A day with Manual

“He is born, so he lives. To live, he weaves a web of sins around him” said Manual in anger and     frustration.

“Hey folly people, don’t you realise that your life in his world is just a testing ground to see whether you are fit to be given everlasting life?  Which is more important- indulging in all sorts of sins and evil deeds, ignoring God to enjoy the temporary pleasures  of this short life or to attain everlasting life without being caught in the web of sins?  Evil, like a spider has cast its net of temptations around you. And do you want to be like an innocent fly that is trapped easily?

Have you seen a spider showing mercy to its prey?”

It was an young man that had flared up Manual. He had gone to a bank to withdraw thirty thousand rupees but the cashier paid him one lakh ten thousand rupees by mistake. Instead of three bundles of hundred rupee notes he got one bundle of hundred rupees and two bundles each of five hundred rupee notes. The cashier was careless for a moment and made the error. The receiver realised the mistake but didn’t bother to correct it. He slipped away quietly and bought a car. The cashbook was not tallying and the cashier was worried. She informed her superiors and an investigation was launched. Whoever had withdrawn cash that day was contacted. That young man was also asked about it. But he played ignorant. The case was handed over to the police and they found out that he had paid for the car with five hundred rupee notes. When asked about its source he couldn’t give a satisfactory answer. He was arrested and Manual was infuriated.

“Evil servant,” said he unable to contain his anger, “How will you receive your rights in heaven now? When you have been unfaithful in handling this unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?  You were unfaithful in that which didn’t belong to you, then how will you be given that which belong to you? He who is faithful over a few things will be faithful over many things. He who is unfaithful over a few things will be unfaithful over many things.”

The greenery of the paddy fields, the trees holding up leaves in their numerous hands, the high mountains chatting with the embracing mist and clouds, the pleasant flowing brooks, the river that never keeps its  promise ‘see again’ given to the shores, and the people moving in valloms – all these sceneries moved before them as in a kaledioscope. They could have enjoyed the beautiful sights if they had enough time at their disposal. Manual was focusing his attention solely on men and it was difficult to distract him when one saw the anxiety on his face.

After a few minutes Manual’s face lit up. Litha could make out that someone has drawn his attention. He pointed towards a house and the next moment they were inside it.

They saw a man, aged above fifty and his wife sitting in the drawing room. Both seemed tired and dejected.

“What’s happening? I can’t understand anything.“

That man leaned back and asked his wife. “Did you talk to her?”

“She says that she too is in the dark.” She answered.

“Those people who had come to see her last week had called. They are willing for the marriage. Who will marry her when they know that she is carrying?” He asked in a worried voice.

“She swears that she is innocent. How can I disbelieve her?”

“Pah! Shameless creature! What does she think, that this is the second coming of the Christ! That a second virgin is bearing a child from the Holy Ghost! Isn’t she your daughter?  It’s not surprising that she is also a stupid one.” He was unable to contain his anger and started pacing up and down the room.

“Would she be cheated by someone?” That woman asked. It was difficult for her to suspect her daughter.

“Would she be such a moron? You talk with her. We will see a doctor and fix up things.This proposal is really good. And they are not demanding much dowry. Ask her to behave prudently.”

  That father gave his decision. They heard a sob from behind a door in answer to this. Their daughter, Maya, who was listening to them was broken hearted when she heard her father’s words.

“Whatever happens, I won’t kill my child.” She went and fell on a bed and started crying.

Manual and Litha went and stood near her and soon she fell asleep. Manual called her, “Fear not, daughter. I proceed from the Holy God who knows everything. I will help you.” “I..I..” she mumbled.

“Peace be upon you. A virgin has conceived and she doesn’t want to kill her baby. Isn’t that your problem?”

“But how did it happen?”

“We should be asking you, how did it happen?”

“I don’t know. I have not committed any sin consciously.  How can I know who cheated me?”

“None other than you know it, daughter.  You try to recollect your memories with faith in yourself and in the Lord God.”

“I can’t, but you might be knowing it, don’t you?”

