THE JOY OF COLOURS: #MYFRIENDALEXA

 BROWN

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The brown earth drank in the moisture that the monsoons had provided greedily, the first rains of the season. Farmers had been praying for this, as their crops had begun to wilt, but now, at the first drop of deliverance, they had perked up, lifting their heads for succour.

Sujata smiled at her husband, Milan.

“The Gods have heard our prayers. We will have a good crop this year.” Her careworn eyes were bright again, as a ray of hope had entered her heart. Looking at the tiny dusky babe who lay in the makeshift cradle created from a sari, she smiled. He had brought the rains, and the good luck along with him. On the day he was born, their landlord had summoned Milan.

“Milan, you are a good worker. If you are ready to work more, I will increase your wages,” he had announced, clapping the younger man on his shoulder. Milan had winced at the hearty blow, but his heart sang with joy. There was so much they could do with more money!

Sujata was thrilled when she heard the good news.

“Our little one has brought luck with him. Maybe, it is time our fortunes changed,” she remarked softly, as she caressed the tiny downy head of her son. “We should name him Bhagya.”

The name stuck and Bhagya’s birth was celebrated in a grand fashion, with the word ‘luck’ firmly attached to him from the very start. As he grew older, the fortunes of the family flourished, and the brown patch of earth that formed the crux of their property blossomed with the best crop that had been seen in the village. Bhagya studied at the local school and though he was an average student, he was popular with his teachers and his peers because of his helpful and friendly nature.

By the time Bhagya was a teenager, he was a strapping young lad who looked older than his age. He was as brown as the land itself maybe because he spent much time in the sun. He was his father’s shadow during harvest time. However, as time went on, Bhagya turned a trifle lethargic. Now when his father needed help, he would make excuses. He had a gang of friends with whom he spent the whole day, and at times, his parents did not see him till late at night.

Years went by, and Bhagya finished school. He got admission in the local college which was around six kilometres away. He was a regular student except during the days of the harvest when he and Milan would work together in the field.

Things came to a head when, one day, Milan needed help with the harvest.  Bhagya was nowhere to be seen and to top it all, there was a sudden downpour which ruined the crop.

When Bhagya returned, he saw his parents sitting on the floor in utter dejection.

“Where have you been, Bhagya?” his mother got up and strode towards him, her eyes emitting fire.

“I had some work in college,” was his immediate response.

“With your gang of friends?” Sujata spat the words out. “What was so important that you abandoned your father during the harvest when he needed you urgently?”

Bhagya opened his mouth to reply, but Milan quelled him with a glance filled with disgust and disappointment.

“Don’t bother talking to him, Sujata!” he said wearily. “We have lost everything anyway.” He rose and walked into the next room, his shoulders bowed.

Bhagya’s eyes filled with trepidation.

“Ma, I am sorry! I didn’t realise this would happen.” He had never seen his parents look so dejected.

Sujata’s eyes filled with tears. She turned to him despondently.

“Maybe we pampered you a bit too much. You were always our lucky charm from the moment you were born. Even today, before the downpour, we still had faith that we would be able to salvage the harvest.” She burst out crying.

Bhagya’s eyes were also moist. He knew that he had failed them, but of late, his brain had not been functioning the way it should have.

It was a hard season for the family. Not only had they lost the crop, but they had a massive loan to pay off to the village moneylender whose interest rates were crippling. There was not enough money to buy new seeds even, and the brown land lay before them, fallow and uncultivated. What was worse was that Bhagya could not pay his fees though the college had given him some time to pay up. But with no money coming in, things were looking grave.

However, there was one more blow staring Milan and Sujata in the face. They had been called by the Principal of Bhagya’s college.

The Principal looked at them gravely. When he finally spoke, his words struck them to the heart.

“I am sorry, but there is no easy way for me to say this. Bhagya’s grades have been going down and at this rate, he will fail this semester.” His heart went out to the two people sitting before him looking helpless. So, he did not speak about the nonpayment of fees. However, Milan’s response was prompt.

“Could you give us some time more, please? We will collect the money for Bhagya’s fees as soon as we can.”

“Of course, “was the answer. “However, do keep an eye on your son. He needs to bring up his grades.”

That evening, Sujata went into Bhagya’s room to place his washed clothes in his cupboard. Bhagya had stepped out for some fresh air.

When he got back, his parents were waiting for him. He already knew what the Principal had told them that morning.

“Is there anything you want to share with us?” Sujata asked, quietly.

Bhagya looked puzzled and shook his head.

“If your grades fall further, you might fail.” His father’s voice was controlled.

Bhagya nodded but made no reply. He walked across the room, but as he reached the door, Sujata called out his name. Bhagya turned only to see her hold something out in her palm. Something that sparkled in the light. Bhagya started at the sight of the syringe, his face wan in the dim light.

The brown earth looked pale in the morning sun. It had been an exhausting period over the past six months, and Milan and Sujata had skimped to save money to buy new seeds.

Bhagya was at a de-addiction centre, trying to get rid of the demons that attacked him when the craving hit him, which was often. His body rebelled, leaving him screaming in agony. The doctors had advised his parents not to visit him till he was a bit better.

It was time for the next harvest. The brown land was covered with a lush green crop, healthy and abundant. Life had started looking up again for the family. Bhagya was back home with them. He had turned into a strapping young man again, his face brown from helping his parents in the fields. He was determined not to make the same mistakes again.

Milan smiled at Sujata, his heart brimming with satisfaction as they looked at the crop. Their luck had, indeed, changed for the better.

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