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VIVEK
Vivek, seated in the living room on a couch, heaved a sigh. “It’s all right, Mom,” he said, holding his mother’s hand. “Try to control your emotions. I’m with you.”
His mother wiped a teardrop from her cheek. She remained silent.
It had been four weeks since she was discharged after undergoing bypass surgery. Vivek was glad she was responding to the medication and was recuperating. She was able to walk and sit in the living room even though her health remained delicate. Her doctor had advised her to get complete rest for at least two months. Vivek tried to remain at home, and care for her.
“I never expected I would have heart disease,” his mother, Prabha said. “It happened even with your father’s incident still fresh in my mind.”
“It’s all in the Almighty’s hands,” Vivek’s uncle said. “Whatever happened has happened. You need to move on. You have our support.”
“Uncle is correct, Mom,” Vivek added. “You need to move on.”
Her lips were dry. Vivek went to the kitchen and poured two glasses of water. He gave water to his mother and his uncle.
“You haven’t eaten anything in two days,” Vivek said. “I’ll prepare something for you.”
“You don’t need to,” his mother said. “I’m not hungry.”
“Mom, you need to be strong. Otherwise whatever treatment you underwent will go to waste,” Vivek said. “You must eat something.”
Vivek’s uncle rose from his chair and placed the glass on the table. He held Prabha’s hand and helped her to stand up. “You go and freshen up. Vivek will prepare something to eat quickly.” He shifted his gaze to Vivek. “Go to the kitchen and see anything is there.”
Vivek sauntered to the kitchen.
His mother went to the bathroom, reluctantly, and closed the door behind her.
Vivek heaved a sigh with relief. He opened the kitchen cabinets and looked for something to prepare quickly. An upma packet caught his attention, and he grabbed it. After making sure it hadn’t expired, he put the contents in the boiled water along with oil and frozen vegetables.
When the food was ready, Vivek brought the dish to the dining room and sat beside his mother. His uncle sat across from him.
Vivek served the food to everyone. The smell of masala and boiled green-chilies wafted in the air. “It’s too early for me to leave for Bangalore.” Vivek looked at his mother. “But I’m worried about leaving you alone here.”
Pankaj stopped eating. “Vivek, you must stay with her. She needs someone’s support.”
“I know,” Vivek said. “And I’ve planned to shift my stay here for Mum’s sake.”
“How can you leave your job?” Prabha frowned. “You need to work on, don’t you?”
“Can you live here alone?” Pankaj furrowed his brows.
Prabha stared down at her plate. She remained silent.
Vivek wanted to take his parents to Bangalore. But they disagreed about living in the city. His mother complained about the Bangalore weather - cold and sick.
“Mum, you must come with me to Bangalore. You shouldn’t live alone here.”
Prabha narrowed her eyes. “I’m more comfortable living at Hubli than at Bangalore, Vivek.” She looked into Vivek’s eyes. “I can manage without you.”
“Mom,” Vivek said. “I don’t think you will manage by yourself. My presence is needed; the primary priority now will be to look after you. It’s of no use for me to work in Bangalore.” He paused then turned his gaze at his uncle. “Tell me why I’m working in Bangalore? Money? I have enough property to look after. If I’m interested in working, I can do it here. ”
“But you can’t work as a software engineer here, right?” Prabha asked. “There are no software companies in this town.”
Vivek composed himself and pondered over the matter. Developing software projects would be impossible because of the lack of infrastructure. The only other option to use his knowledge was to mentor the students and young graduates; making them industry ready by providing the necessary training.
“Don’t you think I can make use of my knowledge by teaching young graduates?” Vivek asked. “What if we start an educational institution? I’m sure many fresh graduates will benefit from it.”
Pankaj’s eyes sparkled. He finished eating and said, “It’s a great idea. And the teaching profession is a noble profession. Your vast knowledge will help many youngsters to work in the industry.”
“What do you suggest, Mom?”
“It’s up to you. I will be glad to have you living with me and working here. I want you to keep yourself busy instead of being idle.”
“Are you familiar with teaching students?” Pankaj asked. “You don’t have any previous experience to begin such a venture.” He paused. “Go ahead only if you feel confident.”
“I have given some presentations in my company,” Vivek said. “I’m confident I can do well. But as far as setting up the infrastructure, we need to survey the existing centers in the town. I hope a civil engineer will provide us with a proper plan.”
“I too think so,” his uncle added.
“What about the financial part?” Vivek asked. “We have to estimate how much it would cost.”
“You have enough property in the form of plots and a farm,” his mother said.
“I know,” Vivek said. “I also have some savings. If we need more money, we will sell some of our investments.”
“I will also help you if needed,” his uncle said.
“All right, uncle. Thank you for your support.” Vivek washed his hands and retreated to the living room.
