The road that went into the capital had big buildings on each side. The boys, sitting behind in the truck, were fascinated. Their jaws hung as they escaped the shadows of the buildings. The truck pulled before the warehouse.
Nana: (Walks back to the truck) Woah! You are still in. I thought one of you might have fallen off midway.
Krishna: You wish.
Nana: (Laughs) I wish many things. Well, get off now. We are here.
Krishna and Bijju jump down.
Bijju: Wow! (Kicks on the surface gently) Even the ground here is made up of concrete.
Krishna: (Looks around) There are some significant structures around here.
Nana: Come on (lifting a bag on his back), help me carry all this bag inside the warehouse. We will go sight seeing after that.
Bijju: Let's quickly finish this brother Krishna, then we will check out the capital together.
After moving the bags…
Nana: Kids, get changed into the clothes you brought. We shall go for a stroll around before we go back.
Bijju: Yes uncle. Brother hurry.
Nana: I will go and finalize the deal. You both wait for us here, alright.
Krishna: Yes.
Nana goes to Bijju's father talking to the dealer.
The boys quickly change into clean clothes. Their father finished talking and returned.
Nana: Are you both ready?
Bijju and Krishna: Yes!
They move out to witness the scenery of the big and brilliant capital they always heard about. The rush, dry dust swirling around, a slight difficulty in breathing, all were dismissed by the beautiful structures and hi-fi dressed people around them.
Bijju's father: (Points towards a huge building) You see that. It is a prestigious school in the capital.
Nana: Is it? The design is eye-catching.
Bijju and Krishna look at the building too.
Bijju's father: Don't be just enchanted by the design. I heard the teaching in this school is top level as well.
Nana: I believe you know this cause you have been to the capital more than I have.
Bijju's father: Ofcourse, if Bijju were a good student I would have somehow managed to enroll him here. But you know how he is. He does everything else better other than studying.
Nana: Not just your son (looks at Krishna who was looking towards the park on the opposite of the school).
Bijju's father: I have heard that many of the students graduate and get a good job soon after.
Nana: You gotta be kidding me. (Holds his chin and wonders something) How much did you say the fee was?
Bijju's father: I am not sure. But I have heard if you pass the entrance exam with more than 85 percent the fee is reduced to less than half.
Nana: You are kidding me again.
Krishna: (Pokes Bijju) Hey! Bijju!
Bijju: (Awestruck by the building before him)
Krishna: Bijju! Let's go to the park.
Bijju: (still gawking at the building)
Krishna: I am going.
Bijju: (Still gawking).
Nana: (still wondering, holding his chin) Maybe I could…
Krishna hops towards the park. He finds people strolling around in the park enjoying the trees and their shade.
Krishna: So, it is not all concrete everywhere. They have saved some greenery here, I see. (Sees kids swinging on the swing, goes closer).
The kids leave the swing and cheerfully run away chasing the other kids. Taking the opportunity, Krishna claims the swing and begins swinging.
Krishna: (ecstatic, swinging) Wow! Gotta get this one at my village. I am sure Rani will love it. (Notices a boy sitting in one of the benches under a tree shade, head hanging down in gloom, people passed him by but none stopped, jumps off the swing and walks towards the boy).
The boy sat there, arms relaxed, neck slightly bent forward as his head hung down, eyes looking at the ground.
Krishna: (Stands before him with a smile) Hey, wanna hear some music.
The boy looks up. Krishna takes out his flute and begins playing a broken tone.
Krishna: God damn it! I even practiced this ten times.
Boy: (laughs)
Krishna: (Sits beside him) My name is Krishna.
Boy: Madhav.
Krishna: What! You have the same name as mine.
Madhav: How is our name the same?
Krishna: I mean it is one of my names. Madhav is another name of Lord Krishna, isn't it(Smiles)?
Madhav: Oh yeah! It is. My name also belongs to Lord Krishna.
Krishna: Happening to be a fellow being sharing one of the aliases of Lord Krishna, I will like to share your sadness as well if you don't mind.
Madhav: (Looks at him with sad eyes)
Krishna: Lost someone dear!?
Madhav: How…
Krishna: Looks like I am correct.
Madhav: (hangs his head down again) My mother, she was… sick.
Krishna: I am sorry. She loved you very much.
Madhav: Very much so.
Krishna: You love her too, right.
Madhav: Of course. More than anyone.
Krishna: More than Madhav?
Madhav: What do you mean? I am Madhav.
Krishna: Not you, (points towards the sky) he. You know, he loves his mother too, just like you. And since you have the same name as him, your mother is his mother too. And he takes very good care of his mother. Believe me.
Madhav: But, I won't see her again.
