The Promise
“I promise”. I will take care of everything” said Chintu placing a solemn hand over his chest.
Chintu had a sweet and engaging smile which impressed Bharat.
After many years of working abroad, Bharat had returned to his village nestled in a valley surrounded by verdant forests and beautiful hills. He had used a major portion of his savings to build his dream house. He wanted to spend the rest of his life peacefully living on the savings he had accumulated over the years, though, his wife and children were adamant and preferred to live abroad.
One day while sitting on the verandah he thought that he should have a servant to take care of his needs and look after the house. The house was reasonably big, had a garden, a driveway and a small pond with ornamental fishes. A well in the backside supplied abundant freshwater. A small kitchen garden and several fruit trees provided the necessary seasonal fruits and vegetables. The house was built on modern designs and there was sufficient electricity through solar power though a forest dweller nearby sometimes provided him with firewood.
Thus he put up a signboard outside his gate stating that he needed a servant. Soon two candidates looking for the job appeared at his gate. Both were well attired, well mannered and spoke so pleasingly and convincingly that he was very much impressed and was confused whom to select. One was called Chintu and the other was called Bholu. He spent the whole night thinking and finally after tossing a coin he decided on the one called Chintu.
“I promise I will take care of everything,” said Chintu when he presented himself the next day.
Chintu took his job seriously. He immediately started inspecting the whole house. He spent the next three days going to every nook and corner of the house. Bharat was initially very much impressed with Chintu’s eagerness for detail and waited for him to start working. However, he was surprised when Chintu went outside the gates and started travelling to the neighbourhood and also into the forest nearby. When asked, Chintu replied that he wanted to have a friendly and working relationship with those around. About the visit to the forest, Chintu said that he wanted to ensure that the house had a steady supply of forest produce from the forest dweller.
Bharat had agreed to Chintu’s demand for a five-year contract. Chintu would be paid a decent sum as salary and an additional budget for covering day to day expenses. Chintu requested that this additional expense budget be provided to him in advance, at the beginning of every year, preferably by March. This he said would be convenient as he will not need to pester Bharat repeatedly for managing the day to day expenses.
A week after joining Bharat asked Chintu to remove the weeds in the fish tank and feed the fishes. Chintu said that he was arranging someone who was an expert in fisheries would be in charge of the pond, the fishes and its surroundings. When Bharat protested, Chintu said that it was a professional job and he did not want anything to happen to the fishes. When asked about the expenses Chintu said that he had already allocated this in the budget. Chintu had already made himself comfortable in one of the rooms with all conveniences and said that he would rather live in the house than in the servant quarters outside as he can quickly reach Bharat whenever he was called and this would save time for both of them. Moreover, the servant quarters can be used to accommodate the security guard and his family as the house will be needing 24 hours security. Chintu convinced Bharat that the security was essential as the garden had plenty of fruit trees that needed protection from outsiders.
As for the garden, Chintu said that the flowers and trees needed expert care and he will soon be appointing a farm expert to take care of them. These Chintu said were necessary expenses and would have to be allocated in the budget. Though Bharat initially protested Chintu’s long speeches convinced him that these were necessary. Chintu spent most of the time giving lectures to Bharat telling him how to manage the house. Bharat shifted to one of the rooms upstairs to avoid this and would only come down when his food was ready. Against Bharat’s wishes, Chintu had already appointed a cook. Chintu said that a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet was essential and his wife and children would appreciate this whenever they came to stay with him. By the end of one year, Chintu had appointed another cook and a cleaner who started staying within the premises. Allocations were made for these expenses in the new budget.
Several people were now moving in and out of the house and Bharat had confined himself to his room. He sometimes had a bout of asthma and needed medicines and rest. He always carried his ‘inhaler’ with him and a few puffs from it would give him great relief whenever he suffered shortness of breath. At times when he felt better, he would come out and sit in the balcony watching the garden and the distant hills. The flowers, birds, the greenery and the blue skies always seemed to assure him that he had made the right decision, in coming back and settling down in the village.
Bharat saw that the driveway was in shambles and asked Chintu to repair it. Chintu said that he had already appointed a contractor who will take care of all the civil and construction work for the next few years. Also, Chintu said that a plumber has been appointed to take care of the well and water supply as he wanted to ensure that Bharat always has clean drinking water at his disposal. An electrician and his team will be available all the time to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Chintu also made arrangements to buy power from a private company outside to meet any additional power demands. Seeing the disappointment on Bharat’s face Chintu said that he wanted to bring professionalism and quality in managing the house and though it may cost a little, he wanted to ensure that Bharat got the best services. Bharat started to protest but stopped himself, as he knew that he was no match against Chintu in an argument. He was also getting bored of Chintu’s long and monotonous lectures. He began to think of Bholu.
