There is a two storied building in one of the lanes of Ulhas Nagar. The building has pious look and moral existence and is looked at with a sense of respect and pride by all those who reside around it. The building is named as Nishigandh and really there is a tree of Nishigandh which keeps the surrounding always fresh and fragrant. Anyone who passes by that building deliberately takes a pause to please his senses with the sweet smell of this philanthropic tree. On entering the hall of the building, the eyes catch a sufficiently big photo frame of Dr. Sarvapalli Radha Krishnan displayed on the wall which further enhances the holiness of the building. One more thing which glorifies this smelling building is the presence of a socially dedicated and illustrious couple of Mr. Ramakant Thakur and Mrs. Bharati Thakur both serve as the teachers in local secondary school. They have a son to whom they lovingly call Nayandeep. The name of the son indicates the importance of the presence of this son in their life. They love and care him as their soul. Their existence is nothing without this boy. They are very much focused and obsessed with this boy as they look at him as their future support and security and a mechanism of their wish fulfillment. The couple has been very active in all the fields. In addition to their academic responsibilities, the couple associates themselves with various social activities which give them a good name, fame and recognition. They live less for themselves and more for the society. Such is the commitment of the family to the society that they forget that they also have their own life priorities. Considering their academic accomplishments and their commitments to the society, the state government honors them as the ideal teachers which expand the roots of their fame and recognition. Everyone in Ulhas Nagar holds a great respect for this couple. Their house is always noisy with continuous presence of their acquaintances. Thus they grow very meticulous about their status in the society. With passing time their fame increases like that of a celebrity and they become status conscious and never do such thing which would harm it and never let anyone to do it.
As being the teachers and fully engaged in their activities, they hardly find time to spend with their son. So they have managed a girl who looks after Nayandeep in their absence. Thus the little boy is deprived of motherly and fatherly affection. Whole day he sits at the window waiting for his parents and bearing and enjoying confinement imposed by his parents due to their engagements. When his boredom touches the sky and solitariness eats him, he irritatingly asks the girl caretaker, “Where are my Mummy and Pappa? When will be they back? I am fed up with this loneliness. It seems to me that they love their earnings more than me. I am growing worthless. There perennial absence makes me feel to be an orphan.” The caretaker tries to pacify him saying, “Calm down dear. They will be back soon. Don’t think otherwise. I think your mind thinks too much.” In waiting for his parents, he does not understand when the day breathed the last. They rarely get the chance to have a talk with him as they go early on their mission when he is in bed and return home late when they find him again to be in bed. Whenever the couple returns home early he catches and holds them so tightly as if he is meeting them after a long interval and gives an outlet to his inner feelings. “Don’t leave me alone, Mamma. I am scared of the isolation which accompanies me whole day. Either be with me or take me with you. I miss you both”. Mrs. Bharti Thakur tries to calm him down. “Don’t cry my dear. We too don’t want to leave you at home but we are helpless. Being away from you is the demand of the time. But don’t worry everything will be alright soon.” This thought of the mother convinces this little innocent boy and lives on the hope that soon his loneliness will come to an end and he will be free from this confinement. Thus he continues his life for some more days on this hope. He rarely gets the chance to have a talk with them and when they get time and want to talk with him, the sleep overpowers his long waiting and unfulfilled will. Nayandeep’s stomach is always full with food but his hunger for motherly affection remains unfulfilled.
One day the parents of Nayandeep decide to send him to a school. They get him admitted in the first standard in a local school which is at a walking distance from their bungalow. But they don’t send him alone. They manage an auto-rickshaw which takes him to school and brings back home. Thus his growing age and schooling demand breaks his confinement and brings him into the main stream of life. Seeing smiling, rejuvenating and pretty faces of other children, his passion for life gets strengthened and rejuvenated. In a short period of time he makes a good friend circle who becomes a cause of rare smile on his face. When he returns home, he eagerly waits for the coming of the tomorrow so that he can be in the school and with his friends chatting and doing fun tirelessly. Sunday is the favorite day for him as he gets the company of his parents. Whole day goes in doing masti and mischief. At evening hours he is taken to the nearby garden where he gets the chance to be with other children like him. Being with the new faces and playing new games become a great source of recreation for him. Parents also feel sad at heart as their social commitments keep them away from their loving son but they know that they are helpless but whenever they are free, they be with him and give him all that he wants. Their house is well decorated with presence of a lot of colorful toys which show their liberality of spending money on the pleasure and recreation of their son. After their professional and social commitments, Nayandeep is their prime concern and the topmost priority. Nayandeep is also happy with his position in the family and he lives in the hope that it will be maintained throughout life.