Krishna: Who told you that? You will see her again. But when the time is right. I will even come and meet her with you. What do you say, friend?
Madhav: (Smiles) Really!?
Krishna: (Smiles) But since you are here, you must have someone else to take care of too. You know who, right?
Madhav:Huh!? Take care of who?
Krishna: Madhav doesn't only love his mother you know. He loves his…
Man: (Yelling for Madhav) Madhav, son, where are you?
Krishna: You hear that.
Madhav: It's my papa.
Krishna: (Smile) Let the other Madhav take care of your mother there. And let this Madhav (puts his finger on his heart) take care of his father here. He lost his Radha too, you know. Now go and greet him with a smile. He will need a friend right now. And who is a better friend than his own son.
Madhav: I will take care of him, I promise.
Krishna: I know you will, my friend Madhav.
Madhav: (Gets up and runs towards his father) Thank you, Krishna.
Krishna: Wait, one last thing. Whatever happens, live, some interesting people are destined to meet you in the future.
Madhav: Like you.
Krishna: (Laughs) Like me.
Madhav: (Waves him bye) Take care, big brother. I will see you again.
Krishna: (Smiles, waves back) You too, my brother.
Madhav: (Catches up with his father) Papa! I am here.
Man: (Hugs him) Oh my god! I thought I lost you.
Madhav: (Laughs) You will not lose this friend of yours this easily.
Man: (Chuckles, rubs his head while hugging, tears drop) My friend! Of course, who is a better friend than my own son (wipes his tears).
Madhav: (Pulls back) Yeah! That's exactly the same thing Krishna said to me.
Man: (Gets up and starts walking followed by Madhav) Krishna!? Krishna said that you. Where did you meet him?
Madhav: In the park. He is my friend now.
Man: (Laughs) Is that so? You made a great friend, my son. A great one, indeed.
Krishna: (Rests on the bench smiling)
Bijju: (Arrives hugging) Big brother, let's go. Uncle is looking for you. He said it is time to go.
Krishna: Hmm! (Points towards the swing) Do you see that swing over there?
Bijju: Where? (Looks at the pointed direction) Oh! That one.
Krishna: Do you think we can build one of them at our home?
Bijju: Not a fancy one like that. But maybe a simple one, I guess.
Krishna: (Smiles) Good, very good.
Krishna takes out his flute and begins playing it as he walks for his father. This time it was a melodious tune that reached Madhav's ears as he turned back and a smile slowly stretched on his face.
Krishna and others go back to their village. Abha and Rani waited at the door, since the sun did not wait for the men to return. Krishna approaches them cheerfully smiling followed by Nana.
Rani: (Annoyed) You sure took your time.
Krishna: Jealous, are we?
Rani: I am not jealous, you are.
Krishna: Idiot, the capital is not as beautiful as I thought. No need to be jealous.
Rani: (grabs him and shakes him violently) I said I am not jealous.
Nana: (Laughs seeing them bicker) Dear, got something to eat? The food in the capital wasn't very appetizing.
Krishna: Yeah, Baba said it. Nothing beats food made and fed to me by your hand.
Abha: (Pleased) Come, get comfortable, I will get something for you two.
Krishna: Rani won't have anything. Her jealousy has filled her stomach enough, I guess.
Rani: I am not jealous, Baba, see, I will smack him.
Nana: Smack him, give him a long and extended one. If he dies then we will immerse him in the Yamuna.
Rani: I don't want him to die, Baba.
Krishna: Oye! You think her weakass smack can kill me. Those are just like love taps.
Rani: Weak! Let me show you (runs to hit him).
Krishna: Ma! Save me. Your son is being assaulted.
Rani: (Chasing) Why? What happened? Come take your love tap.
Abha: (Chuckles) Simmer down now. Don't go toppling over the food plate.
Love… what a beautiful thing! Even Bijju, an innocent boy, was filled with intense joy whenever he saw the two love birds together, laughing and dancing around. He would stand and admire them, as they ran around holding hands while playing. He would smile as he saw Rani scolding Krishna for not doing what she said. The same Rani would search for Krishna worriedly whenever she couldn't see him.
One summer afternoon…
Bijju: (Yelling) Brother Krishna! Brother Krishna!
Abha: What happened son? Your brother is not here.
Bijju: He is not. Where is he aunty? He wanted me for something. He asked me to see him.
Abha: Hmm! I am not sure, why don't you go look around the banks of Yamuna. He is always there.
Bijju: Ok, I will go and see.
Abha: Don't go very far off the village alright. And all of you, be back before sundown.
Bijju: (Walking away) Ok Aunty.
