FRIENDSHIP IN NEED

Alfredo was awake at 12 o'clock midnight when he got a call from the Lord Wavell who was the Viceroy of India during 1947. In the call Alfredo was asked to arrive in India to supervise the Trade and Farming in West Bengal. He also got news that he was the newly appointed General. So, Alfredo packed his things and arrived at Piardoba Airfield, Bengal. He was treated well in India on his arrival. His assistant Cameron said that Indian Freedom Struggle was about to bloom and looks like they are about to get their Independence. Alfredo just nodded his head and got into his office for rest.

During evening time Alfredo wanted to swim in the Banks of the River in Bengal, and he was accompanied by his assistant. After half an hour swimming in the blue water. He was sitting on a rock looking at the sky, Cameron could not figure what he was thinking about. But Cameron can assure himself that Alfredo looked anxious and depressed. Suddenly Alfredo saw some people playing football along the banks of the Bengal River, he saw a boy who looked like his friend, so he went near him and asked whether he could join them to play football. They also allowed him to play football with them. Alfredo heard his assistant asking him to come as they were meeting late that evening. He left the play without saying a word. But his assistant found Alfredo very happy while he was playing with those boys. Both left the place, before the boys saw Alfredo leaving.

Next day Alfredo was supervising the harbour and he could identify the same person working there. He went around the place and changed his clothing from formal. Alfredo went in front of the same person.

Alfredo: What's your name? Young man

The person glanced at him and again started his work. Alfredo was confused whether he was deaf. So, he asked him again

Alfredo: Are you deaf? I was the one who played football alongside you yesterday.

Boy: Oh! You were the one left before the play ended. And Daiwik is not deaf by the way.

Alfredo: Daiwik?! Who is it?

Daiwik: It’s my name?

Alfredo: Oh! Daiwik, did you go to play this morning?

Daiwik: (Looked at him) Why do you care about that?

Alfredo: uhm. I want to be friends with you.

Daiwik looked at him with surprise and confusion.

Daiwik: You are a British guy. Freedom movement is at full pace all around the country. It Didn’t really make a sense

Alfredo: Yes, it doesn’t, but that’s the truth. I want a friend like you.

Alfredo and Daiwik looked at each waiting for the ice to break. Daiwik looked very confused.

Daiwik: No man! You’re not joining with us. I can’t believe you.

Alfredo: No! you can believe me. I am the same person who played football with you, If I ever thought of harming you, I would have done it yesterday itself.

Daiwik still looked confused and it seems he is not convinced. Alfredo shaked his head and turned disappointed heading towards his office. Suddenly Daiwik said Wait!

Daiwik: We’re not going to play; we will be fishing today 4 o'clock in the evening at the same place where we played football

Alfredo: I will be on time my friend.!

Alfredo looked very happy and returned to his office joyfully. Asked his assistant to get clothes that do not look like a general’s outfit.

In the Evening Daiwik was waiting along with his friends in the Harbour and It was already late for the fishing but Alfredo never arrived. So Daiwik sent his friends for fishing, if Alfredo comes both will be arriving at the banks for fishing.

Finally, Alfredo arrived at the harbour, Daiwik was already waiting for him, As Alfredo arrived there.

Daiwik: So, you are late for the fishing and your dress looks good

Alfredo: Yeah! Thank you. General presented it to me

Daiwik: That’s alright man! Where is the fishing net?

Alfredo: Fishing net? You didn’t say anything about it.

Daiwik: I said we are going fishing, so obviously we need a fishing pole.

Daiwik just scratched his head and I have an idea. Let's see, they both thought to steal a fishing pole from a fish market which is very near to the fishing area. While they were walking Daiwik asked him where do you work? Alfredo thought that if he told the truth that he was a general of the Bengal trade, Daiwik would get scared and sometimes it might also turn against himself, so he said that he was a servant for the general of the city. Daiwik tilted his head towards him with amazement and doubt (raised his eyebrows). Daiwik asked that so you are very much close with the Generals. And added I don’t know why this Generals are trying to control others, and you know one thing, the more you try to control things the more rebellious it becomes. Alfredo was awestruck! Daiwik asked, ``Why you are accompanying me, don't the general need you for any help.

