A PROMISE
Satyakam, true to his name, was regarded as a truthful boy. was thirteen and fond of books. His father was an eminent doctor and noble in his profession, and his mother a pious lady.
They were of the lower class in society, but widely respected for their virtues.
Satyakam loved books and had a penchant (= special liking) for small biographies of great men. One little anecdote (= small episode) of Tagore’s life had especially stuck in his mind. Once the poet was travelling with his younger son. The child was less than the chargeable age of the railways. The ticket checker did not believe when the poet mentioned the truth about his son’s actual age. At this the poet flared (= became angry) at the checker. He retorted (= replied back) that checker like him trade on lies, and emptied his purse on the checker’s coffer. The story was treasured by Satyakam as a dear possession.
Satyakam had only limited friends in his school, as he found most of them liars or frauds. Sudhin alone passed the test of his friendship. Sudhin came of a really poor family. His father was an ordinary assistant in Butler & Co. Sudhin was a hard working and honest boy. His mother loved Satyakam. Although he had a rich parentage, Satyakam mixed with her son as a simple soul. He also saw the extreme poverty that afflicted (= paired) the family of his friend.
They passed the Matriculation in which Sudhin brightened his school’s name with a Divisional Scholarship. His father wistfully (= full of hopeful wishes) looked forward to the day when his Sudhin will become a graduate. His boss had assured him of a berth (= position) in his office.
Satyakam sat in his study room in a pensive mood. His mother fell concerned to see her son in such a state, as she entered. The table was scattered with books, but Satya seemed lost in some thought. She asked about his health, but there was nothing there. Her son’s Graduation Final was to commence, and may be problems related to his preparations were troubling him, she thought.
But Satyakam was worried, not with academic but with moral questions. A very unusual thing for a boy of his age, no doubt and beyond the guess of his parents.
At some holy and auspicious moment of his life he had taken a pledge (= made a promise) never to tell a lie. He had discharged the pledge as best as he could so far. Lies could have saved him many a time. But always he had stood by his promise and suffered the fated punishment.
But today his Holy Promise faced him with an ultimatum (absolute choice): should he lie or not. The sin he must commit, for he had to. He could not witness such distress and remain unaffected. Is truth relative or absolute?
The questions raced through his mind as a simple corollary to the situation.
Sudhin’s house wore a dismal (= sad) look. His stipend money was picked by a cutpurse as he had gone there to encash the cheque. The amount was meant for his examination fee. His father was not given to showing anger/temper, but Sudhin was deeply hurt. He had shut himself in.
“Where is Sudhin, Masima?” Satya asked as the mother admitted him.
“He is in my bedroom fast shut, my son. He neither nor eats.” opens
Satyakam applied all methods – he coaxed (= mild reproach), touched his sentiments, requested and swore in the name of their friendship not to see him again. However, Sudhin finally agreed to accept the fees from Satya on condition to return it later.
“What have you done with the money?” Satya’s father boomed (shouted). He was sure that his son had stolen the money’. from his desk. Satya denied the charge as he would not disclose the purpose. He lied, broke his solemn promise. But it was to salvage (= save) his friend’s sinking prospect. Even his mother could not force the truth out of him. Satya was cursed by his a spoilt son. His house slumped (= shrank) in shame and parents as humiliation for Satya. But Satya would never tell the truth now. It shall compromise his friend’s reputation. They love him; he has enough. He promised not to break the truth as quietly today as he had promised not to tell a lie several years ago.
The fee-money was lifeblood for Sudhin’s family, he knew. It was as good as his appointment.
