Alone in Crowd

                         Many years ago, once there lived a fellow named Ram in a small village. He had a twin brother; Shyam. Ram hated Shyam for no reason, but he loved his parents, his neighbors’, village people and supported, helped all of them. He cared other people’s happiness more than his. He was the most intelligent guy of his school. Everyone equally loved him back either. He was happy. He had various ambitions in his life, but meanwhile his greatest dream was to become the Head Boy of his school and he was selected as the Head Boy by the school authorities and the investiture ceremony was arranged on the other day. And the night before that he couldn’t sleep for that reason. He was in dreams. He was ecstatic. He got up at 5am that morning; he ironed his uniform, polished his shoes, bathed, got set, and started right at 7am to school. It was a 45 min walk to school and program is to commence by 8am and he was punctual. The investiture ceremony was announced to be attended by various high officials and Ram’s post was the most valuable one. His brother Shyam was already at school to do some volunteer works. The road was muddy and he reached a half way and suddenly it started raining heavily. He even didn’t bring up any umbrella, as there wasn’t any sign of rain till then. His uniform did go muddy soon and he thought of better to go home, change and borough an umbrella and return school.

He reached school at 8.30am and stage was completely clear and no one was around and he saw his class with full bursting sound and joy heard outside. He went on to check and no one cared his entry to class and suddenly the one who he considered his best friend showed up and asked, where had you been? Why are you late? Come join the fun, Shyam is our new head boy!

He didn’t understand anything, as the news of me being selected as the Head Boy wasn’t known by Ram’s friends. He went ignoring everything towards principal, but principal was in talks with the guests and asked to wait. Ram was restless. He rushed to convener and sadly convener replied, ‘Shyam was selected in place of you as you weren’t on time’.

It outnumbered Ram’s pulse count, he was destroyed completely. Again passing through same joyous class of mine, ignoring principal, He went home not answering any questions and to his room. He was feeling lonely in the crowd. He cried heavily, alone. After some time, someone patted on his back, it was Shyam. Ram was angry on him, and avoided his pat. Shyam started saying- You may not love me a bit at all, but I like you and respect you more than anyone else. I don’t wasn’t this ‘Head Boy’ place, you are the deserved one, you might have this (the Head Boy badge). Ram turned back to see Shyam’s teary eyes which said it: How much he loved! He hugged him!

 After around 40 years, Ram who had his own industry and was leading it to heights, while Shyam was leading a normal life having a small government service in the same village they lived. One day, Ram received and urgent call and he suddenly started crying. He reached his village soon.

Shyam is dead!

He lit Shyam’s body along with Shyam’s cute son, as was the tradition. The wood covering the body and body started flaming and was completely in fire. He realized that, this is that actual moment that Ram felt lonely amid of crowd.