CHAPTER 3

HEARTBREAK OF SAJAN

Some months passed like this. But only after that a letter came from the village. Family members told their situation in letter and asked about the situation of the Sajan. It was written by Sajan’s younger sister Khushboo. His younger sister could now read and write a little bit. She used to go to a government school in her village. She was now in the fifth grade. She had learned to write Hindi language. Khushboo had taken out a big page of her notebook. This letter was written on the same page. Khushboo’s handwriting was quite beautiful.

It was written in the letter –

Dear brother,

We are all fine here and hope that you too will be fine there. Mom and dad miss you a lot. Grandpa is angry nowadays. He misses you a lot. I have now reached 5th grade. My rank is third in my class. After you leave, the workload on the mother has increased. Now dad also helps in household chores. Everyday both father and mother go to the cattle shed. I help my mother in household chores. Grandpa’s health is a little bad now. He has become irritable now.

Let me tell you that the daughter of a rich businessman of our village, Ramaiya is married to a boy from a rich family. That boy is very rich. He is a government officer. Mom thinks about your wedding too.

We all miss you a lot. We hope to see you soon. Mom – Dad and grandfather have blessed you.

Your Ramaiya

This letter was given to a gentleman from the village itself. Because there was no post office in Sajan’s village.

When Sajan read the letter, his heart sat down. It was written that Ramaiya, a girl from his village, got married a few days ago. The girl is married to a very rich boy. Sajan’s heart sat.

On that day Sajan did not talk to anyone. Sajan thought that, for whom he had come to the city, it would never be his. When there was no one around, he cried for a long time. He did not eat food today. Did not talk to anyone today. Today he lost faith in God. Today, he lost faith in his luck.

Sajan remained depressed for several days. One day the merchant called him and said – I have been watching for many days, you remain sad. You are not paying attention to your work. What is the matter?

Sajan did not say anything. He remained calm.

The merchant asked again – will you tell us anything? You may get some solution by sharing the problem.

Sajan said – there is no solution to my problem.

Merchant – OK. Still I want to know why you have started feeling sad.

After this Sajan told the merchant the whole thing. The merchant also understood the point. After this, the merchant said – can you change what has happened?

Sajan – No.

Merchant – Do you believe in God?

Sajan – Yes. I do

Merchant – Do you believe in every wish of God?

Sajan – Yes. I agree

Merchant – Perhaps it was God’s wish that Ramaiya should not marry you. Do you believe this?

Sajan stopped a bit. Then he said – yes.

Merchant – God may have written a better girl than Ramaiya in your destiny. Be patient. God wishes everyone well. It is futile to think about what has passed. Do not be disturbed by remembering the things of the past. You can make your future beautiful. So work hard so that your future is beautiful. The words of the past are as good as the salt in the flour.

Sajan said – but I miss him. I cannot remove it from my mind.

The merchant said – do not try to forget it. Whatever you try to forget, the more you will remember it.

Sajan – So what do I do?

Merchant – Do your work diligently. This is the only solution. The more attention you give to your present tasks, the less will the events of the past come to your mind.

Sajan – I have understood your point. Thank you very much.

After this Sajan decided “he will not go to the village till he becomes rich”.

He continued to work hard at the shop. In fact, 4 more boys also worked at that merchant’s shop. But, no one was more hardworking than Sajan. After the arrival of Sajan, the merchant also started benefiting a lot. After 6 months, the merchant started paying a daily wage of Rs 10 to Sajan. It was more than the total wages of all the other men working in the merchant’s shop.

Similarly, 2 years have passed. Sajan had earned so much money till now that he was called the richest person in his village. Sajan had proved his existence by his hard work. Sajan had achieved so much in a short time that he is now called Rich. Sajan was also starting to remember the housemates. Then, one day a letter came from home. It was written in the letter that her younger sister’s marriage has been finalized. So, he came back home soon.

Marriage is a very important event in India. Marriage with Hindu rituals is completed in 15 days. Generally, it includes the entire family. Sajan was very happy to receive this letter today. Her younger sister Khushboo was getting married. He gives this good news to the merchant.

When the merchant hears this good news, he is also very happy.

It was time to go to Sajan’s house. Sajan quickly tied his baggage. He took a final farewell to all the boys working in the shop. He now went to the merchant. The merchant was still talking to customers. After a while when all the customers left, Sajan asked the merchant for permission to go back home. The merchant was very sad. He did not want Sajan to leave his shop. Once the merchant refused because after living with him for 2 years, there was a relationship make between the merchant and the Sajan. The merchant had become very emotional towards Sajan. But after some time, the merchant agreed to the Sajan.

The merchant ordered India’s famous spice tea for both. In India, tea is drunk inside the Kulhad, which makes the taste of tea amazing.

They both finished this tea in 20 minutes after taking a sip. When the tea was over, after saying goodbye to the merchant, “Sajan” left for the house. Sajan was in a hurry to go home, so soon he left the shop and left for home.