Alfredo: They may need me but I also need some leisure time,

Daiwik: Oh! leisure time during our freedom struggle, so why do you want to accompany me?

Alfredo: hmm, I had, (fish market arrives)

(Market noise)

Daiwik: It’s time to act

Alfredo: What act?”

Daiwik: I know that general of this city is new to this city and only few has seen him in the city, my father said that he had seen the General

Alfredo: What did he say about the General?

Daiwik:(with a smiling face) my father said if a lizard stands along the General the lizard will look more courageous than him (laughed hard)

Alfredo: (with an embarrassed smile) oh! Now stop laughing and say what can we do to get the fishing pole.

Daiwik: As I said earlier only few people have seen him so (Smiled at Alfredo).

Alfredo: Why are you smiling at me like that?

Daiwik: As you are a servant of the General. I think you can imitate him very well so you tell them that you are the general and ask the fishing pole from any of them.

Alfredo went nuts; his eyes looked as round as a perfect sphere…

Daiwik: Come on man! We are already late.

Alfredo: (clear his throat) I'm the general who supervises this city (crowd murmurs) so give me the fishing pole…

It was too awkward that Daiwik couldn't control his laugh. It is always easy to live as you are but imitating yourself as if you’re third person, it is always difficult.

The old fisherman took the fishing pole from his right and gave it to Alfredo.

Alfredo got the pole and he pushed the laughing Daiwik out of the crowd in a very nervous way.

Alfredo: Why are you laughing at me?

Daiwik: The way you talked to the fisherman, has risen me doubt that my father might have seen you in the place of the General, the description given by my father perfectly suits you (laughs)

So, both took the fishing pole and hooked the worm and thrown the needle into the river, as already Daiwik’s friends were waiting for fish but the fish was not caught by any of this friend but the Alfredo’s fishing pole starts to tickle a bit,

Daiwik: You’re a lucky man!

Alfredo: Yes, I am (thinking that he got back his friendship in the form Daiwik)

But Alfredo cannot pull the fish out of the water, so Daiwik and his friends also accompanied him to get the fish out.

Everyone pulled with sheer strength AH! They pulled the fish but the fish ended up falling on the bald head of a man who was sitting on the platform worrying that his wife scolded him.

Everyone laughs. HAHAHA and runs away from the place

Bald man: (shouting) you group of idiots.

All his friends, Daiwik and Alfredo are running with joy and happiness and with an intention that they should not get caught by the Bald man. People call him as Uncle Khafa

As Uncle Khafa chases him, Daiwik’s friends go right and Alfredo, Daiwik turn left. Luckily there was a barn to hide and entered it, they could sense that Khafa uncle could have gone away. Both came out of the Barn

Alfredo: I enjoyed very much my friend

Daiwik: Friend?

Alfredo: We are friends, right?!

Daiwik: Am I your friend? As I have shown you my place, you have to show me the office of the new general, only then we can be friends.

Alfredo: What...? you mean I have to show the residing place of the General?

Daiwik: Stop repeating what I say. Make the arrangement to enter the place… meet me in the harbour once you have made the arrangements

Alfredo: Arrangements (with a confused smile) yeah, I will do it my friend. But only you are allowed, not your friends.

Daiwik: hmm ok deal. Bye bye.

Alfredo: Bye!

SMILE PLEASE

The Next day Daiwik was playing with his friends and after a long time Alfredo came to the same place where they met the previous day.

Daiwik: Haven’t seen you here in a week?

Alfredo: Yeah! I know

Daiwik with a little smile and asked can we go to the General’s room

Alfredo’s facial expression did not give any hope, Daiwik put his head down shaking.

Alfredo: We cannot go but (smiled) we can climb.

Daiwik: Climb?

Alfredo: Yes, we cannot go through the entrance because of the guard's surveillance so we have to climb with the help of a tree which is at the backside of the entrance.

