Uncle Vir | Jigyansa Mohanty

For uncle Vir it was just one more day in his office where he had toiled and invested a good thirty years of his life. 10 o’ clock and uncle Vir is here, devoid of any stress, face shining as brightly as ever, head held high and body in perfect alignment. No postural deviations which projects his balanced mindset and receding hairline with feeble vision just seem to add up to his wisdom.

Five years back when I got my first posting as a Group B officer in secretariat someone danced with joy. It was my dad for obvious reasons but more than anything he liked the fact that because of my job one day I may get to work with Vir uncle. I must have been around 10 when I first heard this name. He and my dad were alumni of the same university in western Odisha, Viren Rout whom we lovingly address as Vir uncle was three years senior to my dad. In those days when being placed in second div was commendable Uncle had managed to break records by passing in first division all through. For Dad his name was synonymous with persistent effort, unflinching determination and undying spirit. Vir Uncle’s success was touchstone to which my Dad would assess me and my brother’s performance. Bhai joined army and I was left alone to prove myself.

“Study Sunit or else how can you be like Vir bhai ” My Dad used to blabber the moment he would see me in kitchen talking to my mom. The effect of his heavy voice was such that my mom would panic asking me to go and focus as if I was lined up to be the next star of our village to shine as bright as Vir uncle. Blame it on my Dad’s belief or my mom’s prayers I managed a place in my first attempt. For my initial two years I was rotated between various departments and finally three years back I got posting in the same Department as that of Uncle’s.

That day Mom had made my favorite mutton Rogan josh. Red meat curry is something for which every Odiya heart skips a beat. I too couldn’t resist and was 15 minutes late to office. There was this tall fair elderly man standing next to my table…..

“Sunit Panda, today is your first day and you are late, I hope you don’t make it a practice.”

“sorry sir, Bad traffic” I answered with shivering tone.

“I think we are not in Mumbai where this excuse holds good, this is a Tier II city with a 10 km radius. Please watch your words and all the best” Taking a red file from my desk he walked away towards his cabin.

Oh my God! this tenure is going to be the toughest, I thought………………

6 p.m. …….and I was waiting for Nishant in the office park place when suddenly a hand touched my shoulder. As I turned my heart sank , Vir uncle was standing next to me and when I was about to apologize he asked…………..

“Sunit, you are Pramod’s son right, that man is a charmer and can convince any damn fellow. Long time both of us have sat together……………”

By that time my mind must have gone through the worst scan of words to start my conversation with this man.

“Ya, even we have been hearing a lot about you sir,” I said

“No sir, Young man, that’s office protocol but outside the office you can address me as Uncle, I hope you don’t mind.”

How can I mind when without his knowledge he has been integral to our morning tea and dinner table conversation.

Without wasting a second I bent down as a cultured Odiya lad there by touching Vir uncle’s feet and answered in affirmative “sure uncle”.

Hesitantly though he smiled and walked towards his car. I stood their engulfed in my thoughts analyzing his gesture and wondering about my future as a mere subordinate to such superior.

What a man he is, in these three years there has not been a single day when he has reported late. 9.30 and Vir uncle is at his desk analyzing and preparing blue print for delegating duties so that work gets completed in time. Not only that even during lunch time one can find him in deep thought as he thinks ahead than any of us could ever. Despite his busy schedule his chamber was always open for people like me who needed his guidance on several matters. A thorough professional it has always been “Work first” on Viren Rout’s life.

Finally a week back when Sharma ji asked me to prepare a write up on Vir uncle, I couldn’t hold myself back. The idea itself was giving me goose bumps and the inquisitiveness within me was hard to surrender I decided to have a word with the man himself and hence last weekend when all were busy packing their bags I stayed back to talk. Only three days left to retire and this man is still slogging out till 7, I thought and barged into his cabin…

“Excuse me Sir, Good evening , just wanted to have a word with you”

“Sure Sunit, Go ahead” Although the PC was playing its part in keeping him occupied he took out his glasses and aptly putting them on his desk he looked at me with full attention.

“Sir, you have been a source of inspiration for each one of us, we all know how much you love your work just wanted to know how you are planning to spend your post retirement life” with utmost curiosity I put the question.

“There’s nothing as such post retirement, Young man. For last 30 years I have been busy with files and folders, these have been acting as fodder to my existence. Now when Govt. has decided to relieve me off my duties fully, let’s see what is in store for me, but first and foremost I have to search for a rental home as I have to vacate the Govt. quarters soon”

Utterly confused I didn’t waste a minute before putting the next question.

