VENGEANCE IS NOT MINE

Someone ordered “Dev, explain to God why you were committing suicide.”

Dev said “I was the authority for ordering new buses for the city. Two suppliers A and B were competing. Firm A was costly. I used my powers to divide the order with major share going to firm A. It was because Firm A gave me a substantial bribe. Suri from Firm B someḥow got the evidence of a bribe being given. It was a genuine recording of a conversation I had had and he had said he would expose me. I knew I was guilty and didn’t want my misconduct to be exposed which meant my going to prison.”

“Would you like to take vengeance on Suri?”

“I’m God fearing and wouldn’t have taken the bribe but for the fact I badly needed money for medical treatment of my mother. I don’t need vengeance.”

A voice said “The fellow is innately good. He needs one more chance.”

“So be it.”

Dev was in a bed in hospital with a ventilator fixed to his neck. The nurse in charge studied the readings from devices attached to him and said “Doctor he is hardly breathing. Shall I take off the ventilator?”

Dr.Banu who was in the duty doctor checked and said “He is dead.”

As the nurse removed the ventilator Dev opened his eyes and started breathing. Banu was surprised. She had signed papers to the effect that Dev was dead and had announced it too.

The matter was reported to the head of the hospital who immediately came, studied the evidence and asked “Doctor how did you conclude the patient was dead when he was alive?”

In a short while the head gave a report saying that Banu was negligent and hasty and that she should resign. Banu immediately resigned from the hospital. Dr.Banu was Suri’s daughter.

It was announced that Dev would stay in hospital for two weeks. He lay in bed wondering about what to do. His attempt to overcome the problem stared him in the face. On one count he was happy: His mother was better after the treatment. The moment the enquiry started and Suri produced the evidence, he Dev, was going to be punished. He told himself “I’m God fearing and if given a chance will never receive a bribe again whatever the circumstances. I made a sincere attempt to commit suicide by taking an overdose of certain pills. But it looks like God wants me to suffer.”

His worry was killing and even the visits by his family members didn’t lift his spirits. He was sure he would go to prison. And what after that? The stigma and certain loss in status faced him.

Suri meanwhile was waiting to pounce on Dev. Suri had used the CCTV provider to overhear and record conversations in Dev’s house. It had cost a pretty penny but was worth it as Dev who had denied his firm B of a larger order would be unseated and jailed. He would never be able to get elected again. Suri thought that with the evidence he had he could blackmail Dev but the fellow had no money. He might promise me the sky but I can’t accept promises. Let the fellow suffer. Suri would often play the pirated conversation on his mobile and hear confirmation of Dev’s guilt. He told himself “Shall I preserve this phone and use another?  No. They may say that I did it to fabricate evidence. That would be an uncertainty which could be used by a clever lawyer. I will use this phone containing the evidence. He told himself “Once Dev’s guilt is proved my firm should land an order. I had told my firm several times that we were quoting high rates but my boss says it is my challenge to sell. I may have to change jobs. That won’t be easy.” He sighed and thought of another problem caused indirectly by Dev.  ”My daughter Banu has been driven out of her job. She was happy working there as the pay and perks were good. She has started looking out for a new job. I hope she lands one soon.”

After he was discharged from hospital Dev prepared for his defense. The enquiry regarding orders for buses could start soon. Suri was ready with arguments to go on the offensive.

“My boss said I’ve to attend and argue. He is going to rehearse the proceedings with me on Monday. Today is Friday.” Banu said “Dad speedboat boating on motor boats on the river has been announced. Would you and mom come with me tomorrow that is Saturday??”

‘I am not much of a boat fancier but I’ve to keep jobless Dr.Banu happy.’ I agreed. I wore a T-shirt over shorts and we three boarded a boat wearing life jackets. The boat had a capacity for 6 passengers and we three joined three others. The accommodation was cramped and we sat close to each other. The boat started noisily. The boatman took us at speed and showed us his skills at navigating as he twisted and turned the boat. He told us over a mike about boat racing which wasn’t yet a popular sport. In the end we were dropped at the quey. We made our way to our car parked nearby and got in. We had hardly gone a few meters when I received a call. I was surprised to hear a strange voice speaking a different language. I cut the call and checked the phone. It wasn’t mine. I again parked and rushed to the boats man. I asked for his phone which he showed me. The three others who had gone on the boat ride with us had disappear ed. Someone had surely switched phones! My phone was gone and I realized with shock that with it my evidence! We reached home and I phoned my boss to say the evidence was missing. On Sunday someone messaged me saying he had my phone. I said I had his. He came with my phone and said “I don’t know how this had happened. Sorry.” I was happy as we exchanged phones. I found mine had scratches and oīl stains on it. I immediately tried to find my evidence but it was missing, He said “My children play with my phone often.”  I knew I had to change my phone. I thanked the fellow for restoring my phone. I asked him who he was and learn t he was a Rohingya exiled from Burma and that they spoke Burmese at home.

I explained to my boss and he said “Let it go. We’ve revised prices downward. There is another tender awaiting you. Forget Dev.”

 I discovered vengeance wasn’t mine! Banu came to me and said “Dad I’ve got a better offer in a missionary hospital.” My cup was full!

END