The Thakurs take the second chance. Seeing the growing stomach of his mother Nayadeep innocently asks her mother. “Are you alright? Is anything wrong with you?” Smiling at him and his concerned face, Mrs. Bharati questions him. “What makes you concerned, my dear?” Nothing is wrong with me. I am perfectly fine.” Continuing his series of questions Nayandeep expresses the cause of his concern. “You say that nothing is wrong with you but see your stomach is overgrowing which makes me feel that you are sick and you are hiding it out from me.” She takes him close and then lifts him and kisses him number of times and tells him the reason. “My darling, there is nothing to worry. A new baby is going to come in our house to accompany and play whole day with you.” Raising his eyebrows with surprise, he questions further, “New baby! How pleasant! When will it come?” Hurriedly she shuts his mouth so that he could not question further. “He will come very soon, my dear. OK stop questioning and go to play. I have a lot of things to do.”
A few days later, a new baby boy comes in their house. Nayandeep is very happy as he thinks that the baby will be his companion to play when the parents will be away from him. He goes to school in a very cheerful mood and tells all his friends that he has got a brother. The newly born baby is named Amardeep. Once Amardeep is lying on the cot, Nayandeep goes to love and care him. He tightly holds his cotton like cheeks in his hands which makes the baby cry. Hearing the cry of Amardeep mother comes hurriedly and tells him that he should not do like this because the baby is delicate and it can hurt him. He gets shocked with the way his mother removed his hand. It makes him question to himself “Am I a foe to hurt him?” The next time it happens that Nayandeep is throwing a ball against the wall and enjoys catching it. Accidently, the ball slipped out of his hand dashed against playing Amardeep on the cot. Anticipating that Nayandeep might have done wrong her darling baby, mother comes there slaps and pushes him down which hurts him. He gets bewildered and terrified by the sudden change in treatment of his mother. He realizes that his position is not safe as his mother has become absolutely Amardeep centered. Gradully, he feels that he has been thrown out of the circle as most of the time mother seems to be engaged with Amardeep and pays no heed to the needs of him. He thinks that his mother has got a substitute for him and he is not needed now. A question of self-existence starts troubling him.
Previously when Amardeep was not there, the mother used to ask the nurse whether Nayandeep took his food on time or not. Whenever she was at home, she used to run after Nayandeep and forcefully put the food in his mouth. But now such thing does not happen. He thinks that his Mummy has become so engaged in Amardeep that she forgets to make it sure whether Nayandeep has eaten or not. His little mind thinks that his mother has grown very much conscious and serious about the feeding of her younger son. Feeling of being marginalized gets further aggravated when he observes that not only mother but his father also has changed a lot in his treatment. Once, the family goes to a moll to shop. Seeing a beautiful horse which allures him, he wants his father to give him the horse. Hearing this father gets irritated and dishearten him saying, “Nayandeep you are not a little baby to play with toys. Instead of playing you need to concentrate on the study which will make you big enough to support us when we will be old.” Suddenly Amardeep starts crying for a toy, Mr. Thakur paying an instant heed at the crying Amardeep buys that toy. This differentiating treatment hurts him. He thinks that when I demanded he said no and paid no heed to my demand. When Amardeep demanded, he gave him instantly. This difference in treatment of his father who once loved him and fulfilled all his demands hurts him. He doubts that the love of his parents is fake one and selfish as they expect support from him in their old age.
He gradually realizes that he has lost that position which once he felt proud of. Gradually the parents become Amardeep centered rarely paying heed to the needs of Nayandeep which makes him think that he is thrown out of that circle of affection and care where he once used to be. It seems to him that he is an excluded member whose presence in the family matters but very little. The change occurred in his once loving parents hurt him a lot and his stream of thinking takes a different turn. He grows indifferent towards the parents who for him are selfish and careless. He gets affected by the inferiority complex and develops a feeling that he is a solitary creature. Even in the school, all ask him about his brother Amardeep which makes him think a lot about changing preference of his parents and friends as well. So all these things make him think that he has grown worthless and has no existence of his own.