“We are seeing you for the first time, then how can we know?  Maya ,everything is there in your mind. From the moment God’s spirit entered you and you were born,  all that you see and hear and talk and feel will be etched in your memory till the moment of your death. The delight and satisfaction of a good deed and the guilty consciousness of an evil deed will be written in your mind. Some might confess to escape from the gnawing of their conscience, but even that will be engraved in their brain,” said Manual imparting her confidence. “You search in your memories. You will get some clues.”

“I lack the wisdom to untie this knot. Even my father calls me stupid.” She expressed her helplessness.

“I will bring to your remembrance the words of my predecessor,”  said Manual to comfort her. “A certain nobleman, living among mankind, went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. He called his servants and gave them talents and said unto them, occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him and sent a message after him, saying, we will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants to be called up to him, to whom he had given the talents that he might know how much every man had gained by utilising it.

Then came the first, saying, lord you had given me strength and wisdom to impart joy, peace and hope to ten others. I have spread joy and peace and hope to ten more with the talents you gave me. Those twenty are now worthy to be the citizens of your kingdom. And he said to him, well, you good servant, because you have been faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.

And the second came, saying, lord, your talents for five have gained you five more. And he said likewise to him, have authority over five cities.

And another came, saying, lord behold, here is your talent, which I have kept laid up within my mind. For I feared thee, because you are an austere man, you take up that you didn’t lay and reap that you didn’t sow.

And he said to him, out of your own mouth will I judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, taking up that I didn’t lay and reaping that I didn’t sow. Then why didn’t you provide at least yourself  joy, peace and hope so that you would be saved? Then I would have let you enter into my kingdom.

And he said unto them that stood nearby, take from him his talents and give it to him that has ten.  For to everyone who has, shall be given more and from him that doesn’t have even that he has shall be taken away.

But those my enemies who sent message that I shouldn’t reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.”  Manual stopped.

Litha who was keenly listening to him, couldn’t follow it.  She asked about its relevance in that context and he answered, those intended to comprehend it will comprehend it.

Then he turned to Maya and continued. “Are you going to conceal your talents listening to others? If you have received only a little, you need only to answer for a little. Tell me, don’t you want to save yourself?”

“Yes,” said Maya in a firm voice. “What should I do?”

“The path is narrow. Yet you have to take the first step.”

“Wait, I’ve a doubt,” said Maya trying to recollect her past. “Three months ago there was a party in our office. While coming back I had gone to my colleague Alex’s place. There I had felt giddy.  Yes, yes, I remember, it was after drinking the pineapple juice that he had given me.”

Manual closed his eyes for a moment. Then he told her, “You are right. He was the one who cheated you. Now what are you going to do about it?”

Suddenly Maya woke up. “Yes, that’s he, I know. Why couldn’t I make it out till now?  How stupid can I be!”  Then she corrected herself. “Stupid! Me! No way, I will teach him a lesson. If I don’t make him accept that it is his seed, I’ll change my name.”

The changes in her were drastic.  She changed dress and was about to barge out when she was stopped by her mother, who enquired where she was going. “All of a sudden everything occured to me.” said Maya to her mother. “That coward, that rotten swine, he would’ve rendered by child a bastard.  Now I will see to it. I know how to deal with him who deceives a woman.”

Manual saw the changes in her and smiled. The faith in the Lord God has strengthened her with self confidence. She has prepared herself to utilise the talents bestowed upon her. She was ready to put up a fight against those who trample her under their feet. Now that she has found herself she would enlighten others around her.

Litha saw Manual smiling and asked how he had made out Alex to be the culprit. He answered that the incident was etched clearly in Alex’s mind.

“Now let’s not waste time,” said Litha when Maya disappeared from their sight. “Shall we go ahead for our third person?”

“That emancipated woman is our third person,” answered Manual with a smile.

“She!” exclaimed Litha. “But she didn’t do anything.”

“Precisely said. She didn’t do anything, so I’ve decided to select her. She has treated the child in her womb with righteousness.”

“What’s that?  Do you mean that it’s wrong? She meant abortion while asking it.

“I am not the one to judge about it but the true judge will give his judgement before long. He will look into each one’s case and judge accordingly.  But I know what I did in electing her is right.”

She wanted to express her protest, but  had to follow him silently because she saw that it was quarter past eleven on the wall clock.