Second Chance!

It is told there are some super secrets, we all have in our hearts, but the window to those secrets are opened only for our souls.

Sometimes the soul can carry in the sunlight into our heart through that window. Life giving you a Second Chance! however, is often uncertain.

Having been raised in an Indian family, whether you are in swadesh or in videsh, we are taught and made to imbibe the tradition of serving a glass of water whenever a guest comes to our home.

Kundan, a small boy from Jaipur often used to have an awe with this culture. Being born in a well-known goldsmith patriarchy, many people used to specially visit his home to meet his father and plan jewelry for their destination weddings of their families.

Second Chance!

Being the only kid in the joint family, he was often asked by his parents to serve water to guests, as they thought this is a good practice; sanskar of compassion, help and kindness will grow in the child. Atithi devo bhava (guest is equivalent to God).

But on a serious note Kundan, never liked this notion, and often tried to avoid it. But as situation was inescapable, it was almost a daily routine that could not be avoided.

It once happened, an old employee from Kundan’s father’s shop came huffing and puffing in the evening to their home with some jewelry deliverables, and Kundan’s parents were not at home. The old man was perspiring badly in Rajasthan’s hot weather.

As he saw small Kundan, the man implored “Thoda pani pila do beta” (Please give water, son). I haven’t taken water since morning.”

Second Chance!

Kundan looked at him and ran outside. The man kept the packet on the hall table. With feeble steps he came outside Kundan’s home and started walking. Kundan watched closely him going.

Within a few moments, he heard a loud thud on the ground! Yes, unexpectedly, the man fell down, people gathered in seconds. He is no more!

Years passed, what Kundan realized in his teenage years is that he does not know if – life can give him a second chance! Whether his soul, his God will give him the opportunity to serve water to any life, a small mistake which is overwhelming his mental peace all these years, an incident which is not known to anybody else!

One scorching afternoon, Kundan was returning from his college. In his class bag he had a bottle of mineral water with books and notes. He was extremely thirsty and was about to have his water.

All of a sudden, he heard- “Thoda pani pila do beta”.

Kundan turned back impulsively, standing motionless. He could see there was no one through miles visible to him. It was desert all around, only a camel was resting and ruminating.

Kundan ran to the camel to pour the water into the thirsty throat to help him gulp down the entire mineral water.

Still today Kundan is unsure, whether that day, the old man’s voice echoed inside him or was it the camel’s voice who was the only mortal present there.