Breakdown

By Prabir Kumar Datta

As the wall clock struck eleven Bob closed his novel and got up for a glass of water. It was such an interesting story, but he had to stop reading, as the warmth of the bed and company of sleeping wife Nina was vigorously attracting him in this winter night. Now his first preference was to throw himself into the cozy shelter of the quilt and enjoy a nice and rare weekend sleep. As he put off the light and hugged Nina passionately she woke up and responded with a lustrous smile.

Nina was his wife for past twelve years, but her attraction did not yet fade away. With their only son of ten years in the hostel of a renowned school, Bob still found in Nina occasional touch of their romantic pre marriage exuberance when they used to date in various unorthodox ways, in a pedal boat while being drenched in rain, in a motorcycle speeding through a jungle and many other similar adventures. Now of course at this middle age Nina’s preference has changed from insisting him for a new hairstyle to encouraging him for getting his promotion to the post of general manager. Bob also has not much objection to it, although the drying up of her once strong passion for reciting the poems written by him sometimes cause unknown sadness in him.

Bob had so far achieved almost vertical rise in his career starting from a junior engineer some fifteen years back after graduating from the best Engineering College with flying colors and his promotion was very much due now. But the only impediment in his way was Mahesh who was also a fit candidate for the same. They had such a kin competition for the only post that a bad animosity grew between these two neighboring friends although that was  never manifested in their outward behavior. Bob had all the qualities and performance records in his favor much ahead of his competitor, but Mahesh had one big thing in his arms, boss management, for which he could go to any extent from rendering personal service for the boss to presenting valuable gifts to the wife of the boss. 

Last time when Bob was selected for a challenging job in Germany and was happily making all preparations for a nice job cum holiday with Nina, Mahesh visited his place with his wife one day before his proposed trip and presented with an apparently sad face the horrible news of cancellation of his assignment at the last moment and selection of Mahesh in his place. His wife also consoled Nina with a disappointed face and expressed her astonishment for this sudden change. But Bob knew certainly that it was nothing but a last minute stroke of Mahesh and they had only come to aggravate his wounds and enjoy the same.

Nina took all pains to remain normal and entertain them with lovely smile, but as soon as they left she jumped over him angrily,” I knew that. Live with your morality and get ready for further insult. If he can manage everything like this what makes you lag behind in spite of all your qualities. You always tell that boss is very happy with you. What is the value of such happiness if nothing is recognized?”

Bob had no answer. It was not the Nina who once praised his honesty, who loved him because he had never bowed down to unethical pressures, who was mad for his songs and dances. Time had made her more practical and materialistic. 

That incidence happened last year, after which Bob had been continuously trying to prove his worth before Nina. Although Nina later on apologized for that day’s rude reaction and never mentioned that again, Bob appreciated that she had reasons to be aggrieved.

Bob almost fell asleep when the mobile phone rang nastily. Badly disturbed, he first thought that it was a prank call and decided not to respond, but the call came again. This time he was compelled to put on the bedside switch to see the caller and next moment jumped on the bed to receive the call. It was the Managing Director himself who was several ranks above him and had hardly called him earlier directly like this, that too at this dead of night.

Nina woke up by this time and worriedly observed her husband responding to the call with much respect and looking nervous as he finished the brief but serious conversation.

“There is a major breakdown in the captive power plant. I have to go immediately. MD has already sent a car.”Bob told.

Nina had nothing to say. The seriousness of the call was not unknown to him. Their charming weekend was badly spoiled, but still along with the feeling of despair she felt a sense of hidden pride as in this great crisis the topmost boss of the company has called her husband and expressed faith in him leaving so many others. Everybody seeks for the fittest person in the hour of need.

After few moments as Bob was fully ready to go out with his heavy jackets on, Nina could only say in a sympathetic voice,” Be careful. It’s too cold outside. I shall ring you to get updates. Please don’t forget to respond.”

The car was speeding through the lonely streets of night passing by the closed shops and neon signboards to reach the city limit very soon. The factory site was still forty kilometers away from there. The thought of the breakdown and the consequences thereof kept him bothered as he knew the importance of the situation in which the future of his entire company depended on his performance where nobody else had any role. If he could succeed today, the whole management would be grateful to him, which in turn would remove all the hindrance on the path of his elevation and proving his worth to Nina. The boss management techniques of Mahesh would be of no use at least today to bring the company out of the woods. But on the other hand any failure on his part would destroy all the benefits of this God gifted chance. 

Bob started thinking of his own position. He was today in the same boat as the driver. Both had been called from holiday and none of them was able to say no for saving job. The man also might be very tired and possibly had left his family and comfort at home. But Bob could not discuss that with him due to the insurmountable barrier between them. He was a much junior employee in the company compared to Bob. He asked him,” How long will it take to reach?”

“About half an hour, Sir.”

 Bob was frantically wishing to reach to the factory right now. He was worried about what was happening there. All other maintenance staff members must be awaiting instructions from him. Many worrying thoughts kept his mind occupied. He closed his eyes.

Suddenly the car slowed down and after experiencing jerks for two three times it stopped completely. The driver perked the vehicle by the side of the road and was about to get down.

 “What happened?” Bob asked in an indignant tone.

Quite at a loss, the driver replied,” Looks like petrol is not coming to the engine.”

