Mr Mahto rushed to the bus stop near his apartment. He was late for office that day and was occasionally reminded about it by the known people passing and some even asking about how he was late.
Mr Mahto returned late from attending a marriage reception the previous night.
As Mr Mahto was passing alongside another apartment complex, he stopped to attend a work call and over the boundary wall of the apartment complex, his eyes caught the sight of a young man, standing near a staircase of the apartment building, he was clearly waiting for someone with possible suspicious intention, as the man the man tried to keep himself hidden or out of attention of those passing by there.
Mr Mahto wanted to call out, but the man would hear him and run away, he wouldn’t be caught. So, Mr Mahto walked briskly to the entrance of the apartment complex where he could talk to the security guard.
Vasant had a few friends, mostly at his workplace. One of the things he was focussed on in his life was saving money. He made sure to invest some of his income every month and over the years he had a decent amount of savings.
Vasant usually didn’t talk about his investment ideas to anyone other than Sirak, his colleague turned friend. They exchanged ideas, and talked about different prospects in the market.
Vasant moved on to join another company but stayed in touch with Sirak over texts and the occasional calls. One day Sirak informed Vasant about this opportunity.
Sirak’s cousin Mukund was opening a gaming café, and he was offering investment opportunities with a certain amount of monthly returns. It was decorated like a good opportunity and Vasant went for it and the first three months the returns came on time, the fourth and fifth month they delayed, on the sixth they came in instalments and seventh they stopped.
Initially there were reasons for it being a brief delay and that the amount will be paid. But one day the calls and texts stopped as well, Sirak wasn’t responding and by each passing day Vasant was sure that his money was gone for good.
On asking other colleagues of Sirak’s workplace Vasant got to know Sirak had switched jobs as well, something he hadn’t told Vasant. Sirak was now working remotely from his apartment. Vasant was thinking of what was to be done, maybe confronting Sirak at his apartment was the only way.
So here was Vasant waiting for Sirak to come down the staircase. He had asked a mutual friend for help. The mutual friend had asked Sirak to come down at a particular time for a quick word.
Vasant wanted to give Sirak a chance to explain himself out here rather than directly going to his apartment where he lived with his parents; as it would have certainly caused a commotion. A few people passing by had given him the suspicious look, but Vasant had his phone in hand and would pretend to use it or stay out of sight behind the parked cars. He had never done this and couldn’t get over being tense himself.
Eventually he could see Sirak coming and as Vasant approached him, Sirak paused on seeing Vasant approach and they both heard the security guard calling out while walking briskly towards them. Sirak, confused by what would happen, decided to make a run back to his apartment and Vasant went running behind him and the security guard followed Vasant in the same manner. The three of them ran up the stairs and by the time Sirak’s father opened the door all three happened to be right there and he looked at each surprise.
Sirak’s cousin had stopped responding to Sirak and Sirak had no idea what would happen to the money he invested along with Vasant. He had no idea how he would put out this reality to Vasant. Both of them decided to reconcile and deal with the situation as was required.
Written by Anuran Chatterji
Early Morning Memories 