with the tiger symbol. It was me who dragged Prapit to my boss. Prapit was as old as my own son. He did put up a fight."

Uncle Maran smiled to himself at the memory. "He was then, just as sharp, suave and had the gift of gab. When he was presented to my boss, my boss asked him - did you know who I was when you picked my pocket?

Without hesitation he replied, "yes, I did trail you before choosing you as my target. I don't waste my energy picking the pockets of people who can't afford their own meals, that is a fruitless exercise, and the risk isn't worth it."

When my boss heard that, he laughed hard. He told me he wanted such a kid in his gang. I don't know if I should regret catching him or if I should feel happy, but for a short while, this act of mine caused him to lose his path further.

What started as petty crimes ended up in murders. He was introduced to drugs, gambling, women and money, by eighteen he had seen it all. He worked closely with my boss, was loyal, knew the ropes of underground business and ended up becoming someone you would never have recognised.

He was feared by everyone in the gang, except for one guy, his same age. Niranj.

Niranj was everything Prapit wasn't. He was quiet, lived like the shadow, unnoticed, did not party, and did not like people much. He refused to touch any sort of weapon. He was an informant for the boss, but he set rules no one dared break.

Prapit was both enamoured by Niranj, and hated him. He was the only one who didn't fear or worship Prapit.

Prapit used to initially lash out at Niranj, but Niranj could hold his own, and before they knew it, they became to be called the Fangs of the Gorudan Suea.

Prapit slowly started to change. His smile became warmer, he stopped taking in drugs, he stopped taking part in wild parties. Instead, he prefered to spend time with Niranj. He started learning about cars and bikes because Niranj spent most of his time in the mechanical shed. He learnt to cook watching Niranj, who whipped up magic dishes from nothingness, as Prapit worded it. They became inseparable."

"Were they lovers?"

Uncle Maran smiled and shook his head. "No, they were brothers. There was love, respect, and warmth that was purely brotherly in nature. Niranj had a boyfriend. Chakri."

"Our uncle Chakri?"

Uncle Maran nodded. "Yes. And that is how Prapit met Chakri. Through Niranj."

Akat went back to listening.

Uncle Maran continued, "Things were going smoothly. Prapit and Niranj were twenty three. They were on a mission. It was an arms deal. Someone within the gang, jealous of Prapit, sold his information and our plan to the enemy gang.

There was a cross fire. Whoever leaked information about the plan, forgot something. Prapit was, then, a known name, but an unknown face. Cameras and mobiles did not exist. You can imagine what it was like, around twenty years ago. It was just description and hearsay.

The enemies ended up kidnapping Niranj, while Prapit got away. He was tortured to death, and his mutilated body was mailed to our boss. There was a note - I hope you agree Prapit looks more handsome now."

Uncle Maran paused. Tears poured down his face. His voice shook as he remembered that day. "My son, my only family, came to me in a box. I didn't know how to act. Should I lash it out at Prapit for not protecting him? Should I kill him? It should have been his body, not my son's. I had lost everything, even my will to live."

Akat stared horrified. He felt tears pour down his own cheeks. He could feel uncle Maran's pain like his own. He didn't know Uncle Maran had a son till today.

"Prapit saw Niranj, but he did not show any expression. He quietly walked out.

Chakri followed him, angry, hurt, broken. He was livid. Niranj was taken away feom him. Chakri and Niranj both had dreamt of leaving the gang and working with the underpriviledged. Our boss was aware of it, and he was okay with it."

Prapit walked to the beach, walked into the water till it was almost till his neck. He stayed that way for a long time. We stood on the beach. Neither of us moved. But we realised, he was in as much pain as either of us.

We waited for him to come back. He didn't even notice us at first. His eyes were red.

Are you okay- that was what Chakri asked him.

It should have been me. He whispered those words. His voice was hoarse. If I had been caught, if I had been in that box, I would have died happy. Why was it my brother? He would have made the world a better place for ten others, he would have changed our gang to a better one. He would have.. his voice broke. He did not say anything for a few minutes.

Then he said to us, I want to die. But if I did, Niranj's sacrifice would have been in vain. Now I can do only one thing. I can live as Niranj.

We did not understand what he meant at first.

But he started to live like Niranj. He moved in to my house. He became a son to me. He never complained when I abused him, the first two years, I couldn't accept him or forgive him, though my mind and heart told me he wasn't at fault. But as a father who had lost his son, I couldn't accept it.

He would sleep outside my house, he would take care of the household chores. He paid for Chakri's college education and made sure he got a degree. He took responsibility for everything Niranj wanted to accomplish in life.

When he was twenty five, the boss passed away, handing the business over to Prapit, who had become a son to him.

Prapit stopped gambling, he stopped boozing or associating himself with hosts and hostesses. He worked to rebuild the empire, and increased his connections, branching from just the underdogs to even the political circle.

The profit he made, he diverted the funds to the orphanages that Niranj wanted to support. Over a hundred kids today, have Prapit as their benefactor, but no one is aware of it.

Prapit stopped smiling. If it wasn't about work, he seldom spoke. He never once went to Niranj's grave. He said he didn't have to right to see him. It was then I decided, enough was enough. If Niranj was around, would he like the person I had become? Would he want Prapit to continue down this path, as he slowly started erasing his own identity?

Ten years ago, I told Prapit this, I did not want him as my son, he could take Niranj's place, but I wanted to take care of him nonetheless, maybe as his uncle, as his subordinate. I sold my house, I could not change when the memories of my boy flooded me in my place. Prapit bought this house then, and gave me this place to stay.

I consider myself his butler, but he treats me like his uncle. Chakri has forgiven him completely and blindly trusts every single decision Prapit takes.

In a way, we have burdened him, knowingly or unknowingly. "

There was yet another silence. By now, Akat was crying uncontrollably. He made no noise. He crouched on the sofa.

Uncle Maran glanced at him, then smiled gently as he hugged Akat, gently rubbing his back.