A Quirk of Fate(A K Chatterjee) AKCHATTERJEE.COM


It was unbelievable! I could not even imagine that our friend Johny was taking a trip to European countries. From childhood we had seen him as a boy never spurred on by any ambition. Having a very conservative upbringing he was always content being confined only to his familiar surroundings. Unlike Robin, another common chum who never resigned himself to his fate struck it big by pursuing studies seriously and leaving the country for higher studies in Germany. Johny was one of them who strongly believe there is some force guiding us, call it God, destiny or fate. Besides, their poverty had compelled him to drop out while studying in a post graduate course. He was then forced to take up a clerical job in a financial company on an average pay that could help make both ends meet. So reminiscing about his past background I concluded that must be another joke- I rubbished the news then and there.

I, however, turned to my other friends to confirm the veracity of the news. They seemed to discuss off and on the noticeable change in the activities of the otherwise unassuming friend. One of them had found out an interesting scoop from his discreet investigation. During the recess time in office he would be seen to visit a neighbouring house of a saintly person. The head of the family and prime mover in the household who was a spiritual guide having huge worldwide followers had long passed away and his septuagenarian widow was making do somehow in their highly esteemed position with her acquired resources. She was without the rudiments of knowledge but was an adored mother by large number of followers nevertheless.

We could reliably learn that Johny would often drop by her house to help her write letters to them. It was the time when handwriting was much in vogue and computers could not make any inroads into our daily lives. He excelled in an artistic style of handwriting which fetched him lot of praise and some extra income. With such God gifted calligraphy laced with working knowledge of English he could draw them on behalf of the illiterate lady into the idea that since she was becoming too old she had fervently wished to bless them personally before breathing her last. She had drawn sufficient spiritual instincts from her husband and had been nurturing such a wish to see their children like disciples for long. In fact she could last see them at the time when her much revered husband had departed for his heavenly abode.

The idea clicked and the obedient disciples already charmed by such wonderful hand written letters aptly communicating her last wishes readily accepted the proposal and replied “Thank you for the good idea. But since we live in different countries and may not avail leave together to visit your place it would be better if you could come personally when we may arrange to take you to all your devotees. We shall finalize your itinerary on receipt of your confirmation". Johny included his name as an interpreter along with her bevy of children and grandchildren to take the dream tour to Europe when the Soviet Union was existing. However, Johny's attempt at incorporating his bosom friend as a muscle man was turned down by them on the ground that Europe was too civilised a continent.

When Johny returned and met me he showed us an Indian rupee saying “I took this money along for the whole journey and came back without even spending it. But you need not believe." He then flashed a smile and took out an album containing beautiful pictures of their travelling group in different parts of the European continent. This was simply a corroboration of Robin's message earlier when he had spotted his school friend near the Eiffel Tower totally amazed.

I was spellbound to listen to his incredible tour around the whole of Europe gratis, brought about by his destiny alone.

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