"How can my Dad be so heartless? Ajji was buried here just a few months back. This farm land is our ancestral property; we've inherited this for more than a century now. I'll bring this farm land to its original glory…and see that it is not sold until I'm alive." Prakruth thought as he walked. He was very angry at his father. He grew up in this farm with his grandparents, most of his schooling happened here in nearby school. The people here added values to his life, he had a best childhood here.
"Prasad, the area around the Ajja Ajji tomb… is it cleared from weeds?" Prakruth asked. "Yes Saab" answered Prasad.
"Come let's see…" he walked towards the tomb.
He called at one of the laborers there and instructed them to plant flowering plants and saplings which had arrived from the nursery around the tomb. He was trying to learn everyone's name. Laborers were happy as Prakruth treated each one of them with respect… he used to care about their food, health and never allowed their kids to work in his field. He had kicked out the old farm manager and saw that they got their wages properly. Before he arrived, the manager appointed by his father, misused the funds giving fake accounts.
On first day when he met the manager, he had enquired about the accounts… "I had seen Dad grumbling that there was no income from these farms at all in spite of spending on it every month, I will check the accounts myself" he thought.
"I have mailed the accounts to Doctor" the manager said carelessly.
"So does that mean I shouldn't see??" Prakruth asked in authoritative tone.
"You can… it's on the system, see yourself" he answered in arrogance.
As he went through the accounts on the computer, he felt something was fishy. He ordered Prasad to call all the laborers mentioned in the wages list. When he met them, he came to know the truth. He asked the manager to leave… the manager left without questioning to his dismay.
"Prasad, why didn't he plead or protest?" Prakruth asked as he couldn't contain myself.
"Saab, he told that big boss is planning to sell these farms and he was searching for an alternative job… may be he has found one…" Prasad replied as he saw the manager walk away.
"Who? My Dad is selling the property?" Prakruth exclaimed.
"He was saying that last week while distributing wages and had asked us to find a new job too" Prasad answered openly. "Saab, is it true?" he added.
"No, No… I'll look after the farms hereafter… My father has lied so that this manager can leave without causing any troubles" Prakruth lied to cover up his father's reputation among the labor class. "I can't let the people know that my Dad is ruthless and materialistic. He's a famous doctor and a kind hearted person according to villagers… I intend to leave the same image" he thought.
"Saab" Prasad interrupted his thoughts… pulling Prakruth to the present.
"Yes Prasad" Prakruth gestured lifting his eyebrow. He was a sincere worker, Prakruth believed and also liked him. So he decided to retain him.
"This Friday is Carnival fest… all villagers will celebrate it grandly"… he scratched his head.
"So you want holiday on that day? Right… Ok you can go…I'll go to city and get farm supplies on Friday…"
"No Saab, all laborers want you to join them during the celebration so they asked me to invite you" he smiled sheepishly …
"Ok… I'll see…" said Prakruth in uncertainty.
"Anna please come" said a small boy who was curiously hearing their conversation, the boy's innocent face made Prakruth agree, he couldn't deny his request, so he said "OK" patting his cheeks.
"Thanks Saab" said Prasad happily… The wave of happiness passed on all faces around him. Even Prakruth smiled. He was feeling occupied and enthusiastic working here among innocent hard working people. He did this to protect memories of his grandparents and also help these people and their families who were working here from more than 40 years. As he turned towards Prasad, he asked "Prasad, does tractor get delivered on Thursday… I want to till those 6 acres before your Carnival…"
"Don't worry Saab, he has agreed to deliver tomorrow afternoon itself…we'll finish it by Thursday evening" replied Prasad who had smile still lingering on his face. He was excited to show his "small boss" to all the villagers.
"Can I go now saab?" he asked as it was 6pm already.
"Yes, tomorrow come by 7am …don't be late"
"Ok Saab…" he saluted as he left.
12 acres which was occupied by weeds and grass was cleaned by laborers, who had cut most of them using farm equipments, but uprooting was more laborious. Prasad then reminded that their tractor was left at a garage when it broke down a year ago. So Prakruth had ordered the garage person to repair and deliver it. He wanted to plant cashews in 6 acres and plan for next 4 acres on Uncle's orders. The two acres near the farm house was full of different flowering plants and fruit trees when grandparents were alive… he decided to follow same pattern. Some trees were still existing but others had to be replaced. All the farm management skills he learnt from his grandfather were put to use now. His Grandpa was Sarpanch* of this village. He was all in all for villagers…a Great power. He died when Prakruth was in 7th grade, due to an heart attack… Grandmother was not able to live alone here due to her age issues, so she went to live with her daughter in Bangalore and Prakruth moved with his parents. Last year when he lost his grandmother, Prakruth suffered the sense of being orphaned as he was more attached to them emotionally than his own parents. So he decided to spend his summer holidays here.
Farm house was a duplex house with 3 bed rooms. Prakruth had selected the room which had an L shaped balcony. He could see the whole boundary of the farm from one side of the balcony and the river from the other. This house was a few meters away from the river behind the farms, if there were heavy floods …water would definitely reach the foundation of this building, but his grandfather wanted the house here itself. Phalguni was a silent river; never had it resulted in flooding even during heaviest rainfall.
"I have a sentimental attachment towards this farm. Grandparents had cows and hens too. I can't afford to lose this place for money" he said to himself as he rested on an easy chair in the balcony.
The pretty face of the girl started haunting him as he closed his eyes. "My Girl…this feeling itself made me feel ecstatic. How will I meet her again? Should I enquire in the beach resort? I don't know any of their names… what will I ask? If I ask …can you please tell me the details of young girl who wore a pink frock? They'll think I'm mad. Was she hurt very badly? Did I break her hand? I should have followed her…wish I had my bike or car that day. Was she from nearby places or a tourist from far? She must be from Heavens…she was so cute, beautiful and sweet. I wonder what attracted me so much to her…She called me Idiot… no girl has even smirked at me… I have seen girls who admire my presence… I think she didn't see me properly…" his thoughts went on and on.
"Saab dinner" the maid interrupted his thoughts.
Here there was a one maid who used to do all the house work and cook for him. She was here from his childhood days. Prakruth finished his dinner and went to bed early…farm work had exhausted him… He slept without dreams.
*Sarpanch- Village Head.