The Dawn

By Avik Das

Dark was the night, and black was its colour when Biplab decided to kill himself. He sat on his bed with a blade in his hands, ready to slit his veins. It was 12 am, midnight. The bed was neatly made, with a bedsheet covering it. It hadn't been slept on. Biplab himself had done it when he woke up this morning. He liked to see a neat bedroom when he returned from his office. He was unmarried and lived alone in his two-bedroom apartment.

But today was different. Tonight he has decided to end his life. He had kept a bucket of ice beside him to dip his slit hands into. He knew it would cause him less pain while he slowly bled to death. He got the idea for this ice bucket from a movie he watched years ago. He doesn't remember the name of the film, and he didn't even try to recall it. A movie name doesn't mean much when you're planning to kill yourself.

He was prepared. He held a blade in his right hand to cut the veins of his left hand. Biplab just sat like that. Staring without blinking. He was not moving. Neither his eyes nor his hands. The only thing moving was his chest, up and down, with his breath sounding heavy, and as Biplab stared blankly, the day's memories filled him up.

It was not a good day at work. His boss abused him in a language that Biplab was not familiar with before today. He has served twenty-odd years in this company without any complaints from anyone. He is good at what he does. But that's not the only reason why the office staff loved him. There are some people with whom others feel very comfortable around. Biplab was one of them.

He works as an accountant in one of the most prestigious organisations in the city. And he has been the accounting head at his workplace for over a decade.

Biplab was hard-working from the very beginning. He slowly climbed the ladder and became the accounting head. He was a true leader, helping everyone with their needs. He wasn't the boss, but every employee loved him.

But today was different.

Sumit, his immediate junior, was trying to hurt his reputation. Workplace politics it was. Sumit just somehow managed to convince the owner that Biplab was growing old and that his presence didn't make a difference in the organisation.

Sumit has been doing this for quite some time. Biplab had overheard some rumours, but to take it as something to feel worried about or talk about it in the office trying to get more from it was so unlike Biplab. He didn't even make a single move or talk it out with the owner. Truth be told, he didn't even think about it. The office was his second home.

But there he was, listening to Mr Ahuja, the boss, shouting and abusing him for a minor mistake in his work.

Biplab hadn't hoped for it, let alone been prepared for it. He didn't for once dream of getting such treatment from Mr Ahuja, who he knew to be a good person, but who can sometimes get influenced. And that is exactly what happened to him. Sumit had finally been able to convince his boss.

This was the first time Biplab was criticised as such. Mr Ahuja gave an ultimatum and told him he would fire him if he found any mistakes in his work.

When Biplab came out of the boss's room, his face was sunk, tired, and angry. And Sumit was there, pretending it was just another day at work, and as if nothing had occurred. As if Biplab getting smacked by his boss is common, at the very least, it should be.

As Biplab was leaving the office for the day, he didn't miss the dirty grin Sumit was having when he looked at Biplab. It was enough for Biplab. He could not stay calm any longer. He suddenly gave a loud shout at Sumit, caught him by his collar, and slapped him hard.

The incident took only a few seconds to unfold, but it stunned the entire office. That Biplab, a gentleman in every sense of the word, was able to act in such a manner was beyond everyone's knowledge. Everyone was shocked, Sumit was scared, and Biplab was angry, very, very angry. He had been played with and didn't like that at all.

Mr Ahuja came running out of his chamber, and that was it. The final nail in the coffin was struck. Biplab was terminated from his role with immediate effect.

Sumit appeared scared, but his eyes showed victory.

Office politics it was, but it was the end for Biplab. He lost his job, he lost his calm, and he felt like he had lost all the respect he had earned.

And now he was sitting in his bed, depressed and confused, angry and sad, with no hope left, planning to commit suicide.

The phone suddenly rang. It was dead silent in the middle of the night, and the ring sounded louder than usual. He was still holding the blade, but his hands had begun to shake. The phone was a distraction. The ring was getting on his nerves as he tried to summon the strength to slit his wrists.

He looked at the phone. It was Suchismita, a junior in his office. He thought he wouldn't pick it up. But when it rang three times, he finally picked it up.

• What is it? Biplab asked quite roughly.

• Sir, it's me, Suchi.

• Yes, I know who you are, but why are you calling me at this hour?

• Sir, I was quite upset about you leaving, and I talked to Mr Ahuja about it. Ten of us talked to him and told him what was going on.

• And what did you think was going on?

• Sir, we know, we all know; Sumit Sir has been talking behind your back.

Mr Ahuja didn't know it. But with what happened today, we all felt dislodged and talked to him for two hours straight, explaining everything that was happening.

Sumit Sir, too, accepted his fault. We all charged. All of us did this because we needed you, Sir.

Mr. Ahuja will call you tomorrow morning.

Biplab was overwhelmed. He was on the verge of breaking down. He got emotional. He somehow controlled his tears and replied:

• Oh!

• Sir, I am telling you the truth! The concern needs you. You can't reply like that! Suchi was too troubled by the monosyllabic "Oh." She didn't know what to make of it.

After a few moments of silence, as Biplab was still trying to digest the words, he finally answered in his own calm and amicable tone.

• Oh, I mean, I was too moved. It feels right to hear the news. Thank you.

• Thank You Sir. And one more thing Sir.

• Yes?

• Happy Birthday, Sir.

Biplab hung up the call. He was full of wonder, joy, and a vast space in his heart filled with the warmth of relief.

As he thought about it, it occurred to him that some nights may seem darker than usual; but in the end, the sun will appear to lighten the day.

By Avik Das