A beautiful evening had set in to grace the road to Navi Mumbai. There was a long but comfortable silence in the car as Ojh and Shardul watched the serene nature while Amogh drove the car. Amogh had suggested to halt and rest for the night in his flat at Ulwe, further ahead of Navi Mumbai.

Ojh sensed the silence and realised its utility beyond just resting. “Sometimes tiredness makes us reflect quietly. Especially when we are in presence of a cool, calm, comfortable company!”

Shardul playfully pulled out comb from his pocket and nudged towards side mirror in style. “Let me reflect myself in the mirror! Am I looking coool!” He paused, so that they can have a light banter.

Amogh gave out a big laughter, as if acknowledging Shardul’s quality that he missed in himself. “Shardul, I should admit, you must be my my alter ego! I have always wanted to be carefree, just like you!”

“Professor, it’s really a compliment for me, to get such a statement from a person like you. And the feeling is mutual…I have always wanted to be someone like you. Calm, composed, comfortable with myself…,” Shardul spoke indeed in reflecting tone, as his pitch kept diminishing, perhaps now looking within, as he was concluding his confession.  

“May you become what you want to be, in each other’s company. Amen!” Ojh, in a dramatical, mocking mood, sounded like offering prayers, by folding his hands and deliberately turning his voice in a revering tone.

“Hey you, Chief Technology Officer, stick to your field, Amogh is already our Chief Priest!” Shardul threw yet another dart.

For Ojh, Shardul had indeed, figuratively, hit at the centre of his heart with that dart. The openly speaking Ojh appeared to have suddenly gone into a shell, as if he was reminded of something very significant and close to his heart. So much so that even Shardul got deeply concerned.

“Hey, Ojh, what’s the matter, friend? I was only joking!” Shardul asked, holding Ojh’s shoulders from the hind seat.

Ojh was looking at the sky all this time and Shardul’s gentle action brought Ojh’s mind to a smooth landing. He tapped Shardul’s hand, perhaps conveying appreciation. “You are absolutely right, Shardul!” Lowering the window glass and pointing to the sky, he continued “My father is watching me from there. I need to stick to my field…and my field really is Mosfet, my company!” Ojh again looked up, as if meeting his father. “I will realise your dream, dad. May you rest in peace. Love you, dad!”

Amogh, who was turning the car into a gated tower, turned to Ojh. “Bingo! Ojh, Shardul, we are now hitting the right chords!” saying so, he parked the car at the basement. “Welcome to Dreamland Towers. We are heading to our today’s abode here on tenth floor. Let’s go home, and over refreshments, continue our journey of discussing love, happiness, peace…and realising the ultimate dream!”

“Interesting this, as always! Can’t wait,” Shardul signed off, as if for the interval of an exciting movie.

***

A light breeze was brushing away all the tiredness of the day. The three men were relaxing in the spacious home terrace, with a vivid view of green expanse spread in front of them, uniting with hills at a distance. The breeze was also displaying the vapour coming out of hot, delicious snacks being savoured by the three travelers. Amogh got up to brew the tea over an electric kettle.

“Amogh, our dear Chief Peace Officer, can we continue our discourse, in this beautiful ambience. Ojh also wants to takeoff towards his dream, I am sure!” 

As if on cue, Amogh placed the kettle on the teapoy and took a cup for himself. The final sip of the hot beverage took Amogh at the helm of warmth, signaling that the discussion was ready for takeoff.

“I and my wife bought this space nestled in the beautiful surrounding. It’s far from the people we see every day, some of whom we would rather avoid. Sometimes you need to walk away from the negativity surrounding you, to be one with those who really love you.” He took a pause, to let his statement settle, and then continued.

“There are people who vilify us, mistreat us, even cross that line of human dignity in the process. As against these people, there could be one person who loves you. Loves you unconditionally. That one person stands tall for you, to see and then show you your real worth, what you are made for. Eventually, you rise, realising that love is above all, and you need to reach the level of that love, to make it count. This realisation makes you chase the dream – yours or the one shown to you by love.”

“I have realised I am a slow learner, needs revision or two!” Shardul offered.

If one can relate to what is being said, one pays full attention. Thus, it was obvious that Ojh had listened to Amogh’s words very seriously. He gave Shardul a somber look, as if to say, ‘shut up’.

Then he connected to Amogh’s thoughts. “I clearly see the context Amogh, the why behind your inspiring talk. My father loved me and saw in me a capable son taking the company to new heights in future. I see what you mean to say.” Ojh was nodding his head in a slow rhythm while he spoke.

Amogh looked at Ojh with admiration, acknowledging his quickness in seeing the big picture. “You got it, brother! I could see that pain right from the moment I met you. The pain of that internal fight where the heart is insisting on responding bravely to love, while the mind is adamantly doubting the ability. So, friend, take that first step to reciprocate that love, that faith shown in you. Take that step, despite knowing that you may fail. Failure is still bearable, but regret may not be! So, act. Start!”

Ojh gave out a loud exhale, finally showing the exit door to that stubborn air of negativity that had trespassed and was blocking his thought process. He started feeling light, free of a burden, having got a breathing space. It started showing in his behaviour. He went to the edge of the terrace, perhaps to feel closer to his father. A light breeze landed on his chest, as a confirmation of a fatherly hug, a hug that will give anyone the confidence of the world. Once the thought process got full of the instilled confidence, he turned towards his companions, now ready to tread towards the dream. As he had turned, Amogh and Shardul saw a broad smile on Ojh’s face, a smile that was reflecting not only self-confidence, but also happiness.

“Thank you, Amogh, for showing me the way. I feel relieved for the first time in the day. And I feel happy for the first time in days. And Shardul, yes, you confirmed what I am supposed to do since my father’s death. I am going to try turning around my father’s company. My company. I am not going to let Mosfet Technologies be sold.”

Amogh grabbed the opportunity to raise the altitude. “Now I am going to make a very strong statement. It is this: ‘Satisfaction and happiness – it is not because there are no bad people, bad experiences in our life; but because there are a few good people and experiences to cherish; though few, their presence gives us satisfaction and happiness to last for life’. You, especially Ojh, would like to contemplate this for a few moments and tell how you can relate this to yourself.”

Shardul, sharp as always, jumped the gun, “I can completely understand the significance of the statement, though I cannot relate to it directly.” He grinned impishly, “For that to happen, I am longing to meet that one person who looooves me!”

The naughtiness made its impact, as the three had a momentary laughter.