The sun was on a mood to set on the horizon of the city park where Pralay Nath, retired Deputy Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation was taking his evening walk when he noticed Pradyuman Singh, his old friend and recent enemy coming towards him, in the distance. Pralay Nath’s first instinct was to change course to avoid him, remembering the events of yesterday, but there was no other way to go. He dreaded another confrontation with Pradyuman, he can still feel the pain on his left jaws.

When Pradyuman came close, Pralay Nath realised that he was wearing the same outfit as yesterday that was the moot for the altercation. Pradyuman, a retired accountant from a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) never really bothered about dressing up and would come to the clubhouse casually dressed often in ill-fitting clothes. So, yesterday when he came to the club in a nicely cut suit and tie, Pralay Nath couldn’t resist to throw a jibe towards Pradyuman.

“Hey Pradyuman, are you getting married once again?”

“No, what makes you think so?”

“You are dressed for the occasion, isn’t it?”

“I am going for a marriage reception, others at home are getting ready so I came here. My son will pick me up from here only.” Pradyuman replied and then added, “By the way, what news of your son, he is still not talking to you?”

“That’s none of your business, you scoundrel.” Pralay Nath retorted.

The last question hit Pralay Nath severely because that’s an issue which is more painful for him than his arthritis. Pralay Nath, being a high-ranking official had gathered wealth both legally as well as illegally and the son, an idealist hated him for his under-the-table bribery. The son being an engineer had moved to another city working for a multinational company, cutting all relations with his father, though maintains a cordial relation with his mother. In the present times, the mother is visiting her son, leaving Pralay Nath alone in the city.

The arguments soon turned ugly and fisty cuff ensured…Pralay Nath pushed Pradyuman on the ground. He got up quickly and punched Pralay Nath on the jaws. Their friends, initially flummoxed, quickly separated them before things could go haywire. Both left the club in hurry. Now they again facing each other without any bystander in the evening.

Pradyuman came close and with folded hands said, “Brother Pralay, I am extremely sorry for my behaviour of yesterday evening. We are friends since last so many years, I should not have reacted so   aggressively.”

Pralay Nath, for a few moments was speechless because he was expecting further confrontation, instead, Pradyuman is apologising. He composed himself and said, “No, no, you shouldn’t be sorry alone, I am too responsible. I shouldn’t have said what I said. Moreover, I shouldn’t have torn your nice jacket. Please forgive me.”

“That was the reason why I came looking for you. Yesterday I went back home to change clothes but my son caught me the torn jacket and got to know about our scuffle. He is hell bent on filing an FIR against you. He’s not listening to me anymore.”

“So, what do I do now?” Pralay Nath was a worried man now…what if the police arrest him and put him in jail, the wife is also not in town…

“Let us go together to the police station and file an application that all disputes between us are settled amicably now. If my son, Dilbagh comes to file an FIR against you, they should not entertain him at all.”

“Yes, all differences between us are settled now. Afterall, we are good friends. I really felt bad after our altercations and went home straight, switching off the phones and slept without eating dinner.”

“And we missed going to the wedding reception, trying to pacify my son… he was all set to go to the police station to lodge an FIR against you, last night only, with great difficulty I stopped him but don’t know if he has already done it today. Let’s go immediately.”

The two friends parted ways from the police station for their homes. Pralay Nath felt relieved coming home, he poured himself a whiskey and finished off the last evening’s dinner.

He woke up with constant ringing of the doorbell. The wall clock showed the time of 2 am. Who could be knocking at this ungodly hour? Pralay Nath became worried… is it, Dilbagh? He hasn’t listened to his father and now has come to avenge. With such dreaded thoughts, he opened the door to find the Inspector whom he had met earlier with Pradyuman.

“Y-you Sir? What happened?”

“Yes, it’s me.” He turned towards the constable and ordered him to fetch Dilbagh Singh from the police car.

“Why Dilbagh? Didn’t we tell you that all differences between Pradyuman and me are settled?”

“Yes, you did so.”

So, the petition did not work, Dilbagh must have put pressure on the police to arrest him at this hour. What will I do now? Pralay Nath was on the verge of collapse when Dilbagh entered the room. Pralay Nath was shocked to see Dilbagh; he was wearing a dhoti and gamchha typically worn if someone was coming from a funeral. Dilbagh was visibly in grief, his father is no more, he’s coming from the cremation ground.

“What are you saying son? I met Pradyuman this evening only in the city park from where together we went to the police station to file a petition to void your appeal for an FIR against me…”

“What are you saying Uncle? Did he really meet you yesterday evening and went together, you went to the police station?” Dilbagh was visibly shaking when he spoke. There was a fear writ on his face.

“Yes, Pradyuman only insisted, the inspector sahib is my witness.”

“Yes, I have been telling Dilbagh that you two had come to the police station to file the petition but he is not believing me. He came directly from the cremation ground wanting to file an FIR against you, I showed him your petition”, the inspector responded.

Pralay Nath felt a shooting pain in his chest, he sat down on the couch clutching his chest. He looked at the inspector blankly and said, “You, too is saying that Pradyuman is dead, he is no more? My dear friend passed away and nobody informed me!”

“How do you expect to be informed? His son is accusing you for his death. He is claiming that you are responsible for his father’s death. You guys had a fight day before evening in the club which was witnessed by many others.”

“Yes, we did fight like children” Pralay Nath suddenly became excited and looking at Dilbagh, said, “Listen Dilbagh, we, Pradyuman and I have been friends for years and such fracas cannot take that away, we loved each other deeply, you have to believe that.”

“How can I believe, Uncle? The day before evening Dad came home with stress and said he’s not feeling well. We decided to stay back not going to the wedding reception. Later, at night Dad’s condition deteriorated and we had him admitted in the hospital. This afternoon around 3 pm he passed away due to severe cardiac attack. I am coming after performing his last rites.”

Terror stricken Pralay Nath shouted, “Three in the afternoon… are you saying my friend Pradyuman passed away in the afternoon?”

Dilbagh nodded his head in affirmation. Pralay Nath looked blankly at him then at the wall ahead. His thoughts kept hovering that no FIR has been lodged, he is not getting arrested…he will stay home, alone and his best friend is no more… will he join him for a chitchat like olden days? He is alone in his home… the thoughts kept repeating in his mind.

Slowly, the lights in the eyes of Pralay Nath faded out, his vision became still.