The Bootlicker
At times, we tend to over do things, without actually anticipating the results, that might just be beyond the wildest of our dreams…
Prabhat Khanna was infamous in the office as the biggest sycophant that anyone had ever known. He worked as a senior clerk in the administrative office of one of the biggest steel companies in the country, ‘The Sambha Steel’. He had joined as a junior clerk , some twelve years back. He was posted in the office of Mr. Jatin Talpadia, Executive Director, who was the not-so-worthy brother-in-law of the Chairman of the company (who was the founder’s son). Jatin was a lazy person, who happened to be a mere beneficiary of his relationship with the owners of the company. Prabhat, from the time Jatin had joined the office some five years back, had made him his idol and almost worshipped him, to remain in his good books. Prabhat never aimed for work efficiency. He knew it very well that, flattery was the only way he could prosper in his career.
Prabhat would keep watching from his desk near the window, every single morning, and at the sight of Jatin’s Mercedes entering the office building, he would in no time be at the portico to greet his master. He would take away the briefcase from the driver and would follow Jatin, right up to his cabin. Never would he miss the peon entering the floor with Jatin’s lunch basket; Prabhat, in just a few leaps, would be entering Jatin’s cabin with the basket. He would lay the lunch properly on the table and would wait meekly, for his master to finish his lunch. Sometimes Jatin would casually tell him,
“Prabhat, you don’t have to do all this. The peon is there. He will see to all this.”
“No, no Sir, this is nothing. You work so hard the whole day. You need to eat well. With so much of workload, someone needs to look after your health. I am your insignificant servant, Sir; please do let me have the honour of serving you, my master,” Prabhat would be pleading with folded hands. Jatin would just brush away the whole thing, with a wave of his hand.
“Sir, please let me do anything that I can do, for you. Just anything, Sir,” Prabhat would mutter. And thus it began. Jatin’s son forgot to carry his tennis racket to school, Prabhat would be rushing to deliver it on time. Jatin’s daughter forgot her dance shoes at home, Prabhat would be driving like mad to reach school with her shoes, so that she didn’t get punished. Not only this, he would be sent to accompany Jatin’s wife on her shopping trips, to help her with her bags. With time Prabhat’s scope of job, towards serving Jatin and his family, kept growing. And Prabhat became happier and happier.
Prabhat would even match his vacations with Jatin’s, so that Jatin would not need to order anybody else. Even his own family and his personal life came after Jatin! Everyone at office would make fun of Prabhat for his unadulterated sycophancy, but at the same time they would be careful about not going too far. After all, he was the Boss’s man servant! No one could dare rub him the wrong way!
Prabhat got two quick promotions in the last five years and no one was surprised, though, understandably, they were not too happy about the same. A few tried to get a bit closer to Jatin, in order to beat Prabhat in his trick, but were crushed mercilessly by him. Prabhat was overcautious about his position and avoided taking any leave, even sick leave! And this is how he reached the position of senior clerk. His next goal was the post of office-in- charge, and the race had already begun in his mind.
One day in the office, Prabhat felt unwell. Much to his reluctance, Jatin forced him to go and see a doctor. How could he leave office, when Jatin was there? But he had to follow his master’s orders. He went to see the doctor who, after doing an ECG, advised him some more tests in order to get a clearer picture of the functioning of his heart. Prabhat ignored all that completely and went to work the next day, and told everyone that everything was fine with him. How could Prabhat waste time in getting those silly tests done? It was Jatin’s son’s birthday in just two days. Prabhat was overseeing all arrangements. Such an important occasion; there was no way Prabhat could shirk his responsibility! And, moreover, after taking the medicines suggested by the doctor, he was also feeling much better! But then, even if he weren’t, he would never have given any chance to anyone else, to do anything for Jatin.
The birthday party was a big success. Jatin personally praised Prabhat for the exceptional arrangements, which were noticed and appreciated by the guests too. What else could Prabhat ask for? In all the joy and excitement, his tests were completely forgotten. A month passed. One day, Jatin’s car was not seen at the usual time in the morning. Prabhat was puzzled when his phone rang. It was from Jatin.
“Good Morning, Sir,” Prabhat greeted.
“Prabhat, an hour back, my mother has passed away,” Before Jatin could finish, Prabhat butted in.
“So sorry to hear this, Sir! Such an unfortunate news. May her divine soul rest in peace. Don’t worry Sir, I am coming over. I am coming right away. Please don’t worry.” Prabhat shared the news with others in the office. Almost everyone started packing up, in order to go to Sir’s house. No one could imagine not being there, on such an important occasion. After all, Boss’s mother had passed away. Every one had to go for the last journey. Even while they were discussing their plans, they found Prabhat missing. No one had noticed him leaving the office.
“Of course, Prabhat will go. He will take charge of everything, and try to manage all arrangements. He can never let go of such a big chance. Slowly all the staff members from the office, gathered at Jatin’s house. But Prabhat was not to be seen anywhere. Quite some time had passed, but there were no signs of Prabhat. Someone even tried calling his number but the phone kept on ringing, without any response. This was absolutely inexplicable!
The last journey to the cremation ground, began. Because of Jatin’s position and his connections, there were many people accompanying the dead body. Still there were no signs of Prabhat. They all reached the crematorium. It was a hot summer day. The Sun shone brightly. The people were feeling the heat. But they were in for some shock! They found out that there were around fifteen bodies already there, waiting to be cremated. There was a long queue. All the faces, red and hot, tried hard to hide their disappointment and discomfort. How could they wait in that heat for almost five-six hours, which easily it would take for their turn to come? And, of course, there was no way they could leave before the cremation!
Suddenly Jatin, on checking his phone, said aloud, “Oh my God! How on earth could he do this? How could he even think of this?”
“What happened? Who are you talking about, Jatin?” his friend, standing next to him, enquired.
Without any reply, Jatin was walking towards the bodies that were lined up for cremation. He was stopped by the official there.
“You can’t go like this, Sir. You have to follow the rules. Please wait for your turn.”
“Prabhat! Prabhat! Where are you? Get up! Where the hell are you?” Jatin was almost shouting.
“Sir, mayI help you please? Calm down please,” the official looked at his people, his eyes pleading for help.
“Prabhat is lying here as one of the dead bodies! He works for me. To help me and save us from waiting, he has been lying here as a dead body! Prabhat! Prabhat! We are here. Get up! I am seeing his message just now, which he had sent me two hours ago, saying, ”Sir, please don’t worry! I am in the queue. Now, where is he?” Jatin was getting impatient now. The people stood there, shocked. To what extent could Prabhat go, to please Jatin! But why was he not getting up now? Couldn’t he hear Jatin?
The official was totally perplexed. Jatin, in exasperation, started pulling the cloth to bare the faces of the people who had already left this world. The official stopped him.
“Sir, you can’t do this. The relatives are there with everybody. But this is one body, that has no one with it. Kindly check that,” saying this the official took the cloth away from the face. There lay Prabhat! Eyes closed!
“Prabhat! Prabhat!” Jatin was shaking him.
A doctor who had come with some other group, came up and, after checking Prabhat, declared him dead.
Prabhat had died of a sudden and massive cardiac arrest, while lying in the queue, masquerading as a dead body, waiting for Jatin’s mother’s body to arrive!