Sundi...I Know What I Want

Sundi was born and brought up on the beautiful hills of western Ghats. His parents owned a few acres of land. The land had the cultivation of coffee, pepper and mixed crop. All the needs of the family was met and they were very comfortable.

They lived in a small two bedroom house which was enough for the family of four. The house used to be on top of the hill, painted in bright colors and a small pathway connecting to the road...House was surrounded by coffee plantation. The crawling of snakes and other animals were not new to them. There was no other house for another half a kilometer and it looked like a photograph out of the calendar.

Sundi and his sister used to walk to the school which was around 2 km away from his house and on the way, his friends used to join them. For them, going to school was an experience in itself. All the friends walking together, sometimes throwing a stone into the lake or sometimes aiming on the mangoes.  They tried plucking a jackfruit from the tree on the road, used to break open the fruit and finish the entire fruit before reaching the school. On the way back home, playing with the dog, kicking the mud...white shirt and navy blue shorts would become brown by the time they reached home.

He was a very happy kid. Most of time he spend playing outdoors. They had TV at home but due to lack of electricity he never watched that... He was a more outdoor guy than indoor. The entire town knew him. If somehow his father succeeded in convincing him to study, there would be one or other friend who will come and call him out.

His father was worried about his studies. He was a bright kid but never put his effort. Getting him do his school homework done itself was a big task for parents. His father wanted Sundi to take up a government job or be an engineer. Instead of taking up farming, he wanted Sundi to work in a big city. He used to always tell Sundi..."You study or I will remove you from school and use your school fees, get you a buffalo. Atleast I don't have to waste money over your fees and you can earn money by selling milk to all your friends"...Nothing really helped.

As he started growing up he started spending most of his time with his friends near the lake. His friend's father had a fast food joint there. He used to help his friend in serving when there was a rush of tourists. Sometimes he tried making some odd dish for the customers. Friend's father never bothered because most of the customers were tourists and he knew no one may come back for another meal...

Sundi had finished his pre-college and was not sure what to do. His marks were not great to get admission in any college in the city. With this break, he took up a full time job at his friend's fast-food joint. Incidentally when the cook of the joint had to take a break for a week, his friend's father and Sundi became the main cook of the joint. To everyone’s surprise, all customers appreciated the food and people who generally had lunch only started coming for dinner as well...

Sonia, dutch lady, who had come on a vacation and wanted to taste some local flavors, asked them to give something which was not regular item on the menu. Sundi was not sure what to make, when he looked in the kitchen store he found some tapioca and fish...He served her some boiled rice with fish & tapioca curry along with a fish fry...The experiment went on well. She liked the food so much that she called Sundi and gave him a Rs.500/- tip and advised him to go for the Hotel Management course.

The whole night he was unable to sleep, tossing on the bed a question was working on his mind, "Is my cooking so good?" Other customers also stopped complaining....The next day without informing anyone he went to Ooty. The hill station is very close to his home town and took an application form for his admission. In the evening, when he returned his parents and friends were worried about him as he had neither gone to the fast-food joint nor informed anyone... His father was upset and slapped him not realizing that everyone was watching and asked, "where were you?" This is the first time his father was getting angry at him... Sundi didn't mind. He was happy that people are worried about him. He said, "I have decided to join college and he showed his application form. His father's joy knew no bounds...he was thinking, at last, my son realized.

Fathers joy was short-lived; He wanted Sundi to do more traditional courses like science or accounts so that he gets into a government job. Here Sundi wanted to do Hotel Management... in the evening Sundi's mother convinced his father.

Sundi was one of the best students in his college and he came out with flying colors. In fact, this is what he wanted to do and he started enjoying. He had put his heart and soul into the course. He was considered one of best student in culinary stream. He was picked up by one of the leading hotel chain to work in Bangalore, with a handsome salary.

He was excited to travel to Bangalore and work there. He had never lived in a big city... He and his classmates both were given company guest house for a month. The day he landed at Bangalore he was all upbeat.

His work was appreciated by all and started growing in company and fame... He started enjoying his city life. He was invited to the best parties in town and as per his nature he would become friendly to everyone. There was a time when he became so busy that, if he was not at work, he would be partying... Slowly he started losing touch with his village friends, he was neither calling them nor would answer to their calls. He would hardly ever call his parents but they were happy thinking that he was making enough money and was happy...

In a matter of few years, he bought a car and a house and now had EMI to take care of. His mother and father were so proud that he had become a benchmark in his village...

