Nwjwr Basumatary. This was the name his parents lovingly called out to him since his birth. In school as well, this was the name by which everyone knew him, and carrying this very name, he had successfully passed many grades up to this point. This year, he is studying in the HS 2nd year (Class 12) Science stream.
Sometimes Nwjwr would ponder about how so many people seemed to fond of him. “I don’t possess the arrogance or strength to self-righteously declare that my own heart is completely pure and good, yet everyone around me quietly praises me behind my back, saying I am a person with a kind and good soul.” To tell the truth, he also placed a deep amount of faith in himself. Great thinkers have said that being able to believe in oneself is the greatest courage of all, and it is this very courage that gives a person the strength to keep moving forward and achieve success in life.
During youth, a bit of teasing, playful bantering, and flirting between boys and girls is quite common. Controlling or suppressing these youthful impulses can often prove to be incredibly difficult. However, Nwjwr did not have any bad habits of loosely teasing anyone or secretly harboring crush after crush on girls. Yet, he himself often witnessed many of his own friends secretly longing for someone or falling in love in secret.
Nwjwr lived and studied at a lodging house. The landlord treated him just like his own biological son, he is deeply loved. No one in the household has even the slightest suspicion that Nwjwr would ever steal anything, ruin something, or secretly hide items away.
After about three months, Roji changed her previous lodging house and moved into the very same lodge where Nwjwr was staying. Roji ended up staying in the room right adjacent to Nwjwr’s. Because the rooms were connected, any sound, conversation, or talk from either side could be heard clearly.
At first, both Roji and Nwjwr felt a bit shy to talk to each other for a couple of days. But meeting each other in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and seeing each other every single day—how could they possibly remain without talking? If they were mute, they might have conversed using signs, but they weren’t mute; they could speak. After three or four days, they exchanged introductions about where they were from. They formed a relationship like brother and sister, and began helping each other whenever needed. In this manner, the days kept passing by.
From time to time, Nwjwr would reflect on himself: “Nwjwr, the child of a poor, destitute family…!” One day, Nwjwr felt deeply upset when he accidentally broke his old clock. He thought to himself, “How could I make such a huge blunder? I managed to buy a single wall clock with great difficulty, and now I’ve gone and broken it! I don’t even own a single mobile phone! Because of this, I have no way of knowing the time on my own now!”
“What time is it when it’s time to eat?”
“What time is it when it’s time to sleep at night?”
“Waking up, studying,”
“And taking a bath—”
He would always ask Roji about these.
“What time is it now, Roji?”
Poor Roji…! How many times could she keep telling him the time every single day! He would ask even in the middle of the night, knock on her door in the morning to ask, and during the afternoon too…! Being asked like this every single day, a little she started finding it quite inconvenient.
The previous day, Roji had gone to the town to pick up a few things. Today, she brought a watch, handed it over to Nwjwr, and said:
“Nwjwr ada (elder brother), from today onward, you no longer need to keep asking me what time it is! I went ahead and bought a timepiece for you today! From now on, try to manage your routine according to this time!”
Nwjwr initially felt hesitant to accept it, overwhelmed by a deep sense of shyness. It was only when Roji insisted and held it out to him that he extended his hands, sheepishly took it with both palms, and said:
“Thank you so much, sister Roji! You have gifted me time itself; how will I ever repay this debt of yours? But I will never forget you, Raji! This kindness and help of yours will remain a cherished memory throughout my life!”
“It is already time to head to college, ada! Come on, let’s both walk together along the road today!”
Dressing up neatly, the two of them decided to walk together down the road up to the main intersection. Both were incredibly happy—one felt the joy of being able to help, while the other felt the joy of receiving help. This kind of mutual happiness is exactly what is needed in human society. Where else would one find a more memorable moment in their future life?
Nwjwr now felt a renewed sense of rhythm, just like the clock ticking away.
Dressing up beautifully and cleanly after a refreshing bath,
He began walking with brisk, confident steps.
He could feel the rhythmic, heavy sound of his own footsteps echoing back!
It felt as if all the beauty and freshness around him
Had come together, dancing right alongside him!