Bijju walked through the fields towards the river singing a native song. Suddenly he could hear a faint flute music coming from the banks of the Yamuna.
Bijju: Brother Krishna! You really love this place, don't you?
Bijju rushed through the fields and a beautiful and spacious view filled with big green trees with sunlight gently passing through the canopy appeared before him. As he stands in the open, the cool breeze in the summer blows down passing through the tree shadows flows by caressing his face. Krishna appeared, sitting under a huge tree, flute on his lips, a melodious tune blew out of the other end as if you could see them flowing out. Rani, sitting beside him, leaning her head on Krishna's shoulder, eyes closed with a small and gentle smile on her face. Small kids jumped and danced at a distance with the flute music, some were playing near the bank of the river while few cows enjoyed the music chewing on the grass. Bijju, mesmerized by the view, slowly moved forward swinging his head with the music. Krishna kept playing the flute as Bijju Comes and sat before him resting his face on both of his palms lovingly looking at the couple of which one was sleeping and another was lost in playing his flute. Krishna lowers his flute as he notices Bijju before him.
Krishna: Arey! Bijju!
Bijju: Don't stop, it was so delicious to my ears.
Krishna: (Scratches his head all shy)
Bijju: You have gotten very good at playing your flute. I swear.
Krishna: (Looks at Rani sleeping on his shoulder, gestures at her comically)
Krishna Slowly and gently puts Rani leaning by the tree. He stops and admires her sleeping face for a minute, lovingly slides her bangs behind her ear and then goes a few steps away from the tree and looks towards the top.
Krishna: (Looking above) So Bijju, what do you think? Will that branch hold?
Bijju: (Looks up) Huh! Hold what?
Krishna: I was thinking of setting up the swing by this tree here.
Bijju: That will do more than hold the swing. Look at the thickness of that branch.
Krishna: I thought so. Now all I need is a plank, two ropes and some old clothes will do.
Bijju: I can get the rope. They are very thick and strong, we tie them around our cows.
Krishna: Hmm, that will be very helpful. And I will get some old clothes. I think I have some of that rope too. All that is left is the seat plank.
Bijju: I don't have that at my place.
Krishna: It is not that easily available. I think we will have to make them by ourselves.
Bijju: But how? I don't know how to make one.
Krishna: Don't worry Lil brother. I know. I saw the carpenter uncle shaping one of their logs (points at a dry tree log at a distance) at his place. I think I can do it.
Bijju: Woah! That's a big one.
Krishna: Well, go on, carry it to my place.
Bijju: Huh! But that looks big and heavy.
Krishna: You can carry that idiot. It is a dry one. And you are stronger than me. Just go and try to lift it. I gotta carry the sleeping beauty here.
Bijju: Well! (Goes and lifts it up) Huh! It only looked heavy.
Krishna: What did I say?
Bijju: But it is still too big to completely wrap my arms around it.
Krishna: Don't worry, you can carry it by putting it down then lifting it back up as many times as you want on the way.
Bijju: Not that easy after all.
Krishna: (Lifts Rani on his back).
Rani: (Wraps her hand around his neck, still drowsy, whispers) Krishna, oh Krishna, my Krishna.
Krishna: (Smiles) Keep holding your Krishna or he will slip away.
Bijju: (Moved way ahead of them) Brother, come on. You couldn't pick up Rani yet.
Krishna: This feather weight, you think I can't lift her up.
Bijju: I did not say that. It is just that you are taking too much time. I am almost home.
Krishna: (Laughs, puts his flute in his pocket) You feel like joking huh! Let us see if you can carry the log to our home in one go without putting it down.
Bijju: Is that a joke?
Krishna: (Laughs)...
Next morning…
Krishna: (Hands over the rope to Bijju) Here, hold on to it. Where is yours?
Bijju: (Brings it forward) Here!
Krishna: Hmm, this shall do. I don't think the length will be an issue.
Bijju: What about the seat plank?
Krishna: I will bring the saw from the carpenter uncle later. Before that, let's finish up with the rope work. Need old clothes to wrap around the lower part so that it doesn't graze our hands while swinging.
Bijju: How so?
Krishna: You grab on to the rope during swinging. The rough rope is rather rough to hold onto.
Bijju: Rough rope is rough to hold onto. Ok, got it. I will bring some old clothes.
Krishna: Maybe a single long fabric, if you can, like a saree or something. We will want it to look good too.
Bijju: Ok..
Krishna: (Heads towards his hut) Let's ask Ma if she has any saree that she doesn't need anymore. (Enters) Ma! Ma!
Abha: What is it, Krishna?
Krishna: Ma, do you have any saree that you don't wear anymore.
