In the morning his three kids woke him up pulling his hand to go for buying some mangoes. Its been so many months that they have not tasted mangoes. But the farmer had no money for mangoes. He was feeling so helpless. All time he kept on thinking his wife words. Then before leaving for work, he asked his wife not to cook food for him for dinner. I do not feel like having dinner. He started skipping meals to collect money and successfully he collected 150 bugs in 20 days.
He called His family and show them 150 bugs. The kids got excited if they going to buy mangoes, the wife got excited if they will get full meals including rice and pulse. Nimmu had some other plan. He said sure we will get mangoes and will have full meals too but not from this money. The tree will fulfill everything which we will get from this money. He took the family out and bought a plant of small mango tree.The family was excited on the first investment and supported Nimmu on his decision.
They planted it outside the house so that when it grows up they could use its shade. Daily, Nimmu use to give water to the tree. But soon their hand pump started giving very less water due to dryness in summers. They started skipping their bath to water the tree.
Nimmu's neighbor friend Radhe was noticing since quite sometime that how his friend and family are facing water crises. Radhe was not so poor and had a better living. He offered Nimmu water from the well he has in his home. He asked him to use the water for his tree too without any excuses. Nimmu got overwhelmed on having such a love of Hos friend.
Now Nimmu and his family without any hesitation started using water from Radhe's well. With time the tree grew up and so the attachment and dreams of Nimmu with the tree.
Nimmu's kids started using the shade of the tree for playing. They started sleeping under tree. His wife most of the household work used to accomplish under the tree. Now they were waiting for its fruit. So that they can have plenty of mangoes. Some for home and rest for selling. Then with the amount what they going to get for their family, they planned everything. Wife and kids were proud of Nimmu for his decision of owning a tree.
One morning, Radhe visited Nimmu with some men and gave him shock by saying that he need to remove all his belongings under the tree. He has decided to cut the tree and use the place for his gardening. Listening him Nimmu shouted with shocking voice that how can he think of this as the tree belongs to him Radhe replied, how it can be as he watered the tree and its his. Otherwise Nimmu can take 159 bugs which was cost of the plant which he bought, and let him cut the tree. The poor Nimmu still was not convinced as it was not 150 bugs but the dreams that his family and he had with the tree. It was the security that the tree was providing them virtually. Security of dreams, security help in bad days, security of providing shade and fruits. Nimmu touched Radhe's feet and cried to stop all this as the tree is very valuable for him and his family. Radhe shouted and pushed him back, that then he has to pay the the value of water that he used from his home for so many days which is more then 150 bugs. And the payment should be by evening, or next morning they will cut the tree. He also warned not to use the water from his home any more and he will not let them live peacefully now.Nimmu and his family scattered from inside. They were crying with dry eyes and numb faces. Kids were staring and hugging the tree as they are bidding it. They asked mother if they will not be able to get the mangoes from this tree. But Nimmu and his wife were silent.
Nimmu knew that he will not be able to get required bugs in 1 day. His dream to give better life to kids his security for future and strength of being owner of the tree,his confidence all got scattered. His love for tree was in explainable as it was his first and last investment of his life till date. He cared the tree as a baby
The neighbor is very powerful and he will snatch my strength from me, the fear was making Nimmu more weak. He didn't go to work. whole day he spent under the tree. In evening his kids took him inside the house and offered food. Nimmu couldn't eat the food. His kids said Baba don't worry we do not want mangoes, we will be OK without shade of the tree. Nimmu hugged them and make them to sleep. Wife too went to sleep. He couldn't sleep with the sudden shock of cutting the tree. He knew that Radhe will cut the tree for sure and he will not be able to save it.
He went out and loved the tree like his baby. He said I will not allow anyone to cut you in front of me, then brought an axes and started cutting the tree himself. He was crying with every stroke on the tree. And kept on hotting his dreams with the tree.
In morning Nimmu's wife woke up and on not finding Nimmu inside the house, she came out to see him. Seeing the seen outside the house she cried and called his kids and neighbors. The tree was cut and no more alive, so was Nimmu. With the last stroke he hit himself too and stopped his seances to bear the pain. Radhe too was present there. His eyes too was watered. As he could not understand the strength,love, attachment and security that Nimmu had with the tree. People removed the tree and Nimmu bodu from the spot. They used the wood of the same tree for which Nimmu gave his life, in his funeral.
Radhe used the place for his gardening as he wanted. But in the garden he grew only mango trees in the remembrance of his friend and the guilty of his deeds. Every month he used to send some mangoes to late Nimmu house but no one ever took those ever. And one day his widow wife and kids left the place forever.
THE END
~Nidhi
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