He grows in years entering a new standard but his academic results do not satisfy his parents. The more the parents expect from him, the more he spoils their hopes. When the mother is at home, she makes bombardment of questions regarding the completion of study but never takes him close and asks him what does he want? What hurts him is that she is conscious of what she wants from him but why she is ignorant of what he expects from her. He thinks that his parents always give the first priority to their social commitments and their commitments to their younger son. He asks himself why they are forgetful about their duties towards him. Now he reaches in his tenth. The parents expect that he would do something worth admiring in his examination. They always ask him about his study and they find that he is avoiding. They scold him but never try to make analysis of his indifference. The chaos of priority causes a chaos in his mind which affects him. He overcomes the exam but his result does not satisfy the ambitious expectation of his parents. He lowers down in their esteem as he breaks their dreams. They grow harsh in their treatment. When the father finds that Nayadeep is neglecting his studies he says in annoying tone, “you are a useless creature. We always look at you as our support in our old age but it seems to us that we have to be your support. Not for us, for your bread sake do something, you stupid fellow.” This selfish assertion of the parents hurts him and thinks him that they feed and educate him because they want the returns of it.
Nayandeep becomes the student of science. Any how he completes his first year and now he is in twelfth, the most important year which decides the future course of Nayandeep and also the most expecting year for his parents. The discriminating conditions at home provoke him to go astray. Soon, he joins a company of vagabonds in the college which hampers his academics. Most of the times he bunks the lectures and seen on the playground. Once he gets involved in the quarrel which makes the college send a letter to the parents. When the parents come to know about the progress graph of their son, they visit the college without informing Nayandeep. But they get shocked to see that Nayandeep is not there. The Principal of the institute speaks in an irritating tone about Nayandeep. He says that considering their status, they have not taken any stern action against him. But the water is flowing overhead and they cannot entertain anymore the waywardness of their son. He complains that his presence in the college is detrimental to the academic conditions and gives them the warning if their son does not amend, the college management will take a stern action against him. Parents go home and wait for Nayandeep. He comes home late in the evening. Mr. Ramakant Thakur asks him somewhat angrily, “Nayandeep where have you been whole day?” Anticipating that father would be ignorant of his absence at the college says, “I was in the college attending lectures and practicals.” Without questing further, father starts beating him with a stick and beats him black and blue with an improving thought it would amend his conduct. But impact of this beating does not last for a long and he returns on his usual track. Once, one of the boys from his group tries to molest a girl. When it happens Nayandeep is there supporting his friend. The college and the parents of the girl take the matter to the Police station. The police arrest Nayandeep and the boy on the accusation of molesting the girl. When the Thakurs reach the police station they feel guilty as throughout their lives, they have never climbed the step of it and what annoys them is that it is because of their spoiled son they have to do it. Using their influence, they get him free.
He is brought home. Mr. Ramakant a man who leads for his repute in the society, shuts the door so that the world outside should not laugh any further at them. But the news gets leaked and the colony comes to know about the misdeed of their son. The Thakurs decide that they would not let their son spoil their repute anymore. For the sake of their status which they have earned sacrificing the valuable years of the lives, they decide to sacrifice their son. They tie his hands legs and confine him in a store room for many years. When the neighbors and the acquaintances in the colony ask the Thakurs about the whereabouts of their elder son, they silence their questioning mouth by posing an excuse that he has been sent to their relatives in Dadar for his further studies. Early in the morning and when they return from the schools in the evening, they visit the dark room opens the rope tied to Nayandeep’s hands and legs so that he can feed himself. The dark life has an adverse impact on the psyche of Nayandeep. He becomes somewhat aggressive and eccentric.
Once it happens that Mr. Ramakant Thakur goes out of station on an important mission. In his absence Mrs. Thakur takes the responsibility to feed the confined son. One evening when she opens the door, Nayandeep overpowers her and runs away and reaches to Pune. Mrs. Thakur wants to shout but she cannot do as it will inform the whole colony about their misdeeds. Late in the night when Mr. Ramakant Thakur returns home, Mrs. Thakur fearfully intimates him about the incident. He looks at her smiling says, “Thank God! You saved us from trouble.” They decide to hide out the things from the world so they deliberately register no complaint in the local police station about sudden disappearance of their son. They are happy that their painful concern has ended and feel free to focus on their most promising son, Amardeep. He is good at studies. His studies reports please the parents. They provide him all that he wants with the expectation that he would make their future when they will be old. Amardeep knows how his parents have ill-treated his elder brother. But out of his love and affection and respects he feels for them, he silences his mouth on the matter. Amardeep being an obedient son and fully mature knows his responsibility. He studies hard and brings laurels to his family by passing every exam with scintillating success. He scores good in H.S.C and gets admitted in M.B.B. S. The parents are very happy with the way their darling son is climbing the ladder of success. With every successful steeping of their son, they feel more secured.
