Rickshaw

 

Rickshaw

Babu lived in a quaint village near the bustling city of Kolkata. As we all know, Kolkata is renowned for its vibrant and lively atmosphere. Babu's life was intricately intertwined with the fast-paced and energetic rhythm of this city.

The majority of visitors or residents may feel frustrated by the crowds, but there was one individual who embraced the hustle and bustle of the city.

Babu, now forty-four years old, is relishing his life alone. Alone, as a result of his habits, which led Aanya, a charming Bengali girl, to leave him after just one year of marriage. His lack of interest in making efforts and facing life's challenges ultimately pushed her away.

Based on Babu's perspective, he believed that he was putting in a significant amount of effort into activities that intrigued him. Stealing from others is no simple feat. Therefore, he found pleasure in his life in the bustling city of Kolkata, indulging in his "pickpocketing" business.

Aanya, a bright young woman, discovered Babu's business after they got married. Rather than walking away, she patiently explained to him the importance of living a fulfilling life together. Despite her persistent efforts over the course of a year, he remained uninterested in pursuing any other business ventures.

From last twelve year, he was enjoying his life style thanks to his pickpocketing business. He had grown accustomed to indulging in luxurious clothing, watches, shoes, and, most importantly, nights spent in bars and clubs.

He was a man who adhered strictly to his work schedule, never missing a day. Every morning at 7.45 AM, he would take a rickshaw to the city, a journey that lasted about twenty minutes. By leaving early, he ensured that he arrived in the city before the bus-riding commuters began their day.

He possessed a remarkable skill in his profession and never faced any trouble in his pickpocketing business. Dressed in stylish attire, including smart clothing, a stylish watch, and high-quality office shoes reminiscent of a seasoned professional. Enhancing his professional appearance, he carried a laptop bag on his shoulder as he headed to the office.

He followed his daily routine and hailed a rickshaw from outside his house. Initially hesitant about the elderly driver, he eventually decided to take the ride.

The old man was indeed pulling the rickshaw slowly and coughing frequently, confirming his perception. After observing for 10 minutes, Babu inquired, "ARRE TAU, why are you pulling the rickshaw at your age, especially when you're not feeling well?"

The rickshaw driver smiled and said, "I had a son around your age, but he had an accident and passed away. Now my wife and I are getting older, yet we must continue working to survive. I have been familiar with this trade since my youth, so I carry on with it."

Babu inquired with curiosity, "Tau, don't you think this job is quite boring and requires a lot of hard work? How much can you possibly earn with just a hundred or two hundred?"

The rickshaw driver continued to cough, then stopped and said, "Yes, BETA, you are correct. I also feel exhausted because of this. I am quite old now and don't have the strength to pull quickly. In my youth, I would make many rounds in a day and earned a good living. But whether I earned a hundred or two hundred, it brings us joy when my wife and I have a meal together. We are living our lives very well and are very content. Earning honestly and through hard work truly brings peace to the mind."

The elderly man mentioned, "Son, your location has arrived." Babu responded, "The location has gone very far, Tau." 

He handed the money to the rickshaw driver and made his way back home on foot.

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