Journey of Life

Sunil looked at his rickshaw. The steel frame was still shining. He gently touched the seats and rubbed the dust which accumulated the whole day with his dry hands. Today morning he had wiped off the dust and cleaned his rickshaw with a wet cloth. As he reclined against the bamboo frame of his tiny hut in this big city Guwahati, he was completely lost in his own world. A world of his own which he built with tireless efforts was now falling apart. 

Sunil panicked from within, what if it continued for a longer period of time. What would happen to his Punakon and Sanehi? 

Sunil fondly remembered the day when he brought the rickshaw home two months back. Sanehi had applied vermillon dots on it and did a small aarti. Later, that night the three of them had a feast celebrating Sunil's first big achievement. 

Sunil knew very well that he could own the rickshaw because of Sanehi; she stood behind him rockstrong and guided him in every move of his life. She was instrumental in saving enough money and thus instead of pulling someone's else's rickshaw on rent, he was now going to pull his own.

Sunil knew very well that earning enough money these days has become a daunting task. The presence of e-rickshaws have literally stalled his income. He had worked really hard over the years right from pulling fruit boxes from the whole sellers shops in Adabari area to distribute those in the local fruit sellers shops. 

Sunil was a wonderboy for many school going kids and office goers as he used to pick them from their houses and again drop them back on time. This way he became one of the trusted rickshaw puller in the locality. He was a Man Friday for many as people gave him money to collect their gas cylinders or grocery from the stores. Sunil did all the assigned chores with a bright smile. 

Suddenly, Sunil was shaken when Punakon came and sat on his lap. He looked at the face of his son and tears started rolling down his eyes. It's been over a month that he hasn't been able to provide some nutritious food to his son. He hasn't gone out for work. Whatever little amount of money Sanehi saved was soon going to finish. 

Sunil decided come what may, tomorrow he will take out his rickshaw and search for passengers. He can't sit and watch the world pass by as he is hopeless of any help coming to his aid. 

Sunil begins his journey of struggle of life.