“What! “Exclaimed Bob, “Go and set it right immediately.”

Opening the bonnet the driver looked inside and after a while announced,” A mechanic is needed Sir.”

All sympathies for the man immediately vanished from the mind of Bob. He shouted,” What the hell are you for? Why did you not check the car beforehand?”

The man was apologetic, “Actually sir, I don’t drive this car. On urgent call this was given to me.”

“Rubbish! Do you know what you are telling? Do something at once. If we can’t reach in time both you and I will lose job. ”

Driver told in frightened voice.” I understand sir. Shall I search for a mechanic? May be I can get someone in the petrol pump we left a while back.”

Bob didn’t know what to do. Time was running out. ‘These scoundrels have no sense of responsibility’, he murmured. But there was no other way left. The driver stopped a running truck by raising hand and took a lift to go in search of the mechanic leaving a baffled Bob alone in this lonely highway. Suddenly a feeling of anguish made him so restless that he came out and began strolling beside the car. All his dreams would be shattered if he could not reach to the factory today, not to speak of the further consequences to be faced at home. He thought that MD might be waiting restlessly and so he should inform the position to him.

At that very moment another terrifying reality made him totally wretched. He discovered that he had left the mobile at home while coming out hurriedly. Now he understood why no enquiry had yet come either from Nina or the MD. Another big worry scared him too much at the same time. He was standing totally unsecured in that lonely place at the dead of night with his car, laptop, money and above all, valuable documents of the company, loss of which would not only jeopardize the interest of the company but will also prove his callousness.  Before his eyes he could see people rebuking and laughing at him at the cost of ecstasy of his rival Mahesh.

“Are you in trouble sir? May I help you?”

The frail voice in this no man’s land startled him and looking back he could see a dirty man with blackened teeth smiling at him. In great fear Bob stepped back and shouted, “Who are you?”

The man said with an ugly smile, “Are you afraid, Sir?”

Bob started trembling in fear. He could not understand whether he was a ghost or a criminal intending to do any harm to him. He reacted sharply, “No, no, I need no help. Clear out from here immediately.”

The man didn’t go. Bob was at a loss what to do now. He was already burdened with lot of anxieties to which now another trouble added. He was about to burst into tears.

At that very moment like an angel the driver alighted from a truck that stopped near him. Bob ran to him and asked, “Why are you so late? Did you get the mechanic?” 

But he was at his wits end learning that the driver was not successful. 

That man who was still loitering around him came forward again saying, ”Don’t worry Sir. I stay nearby. I have come seeing you in trouble.”

Gaining some courage in the presence of the driver Bob now looked around to see the place where he was standing and found some small houses at a distance in the darkness where the man might be residing. He now asked him angrily, “What do you want from us?”

He thought that the man was trying to make some easy money squeezing them in this lonely place. Of course he had no objection now to get rid of that trouble in exchange of few notes. But the man told completely different thing, “I know a little bit about car. Can I look into the matter?”

 Discussing with the driver Bob agreed most reluctantly although he had fear that the man might cause further damage to the car to trap them for a huge amount. But the situation was so precarious now that he could not ignore the least ray of hope. The man asked for whatever little tools were available in the car and with that immediately entered under the car. For a few minutes while metallic sound was coming from beneath the car Bob and the driver waited most anxiously. The man came out after a while and asked the driver to start the car.

 The next moment Bob felt the greatest delight of his life. The car suddenly started. 

The man smiled again and told,” The fuel pipe got bent somehow obstructing the oil flow. It is ok now. You can go.”

Bob never expected that all troubles would vanish so easily. The teeth of the man no more appeared to be so ugly. Rather he looked like a deity to him. He opened his purse and holding a big note before him told, ”Thank you very much. Please take this. It is nothing compared to the service you have given to us. We are ever grateful to you.”

“No no, I can’t take this. Actually I have done nothing. It is God’s wish and sheer luck that I met you and I have some experience in this matter.”

He accepted nothing in spite of repeated request. But Bob sincerely wished to repay his debt. He gave his visiting card to him and said, “Keep it. Please contact me if you ever need any help.

The man looked at the card minutely and said,” So you are an electric engineer. My line was Automobile. I was the regional head of Ford Company. They wanted to make me country head. But I have left the job.”

Bob’s surprise knew no bounds now. That man with ugly teeth whom he thought to be a miscreant came out to be a big shot. He uttered while fumbling,” You mean you yourself left such a big job!”

“The fact is, my wife wanted me to do justice to my painting. She is a great painter too. Anyway, you must be already late. Please proceed. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

Bob wanted to talk to him in detail, but as he was already late had to leave begging repeated apology to him.

Half an hour later when Bob’s car was entering the factory he realized that at last no damage had been done. He could now attend the breakdown with all his expertise where Mahesh could never come in. He could now foresee the chain of events to come to his life one by one, appreciation of the management, happy face of Nina and above all, the promotion to the post of General Manager.

 But the face of that less known ugly man who rendered yeoman’s service to a stranger saving him from a dire danger kept haunting him. While that man had sacrificed a lucrative offer only to live his life and to do justice to his talent, he himself was running after satisfying the bosses for bagging a mere promotion at the cost of all his passions in life like poetry, song or dance. 

By Prabir Kumar Datta