The Day In The Auto Rickshaw
Aqeel is a 5’10” tall, Fair, Lean, average looking guy.
Current age of Aqeel Babban Khan is 34 years. This story is not a biography of Aqeel.
We want to share an event, which happened in Aqeel’s life. Before we start
narrating the event we must specify who Aqeel is.
Aqeel’s
family comprises of father, mother, elder brother, younger brother and a sweet
little sister. Father and Elder brother are labour contractors at a jute bag
factory. Younger brother and sister are studying. Aqeel is a college dropout
working as labour in a local fabrication shop. Aqeel started working with the fabricator
at the age of 15 just to earn some pocket money.
After
marriage of his elder brother, Aqeel had a dispute with his family. Aqeel had
left his home with his mother and sister and had said that he will prove to his
elder brother and also to the world, his ability to achieve a respectful place
in the society and to build a better and bigger house than his elder brother’s
house.
In
order to achieve his goal Aqeel had started a new journey which was full of
hurdles and struggle. Nobody helped him. It took 4 years to get stable in his
job. Now Aqeel is a freelance contractor for fabrication works. Aqeel has his
own company. He has also purchased a bigger house than his brother’s 25
Kilometres away from a developing city. Soon these 25 kilometres will be inside
the city.
While
progressing in life, Aqeel has not become proud and arrogant, on the contrary
he has become a nice and helpful man and he always contributes to noble causes
like giving charity to the poor and needy. He sponsors deserving students for
further studies. He also helps people to start new business and helps those who
have incurred losses in their businesses, to restart them. He also provides
medical help to people those who can’t afford costly treatment and grocery to
the needy. As a result of all his good deeds, he has gained a great respect
among common people.
After
separation from his family, Aqeel is settled 25 kilometres away from the city. He
uses a bike for daily work. Today Aqeel’s bike is in garage for repair. This is
winter season but today is a sunny day. At 4 Pm, Aqeel receives an urgent call
to visit his fabrication work site for some measurement of next workload.
Aqeel
leaves home, which is situated in a vast expanse of picturesque hilly area, at
4.15 Pm. The sun is yet to set but the horizon is already ablaze with red-orange
rays ending one more day. The atmosphere is alive with tweeting and chirping of
a thousand species of birds. Aqeel smiles and looks at the horizon and sees a
pale sun getting ready to set. He has a gut feeling that something good is
going to happen today. He comes walking to the road.
Aqeel
is looking for auto rickshaw and finds a share auto till half way. Now after
reaching half way he is looking for an auto but no auto stops. Aqeel sees an
auto rickshaw parked opposite the lane. As he approaches the auto, he finds
Raju sitting in the driver’s seat.
Raju is
delighted to see Aqeel. There was a time when Raju had lost all his money in
gambling and at that time Aqeel helped him to pay the mortgage loan on auto
rickshaw and set the business back.
Aqeel
crosses the road and asks Raju if he can drop him to his destination. Raju
replies “Sir, this is your rickshaw, just order and I will take you to where
ever you wish to go”. Aqeel notices that a girl is already sitting in auto
rickshaw. Aqeel says “But Raju, you already have a passenger” Raju replies “She
is not a passenger Sir, she is friend like you, please be comfortable.”
Raju
introduces Aqeel to the girl sitting in the auto. Raju says “Roma, this is Mr. Aqeel.
He is a very helpful person, this rickshaw was financed by him and he did not
charge any interest on his investment. In short he is the owner of this
rickshaw. He also has good fabrication business”
Roma
smiles and says “Pleased to meet you Mr. Aqeel.” now Raju introduces Roma and
says “Aqeel Sir, this is Roma, She is wife of Munna the mechanic. Munna married
another girl and left her with a small daughter, now Roma is looking for a job”
Aqeel
says “Nice to meet you Madam, hope you will find a good job soon.”
Roma
says “Thank you Sir”
Raju
asks Aqeel “Sir, where is your bike?”
Aqeel
replies “It is in the garage. Raju I request you not to suggest Roma madam any
unfair or immoral job.”
Raju says “Brother Aqeel there is no shortcut
to make money. Today is her first day and I am looking for some people who can
enjoy with her and pay her for their enjoyment. She needs money badly as her
father is in hospital.”
Aqeel
is shocked, now he looks at the girl properly. Roma is short in height, sweet
looking, slim body, a killing smile on her face hiding the pain that’s in her heart.
Aqeel thinks this girl is so pretty and she is yet not spoilt, just because of
some money problem she is ready to become a prostitute. I should help her and
take her out of this mind-set and if not at least I can save her for few days or
months.
As Aqeel
is thinking all this, the auto rickshaw reaches his destination. Raju says
“Brother Aqeel now you have arrived at your destination, can I leave you and go
ahead?
Aqeel says “No please don’t go. You wait here
with Roma madam. I will come back in a few minutes.
While Aqeel
is gone for his work Raju says “Roma. Aqeel is a gem of a person, he is a
self-made man and helpful to people. If a person like him has told you to wait
it means he must have thought something for you. This can be your luckiest day.
It is a co-incidence that his bike is in the garage and he was looking for an
auto, otherwise he wouldn’t have met you”
Roma
says “Yes Raju, I also have the same feeling, but why did you say that he is
the owner of this auto.”
Raju
says “Roma, as I have already told you, he financed this auto, therefore he is
the owner. I had many bad habits but, Aqeel
Sir helped me without expectations of returns. My life was transformed due to
him.”
