God Always Rewards Good Deeds
After graduating from an engineering college Umang joined a multinational IT firm in Hyderabad , then the capital of Andhra Pradesh . Umang belonged to a middle class family . His father was an accountant in a private company . His grandfather was a central government employee and was still alive and getting a regular pension . Without his pension it was not possible for his father to maintain a family of five in Ranchi .
Within a year of joining the job Umang got married . Though he didn’t want to marry so soon, he had to yield under grandfather’s last wish . His grandpa was seriously ill and wanted to see his granddaughter in law during his lifetime . Besides, his father wanted to get Umang’s younger sister married soon after Umang’s marriage . Umang’s grandpa died a couple of months after his marriage .
Umang payslip was not fat enough to maintain a lavish life . Still he could manage to live in a rented 2 BHK flat and have a motorbike . His wife , Priyanka , used to teach in a private middle school but her pay was also meagre . Umang was expecting an overseas posting to earn and save some dollars but that didn’t happen so far . Even after five years he couldn’t afford to buy a car . He was planning to book a flat and a car on EMI . He was waiting for a pay hike and promotion . After five years he was blessed with a twin , a son and a daughter .
Umang’s office was far away from his flat . He used to bring his home made lunchbox . Sometimes Priyanka failed to get the lunchbox ready in time so he used to come down and get street food . After another two years he bought a car on EMI with a bank loan. With two kids Umang and Priyanka a car was needed for the family . They lived happily for the next few years .
For the last few weeks he had been watching a young boy selling some books and pens on the footpath . Once after a roadside meal , he went to him to buy a ballpen. Then he noticed the boy selling some science and computer books besides pens and IIT entrance exam books besides some children books and comics . Though he wished he could have an IIT degree he couldn’t . Umang failed to qualify due to lack of funds for coaching and specific books . He bought a pen and came back to his office . From his appearance , clean dress and the way he communicated ,the young boy appeared to belong to a nice family . Though many people stopped at his footpath stall and watched his stuff , hardly anyone bothered to buy any book .
After a week , that day was full of surprises for Umang . He got his promotion order and a bonus . He was very happy . While returning from the office he stopped at the boy’s stall to buy a couple of pens . The boy looked sad . Umnag asked for pens . The boy gave him a box to choose pens of his choice . While shuffling the pens he asked “ You appear to be from a good background ? What is your name ? “
“ Sir , I am Gagan Deep . “
“ Nice name . Why are you selling these books ? “
“ For namesake only , sir . I was born with the worst luck .”
“ Why are you talking like this? Asked Umang
“ I have competed for IIT with good rank . But unfortunately I am born in a so-called forward caste family which is economically very weak . I can’t expect any aid from our government . Nowadays studying at IITs is also very costly . “ said Gagan
“ But you can get at least a partial fee waiver if you are economically weak . “
“ Sir , Even if I get some relief in tuition fees , other expenses are there . I need some money initially . Once in IIT , I may take a loan from some source or do some tuition to meet my expenses .”
“ Yes , your father can get an education loan from any bank . “
Gagan said “ No sir , My family can't provide any surety for a bank loan . If I fail to get some amount sooner I will have to continue selling on footpaths or may end up washing plates in a dhaba . “
“ Don’t lose heart , you are Gagan Deep - bright shining star . Where did you get these books to sell ? “
Sir , I borrowed it from a bookshop to sell on a commission basis . “
“ What is the cost of this book ? “
“ This book is for beginners . Your ID card says you are already a software engineer . People just ask , mock and see books but don’t buy any . “
Gagan said with thinly criticizing words .
How much will you get if I buy all of them ? “ Umang asked with a smile
This time Gagan got somewhat irritated and said “ Rs. 10,000 ? “
“ Do you think you deserve that much ? asked Umang
“ I do , sir . “ said Gagan
Umang felt sympathy for the poor boy . He recalled his grandfather’s words “ If you help any poor in need , God will pay you back . He pulled up notes for Rs 10, 000 / from his bag and handed them to Gagan . Gagan started packing all the stuff in a bag then Umang said “ But I don’t need them . You can keep all of them . “
At first Gagan was hesitating to accept , then Umang said “ Well you have it .
I hope you will return it to me when you are in such a position . It’s free of interest . “ saying this Umang gave his card .
