The body of Nataraj was laid on the floor. Rose garlands and
wreaths of multi-coloured flowers adorned his inert figure. The hall was filled
with many grieving friends and relatives. The priest had commenced the
ceremonies for final departure. Smoke was coming out of an earthen pot from a
corner. Nataraj’s only son, who was wearing wet clothes, was standing with
tearful eyes and complying with instructions from the priest. Nataraj’s
wife sat huddled in a corner, her sobs muffled by the soft murmurs of the women
trying to console her.
When I entered the hall I could sense the coldness in the air- the
derision in the eyes, the simmering anger beneath the grief and the hate in the
looks at me of the close relatives and friends of Nataraj assembled
there. I was expecting this. After all, I had betrayed Nataraj most
unforgivably. I still came—because today wasn’t just about Nataraj’s death
alone; it was a manifestation of my deep remorse; it was about closure for both
of us.
I wish to tell you briefly about my close friendship with the
deceased and how we fell apart. We weren’t just friends; we were like
brothers. We worked together in low-paying jobs for years, sharing everything.
It was Nataraj who had the foresight to start a business together. He was
highly intelligent and all the ideas, plans, and strategies—were from his
brilliant mind. I looked after only the finance and execution part. He had
immense trust in me. We pooled our meagre resources and took out a loan,
and soon, the business flourished beyond our expectations.
It was then the devil took over my mind. In my greed, I siphoned
off each month by fudging accounts for some portion of our income to my
wife’s brother. When Nataraj became aware of my treachery and deceit, he
was more disappointed than worried about the loss. He decided then
and there to disassociate with me forever. He quietly took his share of
the small net worth then without any fight and never spoke to me again.
I repented for my mistake and sought his pardon many times only to be
rebuffed. I had requested him to join again and take control of finances
also. But he did not relent though he never made good in life
thereafter. Life was no more luxurious for him. If my business grew
to such a phenomenal size this day, it was all because of the seed sown by him
and the tremendous start he gave.
The ceremony was over and the body draped in a new shroud was
ready to leave for the crematorium. A few friends spoke of the nice
qualities of his head and heart and particularly of his integrity and honesty
in all his dealings. My guilty conscience made me feel these references were
aimed at me. As I rose to speak, I became aware of the air of
embarrassment and unpleasantness in the hall. The tension in the faces of
Nataraj’s wife and son was clear.
Nevertheless, I spoke in slow voice.” I am aware you might be wondering
why I came at all here and why I rose to speak after the bitterness in our
relationship caused by me. Though we broke up, I had always considered
Nataraj as my close friend and had the same regard for him as when we started
working together. I made a grievous and unpardonable mistake and caused a
betrayal of the immense trust he had in me but repented sincerely for it and
sought his forgiveness. But he would not accept me after the incident.
I wish to divulge on this occasion, not in extenuation for my
wrongdoings, that I still considered him as a partner and as an atonement for
the grievous wrong on my part, I set apart his share of money each year in a
trust of which his wife and son are the sole trustees. I have no connection to
it. It has grown into a sizable amount and is engaged in charitable
activities.”
At this juncture, the hall was silent, the once-hostile eyes had
now softened with surprise. I gathered my courage for the final words and
continued,” I had hoped that our bonds of friendship would be cemented
further as we had a girl and a boy. Though this is not the
appropriate moment to talk about it, I feel If God wills the two
families can still get together again. I would request Mrs. Nataraj to
forgive me and accept me back as a family friend notwithstanding all that had
happened..”
Having said that I wiped the tears from my eyes and felt that the
heaviness in my heart had gone and I felt lighter than ever. Though I
wasn’t certain how those present received my speech, I felt the palpable
tension in the hall had lightened.
When Nataraj’s wife beckoned me to her side and said,” Do not
grieve. My husband always mentioned that you were a good person and
whatever you did was just an aberration. He had forgiven you long
back. Do not feel sorry.”
The unexpected remark from her, like a soothing balm, brought immense
relief and a deep sense of peace. Nataraj, even in death, had given me the gift
of redemption. Though he was gone, the bond between us had been mended in the
way he would have eventually wanted—with forgiveness and hope for the future.