ANONYMOUS – Part 1: click here
Next day, while Yunus was going towards his working space, he sensed some trouble awaiting. Mr. Mehta along with an officer was shouting at the manager for hiring an irresponsible employee who is also guilty of theft. Yunus was immediately sued from his job, without asking for any explanation. The police officer drove him to the nearby police station, where he was compelled to stay in the lock up till he pays the fine amounting the stolen money.
Yunus had been constantly harassed inside the lock up for two days. On the third day, a lawyer came with some documents and had a talk with the officer. Yunus was set free. The lawyer, Mr. Ashok Sinha told Yunus that he was an attorney of Mrs. Saroj Mehta who gave him special instructions to handle this case and end the dispute. After that Mr. Sinha handed an envelope to Yunus and left with an approving smile.
After coming back home, Yunus opened the envelop slowly and carefully. There was a cheque, amounting rupees ten lakhs and a letter which reads, ‘Hello, Anonymous. Thanks for your concern and the white orchids. The pink tints on them signifies that I will surely get well soon. In fact, I feel so peaceful and satisfied mentally because you taught me the real meaning of freedom. The real freedom is the freedom of mind, to make someone happy overlooking the odd consequences. Please accept the money from your elder sister and start a new business of your own. It will be a great pleasure to see my brother well established.’ Saroj.
Tears rolled down as Yunus thought about his own elder sister, Shabnam. She took care of him like a mother and taught him to be compassion ate as well as honest. She also dreamt that one day her younger brother will surely become a well educated and successful person. But destiny lead them on a harder way. After marriage Shabnam apa’s in laws demanded for plentiful unnecessary and rich gifts which their poor parents were unable to supply. After she gave birth to a girl child, their torture grew day by day in such an extent that she was forced to commit suicide. She burnt herself to death leaving behind her one year old daughter, Sana. Yusuf was standing by her side when she was taking her last breath. Her last words were, “Yunus , don’t be like your elder brother. Always be a good hard working boy and take care of the family and my baby…”
Shabnam’s death left their father paralysed with shock. Yunus had to leave his high school and move about in search of jobs. He used to do any type of job, from a delivery boy to a waiter, to meet the necessities of his family. He had a hidden pain in his mind that he was suppressed to carry on his education and hence he took special care to get his sister and niece a proper education so that they could held their heads high in the society.
Two months passed by. One day Mrs. Saroj Mehta got a letter which reads, ‘Respected sister, I am happy to inform you that I have opened a small Book Café named Dreams just two blocks away from your Mansion in the lane behind the super market. I felt two things are most important while an youth dreams of his future, good food and good books at reasonable price. Now I am proud to announce that I was right and I did not waste your blessings. With regards. Your Anonymous brother.’
Saroj Mehta stood up on her own from her wheel chair and slowly dressed up. The Super Market was not too far from her house.
~ ANONYMOUS – Part 2 ~