Bholu was the candidate whom he had rejected during the interview. He once met Bholu while going for a walk outside the house. Bholu had been standing on the road looking at the trees in Bharat’s garden ripe with fruits. Bharat told him about Chintu and said that he had made a mistake in selecting Chintu and should have selected Bholu instead. Bholu said that Chintu was a cheat and a liar and people were fooled by his starchy white clothes and convincing smile. Bharat confided with Bholu that he will terminate Chintu’s services as soon as his contract of five years was over. Bholu, however, insisted that Bharat should find a way to get rid of Chintu as he still had two more years, and would ruin him and the house. He asked Bharat to look for loopholes to terminate Chintu’s services. However, Bharat said that Chintu had the support of all the people he has employed and they all will stand by him. Bholu tried to convince Bharat stating that his money is being mismanaged and Chintu is a corrupt fellow. He even suggested that if Bharat permitted he can start a small fight within the compound and many will leave the place out of fear. Bharat refused and said that it was too risky to do, as it may cause damage to the property.
The guard standing at the gate had told Chintu that Bharat had met Bholu. Chintu asked the guard to make sure that from now on Bholu should never be seen anywhere near the house. Chintu requested Bharat not to go out of the house and always stay indoors as the climate was bad and he was worried about Bharat’s health. Bharat said he wanted to meet the forest dweller who regularly supplied him with honey. Chintu said that he would make arrangements.
Chintu returned a week later and said that saying that all arrangements have been made. He and his men had taken over the surrounding forest land and from now onwards, they would be getting a steady supply of firewood, honey and other forest produce. The forest dweller has been driven deep into the forest and will never be seen again. Chintu said that soil in the forest seemed suitable for mining and he would soon bring a geologist to test the soil and to see if the forest can be cleared for mining. This would fetch much-needed revenue, said Chintu, as the budget allocations may go up the next year.
In summer next year Bharat’s wife and children came to visit him. They were surprised to see the house crowded with staff and Bharat confined to the room upstairs. They stayed for a week and left as there was too much interference from Chintu and his staff. Bharat was getting worried as the expenses were going up and he was running short of funds. Bharat put this up with Chintu and asked him to cut down the staff. Chintu however protested and said that this would compromise on the day to day smooth running of the house. Also, the staff union would not permit this. Chintu asked Bharat not to worry as he had already discussed this with a bank and the bank was willing to give a loan at a special interest rate. Bharat also may have to pledge his gold for the time being as the fifth year’ budget allocation needs to be planned soon.
By fifth year Bharat was now in deep debt and Chintu convinced Bharat to secure a loan from the bank. The house was put up as collateral and a loan secured. Chintu made additional allowances for an advanced security system for himself and his immediate staff. He also had a personal secretary and three bulletproof cars. He regularly travelled outside the house and was now rarely seen. Occasionally he would send his secretary to Bharat to clear the bills. For long-distance travel, he usually preferred a helicopter of a plane.
Bharat felt suffocated in his own house and longed to go out of the house. He wanted to walk into the forest and search for the forest dweller who had been so friendly with him. Each time he went to the gates the security guard stopped and sent him back saying that he had to follow the orders of Chintu ‘Sir’. Bharat always came back disappointed. His only consolation was that this ordeal would end in a few months when the contract was over.
One day Chintu’s secretary came to Bharat saying that Chintu ‘Sir’ was not feeling well and wanted Bharat to meet him as he was resting downstairs. Bharat went down and saw Chintu lying on a sofa surrounded by several people. Some photographers were clicking pictures of him and one was taking a close up of his right ankle that was resting on a pillow. Chintu said that he had sprained that ankle while getting out of the helicopter and needed to immediately consult a doctor. He said he will be away for a month as he needed to travel overseas for his treatment. There are some excellent specialist doctors there, said Chintu. He said that he wanted his family to travel with him and also his staff, as this will allow him to work even from the hospital. Chintu said that the trip may be a bit expensive but he had already allocated this in the budget. Bharat nodded and felt happy that the fellow will be away and he will have peace of mind for at least a while. The contract will be over by the end of two months and he can get rid of the whole gang and appoint Bholu for the next five years.
