The Return of Destiny

When I get into a rickshaw, I usually remain quiet. But when I'm in a good mood, I sometimes exchange a word or two with the rickshaw puller. I never venture onto Facebook by mistake—what if someone takes a jab!

Two days ago, just after the rain stopped, I had stepped out for some work. The weather was lovely, a kind of cool, gentle light and breeze all around—it felt wonderful to experience!

The rickshaw moved slowly. From the way he pedaled, it seemed the rickshaw puller was inexperienced. Young in age, wearing a mask, his face mostly covered with something like a large handkerchief. When I got on, he hadn't even mentioned the fare; he said, "Pay whatever the usual fare is."

- Are you new to pulling rickshaws?
- Yes, sir.
- Where's your home?
- Agrabad.
- Where in Agrabad?
(He said nothing.)
- Should I get down? Wait till this steep road ends?
- No sir, I can manage.
- Who's at your home?
(The boy remained silent.)
- Are there fewer passengers now? Buses and tempos aren't running much, there should be more!
(Still quiet.)
- Is pulling the rickshaw hard? Are you well?
- No sir, it's not hard.
(He answered quite breathlessly.)
- Then why don't you talk?
(Silent again.)

I didn't say another word to him for the rest of the journey. But I did think about him. When someone suddenly stops talking to you, you think about them. The boy's manner of speaking was quite refined, his voice gentle, his language beautiful. Does this boy really pull rickshaws all the time? Something doesn't add up!

The rickshaw stopped in front of my house. As I got down and paid the fare and was about to leave, the boy called to me softly from behind.

- Sushanta sir, could you listen for a moment?
- How do you know me?
- Who doesn't know you!
(Now he removed the cloth from his face, took off his mask. I looked at him properly. No, I don't recognize him!)
- Who are you?
- A rickshaw puller!
- I understand, but...
- Rickshaw pullers have Facebook, YouTube, everything, sir!
(His voice was calm, his manner both humble and dignified.)
- No, no, that's fine. If you don't mind, could you tell me who you are?
- I'm Sohel.
- What do you do?
- I pull rickshaws now.
- What did you do before?
- I used to tutor, and study alongside.
- Where did you study?
- I didn't just study, I still do; at Chittagong University. By now I should have been in third year.
- What are you saying! At Chittagong University?
- Yes sir.
- No tutoring now?
- No sir, that's why I'm pulling rickshaws.
- Who's at your home?
- Father, mother, little sister, and brother. Father is paralyzed, brother is autistic, mother is also ill. Little sister's school is closed, she does some tailoring work.
- I couldn't understand, I'm truly sorry! I don't know what to say!
- Why are you saying sorry? Sir, I called you from behind to ask some questions. I'd be happy if I got answers. I've asked you these things in your inbox many times, perhaps you didn't notice.
- Yes, yes, go ahead!
- I'll ask in a few words. Won't take much of your time.

Neither I nor anyone in my family has ever harmed anyone in this life. All my father's money was taken by his friend and business partner. Father had a stroke from the tremendous grief. Mother was already ill, I told you about my brother. We have no real savings. If father or mother's condition worsens, they might die without treatment. Without harming anyone, what have we gained in this life except loss?

I have to manage all the expenses—treatment for father and mother, sister's education, house rent, everything for the whole family. Because I study at university, I managed to get some tutoring. Alongside earning money, I've continued my studies as much as possible. My life is so busy that I never have time to sit with friends over tea and chat. My mind is constantly on father, mother, brother, and sister. Running after my own needs, I don't even have time to look at myself! You always say, if you keep chasing after others, you'll spend your whole life behind others. Then why do I always remain behind my friends?

Sir, from reading and listening to your words, I understand you believe in natural justice. You often say people reap the consequences of their actions. Then what consequences am I reaping now?

I saw tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped his eyes with the cloth, put the mask back on his face, covered his face with the cloth.

