Translated short Konkani story: Bhed-Bhav
Originally published in the book: Jhelo (1985)
Author: Tomazinho Cardozo
Translator: Agnelo Pires
And that two penny Mahar dreams of becoming my son-in -law? My foot! And you Felix, you are throwing your weight behind his decision of marrying Monica? You know our status in the society. We will be a talk of the town if we fall from grace. I will never let it happen.”
Felix knew that getting his father’s approval was like getting blood from a stone. Yet he said to his father, “Daddy, your thoughts are poorer and more degrading than Guru’s background. You try to convey robust messages of unity, brotherhood and upliftment of people from the lower strata of society but when it comes to putting it into practice you show your real color. Daddy, you finally proved all that glitters is not gold. I would prefer living in an atmosphere of equality than to suffocate between your four walls of discrimination.”
Dr. Roque proudly murmured behind him, “Really, modern generation doesn’t understand politics.”
The mission was unsuccessful which made Felix very uneasy and sad. He decided to move to a rented apartment close to the hospital in the town. He made his decision final.
On the other hand, when Guru came to know that Felix was not living with his father anymore, he could not digest the happenings taking place in his friends’ life. He felt he was responsible for the collapse of a close-knit family. Trying to be a do-gooder he said to Felix, “My friend, I feel I am responsible for your situation. You should have never decided to move out of your parent’s abode. Afterall you are the apple of your father’s eye. This action of yours will spoil your father’s reputation.
Felix you must go back and apologize to your father. This is my ardent request.”
After listening to Guru’s words Felix seemed not to budge an inch. Guru realized Felix was firm on his decision. It was a line drawn in the sand where a call was to be taken by Guru himself. Guru decided to meet Dr. Roque.
Guru was sad and in low spirit. He knew that in order to gain something he had to lose something. Circumstances were such that he was compelled to take a drastic step. He wished his friend Felix and his lady love Monica should not cross swords with their father because of him. He was anyways an outsider.
When Dr Roque saw Guru entering his office, he tried to avoid him like a plague. Guru politely said to him, “Sir, I can feel your pulse of anger. And I am here to sort our personal things out and to assure you that your family will not be disintegrated because of me.”
He continued, “Felix is a wonderful person and I am proud to have him as my friend. I realize his querencia is the home where he was nurtured. Since his attitude and prospective is different and just the opposite of that of yours, he will not change his mind of returning back home. But the solution is we both can pull it together.”
“Could you clarify that for me? What do you mean we both can pull it together?” Dr Roque asked curiously.
Guru replied, “Sir, you must convince Felix to return home and admit your fault of misunderstand and mistreating him. And in order to save the honor of your family I will leave this town forever by keeping it on the sly.”
Dr Roque was happily surprised to hear what he never expected but always wanted. He answered back, “Guru you really mean what you said just now? In that case I am even ready give you a large sum of money to leave this town and go away from Monica’s life.”
Guru was prepared for this situation. Rejecting his offer, dejected and subdued Guru turned to make an exit. He saw Monica standing in the corner as he was about to step out of the house. He was paralyzed with astonishment when he saw her. He realized Monica had heard their conversation because her eyes had become a well of tears.
Monica could not hold back her tears. “Guru, you must face the storm and not run away from it. My father is not the person he pretends to be. Pride has blinded his eyes and the idea of discrimination has made his ears deaf. I would rather stay with my brother than to suffocate here. Please take me with you”, she begged.
As Dr Roque watched Monica and Guru walk towards the bus stop, he had a huge lump in his throat. He stood there fighting back his tears. When he tried to say something, they had disappeared from his sight.
Felix welcomed his sister with open arms. He had envisioned a society where people will treat each other fairly, equally and without discrimination, where fair’s fair and all have a level playing field.
Meantime Guru was toying with an idea of purchasing a small piece of land in the town where his intended to build a house before his marriage to Monica. When he discussed his plan with Felix, he became very furious and snapped back, “Guru, you must give up this silly idea immediately. You should be thinking of going back to your village to serve your people for their upliftment and for the development of your village. You have become a doctor with the help of tax-payers money and the government’s help. Don’t you think you should repay back?”
Guru became aggravated and shot back in anger, “Felix, stop lecturing me on what not to do?”
Felix could not stand Guru’s words and in a spur of moment he slapped him across the face. Suddenly there was dead silence. Felix felt a sudden pang of guilt stabbing its way through his behavior. After a while Felix hugged Guru and said, “I am sorry Guru. What I meant to say is that you can start a new life by opening a clinic in your village where poor people can be treated freely. You can help the economically disadvantaged children of your caste get good education and come up in life.”
Monica was quietly witnessing what was going on between her brother and Guru. Monica went close to Guru and held his hands in hers. “Perhaps you have misunderstood my brother, Guru. You should apologize to him for leaving a bad taste in his mouth with your harsh words.” Monica tried to cut right to the chase.
Guru at first resisted his idea of opening a medical clinic in the village, but later gave in. As if Felix’s thoughts had caught lightning in a bottle twice, Guru said to him, “Felix you are always one step ahead of me to think positively. Once again you opened my eyes. I promise you that I will leave no stone unturned to serve my people in my village.”
They hugged each other tightly like two friends meeting for the first time. Felix said to himself “I hope my daddy will also open his eyes one day.”
Dr Roque was living a lonely and sad live in his huge ancestral home. There was a dark cloud hanging over him. His own children were drifting away from him. It kept him worrying all the time. One day he met with a serious accident while travelling in his car. He had lost a lot of blood and was found in an unconscious state. He had to be hospitalized.
The news of his daddy’s accident came to Felix out of the blue. He immediately rushed to the hospital with heavy heart accompanied by Monica and Guru. Dr Roque was in the ICU. The doctor in charge informed Felix that an immediate operation must be performed to save his father’s life. B negative group blood was required. Felix immediately agreed to donate his blood as his blood group was also B negative. Guru who heard all the conversations said, “Felix,we both have the same blood group. So, I would request you to give me an opportunity and permit me to donate my blood to your daddy. I am sure your daddy will appreciate it one day.”
Reading between the lines of Guru’s decision Felix gave him permission without thinking twice.
As Dr. Roque’s health began improving slowly, there was joy in everyone’s heart. When Dr. Roque learnt from the doctor who had operated on him that Guru’s blood had give him a new lease of life, he felt ashamed of himself. The person he had looked down his nose at had saved his life without any condition. He was blown away by Guru’s act of kindness. As Dr Roque was lying on the hospital bed counting his blessings, Felix, Monica and Guru entered to check on him. It was a sight for his sore eyes. He extended both his hands to welcome them in reconciliation and gratitude. He held all three of them close and said, “My children, I am lost for words to ask for your forgiveness. I am thankful to all of you from the bottom of my heart for freeing my thoughts and belief from the shackles of discrimination.”
As tears of repentance rolled down his cheeks, Felix, Monica and Guru felt like kids in a candy store in their father’s company.
(The end)