Chintu left the following day and Bharat heaved a sigh of relief. He dressed and went down to the gates. The guard at the gates stopped him and refused to let him out. The guard however happily permitted him when Bharat pushed a 2000 rupee note into his hand. Chintu requested the guard to pluck some mangoes from the garden. He said that his family will be visiting him in a few days and his son loved these fruits. The guard, however, refused to say that all the mangoes were marked for export and he couldn’t touch them. Moreover, he will have to take written permission from the farm expert which was a tedious process and had to be approved from Chintu ‘Sir’. Only Chintu ‘Sir’ and a few privileged people in his group have access to these mangoes. However, the farm expert might give him a few, if Bharat managed to strike a deal with him, said the guard slyly. Bharat said that he would rather buy from outside, as that would be cheaper.
Bharat wanted to travel to the forest and meet the forest dweller. He went out again one day after bribing the guard. The forest was now far off as large tracts of land had been cleared of trees and the landscape was now dotted with types of equipment and machines. Going up a hill he found a solitary place where a small river flowed. The water was crystal clear. However, he had noticed that downstream it was polluted by the oil and grease from the machines. Bharat sat down by the riverside. The air was fresh and he felt better. He saw his house down in the valley and it seemed as he had escaped from a crowded jail. He thought that life was best enjoyed when it was simple.
A few weeks later Bharat’s family arrived. Bharat had to go out to receive them at the airport. As usual, he bribed the guard at the gate and went out. Several photographers and reporters were standing at the gate. The said that they were waiting for “Chintu’Sir’s’’ return and were worried if he had fully recovered from his ankle sprain. The guard asked Bharat to return as soon as possible as “Chintu’Sir”’ may arrive any time and he was taking a big risk by permitting him to go out. Bharat agreed and left for the airport.
The return journey for Bharat and his family was delayed as roads were blocked and traffic was diverted. This was done to ensure smooth movement for Chintu’s convoy. There was security on either side and they were checking all vehicles. Bharat’s car was stopped several times and was checked thoroughly. Their taxi driver found a side road away from the main road and finally reached near the house. They were stopped at the gates and were asked to wait till “Chintu’Sir’s” ’convoy had passed into the house. The gates were being manned by new securities and nobody recognized Bharat. The guard at the gate was nowhere to be seen. Bharat got out of the car to look for him. His wife and son sitting inside the car were worried that Bharat may face trouble. They got out and saw him arguing heatedly with one of the security guards. They tried to pull him away but Bharat had caught hold of the security’s collar and was pulling him down. Soon other security guards arrived and caught Bharat. One of them pulled out a gun and forced him to lie on the ground face down. Bharat heard his wife and son shouting and crying but couldn’t move. He suddenly started feeling tightness around his chest. He knew that he was going to have an attack of asthma and quickly needed his inhaler. He tried to shout but there was a huge crowd and the commotion was so great that nobody heard his pleas. He saw reporters flashing their cameras and few were taking videos and reporting live. His breathing was becoming feeble and he was now unable to shout. Minutes late he became unconscious.
Security persons dragged him to the outhouse where he was locked up along with his wife and son. Several hours had passed when the commotion subsided and he regained consciousness. He was lying on the floor and his wife had placed his head on her lap. His son was sitting by his side and he saw both of them crying.
Just then the door opened and Chintu walked in. He was holding Bharat’s inhaler in his hand. Chintu said that he remembered Bharat would need the inhaler and came as soon as his secretary informed him that he had regained consciousness. Chintu sat down on a chair that was brought in by one of his assistants. Bharat took the inhaler from Chintu and took a few deep breaths. He said that he wanted to go to his room and take rest for a few days. Chintu agreed and said that it would be better. Later they can discuss the plans for the next five years as everything was now well settled and running smoothly and requested Bharat to renew the contract as he had to complete several new projects he had started. Chintu said that the Media was giving very positive reviews about how a simple household was turned into a well-managed establishment. Bharat listened to Chintu’s lecture for some time and then requested him to leave as he wanted to rest.
Bharat, however, refused to renew Chintu’s contract. On the last day, he met Bholu and agreed on a contract with him for the next five years. Bholu signed the contract and took charge immediately.
“I promise”. I will take care of everything” said Bholu placing a solemn hand over his chest.
Bholu had a sweet and engaging smile which impressed Bharat.
https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2018/01/19/07/57/shaking-hands-3091906_1280.jpg