"NO! No its not POSSBILE!
Just not Possible. It's a hoax or may be some rumour."
He
reacted as soon as he put the phone down; but yes it was true the stock market
had collapsed as soon as Lehman Brothers filed bankruptcy.
His
heart sank, legs weakened, pulling a chair he sat; his face deeply buried in
his palms. "How could this be? How the
hell did it happen? All my shares, all my investments, all the loans.. all
gulped in one blow! The shares' projections were soaring high, they were
suppose to boom by this time. How could it be then? No it's not possible."
Still
trying to absorb the news, he exclaimed,
"Why my shares only? Why this time of year? Is it a game destiny is playing on me because if it is then I am in no mood for such games!"
"Why my shares only? Why this time of year? Is it a game destiny is playing on me because if it is then I am in no mood for such games!"
"Curse
you. Curse you all for such a filthy game you have played. I am left at the
mercy of no one, not even God. O! What a trick you played on me God. Why was it
bad to invest in such promising shares, return so high, growth was good, time
golden and moment opportune, they would have earned me a fortune in no time.
But Alas! This is what I get in return with all my trust, with savings and investments
of hefty loans. Why? Was it wrong to put all the cargos in one boat when sea
looked so calm? And now.. this storm! Were my ambitions too bad for destiny to
swallow leaving me in such dire straits."
His
loudness and grimness made him a hostile creature in the office hall. Out
bursting with anger, grasping for his breath, as if all the air in hall had
ceased to ventilate the suffocation inside him, he took-off from the office.
Soft
drizzling droplets of rain could not soothe but only increased his bitterness
and gloom, lighting a cigarette he paced
aimlessly on the streets trying to console himself.
"May
be its just temporary and won't last long, or may be a trick by the company to
attract more investors. Whatever it be, let it be everything but the truth.
What am I to do now? How am I suppose to pay the creditors? When it comes to
money nobody is nobody's friend. Failing to pay the sum means losing both my
present as well as ancestral house and emptying all my savings ... Only if the clock
of time can unwind and I could undo."
Weaving
infinite networks of his walk, hoping to look for a sign that can unburden him
with the crisis; a simple turn that can turn the false into truth; the only
refuge he found- both from the rain now pouring heavy as well as his situation-
which he barged in as soon as he saw, was a bar.
"What
am I gonna do now? How am I going to break this news at home? A man is known by
his profession and affluence, and me a Broke!"
All
the thoughts, like walk, drained him,
"Bottle of Jolly Roger." He ordered as he slipped in a chair.
"A
Broke," gulping his first peg, "I am so sorry my darling daughter, I
haven't got any penny no more to see you through Oxford. Your London dreams
just got squashed!'
Sipping
down the rum and his sorrow he muttered again, "I
am sorry my love, our home, soon, will no longer be ours. Papa it seems you're
on our own to deal with your condition, 'coz I can't afford your dialysis
anymore. I am sorry, I am so so sorry to all of you, my stupid decisions have
brought you on street."
With
each thought the concentration of alcohol in his blood increased, finally when
there was no more left, he uttered,
"Even the wine leaves the broke!" and rose to take leave.
"Even the wine leaves the broke!" and rose to take leave.
It
was not just for the spirit but also the emotional upheaval that made his walk
anything but straight. Burdened
each foot, he paced slower with every step that brought him closer to his home.
The rains had seized, night ready to unfold, sun escaping in the horizon,
leaving the sky orange and red, birds retiring to their nest.
He
looked up to heavens and stood for a while, not thinking but thoughtful.
He
said, "Was it Money or was it Greed."
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