“I’m glad you agreed to live and care for Prabha,” Pankaj said.
“I have never thought of leaving Mom alone, uncle.” Vivek straightened in his seat. “What I wanted was to take her with me. You know she hates Bangalore weather.” He paused. “Like dad did.”
“Maybe, she would be interested to join you if you got married.”
Vivek remained silent. He had told his parents many times that he would need some time before he married.
“Let’s not talk about it now,” Vivek’s mother approached, wiping her hands with a napkin. “Let’s focus on what you want to work on.”
Vivek let out a huge breath. “I will tell my manager I am going to resign. I may need to visit Bangalore for one day to wind up from there.”
“I hope your manager relieves you without troubles,” Pankaj said.
“He may protest, but I will try to convince him about the situation.” He would be disappointed to lose me.
Later in the evening, Vivek wanted to speak with Madhav. Madhav would still be at his office. He called him. They exchanged a few pleasantries for a moment before Vivek got to the point.
“You know my mother is alone at my home. She needs someone to take care of her.” He paused for a few moments and then said, “I have planned to shift to Hubli.”
“You are living at Hubli?”
“Yes, Madhav,” Vivek said, his voice low. “It’s better if I support her in her old age instead of working in Bangalore.”
“I agree with you, but you have a job here.” Madhav sounded grimaced. “And we need you, right?”
Vivek was an expert programmer. He always finished his work on time. No manager would be interested in losing an engineer like Vivek. He was quite approachable and maintained a good relationship with everyone.
Vivek also wanted a long time commitment with his company. He liked his colleagues. He was passionate about his company vision and its policies. His company management too took care of its employees well.
Vivek was rewarded for his hard work without bias. It was a three-sixty degrees performance appraisal. All his team members gave good feedback about Vivek to Madhav to make him successful every year.
“Madhav, my mother is more important to me than my job.”
Madhav paused and said, “Alright, you need to come and submit your resignation. I’ll forward it to the management and complete the formalities.”
“Thank you so much, Madhav.” Vivek stretched out his legs. “I’m glad that you’re ready to accept my resignation.”
“Your departure hurts as you have been helpful to me. The product releases were successful because of your technical support.”
“Thanks for the compliments.”
“You are welcome.”
“What are your next plans?” Madhav sounded curious. “Do you have anything to work on at Hubli?”
“I am planning to start a coaching center.”
“It’s a really good thought. I admire your vision to impart your knowledge to youngsters.”
“Thanks.”
“Let me know if you need my help in your venture,” Madhav sounded elated. “I wish you good luck.”
“I will surely let you know. Thank you.”
In the evening, Vivek sat on the bed, contemplating. He needed to know how many educational centers existed in his town and he should try to meet their owners. He wasn’t sure if anyone seriously tried to start up such centers. He wondered how they were performing. If nobody else had begun such a business, he should do so and make a difference. He should make his trade standout.
He rose and took his laptop. He opened the Just -Dial web site and entered the keywords to search for the available institutions. It listed a few names with their contact numbers. Vivek grabbed a notepad and a pen then scribbled down the information. He wished to call them. But he controlled his urge. He would call his friend Arjun first and ask his opinion before he contacted the coaching centers. Arjun should know about the existing centers and how they performed. Arjun might share his thoughts with him. Vivek should also speak with his uncle before he surveyed the available educational institutions.
He checked for their websites, but no institutions had one. He assumed they operated with a low profile. It would be a good opportunity for Vivek to start a unique one and stand out from the rest. If none of them taught the advanced courses, Vivek would introduce such subjects and attract more students.
Vivek called Arjun and waited for him to answer.
“Hello, Vivek.”
“Arjun, where are you now?”
“I am at home,” Arjun said. “What did you want to talk about?”
“It’s about the computer skills coaching centers in Hubli. I noted some of them from the just dial web site. I would like to visit them with you.”
“Why? Are you starting one?”
“Yes. And My mother is insisting I stay with her instead of returning to Bangalore.”
“That’s a good decision. You must care for her as she is aged and needs someone’s support,” Arjun said.
“I appreciate your agreeing with my decision.” Vivek paused. “Do you know how many computer education centers are operating in Hubli?”
“A few, but none has the advanced courses in them.”
“That’s what I too anticipated. I introduce the advanced courses and try to attract more youngsters to make them industry-ready.”
“You have a good vision, Vivek.”
“Why don’t you visit my home tomorrow?” Vivek leaned forward. “We can plan what needs to be done next.”
“Sure, I’ll meet you tomorrow.”
Vivek was content as he took some initiatives in starting his venture. Arjun and his uncle should help him in making his plan a success. He made the correct decision to care for his mother. She was in dire need of someone to look after in her old age.