- I'll go, sir. Whenever you feel like it, give the answers in some career chat or writing. Take care of yourself. Assalamu alaikum.

I was listening to his words with my head down. Suddenly coming to my senses, I called him from behind and said very softly, Brother, listen! Let me give you some money, if you don't mind?
He smiled and said, "I don't need money, sir. If possible, give me the answers, I'll be grateful."

Brother Sohel, if you're seeing this post of mine, I'm writing these words for you:

We know what we've gained in life. We never know what we haven't gained. How so? The losses we've suffered in this life—couldn't we have suffered even greater losses? Do you or your family know what has happened or is happening or will happen in the lives of those who harmed you? Why do you think you haven't received the reward for not harming anyone? Is time over? Are these days of suffering something final? Do we know what comes after this? Will your family's days always remain like this? Wait a little and see what happens! Our losses don't occur merely according to sin and virtue—there are many other calculations involved. Remember, for survival, advance exemption from uncommitted sins is far more important than immediate rewards for performed virtues. That future punishment-exemption is this present reward-reception. None of us know what will happen ahead! Know something interesting. What I said—that we know what we've gained in life—this too is wrong! We actually can't know! What seems futile today, what seems like deprivation, might one day save you from great danger! Wait, you'll see everything yourself!

You're young, you've seen little of life. Even if we assume that what you've seen is all suffering and suffering, I'll still say from my own experience that often, early misfortune attracts later fortune. Don't think of life as just today. Today is not the end of everything. If your intention remains right, know with certainty that one day you'll be able to tell stories of today's sorrows with a smile, in the garb of a victor. Are you laughing at my words? Don't laugh, brother! Life has shown me many things, and I'm speaking from all that I've seen and learned. Keep doing your work with attention. Think carefully before you do anything! You weren't born with the fortune of being able to do whatever comes to mind. Whatever anyone says, don't pay attention to anyone except your own heart. For now, stay completely quiet, endure by gritting your teeth, time will tell everything. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the supreme fortune of suffering sorrow written in their destiny! Most importantly, the opportunity you're getting to serve your parents and the way you're using it—it's impossible for you to leave this world before receiving the reward for that!

I don't know whether you're suffering the consequences of some action performed knowingly or unknowingly by you or your parents. But I can say this much: our life is made of laughter and tears. Each of us is merely part of a master plan. What you're suffering today was meant to happen in your life. If it didn't happen now, it would have happened later! You cannot escape from sorrow. People don't always suffer only the consequences of their actions. Sometimes it happens that the punishment you're receiving now might be collateral for some future punishment you deserve. Collect the collateral for later suffering as much as you can in your youth. I often say, virtue cancels sin. Similarly, sin also requires virtue! Today's virtuous result is tomorrow's sin-redemption! You may have kept account of your past virtuous deeds, but do you yet know the account of future uncommitted sins? Through the force and consequence of today's unearned misfortune, you might in the future escape some misfortune that could have been fatal for you! Such destined sorrows will definitely come into people's lives; for some early, for others late, but no one will escape! Perhaps nature's justice is waiting for you and your family! What's happening today might just be a part of that justice! Who can say!

Sohel, I'm impressed by your self-respect. It's a great asset. Many people can't achieve it despite much effort, because it comes from within through certain lifelong experiences, beliefs, and capabilities. You're being forged into pure gold precisely because you're burning in fire. But fire can't burn everyone to ash—some people become accustomed to burning in fire. How can fire's dance of destruction destroy someone who has learned to endure fire? The sooner such habituation comes in life, the better.

P.S. One. For obvious reasons, Sohel's name is not Sohel.
P.S. Two. Can those of us whose lives are not like Sohel's feel how well off we are? Even after seeing so much beauty and fortune in our own lives, will we forget to thank God? Think—what extra qualifications or qualities do we have that Sohel doesn't? Yet will we keep saying, what did we gain in this life!
P.S. Three. In these times of COVID pandemic, to be alive with healthy bodies—what greater joy could there be!