KRISHNA ... PLEASE HELP..! - j.k. sivan
Babu Naidu was very religious and pious and not a single day he missed performing his chanting and pooja to Lord Krishna before leaving for his work place. He was poor and never had a permanent job. His aged parents needed his support besides his widowed sister with her two children.
He managed to rent a house at a nominal cost for running this large family with his wife and a child at Tambaram.
He used to go on his two wheeler every day to Chengalpat to the Steel rolling mill where he was employed. Babu used to sing Krishna songs all the way to the factory every day.
It now rains heavily during this October unusually, for the last couple of days and Babu had been thinking of his next job as he
was already served the notice of termination of his job due to staff reduction in the factory.
He contacted many friends and applied to various organisations and awaits any favourable response . He had another 21 days to go before being jobless.
''Krishna, why dont you consider me a modern Kuchela and help. I am also responsible for feeding more mouths within my llimited income. What shall I do after 20 more days.... So far nothing had materialised through my efforts'' he sadly reflected his state.
Babu had a vacant plot in Madhurantakam closer to the main road and he was planning vigorously to dispose it of to raise funds for supporting the family until he got another job. Never did he tell this to his wife because it was her father who got it registered in his name a decade ago.
Just about a week before he was to lose his job, he had a letter from one Mr.ARJUN LAL to meet him at his office in Purasawalkam, Chennai for an interview.
It was an Ekadasi day and as usual Babu would not consume any food the whole day. He managed to wear the best dress he could manage,his only white shirt, and a blue pant, wearing a tie and put on his seldom used shoes and proceeded to Purasawalkam on his two wheeler. Within about 200 meters of his house, the front tyre of the two wheeler got punctured. He pushed and parked it at a nearby shop requesting the friendly shopkeeper to him to take care of it until his return and rushed to the bus stop.
It was almost 10am and he had another one hour for the interview at Purasawalkam. He saw a bus bound for Purasawalkam moving out. He ran at his best but missed it. There is not going to be another bus for Purasawalkam within the next fifteen minutes or so. He was so disappointed and frustrated he did not notice a fast moving private car on his right. It was with Krishna's grace that he narrowly missed being run over , but was hit on his right shoulder. The car disappeard from the scene. Babu fell down and had severe pain on the right shoulder. It took some minutes for him to recover from the shock and was helped by a few nearby to get up. His dress was stained with slush and mud as it still drizzled. He picked up his hand bag lying at a distance on the road, where it was thrown away as he fell down,
Babu lost all hopes of reaching Purasawalkam at 11.15am and tears rolled down his eyes realising his misfortune.
A young man in the vicinity who was taking photographs of a building noticed Babu running towards the bus, missing it and the near fatal car accident he escaped from. The youth approached the sad looking Babu Naidu and offered to help him.
''You cannot help me sir,. I am destined to suffer. All my prayers to my Lord Krishna are unanswered.''
With his voice choked in sorrow Babu related everything about his large family, loss of job in a couple of days, the just missed opportunity to attend an interview at Purasawalkam etc., The youth was surprised and sad at the same time.
''Do you want to go to Puraswalkam now?
''Yes, but cannot go. How can I in this condition within such a short time attend my interview?
''Dont worry, I will take you and drop you just in time. Hop in '' said the youth bringing his car from the road side
Babu could not believe his ears. His hopes had a fresh lease of life. He looked at the clock in front of a building. Luckily still he had
another 40 minutes or so when they were near Saidapet in the car. Fortunately there was no delay on the way due to any traffic jam. When the car reached Purasawalkam the youth told Babu ''I know this address'' and parked the car in front of an independent bangalow.
Babu rushed into the building jumping out of the car without even thanking the youth. A lady at Reception enquired about him and his purpose of visit.
''I am called for an interview by Mr. Arjunlal please''
' Mr. Arjun has his office in the left side of the verandah, facing east at the corner. You can go to his office there.
Babu completely forgot about the youth or thanking him for his help. From the corner of his eyes he observed the youth was talking to the lady at the Recelption.
Babu lost his hopes as there were three or four ladies and half a dozen well dressed young men, probably candidates waiting to be interviewed like him in the front hall of Mr. Arjun's cabin. He simply prayed to Krishna that he should succeed in getting the job at whatever salary they offered as he needed a job very badly.
Babu's turn came for the interview and he entered nervously the cabin. Mr Arjun was bald, thick moustached, fat and looked at him through his tainted spectacles. Babu regained his strength somewhat, on looking at the smiling Krishna in a picture on the wall playing on his flute. He nervously prayed to Him within himself.
Babu apologized for his helplessness presenting himself with mud stained clothes and explained the accidental fall he met with. Mr Arjun pitied his condition and poerused his credentials and certificates. Certain routine questions were answered by Babu Naidu. He was finally told to await a written communication.
Disappoined Babu was moving out of the cabin when the youth who helped and brought him entered the room. Babu was shocked at the rude behaviour of the youth for following him without permission inside the cabin of Mr. Arjun Lal and feared it would ruin his chances of getting a job.
He was angry at the youth and asked him '' Why did you folow me and enter this cabin without any manners and decency? Could you not wait for me outside, if you wanted to talk to me'' said Babu with restlessness.
''Why should I wait out, if I want to meet my uncle'' replied the youth .
''Hi Krishna,come in my boy, what brought you here'' asked Mr Arjun, interrupting their conversation. He rose up from his chair to embrace his sister's son, Klrishna, his his pet nephew.'
''You wait out for me'' said Krishna waving at Babu naidu . Babu was still nervous and slowly walked on the verandah unable to believe what was happening to him...
For about half an hour Babu sat still like a stone and his mind was releling and recalling in quick succession the events that took place since that morning and closed his eyes praying to Krishna as usual.
Krishna the youth, came out and touched him on the weak right shoulder and handed him the appointment letter with a salary double the amount he last received. When Babu looked up Krishna the youth appeared to him to be Krishna smiling in the picture on the wall playing on his flute.
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