Father

Ramu is off to school with his brother Ajit. He is studying in the seventh class and his brother in the fifth. Today,  is their school day and he is acting a part in the school play. He wanted both his parents to come and witness him on the stage . It would have been  such a proud moment. He told his father a month ago about the play, around the time they started practice. He had assured him with a smile that he would certainly be there. Yet, he has been not coming home for the past three days.     

Father disappears from home quite frequently.Even on the days he is in town he comes very late. Ramu couldn’t remember when they had spent time as a family going to a cinema or to the amusement park together. That seemed so long long ago. He hated his father- A man of false promises and a liar! All his friends' parents, well almost all visited the school at least on the school day. His father didn’t care to come even on the big day.   

 Rampraksh was reminiscing these things from the past, now all of 22. He had  landed a job in the campus placement and would be joining work in four months time. The distance between him and his father had only been increasing over the years.  His brother Ajit had taken it in his stride and was not willing to be bitter and resentful. Ramu  refused to come out and meet his father whenever he returned from his 4 to 5 days of  absence, all part of the work he claimed. It was not even very clear as to what exactly he did! He was always kind of evasive. Perhaps it is to do with some sort of sales that he is required to stay away so often.  

It was a Saturday. Dad was going away again. This time he was very keen to meet Ramu before he left as Ramu was starting work on his first job on Monday. He wanted to give his blessings. As usual Ramu refused to meet his father. Who needs the blessings of a man who was irresponsible whole through his life?  On Monday, as  he was about to leave for the company to report at his first job, mother gave him an envelope saying father had asked to give it to him.  Ramu took it to his room and tossed it into the top drawer of the desk.  

 Ramu had reported for his first ever job and everything seemed to be going like a song. Apart from him, 20 other engineering trainees had reported and they were assigned for induction for a period of six weeks that will include exposure to all the departments of the company and a few training sessions as well.  “ Ramprakash, you said your father’s name was Roopesh Chauhan isn’t it? . There is a news trending in all the social media and it is all over the place in the News channels as well. You should take a look.  Ramu rushed to the reception where he had noticed a television while coming in. He saw that that the sound was muted . But written news was scrolling at the bottom “ Veteran Under cover agent Roopesh chauhan  (56) killed in an encounter at the border by the enemy. He was a shrewd  operator and a great patriot serving the country in dangerous terrains for the past 28 years.

 Ramu’s mind was in a whirl. He was not able to think clearly. He just about managed to convey news to the induction officer and drove his two wheeler at a furious pace to be by his mother’s side at the earliest. Ajit was already there when he entered. There were  a few others like the neighbours. Ramu  spent about an hour by his mother’s side. She seemed to be inconsolable. She was also not aware of the nature of her husband’s job and the news came as a big shock.  They were told that it would take a couple of days for the body to reach home. Even as he was sitting with his mother, Ramu was waiting for the opportunity to rush to his room and read the “the last letter” his father had written to him. 

He tore open the envelope impatiently and started reading.

 " Dear beta 

I know that you have many grievances against me. Yes, I have failed you and Ajit as a father and your mother as a husband. I broke promises a number of times.It can be very painful to the mind of a little boy and I am very very sorry son. I want you to know though, that I love you, your brother and your mother dearly. Just remember,you are close to my heart at all times...Please don't think these are empty words. One day, you will understand and hopefully you will be able to forgive me.  

Your ever loving papa " 

Ramu  sobbed uncontrollably, clutching the piece of paper and holding it close to his chest.