“Ya, then swallowing a lump in my throat I asked, Rental home why Sir, I mean….”

“Oh, like every other person you too finally came up with the question. I have spent last three decades staying in Government quarters and had never felt the need of building something for my own……whatever I earned was not enough…….”

My next question was backed by a blank stare as I had started regretting my decision of joining the Govt. service thereby comparing the same with my friends who had joined the IT sector.

“Oh! Ok sir and how you are going to be busy…..like spending time with family and all”

Suddenly Vir uncle’s mobile beeped and he seemed pretty disturbed……….

“any problem sir”

“No no….u carry on,” though he was pretending to be happy his facial lines had a different tale to tell.

“No Family, who would like to take plunge with a man who is hitched to his job, jokes apart I have five young siblings and hailing from a poor family my immediate concern was to educate them so that they become self-sufficient. Being the eldest comes with its share of responsibilities. In that race I had no time to think about myself so u understand what I mean” Then removing the coaster he emptied the glass of water in one go and there came a Huh!!! Which depicted his satisfaction well.

By that time as I looked up, I saw it was already eight. Still I was not ready to let it go and was armed with a volley of questions when Uncle interrupted “Go, Sunit, we can catch up tomorrow, Panda must be worried ”

Though my mind was averse to it, still I said “Yes” and left his cabin bewildered.

That must have been the most stressful night of my life. I was forced to wonder what lay ahead, are perks paid to a Govt servant anywhere close to that of one in the private sector, is my fate going to be the same as that of Vir uncle barring that I have a girlfriend who is ready to settle down with me the moment I ask her to do so. These thoughts kept coming on and off which made me question my job choice. Not only that , Vir uncle’s words were ringing in my ears. A class I government officer has no roof over his head to call his own. No doubt he has done a lot for his family but how can he forget about himself and who is going to take care of him now. All these thoughts were enough to trigger a migraine attack thereby confining me to bed for next two days.

Somehow taking some time out and feeding myself with two painkillers I managed to prepare a speech on Uncle which I was supposed to read in the evening function. More than me my Dad was nervous which was evident from the number of visits he was making to the loo since morning, a trait that is hereditary and has been passed on to me and bhai. Sadness had not gripped me and my face bore testimony to the same.

Sharma Ji was busy and so were all others. As soon as I stepped in Sharma ji asked me to attend to some people who had come to meet Vir uncle. They had the visitors pass and hence I made them sit comfortably in the lobby. Half of them were in their thirties and rest all senior citizens. Amidst the bunch there was one who was constantly wiping off her tears with her saree. I couldn’t control myself and immediately asked “What’s the matter, Can I be of any help?”

The lady didn’t speak, may be her grief was not allowing her to do so but there was this young man who spoke instead.

“My mom is sad, not only my mom but there are many in Chatua village who are, and why wouldn’t they be , Viren mausa is going to retire. A man who has been there for us all these years. Mausa used to give free tuitions to many of us for whom studies at one point seemed a distant dream. Whenever we used to have any doubts, Mausa was there to guide us. Not only that it was his dream to build a school in our village where poor kids would be given free basic education. With that purpose five years back he purchased a land in chatua and was about to start work on the same but suddenly he came to know that he has been duped as the owner had previously sold the same to someone else. Mausa was heartbroken and so were we all. Since last five years he has been fighting for the same and tomorrow again we have court dates…let’s see what lies ahead, but we all are with Mausa”

I was speechless. Suddenly I was unable to hold myself together and rushed to the rest room to wash my face , may be that was an attempt to get away with all bizarre thoughts I was having about Vir Uncle since past two days. I pitied my imagination as I thought what a great cause Uncle is working for. All these years he has been doing so much for so many but still he didn’t mention a word. So easily he mentioned about his siblings but what about Chatua people. May be Dad knew this. When a person is in hearts and prayers of so many then how does it matter if he doesn’t have an abode of his own. May be the call the other day was related to the same lawsuit. He has been fighting battles throughout and now when it’s time to withdraw to the quietude he is ready for the war. Deeply engrossed in these thoughts I was wiping my face with the handkerchief when suddenly a familiar hand touched my back.

As I turned it was Vir Uncle……….I couldn’t control myself and hugged him tight. With moist eyes I could just murmur “Sorry”.

 

Jigyansa mohanty is a banking professional from Pune, who currently resides in Michigan, USA with her family. Though not from literature background she loves to pen stories whenever a topic interests her. Apart from writing, she is an avid reader, a doting mother and a person who believes that life is all about creating oneself. She has been published in Induswomanwriting, Odisha society of America’s journal and Taapoi magazine