Both climbed the tree and entered the first floor of the room. They have to pass through the foyer to reach the General’s office room door. Alfredo and Daiwik walking as slow as a cat. Because if someone notices Daiwik, jail is the destination for entering the General’s office without permission. In the case of Alfredo if someone sees him, they would salute General Alfredo and Daiwik would come to know that Alfredo is a general. But suddenly Alfredo realised that he left one of his photos in the room which was not hidden. So, Alfredo said close your eyes!

Daiwik: What! Am I your Girlfriend to show surprise by closing my eyes?

Alfredo: Closing your eyes is as needed now as a fishing pole needed for fishing

Daiwik with a confused face closed his eyes. Alfredo covered Daiwik’s eyes from behind. Both entered the room. Daiwik said let me open my eyes. NO! said Alfredo. As they entered the room Alfredo’s photo in uniform was placed. He used his one hand to cover his eyes, another hand to remove the photo from the wall and he threw it outside through the window. The photo frame fell on the ground which made the glass break. Daiwik asked what was that sound?

Alfredo: Dog barking (voice stammers)

Daiwik: A Dog?

Alfredo with a relief uncovered the eyes of Daiwik.

Daiwik: I never know that a dog barks like a broken glass

Alfredo: The owner of the dog, used to feed in a glass plate one day it ate food along with the glass plate from that day it sounds like broken glass

Daiwik was very amused to see the place with that much luxury. He lives in a tiled roof house. He noticed a soldier's uniform hanging on the back side of the table and chair of the General. Alfredo (breathes heavily) that he even hidden the name plate that will be on the table.

Daiwik went near it and noticed a name badge denoting the name Barett. Daiwik turned towards Alfredo and asked whom this uniform belonged to? and why was it placed there? While they were talking, they could sense someone’s footsteps approaching.

Alfredo: I think someone is coming. It might be Cameron

(Both become very scared)

Daiwik: Who is Cameron?

Alfredo: My assistant! (Raised his eyebrows as he had committed a mistake)

Daiwik: Assistant for a servant?

Alfredo: No! yes! He is the one who peels the onion skins while I am cooking, so I consider him as my assistant. Ok go If someone sees us now it will be a disaster.

Daiwik: Ok bye! Let's meet at harbour tomorrow

Daiwik jumped out of the room through another window. Alfredo went near to the room door with suspense and someone suddenly opened. It was the other Generals for the meeting on the incident, which made India stronger to acquire freedom.

In the evening, Daiwik entered his house, his father being the leader of the Trade and farmer protest in the Bengal region., throwed a broken photo frame in front of him. As Daiwik’s father was walking by the road, he saw Daiwik climbing the General’s office along with the General himself. He also found a broken photo frame of the General. Why did the General climb his own office along with you? What’s the need?

Daiwik took the photo frame in his hand with eyes talking with tears. I think it is betrayal said Daiwik

Pistol and Bullet

Daiwik and Alfredo did not meet for a long time, Daiwik avoided every chance of meeting Alfredo. Daiwik thought that Alfredo made friends with him only to know the insides of the Trade and Agriculture Organisation in Bengal, so that the Britishers could easily control the rebellious struggle in Bengal. Daiwik was also very hurt because he believed him so much, but everything was broken into pieces as the photo frame.

At the same time, India was almost at the verge of getting Independence, many Generals retreated, but Alfredo was still searching for Daiwik to say “Goodbye” but he could not find him. His assistant Cameron came rushing, when Alfredo was already tired searching Daiwik.

Cameron: General Alfredo! (Pants heavily)

Alfredo: (in a low) what’s the need of rushing to my office like this?

Cameron: One of the General ordered to shoot the Leader of the Trade and Agriculture Organisation before India get freedom

Alfredo stood from his chair as if someone had thrown a balloon filled with ice-water at his face. Alfredo asked Cameron Really! Daiwik’s Dad? Yes! Cameron Shaked his head. Being a General he himself tried his best talking to his head to avoid the event , but nobody was ready to retreat the shooting order, so he himself felt helpless, so he thought only way to stop this was to get to the place where Daiwik’s father stays before the soldiers arrive

Both Alfredo and Cameron rushed outside the Office, it's already raining, Cameron said. Both looked at the crying skies and started to run, Where are we going? asked Cameron. Both stopped for a minute.