Abha: Hmm! Let me see. I think I have some of them. Go look there in the box.
Krishna: (Goes and rummages through the box) Which one? There are a lot of them.
Abha: Don't throw away things like that. Just pick the one which is below everyone.
Krishna: Ah! Found it.
Abha: What will you do with it?
Krishna: I am making a swing. I am going to use this to wrap it around the rope.
Abha: Fine, Just don't do anything troublesome.
Krishna: Ok (dashes outside).
Bijju: (Yells) Brother! Got one.
Krishna: (Takes the cloth) This will do. Just need to get the plank. You take care of the rope and clothes and wait here. I will go and get the saw and start on the log.
Bijju: Ok (Takes the cloth and collects the rope).
Krishna: Wait here, I will be back in a bit.
Krishna goes and comes back with the saw but Bijju was nowhere to be found. Abha was taking care of the cows.
Krishna: Ma! Where did Bijju go?
Abha: I don't know.
Krishna: I told him to wait here, where did he go?
Abha: Must have gone to eat something.
Krishna: Where is Rani?
Abha: She went to wash clothes on the riverside.
Krishna: Well, whatever, I need to get the plank done. (Measures) This thick would be enough. Time to saw it.
Krishna begins shaping the plank out of the log. After a while, a kid comes running and stops near the cows where Abha was working.
Kid: (Pants) Brother Krishna! Come, hurry.
Krishna: (Sawing) What is it? I am working, can't play right now.
Abha: Why don't you come back later, son?
Kid: Bijju fell off a tree.
Krishna: (Stops) What?
Abha: (worried) Where is he?
Kid: By the riverside, he is in great pain.
Abha: (Covers her mouth in fear).
Krishna: (Leaves everything and rushes for the riverside).
He sees Bijju sitting leaning on the tree covering his face with his left hand, while Rani examined his right forearms.
Rani: See, that's why I say not to be so reckless.
Bijju: (Writhing in pain) Rani sis, don't. It hurts.
Krishna: (Quickly approaches them) Where does it hurt? Show me.
Rani: Here he comes, couldn't you stop him from climbing the tree? Look what happened.
Krishna: (takes his arm and checks) Gotta get you to the doctor (Lifts him on his back and starts walking quickly towards his hut).
Bijju: (Tears rolling down) I am sorry brother, I thought I could hang the rope. I wanted to do something too.
Krishna: Don't worry about it. I know.
Bijju: I can't lift my hand. It hurts badly.
Krishna: (Reaches the hut)
Abha and Bijju's mother were waiting there nervously.
Bijju's mother: Is everything all right?
Abha: He is not severely hurt, is he?
Krishna: He broke his wrist. He needs a doctor as soon as possible. I am taking him to the municipal clinic right away.
Bijju's mother: (Teary eyes) I will come too.
Krishna: Don't worry Mai, I will take care of him. You just wait here.
Abha: (Consoles her patting on her shoulders)
In the clinic…
Doctor: It is just a minor fracture. Keep the plaster for 14 days and it will be back to normal.
Krishna: Good grief! Thank you sir, doctor.
Doctor: (Laughs) Just be careful next time. But don't stop climbing trees alright.
Bijju: Ok sir, doctor.
Doctor: Go, I will see you after 14 days, then I will remove the plaster. Ok.
Krishna: Let's go.
They return back to their hut. Where their mothers were waiting for them.
Bijju's mother: Oh my god! What is that? Did he break his arm?
Krishna: Easy Mai, it's just a minor fracture. Sir Doctor said he will be alright after 14 days.
Abha: Thank God. And after I told you to not cause any trouble.
Bijju: Brother Krishna did nothing. It was my fault.
Rani: Why is it not? You were climbing the tree because of him, weren't you? He was hanging some kind of rope over the branch of the tree. I saw him.
Bijju's mother: I hope his father doesn't get very angry upon seeing this.
Abha: Don't worry, I will ask Krishna's Baba to talk to him. This happens, they are kids after all. At least it is nothing serious.
Bijju's mother: He will not be doing any lifting for some days. Come, let's wash you up and get you something to eat.
Abha: You too Krishna, eat something. You haven't eaten anything since morning.
Rani: (walking towards the hut) What did you ask him to do on the tree?
Krishna: (Walking beside Rani) As you said, I asked him to hang a rope by the tree.
Rani: Is that it?
Krishna: Yes.
Rani: Really?
Krishna: Yes, Radhe.
Rani: No way, you are lying. He broke his wrist for just hanging a rope by the tree.
Krishna: He did not break his wrist. It is just a minor fracture.
Rani: It is the same thing, idiot. You need to study properly.
Krishna: Is it? Looks like I really need to study.