THE REUNION

THE REUNION

 Kumar   and  Mohan  were  bosom  buddies  who grew up together  at Andheri, a  suburb in Bombay  city. 

Kumar  was not of an affluent  family.  He was a Tamilian and his father worked as a manager in a Public Sector bank. 

 Mohan  was born with a silver spoon in his mouth    and his  father was a  Gujarati   business man. 

They were born in the same year with Kumar  older by a few months.

They  studied together in the same nursery,  and later  at St. Aloysius  School  in Andheri.

They stayed very near each other's  residence; 

Mohan, who went to school in a car, would pick up Kumar on the way to school and likewise drop him at his home, while returning from school. 

At school, they sat near each other at the same bench; after school, they would play together.

They would also study together, with Kumar going to Mohan's place for studies.   

So much so that Mohan would ask his mother, when  young:  "Mummy  can Kumar  eat and sleep here?"

"No, no  beta" she would reply, "Kumar  has to  go home now".

At school, the teachers would call them as Inseparables, while the other boys in class would call them as "Raam  and  Shyaam", the Corsican  Brothers  etc.

 Kumar was the cleverer and more hard working of the two; 

 Mohan would often go to Kumar for any doubts in his studies, and Kumar  would readily explain and solve  Mohan's problems.

Their friendship  continued up to the final year  in  school.

The Board  exam  results showed that both had done well; 

Kumar, because of his hard work ; but Mohan had made up  a   lot of  ground thanks to tuition classes  and private tutoring. 

 Mohan asked Kumar what he planned to do next;

"Don't  know," replied Kumar: "I have to ask my father".

"Same here" replied  Mohan.

"Kumar, "You have done very well in your exams," said his father, "but son , I am due to retire in a few year's  time  and  our savings would just be sufficient to get your sister  Radha married.Therefore, I would like you to take up a short Computer or Secretarial  Course,so that you can find some  employment within a short period."   

Mohan's father told his son : "Congratulations! You have got admission at Carnegie Institute, in U S A  for a Degree Course in Business  Adminstration and you have to leave in July."

* * *     * * *    * * *

Kumar  was employed  as the Secretary  to the C E O of  a reputed Private Limit ed Company. He was married to Parvati  and they had a son  Ramesh, who  was studying in  the Higher Secondary Section of a private school.

One day,the  C E O  called Kumar in, for dictation; During, their work, the C E O  told him that from tomorrow, the Company will have a new C E O,  as he is going to join the  Board.

"Oh!" said  Kumar, "and who is it going to be Sir?" he asked. 

 "You will know tomorrow," replied the  C E O, "but please arrange for a bouquet  to be presented to the new  C E O .

and keep this news confidential."

The day arrived, and  during the meeting  the C E O announced what he had told  Kumar earlier:

"We also welcome into our Company, Mr. Mohan Shah as our new C E O!"

 Oh!"he said. Kumar was shocked, astonished and flabbergasted, to see his friend and buddy accept the bouquet from his hands. 

His first reaction was to hug Mohan, but protocol demanded that he keep his emotions under control. He took Mohan to his new cabin.

"Mohan," he began, but Mohan cut him short; he kept a blank face  and said "Let me settle down here; I will call you  later."

Kumar found this strange; surely, years of work abroad, and a U S degree wont  come in the way of childhood friendship, he thought.  'Maybe once Mohan settles down, he will remember me'

But that was not to be! Friendship was forgotten and Mohan's talk with Kumar was always on their work in the office.

By now, Kumar was getting exasperated;  

The mere sight of Mohan made his blood boil. 

He wanted to get away from it all. 

'Why not quit and seek a new job elsewhere?'  he thought.

That night, he talked to Parvati and told her of his impending  decision. 

"Dear, don't be rash," she said, "We  have to think of Ramesh  and we don't have a decent bank balance."

But Kumar could not get over his problem. The sight of Mohan looking at him with a blank face, in the office  haunted him;  

He   went to the temple  Deity.'I have never asked anything from you so far in  life, I don't bear any hatred to Mohan, but why does he not respond to our childhood friendship? Is this fair? Why is life and fate treating me in this way? Please  help me, help me!!'  he begged of God.

* * *   * * *   * * *

There  was an annual  meeting  of the Company and the staff was requested to attend.

The Managing  Director of the Company presided and addressed the meeting.

"Our Company's performance, this year has been excellent. I thank the staff for the work  they have put in. I also want to announce the promotion of Mr. Mohan  Shah  as joint Managing Director. Henceforth, Mr Shah will be located at the Company  H O in Nariman  Point!"

This sounded as sweet music to Kumar's ears.  While, he bore no hatred to Mohan, he would not see his blank ungrateful face anymore !

'God had listened to his pleadings, and his blood would no longer boil!'

Kumar bought a box of sweets and took it home;  

"I don't have to see him  anymore," he told Parvati, "Mohan is promoted and transferred to Head Office."

The next day, during office hours, Kumar received a call from the Personnel Manager [P M]: "Can you come and see me for a moment, Kumar," the P M said.

Kumar went and saw the P M.

"Please sit down Kumar, he said: "The Company, in recognition of your services is pleased to promote you; You are now in the Management Cadre, designated  as Office Manager, ; You are transferred to H O and will report directly to Mr Mohan Shah; There will be a substantial increase in your pay packet.  My Congratulations, Mr Kumar"

Kumar's face fell at the thought of seeing Mohan again. 

"What, aren't  you happy at the news?" asked the  P M .

"Can you give me sometime before I give my decision Sir?"   replied Kumar.

"Well  tell me by tomorrow,"  told the P M.

He told Parvati about it  on returning home;  

Parvati was all for taking up the new assignment.

"But Parvati, my blood boils when I see Mohan" _ shouted  Kumar.

Look dear, you have to see him only for six hours a day; the remaining time you belong to me!",she said, "and besides, with the additional money, we can  make plans to send Ramesh abroad for his higher studies!"

'Ramesh, Ramesh', thought  Kumar; he would do anything for his son;  even seeing  Mohan, day in and day out !!

G Venkatesh