Gagan was looking at Umang with gratitude . The next day when Umang went to his office another surprise was waiting for him . Umang got his posting order at the Dubai office . He was supposed to complete a project within two years and he could continue further in Dubai if the company bagged more projects . In the evening he saw Gagan was still there doing his business . He asked “ Why are you still here ? “
“ Thanks a lot sir for your kindness . I have no words to express my thanks . I still have three weeks before I join my college . In the meantime I will try to earn some more money. Your visit yesterday proved to be very lucky for me . I was able to sell some of the books . I think I can return you one thousand Rupees right now .”
Umang said “ No need to return now. You can think of returning all at a time when you have surplus . But my last visit to your shop proved lucky for me also . I am going to Dubai . “
“ Great news sir , Congratulations . I might not be here when you are back but I will find your whereabouts from your company and return your sum as soon as I start earning .”
“ Don’t think about any refund . Concentrate on your studies , God will reward you . ”
On the way home he bought some sweets . He informed Priyanka about his Dubai posting and said “ I am going next week but you and our son Atul and daughter Aditi will remain here for sometime . But before I leave we will book a flat with some downpayment . My Dubai income will be tax free and if I continue there for a longer period money won’t be a problem for me . “
Initially Umang went to Dubai . Within a month his wife and kids joined him . Though Umang’s office was in Dubai he rented a flat in Sharjah as rent was 30% cheaper in Sharjah . It was just 25 minutes drive from Dubai and petrol was cheaper there . He wanted to save as much as possible to pay for his flat . He got his kids admitted to the Emirate American School , a global affordable school in Sharjah .
In the meantime Gagan joined IIT . He was doing good and on the other side Umang was also doing good . Umang and his family were more than satisfied in the UAE . Gagan had Umang’s card which bore his contacts - phone number and email id besides his office details . At least once a week Gagan used to contact Umang on whatsapp and kept him informed about his progress at the college . On completion of the project before the deadline Umang’s company bagged yet another project in the UAE . His stay was extended for another two years .
In the meantime Gagan Deep completed his B.Tech in Computer Science with flying colors . He was offered a handsome package by a U.S. based tech company and posted in California’s silicon valley . When he informed Umang about his success, Umang and his entire family were also very happy and they congratulated Gagan wholeheartedly . Gagan said “ Sir , Had you not helped me in time of need , I wouldn’t have been here . It’s because of you and only you that I am here . “
“ Stop addressing me as sir everytime . You are there solely because of your talent . You deserved that success . “ Umang said
After five years Umang and his family were back in India . On the other side Gagan was excelling in the USA . He had developed a new software which was very useful in defence and aviation areas. An American company bought his software for 50 million dollars . Gagan told Umang about monetization of his software . Umang repeatedly congratulated him . Gagan said “ You are my mentor . Had you not helped and encouraged me in time , I could have given up . “
“ So now you are in a comfortable position to return my amount . “ Umang said laughingly
“ It will be too mean of me to think of returning any amount to you . At that juncture , that amount was worth millions of dollars for me . Today I am able to stand firmly on the ground because of that amount .”
Years passed by . He got married in India. He was in regular contact with Umang . Umang and his family attended his marriage ceremony . Gagan welcomed them and gave them precious gifts . When Umang said “ After a few years my kids will also get married . I hope you will come and bless them . “
“ Whether in America or any other corner of the world I will forget all other works and surely attend their marriage . “
After a few years both the children of Umang were getting married . Keeping Gagan’s tight schedule in the USA , Umang had scheduled both marriages within an interval of a week .
Gagan came to India with his wife and daughter to attend the marriage .
Gagan gave gifts of diamond jewelry and clothes to both the couples . Besides that he gave each couple a check of 51,000 dollars to Atul and Aditi . He flagged a letter with both cheques - This is a gift from me and my wife as a gesture of our blessings to our younger brother Atul and sister Aditi .
When Gagan’s wife asked him “ Why didn’t you write the check directly in Umang’s name ? “
“ That will amount to a huge insolence on my part . He will feel offended that I am returning the amount he gave me with interest . Even a meagre help when you are in serious need is worth millions at that moment . “
After marriage Umang also saw them off with return gifts .
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Note - This is a fiction .
