🌄 A Journey of Unexpected Bond
When Friendship Never Fades-12-Chirant was driving the car, while Nakul kept talking and giving him company. Even though Nakul had known Chirant only for a day, he had already become close enough to share his personal matters with him.
At that moment, Pranav called.
“Nakul, where are you?” he asked.
“We’ve already reached near Udupi. We’ll be in Madikeri by around 6 PM,” Nakul replied.
“Oh really? Okay, come soon. Meera keeps thinking about you… wondering when you’ll come,” he said with a laugh.
“We’re very tired from the journey, bro. We’ll rest at home tonight and come tomorrow morning with our luggage. You all be ready. Till I come, you take care of Meera,” said Nakul.
“Okay Nakul, I’ll take care of Meera. You both come safely,” saying this, Pranav ended the call.
“So Nakul, you didn’t tell me where you’re going for the trip,” asked Chirant.
“If we plan everything beforehand, people later complain that this place wasn’t covered properly or that place was missed. So instead, we’ll just travel and explore whatever places come along the way,” said Nakul.
“That’s true… but there must be some end point, right? How far will you go like that?”
“We’ll go till Goa, enjoy there for a couple of days. After that, Manya and Meera are insisting that we should go to your place, Dandeli. So we’ll go there as well, and on the way back, we’ll visit whatever places we come across and then return to Madikeri.”
“Go anywhere, but just be careful,” said Chirant.
“Then why don’t you also come with us for the trip?” asked Nakul.
“No, Nakul… if I come, Meera won’t feel happy. She won’t feel free,” he replied.
“I’ll talk to Meera. You come,” said Nakul.
“No, it’s enough that you invited me. You go this time… once everything becomes normal, we’ll go together another time,” said Chirant.
“Hmm… okay,” Nakul agreed and didn’t insist further.
As they kept talking like this, neither of them realized how time passed or how far they had traveled. Exactly at 2 PM, their car entered Udupi city.
“Chiru, I’m very hungry. Let’s eat here and then continue,” said Nakul.
They stopped at a nearby hotel and had their meal.
After coming back to the car, Nakul said,
“Chiru, you drove the whole night without sleeping. You’ve done enough till now. You take rest, I’ll drive.”
Saying this, he sat in the driver’s seat.
Because he hadn’t slept the entire night, Chirant fell asleep the moment he leaned back in his seat. Nakul drove the car while listening to songs.
🌅 The Beauty of the Tea Estate
By around 5:30 PM, the car reached near the tea estate. The sun, glowing red and cool, was slowly setting—as if promising to return again the next day. Birds that had finished their work were flying back home, and their sweet chirping created a soothing melody for anyone who listened.
Chirant, who had just woken up, watched this beautiful scene like poetry unfolding before his eyes.
The workers in the tea estate, upon seeing Nakul passing by in the car, respectfully greeted him saying, “Namaskara, sir.”
Seeing this, Chirant asked,
“Nakul, is this tea estate yours?”
“It’s not ours, Chiru. We are just the ones who manage it, that’s why they greet us,” Nakul replied.
“Oh, I see… then whose estate is it?” he asked again.
“Around twenty years ago, this estate belonged to a landlord. He was said to be a very kind man. Whenever someone was in trouble, he would help them as much as he could. Once, due to heavy rains, all the workers lost their homes and became homeless. He gave them shelter, food to eat, and work in this estate to survive. Not only that, he even shared the income from the estate with them. Out of gratitude for the man who gave them life, they continue to work here even today.”
“Does that mean that landlord is no more?” asked Chirant.
“No, Chiru… he passed away about twenty years ago. My father was very close to him, so even now, my father is managing the entire estate. His goodness had such a strong impact that even today, not even a single rupee is misused,” Nakul explained.
“Yes, Nakul… some people win everyone’s hearts through their deeds. He must be one of them. My father used to say that those who help others like this live forever… I had only heard it until now, but today I’m actually seeing it,” said Chirant.
🏡 A House Full of Memories
Soon, the car stopped in front of a huge white mansion built in the middle of the estate. Many workers were busy doing their respective tasks around it.
Thinking it was Nakul’s house, Chirant exclaimed,
“Wow Nakul! Your house looks so beautiful.”
“Oh no, Chiru… that’s not our house. That is the landlord’s house. Look there—that small house is ours,” Nakul said, pointing with a smile.
“But you said the landlord’s family isn’t there anymore… then why are so many people inside that house?” asked Chirant curiously.
“Oh, that’s your doubt. After the landlord passed away, my parents gave three-fourths of this house to an old-age home and an orphanage. The remaining part is preserved with the landlord’s memories. No one is allowed there except my parents,” Nakul explained in detail.
For some reason, that house attracted Chirant deeply. He felt a strong urge to see it from inside.
“Nakul… I feel like going inside that house once. Shall we go?” he asked eagerly.
“We can see everything except that one restricted part. First, you freshen up. I’ll make tea, and then we’ll go slowly,” said Nakul and took him home.
After freshening up, Nakul gave him tea and said,
“Chiru, sit in the balcony and drink tea. I’ll call Meera and come,” and left while dialing his phone.
🌙 A Night of Peace
Standing in the balcony, Chirant kept looking at that white mansion while sipping tea. Soon, electric lights lit up the entire building. The colorful lights over the white structure made it look even more beautiful. It felt like two eyes weren’t enough to admire it.
Lost in that view, Chirant didn’t realize Nakul had returned after talking to Meera.
“What sir, dreaming?” Nakul teased.
“Nakul… please, I really want to see the inside of that house. Let’s go,” said Chirant with excitement.
“Alright, come,” said Nakul and took him inside.
He introduced Chirant to the elders and children living there. Soon, Chirant blended in with the children, playing with them like one among them. Seeing this, Nakul felt happy.
“Nakul, honestly this is such a wonderful experience. Playing with these kids and listening to the life stories of elders… you don’t even realize how time passes,” said Chirant.
“Yes, Chiru… these homes give love to children who lost their parents, and to parents who lost their children,” Nakul replied.
“When everyone stays together like this, it gives a feeling of a complete home. That feeling gives the greatest happiness. Not everyone gets this kind of fortune… I feel like I should stay here even after I die,” said Chirant emotionally.
“Hey… why talk about death now? But yes, to experience happiness with everyone like this, one must be truly fortunate. Come now, let’s go have dinner with everyone,” Nakul said, taking him along.
They had dinner with everyone, spent time with the children until they fell asleep, and only then went back to rest.
That night felt peaceful…
as if something meaningful had begun.
To be continued…
You can also read this story in Kannada.
You can also explore other posts on this page
