By Sumaiya Swati Udita

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No, you should never take your anger out on nature.

Rumi has been going through a tough time since the last couple of months. It has been a while since his graduation from IBA, with no sign of even finding a mediocre job, let alone opportunities to come and knock on his door. Rumi studied with his heart and soul to take admission in IBA and graduate with a prestigious degree from there. 

Rumi was a meticulous student all through his academic life. He used to be a sports enthusiast. Having studied different subjects from each of the streams of Arts, Science, and Commerce, Rumi not only has the knowledge of them, but holds the World Highest Score in all of the subjects he has taken in O Level and A Level. Taking admission in IBA was like spreading butter on his bread.

Rumi was extremely confident. “Only the crazy will never look for me”, Rumi would say. He always knew that various organizations, national or multinational, will always look for graduates from IBA. All his life, Rumi heard that graduating from IBA is a matter of great prestige, being the son of the billionaire, Mr. Shomsher. “I will never have to worry about your marriage, son. Girls will come by themselves! Mark my words, Rumi’s mom.” Mrs. Shomsher beamed with pride and confidence over her family’s aristocracy and their achievements.

But alas! All those moments have now become illusions for Rumi and his parents. The recession has hit the country. All companies have halted recruitment, and no one thinks of hiring IBA graduates; they are well aware of their ambitions. Things have now become unattainable for Rumi. His parents are absolutely frustrated. Mr. Shomsher laments with his wife every late night. “Rumi’s mom, look at us now! What have we done, what has our Rumi done? All his cousins and friends have such lucrative jobs. They are almost at their career’s peak, but our Rumi? He is such a brilliant boy. Is he not trying hard? How long will we feed him? Who will look after him like us, amidst such crises?” Unable to bear it any more, Mrs. Shomsher protested one day, “What do you think of yourself, Rumi’s dad? Just because you are a billionaire, do you think you are someone indispensable? Do I not feel bad? What do you think, is Rumi responsible for this circumstance? Who are you trying to hold accountable for these? Instead of driving my son to madness, go out and see that we are not alone. There are so many others suffering similarly.” 

Rumi now suffers from depression. Having tried ten times for ten different jobs, Rumi now has absolutely given up on his luck. On the day of his last interview, out of anger, he did something terrible. 

And that was when the world around Rumi changed. 

While walking home, Rumi remembers what the interviewer said at the end of the interview. “We will let you know everything by the end of this week, Mr. Rumi.” “How could ten different people tell me exactly the same thing, and do exactly the same work! They all can  say these sweet words, but they never can give me any updates. To hell with them!” Rumi thought and out of fury, he kicked a sleeping dog.

Suddenly, acid rain began, and caused the roads to be flooded. Rumi, completely helpless, took shelter under a tree. Some droplets of the acid rain managed to fall on Rumi, and he tried to endure the inflammation. Meanwhile, unable to find any shelter, the injured dog succumbed to his injuries in front of Rumi’s eyes. 

Rumi felt thirsty. He looked for water in his bag, but there was no water. Rumi was so thirsty, that he was almost about to take a sip of the acidic water. Rumi remembered two lines from his most favourite poem:

Water, water everywhere,

Nor any drop to drink.

Rumi saw the carcass of the dead dog floating. Out of guilt, Rumi fell on his knees and began crying. From the nearby sewage, four Anacondas appeared. Rumi never had such a feeling in his life before. 

Seeing those titanic creatures, Rumi recited loudly: “O happy living things! no tongue/Their beauty might declare”! Those gigantic snakes aimed to attack Rumi, but Rumi did not try to save himself, and enjoyed their actions instead. Rmi appreciated the beauty within those grotesque Anacondas. 

Then, slowly the acidic water began going down. After a while, an ambulance arrived at Rumi’s location. Rumi lifted the dead dog on his lap and rushed towards the ambulance. A doctor came down from the ambulance. Rumi tearfully handed the dog over to the doctor and told him everything. After listening to Rumi’s story, the doctor put his hand on Rumi’s shoulder and tried to pacify Rumi. the doctor said, “Look son, you do not look like some irresponsible fool, who enjoys hurting these mute creatures. That acid rain- why do you think it has happened in the first place? I am glad that you are confessing the gross mistake, although I feel sorry for this dog. Be careful next time. I hope you have learnt your lesson.” The doctor entered the ambulance and went away with the dog’s body.

Rumi continued to have mixed feelings. Suddenly, a call came. “Mr. Rumi, we would like to have you on board with us.” Said a recruiter.  Rumi felt so happy that he ran home and told everything to his parents. Dumbfounded for a while, Mr. Shomsher said at last, “Son, we never know where life will take us and how times shall be. I was so frustrated; I made wrong assumptions about you. Everything culminated into your terrible deed today. However, I really appreciate your senses, and your story has taught me many lessons as well.” 

Mrs. Shomsher spoke. “Rumi’s dad, see, the situation is becoming normal again! The economists are expressing their relief in the news.” The three of them giggled  together happily and sat down to watch the economists’ merry interviews on the television.