HIS wife turned on the bed and touched him, saying, “Hmm, yuh are back.”
“Yeah.”
“All went well?”
“Yes, smoothly.”

He put his arm gently over her, and they laid there for a while, then rose and went down for breakfast. The kitchen was luxurious, with a distinctive style and subtle elegance that befitted Shanti’s personality. They sipped their coffee, an ageing couple basking in the comforts of their hard work.
Their daughter, Priya came down dressed for work and greeted them with a nice smile, “Morning, Mom and Dad.”

“Morning, baby,” they both replied in unison.
She had a light breakfast and then left for work, driving an Infinity Ramesh had gifted her when she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Their younger son, Rovin, was still studying for his degree in Marine Biology and sometimes went out to sea with his elder brother, Ravi.
Ramesh always smiled with satisfaction at his accomplishments from life’s unpredictable twists and turns. He had worked tirelessly for a better life but had never envisioned he would be where he was today.

But there’s a saying that ‘All the good you do in this world comes back to you in ways beyond your imagination’.
And a life-changing experience occurred for Ramesh when his old friend Avinash returned from America.
Avinash had left a long time ago by the backtrack route, fed up with living in poverty and went in search of something better. He never came back, and there was no word from him. Family and friends dreaded that something bad had probably happened to him at one of the ports he had to pass through to get to America.

Then, on a Christmas morning five years later, he sent a message to his family that he was okay but had been moving from job to job as an illegal immigrant for low wages, not enough food to eat or a proper place to stay. Then, one day, things changed for him when he ran down a thief who had snatched a lady’s bag from in front of a high-end store. He had literally risked his life, but it was worth it when she offered him a job.
He never looked back, saving his money, sending remittances to his family and making small wise investments that grew. Ten years later, he became a successful businessman and returned home to visit. The first person he had looked to find was his old friend, Ramesh.

“You gave me food, brother, and you lent me your shirt and boots. I cannot forget such kindness, plus the fact that you once saved my life.”
So, after a few days of reigniting their friendship, Avinash asked Ramesh why he was left behind while his brothers became successful and rich. Ramesh related the story to him, and Avinash shook his head wryly.
“I remember how hard your father used to push you to work so he could educate the two of them. I can’t believe they would treat their own brother this way.”
So, Avinash assisted him with the money Ramesh needed for his trawler.

“This is your start, Ram. Make it grow and best of luck.”
At nights, they sat down with a few beers, reminiscing on their days as young men.
“Remember that night on the high seas,” Avinash related, “When the pirates attacked us and threw us overboard?”
Ramesh nodded, “Can’t eva forget dat.”

“That was the night when I thought I was going to die.”
“Well, yuh didn’t,” Ramesh said, touching his beer bottle to his friend’s as a little cheer, “Yuh survived.”
“And it’s because of you, bro,” Avinash said, still a little emotional when recounting that story after fifteen years, “You held me from going down and kept my head above water for the entire night although the hand you were holding the plank with was injured.”
“Ah couldn’t ah let yuh die, called on every ounce ah reserved strength fuh keep yuh head above de wata.”

They sat silently for a long moment, overcome by emotions for the days and years of their lives as friends, crewmates and poor boys with big hearts.
Avinash drank out his beer, opened two fresh bottles and handed one to Ramesh. He cheered, “Here’s to friends forever and success in your endeavours.”
From that moment on, Ramesh never looked back. He worked his trawler with pride, skill, and experience, and he acquired two more trawlers over the years. He was now qualified to do business with the bank, and he built a luxury home for his wife, fulfilling his promise to her.
Sometimes, in his quiet moments, when he reflected on his life as a young boy, it brought tears to his eyes. The changing patterns of life and the long way he had come.
“Guess meh fadda would be proud today and happy fuh meh.”

He smiled at the thought, holding nothing against the old man, but his brothers, whom he thought not much of. So, when he heard his younger brother, Suresh and his family were in the country on vacation, Ramesh showed no interest.
Ten years ago, that same brother and his family had refused to eat a meal prepared by Shanti at his home because he was poor. He had not for one moment thought that would have mattered, and he had looked forward so much to seeing his younger brother.
“Ah prepared yuh favourite food, Suresh,” he had said, happily.

“Thanks, bro, but I’m really not hungry, and we don’t want to be late for the ferry.”
His family was already waiting impatiently in the car, and he clapped his brother a little on the shoulder, not even a brotherly hug and nodded at his sister-in-law with barely a smile.
“See you.”

He drove off with his family, leaving Ramesh hurt and stunned. Priya looked at him and shook her head in disbelief, “Why they does treat yuh dis way?”
Ramesh inhaled deeply to keep his emotions in control, and when he spoke, there was a slight tremor in his voice.
“Meh fadda died not understanding and now ah have tuh deal wid it.”
To be continued…