Raman was thin in body. But looking at him no one could say that he was very strong from within. The very intention of learning Karate had made him very strong from within. He was also rich in mind and intellect.
“Sir,” Raman Rahan said to sir after entering the room.
“Tell me, who are you?
Without getting distracted at all by this barrage of questions, Raman said, “Sir, I want to learn karate.”
“What did you say, Karate? You want to learn karate by taking this body,” Rahan Sir said laughing in a joking mood.
”Yes sir. Can’t I learn karate?” Raman asked.
“No, first make your body strong by drinking Khapi, then come. Right now even a child can bring you down,” saying this, Rahan Sir started reading the newspaper.
“Sir, I am not that weak,” said Raman.
“How can I accept?”
On hearing this, Raman clenched the fist of one hand and then said, “Sir, open this fist of mine.”
Rahan Sir smiled after hearing this but after some time his smile disappeared. He started sweating while opening Raman’s fist. Then after a few moments Raman himself opened his fist.
The only thing that came out of Rahan sir’s mouth was, “Wonderful, you can come to the training center from tomorrow but not in this loose dhoti.” It would be better if you come wearing pajamas.
Raman bent down and touched her feet, then came out. Rahan Sir kept looking at Raman while leaving in surprise.
Raman started coming to Rahan Sir’s place regularly. No one in the college had even a clue about this. Even now he was just a cartoon for them, because when he came to college on the first day, his appearance was like this. A long ponytail tied in a knot between the short hair on the head, a loose kurta and country slippers made of motor tires on the feet.
First of all he encountered Rajendra, a mischievous college student. She welcomed him with these words, “Say, Mr. Chanakya, who is here from the Nanda dynasty who has come with this long braid tied in a knot? If you untie the knot, your wavy pussy will look even better.”
On hearing this, the crowd of students standing behind him started laughing loudly. Raman did not give any answer. Just kept smiling. It certainly happened that from that day all the mischievous students started enjoying calling him Mr. Chanakya.
However, gradually Raman adapted himself to the environment there. Because of the knot on his head, he was given the new name Chanakya.
Most of the students in Raman’s class were from big families. His breakfast in the canteen consisted of sweets, samosas, coffee etc. His clothes were also modern and super style. Raman, who was dressed modestly, would wake up only after drinking tea. That’s why boys and girls considered it disrespectful to sit near him. Especially Veena and Sheela were shy to even talk to him. But Raman was away from all this, lost in some unknown world.
The friendship of Rajendra, Naresh, Veena and Sheela was famous in the entire college. Rajendra and Naresh were also from affluent families. They would often hang out together in the college canteen and even outside.
That day, examination forms and fees were being collected, when names were called, Raman also reached with the forms and fees. After counting the money, the clerk asked Raman, “What is this, why is one hundred and fifty rupees less?” “Didn’t you read about the increased fees on the notice board yesterday?”
That’s why I couldn’t read the notice board. Sorry sir,” said Raman.
“Look, all I can do is keep the form and money now, but deposit the remaining money tomorrow otherwise your form will be stopped,” the clerk said to Raman in a warning tone.
Veena whispered in Sheela’s ear, “Friend, you have money in your purse, if you give it to her, the form will be submitted today itself.”
Sheela said, “Why should I give it?” Had it been a matter of 10-20 rupees, I would have given it, Chanakya sir will be able to repay the loan of 150 rupees,” Veena remained silent.
Raman came out of the college in the evening with a heavy heart, where would he get Rs 150 tomorrow, at home there is a problem only for mother’s medicine. Sometimes he also wondered why he wasted so much money in learning karate. Engrossed in this thought, Raman also forgot that he was walking on foot while holding a bicycle.
Just then Veena and Sheela passed by him on a scooter. Both of them used to visit college on scooter. Raman did not pay any attention to them.
But immediately he was shocked. Three stray boys riding a bike were chasing Veena and Sheela while doing obscene acts. Fearing some evil, he started chasing them on his bicycle.
He saw that both of them were increasing the speed of the scooter to get rid of those stray boys. But they were also increasing the speed of the bike in the same way. It was difficult to chase them on the bicycle at that speed, yet he continued to follow them with all his might.
Coincidentally there was a traffic jam at one place. Due to this the speed of the bike slowed down a bit. Seeing this, Raman accelerated the cycle further. He had already decided what to do now. As soon as he got close, he hit the bike hard with his bicycle. The bike immediately wobbled and fell, along with it all three of them also fell on the ground.
”Sorry, brother. Suddenly the brakes of my bicycle failed,” Raman said. But then he saw Raman giving signals to the girls to run away. They understood his cunning. He left one of his companions to deal with Raman and surrounded the girls.
Now the work had become easier for Raman. With just a few karate strikes, he defeated the young man to such an extent that he was unable to get up again.
On the other hand, when Raman reached those people, he saw that a huge crowd had gathered there. Those stray boys had torn the dupattas of Veena and Sheela and thrown them away. Both of them were screaming. But the crowd stood as a mute spectator. Due to fear of goons no one was able to muster the courage to come forward. What if they have weapons somewhere? Then Raman’s eyes fell on Rajendra and Naresh standing in the crowd. At this time he too remained a part of the crowd as if he did not recognize Veena and Sheela.
Now it became difficult for Raman to control himself. He challenged the bikers and attacked them. Impressed by the courage of an ordinary boy, the people present in the crowd pounced on them and after beating them badly, handed over all three to the police. When Raman glanced at Veena and Sheela, tears of gratitude were visible in their eyes. But Raman did not stay there even for a minute, because he also had to take medicine for his mother.
The next day, Raman, unwillingly, withdrew Rs 150 from the money kept for his mother’s medicine. Even before Raman reached the college, the entire college had come to know about his adventurous act. But first of all he went to the office with the rest of the fee money, but he was surprised when the clerk told him, “No, keep these back along with the money given yesterday.” Someone else has deposited your entire fee.”
“But sir, who?”
Raman understood. He looked towards Sheela and Veena. His eyes were bent downwards. At first he thought of returning all the money to them, but then considering his mother’s illness, he thought it best to remain silent for the time being.
On the notice of the Principal, all the students and teachers of the college reached the hall for 10 minutes during the recess. The principal said, “You must be understanding the purpose of being called here.” I want to present before you all the student who has brought glory to this college. You have sarcastically named him Chanakya. Only one Chanakya has been born in history. But the courage shown by Raman yesterday is no less than that of Chanakya. Chanakya of history was adept in diplomacy and our Chanakya is rich in unmatched courage. His knowledge of karate came in handy yesterday. Come Raman, people want to hear two words from your mouth also.
Raman, who was standing behind the principal, came forward and said, “Respected teachers and friends, I have only two things to say to you. First of all, do not remain silent after seeing stray boys doing obscene acts with your mothers and sisters, do not become a mute spectator along with the crowd. There is no strength in stray boys. You move forward challenging them. Believe me, seeing your courage the crowd will also come forward to make them enjoy.
A friend should be trustworthy and helpful in times of crisis.
The entire college welcomed these words of Raman with applause.
The result of the examination was declared. Raman stood first in the entire college. Veena and Sheela were the first to reach his house to congratulate him on his success. The change that came within him was clearly visible on his face even without saying anything.