While
Raju and Roma are talking, Aqeel is taking the measurements for fabrication at
the work site and giving work order to his labour for next day. After 25
minutes Aqeel returns and asks Raju to take them to Silent Beach.
Silent
beach is not a kind of beach you can see at any sea in fact this city has no
direct connectivity to sea. There is a river flowing from this city called NAG
River. Sand of this river is similar to sea sand that’s the reason over the
time a few places near this river bank were developed into tourist spots
visited by local residents and tourists during weekend this place never remained
silent.
Raju
drives the auto towards Silent Beach while in auto Aqeel is looking at the
girl. The killing smile is missing on her face and her legs are tightened,
sweating in this winter season. She is afraid of what’s going to happen next. Aqeel
senses her tension and assures her that she should not worry as he doesn’t have
any intention of harming her.
Meanwhile
auto rickshaw reaches Silent Beach. Raju parks the auto rickshaw on one side. Aqeel
steps down from the auto and says “Roma please come with me, I want to talk to
you. Roma is afraid to step down from the rickshaw and says “Raju you will come
with us?” Raju replies “Yes” and then only she manages to step down from the
auto rickshaw. Raju makes a move to come with both of them but Aqeel stops him,
saying “Raju you wait here, I want to talk to Roma separately.”
Raju
says “As you wish Sir” he goes back to the auto and sits in it.
Roma
looks scared. Raju smiles and says “Don’t worry Roma; Aqeel Sir is a thorough
gentleman. He just wants to help you”
Roma is
re-assured and goes with Aqeel. Roma and
Aqeel walk to a big stone and sit on it
Aqeel
says “Tell me Roma, what, do you think I am going to talk about?”
Roma is
silent. Aqeel says “This silence will not work for you Roma. Reply to my
question. What do you think I am going to talk with you?”
Roma
replies “I feel you will offer to have some kind of relationship with me”.
Aqeel
says “That’s true. I am asking you to become my friend.”
On
hearing this, Roma’s face re-gains the lost smile.”
Aqeel
says “It is good to see you smile, now tell me Roma, what compelled you to take
this extreme step to sell yourself for money? How did you come in contact with
Raju? Tell me about your family members”.
Roma’s
eyes are moist. She starts narrating her woeful story. She says “Sir, today
morning I had decided to end my miserable life by jumping into a well. As I was
about to jump, Raju saw me and stopped me. Raju was my husband’s friend and
used to visit him frequently. When he came to know how desperately I needed
money he suggested that the easiest and quickest way to earn money is to sell
myself. His intention was to get 20% commission from the clients he will bring
to me.”
Roma
wipes her tears. Aqeel watches her with sympathy. After a while, she starts
speaking again. “I have mother, father,
and a little two years old daughter with me. My father has retired from a cloth
mill. Due to shut down of the mill my father is jobless. Right now my father is
admitted to government hospital because of a major heart attack. I needed to
buy medicine for him. My mother is working as house maid. I have to pay nursery
school fee for my daughter.”
Aqeel
is sad to hear Roma’s story. Now there is deep silence only the noise of water
flowing is heard. Aqeel is in deep thought how to help Roma that she shall
never ever think of suicide and her financial problem will be solved. She has
all the right to live a respectful life. Roma needed instant solution. Roma is
watching Aqeel with respect and hope.
After a
long deep thought Aqeel breaks the silence and asks “Roma, what is the cost of the
medicine that you need for your father.”
Roma
replies “Currently I need to buy medicine worth Rupees. 2600/-”.
Aqeel
pull outs a wallet from his back pocket of his jeans and gives Rupees. 5000/-
to Roma and says “Keep this for today; meet me tomorrow at 02:00 Pm at my
working site where I had gone today.”
Without
any hesitation Roma takes the money and keeps it in her purse. Roma is smiling
and can’t express her happiness in words.
Aqeel
says “Roma one thing you have to promise me that you will never ever think of
suicide or any kind of immoral activities for you and your family.” Roma nods
her head saying yes.
Aqeel
and Roma walk towards the auto rickshaw. Aqeel asks Raju to drop Roma at her
home first. Both Roma and Aqeel sit’s in auto rickshaw. Raju is happy to see
Roma happy and says “Brother Aqeel you are a great person, you brought a big
smile on her face.”
Aqeel
says “Raju can you promise me one thing?”
Raju says bowing his head “You just order my
Lord.”
Aqeel says “Promise me you will never ever
suggest this kind of immoral business to any girl either in trouble or not.”
Raju
says “Brother next time I will bring the person in trouble to you. One thing I
know is you will definitely solve the problem”. Aqeel says “I am just a normal
human being, now start the auto rickshaw and first drop the lady at her home.”
Raju
starts the auto rickshaw. In the way Aqeel asks Raju to do one thing tomorrow,
that is to pick up Roma and bring her to Aqeel’s work site at 02 pm. Raju
agrees to do this. He stops auto rickshaw a little far from Roma’s house. Raju
asks Roma “From where shall I pick you tomorrow?”
Roma
replies “I will be at the Government Hospital, I will meet you there.”
Aqeel
wishes Roma good luck. Roma thanks him and says goodbye. Raju starts the auto
rickshaw and drops Aqeel to his home. When Aqeel steps down, he asks “Raju
please tell how much fare should I pay for the auto rickshaw service?”
Raju says
“I salute you brother. You are a man with a golden heart. You are helping the
girl and this auto rickshaw is all yours, no fare”
Nobody
understands the circumstances
Nobody
understands the emotions
This is
a matter of one’s own understanding
Someone
can read a blank paper
Someone can’t read even a para from the entire book
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