Alfredo: You go and search for him at Daiwik’s house, if you find Daiwik’s father, hide him safely in my Office, please! convince Daiwik,

Cameron said yes! and headed to the Daiwik’s house. But no one was there. At the same time Alfredo went to the Committee meeting office of Trade and Agriculture, Luckily Alfredo saw Daiwik’s father. Once Alfredo entered the meeting room, everyone got scared. He found Daiwik too

Daiwik: (stood from his chair) Why did you come here? To kill my father?

Alfredo: No! (shouted)

Everyone in the room evacuated except Daiwik and his father. You liar! Liar! You Cheat! shouted Daiwik. No, I'm not, said Alfredo.

Daiwik: Then why did you hide that you are the new General of the city from me. Daiwik goes on accusing him, tears start to roll from the eyes of Alfredo. Give me just 5 mins. I'll explain what you asked Alfredo. Room remained silent

Alfredo: Your Father is danger; Soldier will arrive this place anytime so we have to go to a safe place

Daiwik was shocked and his hands froze. Alfredo grabbed Daiwik’s Fathers hand. “We have to go”, said Alfredo. A footstep approached and it was a soldier and he shouted “He is here”, pointing at Daiwik's Father. All the soldiers arrived with Guns. Slowly Alfredo put his hands in pocket and took his pistol. It is always difficult to manage one pistol against six guns. Cameron arrived at the spot timely and throwed his pistol to Daiwik. Both covered Daiwik’s Father who was standing in between Daiwik and Alfredo, both started to shoot the soldiers who were furiously running towards them. Meanwhile,

Alfredo: Let me explain you

(Shoots a soldier in legs)

why I became friends with you, a month before, I got the order to reach Bengal, I was a General in charge for the war happened during the second world war, my friend Barett and me both were in army, we used to play football and basketball,

(Pistol firing continues and one of the soldiers shot Daiwik’s Father’s leg and he fell on the floor, but both never stopped shooting)

but as the II-world war progressed, we fired blindly on the war ground. But during the war, I got hit in my eyes and that incident made it very difficult for me to shoot the target I aimed at, and I shot a guy in the fight. He fell down shouting “Alfredo”. It was my friend Barett, at the end of the day we won the war but I lost my friend. This incident disturbed me day and night. I lost my only friend. And I found you and Barett in you

Hearing this Daiwik felt very guilty for avoiding Alfredo, Daiwik turned towards Alfredo and said “sorry my friend”. A sound of Bullet rushing out from the Gun of a soldier, who was lying on the ground. The bullet reached straight into the heart of Alfredo. Daiwik shot that soldier and the other two soldiers. Cameron rushed to Alfredo with tears. As Daiwik’s father was already bleeding, carry him to hospital and hide him safe till India gets Independence, said Alfredo. Cameron carried Daiwik’s Father and rushed to the hospital with tears

Daiwik: (Tears interfering his vision, with a broken voice) No let me carry you to the hospital,

Alfredo: (no coordination in his speech) see the place where the bullet enters my body, no way they are going to save me. Finally, you called me as your friend and that’s enough my friend

Daiwik, crying soulfully, carries Alfredo’s head on his lap in a room, where no one can hear his pain except the chairs and tables. Raindrops hitting the ground and it sounded like a song of pain

Daiwik: Why are you making a situation that I can’t help you.

Alfredo: (laugh) May the bullet be a best friend for the pistol but someday the bullet has to leave the pistol.

The floor was filled with tears than the blood

Daiwik: (whips) I’m begging you let me carry you to the hospital

Alfredo: (drained voice) We all are beggars, begging for love. “GOODBYE”

Alfredo leaves, Daiwik pats Alfredo’s cheek but no response from his friend. Skies knowed it before, Daiwik cried hard in the lonely room, rain joined and showed its deep condolence.