It was a hectic day, there was something eerie about the evening. It is said you see aurae on some days, well I was getting it almost every day, about its inevitability. Yeah there was little scope of any reconciliation. I had not felt good for a long time now.
Pondering over the thought "What makes a man 'MAN'" I sipped more tea from my tiny cup. What separates man from hu'man' is his righteousness? A certain man adhering to moral principles is certainly not my idea of a real man. I will tell you a short story here. Not a very long one I promise.
Chandan, a boy of about 20 was wandering through the streets of Patna in search of destiny, yes indeed, fate had deserted him at least he thought it did while he was still searching for it. A friend of him Vasi, similar achievements in life so far, but annoyingly for Chandan the similarity ended just there. Chandan couldn’t match his friend in any respect. What bothered him more was his inability to succeed, not that he didn't try at all, he did try very hard but couldn't cross the fence even once. Add another 10 years to his life, another 20 years of grey colour to his hair, 30 years of intellect and an infinite sense of frustration. He was incapable of socializing, he was never comfortable in any company except that of himself, was not even eating for 10 days now. Milk too was not delivered as he had failed to pay on several occasions even after angry reminders. He was thirsty.
"Knock, Knock”, creaked the door as Chandan opened after much deliberations on whether to open or not to open. Stood there Vasi, a seemingly rich man looking like a teenager even now. “What have you done to yourself Chandan?" - mouthed Vasi hiding the diabolical pleasure of seeing a failed friend behind his artificially contorted serious looking face. Vasi went on with his false words of consolations, words which had no meaning in his lexicon. Chandan thought Vasi was abusing him, laughing in his face at his perceived failure. He never felt so excited than he was now. Chandan's life flashed before his eyes, his bitter relationship at home, unfaithful friends and an unrequited love, may be now was the chance to get even with fate, achieve some material pleasure!
"Why have I never wanted it?" In that ague of excitement he picked up his towel that was hanging on his door and rushed toward Vasi who was not sure why Chandan was so happy? Vasi's face was soon covered by the towel and his breath choked. The diaphragms found it difficult to breathe, that’s when Vasi's legs had been shaking violently to expedite the escape. Chandan was pushing the towel harder on his face and yes the moment of glory had indeed arrived. Man prevailed over the evil.
Chandan was not a typical man, therefore he killed one hu'man' so that the earth was less evil. His was a self assumed responsibility to keep this earth free of what he thought were evil. He may not have succeeded in his life in the material sense of the word but he was at peace with himself, he never wanted to be a millionaire. What ached him more were the pretentious looking faces who blurted one abuse after another by offering meaningless consolations. His reaction may be extreme but is it necessary for a man to pretend with everyone or better said cheat on everyone, smile fakingly, hide the truth, remain unfaithful, not keep the promise? Isn't it better that he should recede from the society, find his own place under the sun. Only then will he become a Man, a man who was at least faithful to his reason of existence. Did I forget to mention what's a man's raison d’être? Haven't you figured it out as yet?