Meanwhile, Nayandeep works as a labor at various construction sites in Pune. During his life as a labor, Nayandeep acquires all the skills of constructions which make him stand high in the esteems of the renowned builders who always wish to have him on their construction sites. One of the builders considering his construction skills asks him to take the charge of his office and motivates him to continue his education. Nayandeep utilizing the support of his master completes his education in civil engineering through distance education and independently starts his business. Being in the field of construction for many years, he has established good contacts with the costumers. He starts getting contracts and soon he becomes one of the affluent builders in Pune region. He gets married with a girl who is also civil engineer who looks after his business.
Here in Ulhas Nagar, The Thakurs are happy as their son has taken the exam of final year of M.B.B.S. and eagerly waits for the day of his result. The day of result comes and happy and confident Amardeep gets up early in the morning gets fresh and takes darshan of Gods in frames and his parents before leaving the house to bring his result. He takes out his favorite bike and goes to the college. The result is declared late in the afternoon. Hungry and long awaiting Amardeep takes a breath of relief on receiving passing result. He hurriedly takes out his bike and drives home. When he is in the crowdy market, he receives a phone call of father. Handling his speedy bike with one hand and with the other he hastily takes out the ringing phone and very happily and proudly conveys the news of his success. While he is struggling to push in his cell phone in his tight trouser, suddenly an uncontrolled truck comes towards him. To save his bike from getting dashed, he speedily turns his bike and gets dashed against the compound wall by the side of the road. The crowd gathers and takes the unconscious Amardeep to hospital. The parents are informed about the accident. They reach to the hospital controlling their scared and dying breaths. The mishap is so horrible that Amardeep receives a severe injury to his brain which needs to be operated. Parents spend whatever they have on the life of their son. But the fortune does not smile on them. Doctors do all that is possible but they do no miracle and the dead body of Amardeep is handed over to his half dead parents.
The Thakurs undergo a great depression. They have everything but they have nothing. They have earned a lot in their lives but the question troubles them is to whom it should be given. They are the richest but none is poorest like them. A kind of hollow is created in their lives due to unexpected departure of their two sons. The room where they had locked their first son Nayandeep eats them and troubles them with its memories. They feel extremely sad at heart but what is the value of the tears which are delayed. Not only their house but the entire Ulhas Nagar becomes hot for them. The memories of their loving sons steal their lives. Nights become the days for them. When they look at the tree in the front yard of their bungalow, it seems to them the tree has stopped releasing smell as if it is unhappy at heart. Being troubled with bitter memories the Thakurs sell out their properties and go to Pune. There they associate themselves with an NGO which works for the betterment of the orphans. The Thakurs think that there is no other better way than this to take penance for what wrong they have done to their children. The NGO offers them a flat in its hostel and thus begin their routine trying and pretending to forget the memories of their sons.
One day after their shopping they are taking dinner in a hotel. At a little distance from their table a young and charming well dressed person is chatting with his equally cultured person. Suddenly Mr. Ramakant Thakur identifies the person facing him to be his son Nayandeep. He loudly calls his name, the moment this voice falls on the ears of Nayandeep, he looks at the person calling within no time he identifies his father. Both meet and embrace each other. They take dinner together. During Dinner the parents narrate the story of their setbacks. Nayandeep also becomes emotional. But forgetting for a moment what happened to their second son Amardeep they become happy with the way their most unworthy son has become the worthiest. Considering the plight of the parents, Nayandeep requests them to come to his home and be there with him permanently. They reach home. They talk till late in the night but he finds that his father avoids meeting his eyes. Nayandeep introduces them to his wife. All become happy but in some deep corner of their hearts the Thakurs find themselves to be guilty. This guilty consciousness does not let them sleep there throughout the night. They grow uneasy and wait when the night ends. In the morning they come with their bags. Nayandeep feels strange and he asks, “Pappa why these bags for? You have just come to stay with us and where do you plan to go so early?” Mr. Ramakant Thakur tries to convince his son, “My dear, we are going back to the hostel as we cannot stay here for very long.” Nayan tries to snatch away their bags but the Thakurs becomes too obstinate to go. Mr. Ramakant Thakur says to his son, “My dear, whenever I look at you, my mind takes me back to our past and reminds me all that harshness, cruelty and discrimination we had done to you. You may have forgotten but we can’t. Our deeds won’t let us lead calmly until we pay price for what we have done to you. Really, we made a colossal mistake. We differentiated and unequally treated you and your brother. We never thought that making difference would make us pay so heavily. Advising their son “Don’t differentiate.” They leave him with a sense of happiness and satisfaction that at least their one son is alive and doing well in his life. They reach to their hostel to lead for those who never have seen their parents.