With respect to his good skills and relations he had build, he started getting orders for catering rather than the hotel. A local TV channel also approached him for a cookery Show.  It was a big moment for Sundi. He had never thought that he would be on TV. He resigned and started his own Catering Services and was hosting a show. The First show which was telecast was like a festival in his home town. Everyone came to the community hall to watch the show. The local Panchayat member had organized the Telecast for the villagers.

Sundi was on cloud nine. At such an young age, he had made a lot of money and fame for him. There was not enough time for him to do the work and move around with friends.

It was a proud moment for his parents when a popular website published an article on him titled "Farmer's son, Top Chief of the city". The success, work and fun were showing on him, his health was not keeping well most of the time. Sleeping had become a problem for him and stress had taken over his sleep.

He was slowly getting bugged with parties, traffic, stress of work...He was looking for a break from all...

One day he was invited to judge a cookery competition which was being organized at a retirement home on the outskirts of Bangalore. It was close to 40 km from his place. He wanted to avoid it but then he thought a long drive will help him...He agreed and was asked to come that Sunday.

On that day he had mixed feelings; what will I talk to all old guys how will I be able to relate to them, etc. By the time it was time to leave, he was surprised to see some swanky cars waiting for him to pick up. As he drove out of the city, he asked the driver to pull down the window and he took some deep breath and said it has been a long time since I inhaled fresh air. He was feeling the chillness from clean air. He was enjoying the view outside. He was thinking when can I see these kinds of views in the city. I should come more often towards the outskirts.

When he reached the venue, he found a very smartly dressed old couple waiting to receive him. He was zapped, he was thinking of an old age home and over here it was very different. He looked around, there were some small cottages built all over and trees & more Trees...The old couple wanted to take him to the venue of competition when he stopped suddenly and said, “Uncle, can I go around the campus and then for the competition?” The old couple were more than happy to show him around, they started explaining him; there are around 100 single bedroom cottage, we have a community kitchen in our club house. We all have our 3 meals a day together and we have a swimming pool and indoor and outdoor game facility here...We also have a medication center and a Nursing room with an Ambulance...

Sundi, asked curiously, “To maintain this, it might cost you people a bomb? Who is paying for all the facilities?” The old man smiled and said, "Yes, it does cost, we all pool up and pay." Sundi had a surprised look on his face. The old man understood and said, "Son, most of us have retired as gazette officers from the government department.  We have a few doctors, businessmen and NRI also staying with us. Like you, our children are also busy making their careers, the city was suffocating for us to live alone so we all got together and made this place for us. We are happy with our friends and clean environment...that is what we look at this age, isn't it? The Old man continued. We were also super busy and so-called successful but now when we look back we realize what we have missed in our life....

After the program, Sundi was not in a hurry to go back. He spend lot of time talking to inmates there and offered to make dinner for all of them. He used the community kitchen to make dinner for them, they all were happy...He was also happy and felt light. On the way back, he started thinking.......

1. What is success?
2. What is that I am looking to achieve in life?
3. What is Happiness? 
4. Will people recognizing me as today when I grow old?
5. Building up of big houses and buying many car makes us happy?
6. Are my parents happy without me next to them?
7. What is that we all looking at the end of the day?

And many more questions shot into his mind...

He went home and had a peaceful sleep without even having a drink...The next day morning he got up very late and sat on the balcony looking at the endless traffic and numerous skyscrapers ... Sipping his coffee and was absolutely blank...not sure what he was thinking...

A phone call distracted him. It was his staff and before they could say anything he said I am not coming to the office for some time, you guys manage all the orders, I am taking a break and he kept the phone.

He hurriedly dressed up and called one of his friend who was also living in Bangalore. He was the topper of his class and have joined IIT to do his engineering. It was long since they had met. Now he was heading a software firm. Srikanth asked, "Sundi, is it urgent?" Can’t we meet late in the evening?" He said “not possible, I have to meet you now, you tell me where to come?" Srikanth was surprised, he knows Sundi is a busy celebrity by himself, how come he is coming at a short notice...???

Before Srikanth could reach his office, Sundi was waiting for him. A few of his staff who recognized Sundi were taking a selfie with him...Srikanth was feeling very good that a celebrity was waiting for him. His employees were looking at him as if he knows all big guys....Srikanth took him to his cabin and asked, "What is the matter, is there any problem, do you want any financial help?" 

Sundi didn't bother to answer any of his questions instead he asked Srikanth a series of questions which was disturbing him since last night....There was an awkward silence in the room. Slowly Srikanth shook his head and commented, "Sundi, you are worked up, you need rest so take a break and go for a vacation, I never ever thought you will come up with these kinds of questions early in the morning." And he ordered his office boy to get some cookies and 2 cups of Tea...

Sundi was sitting there patiently and waiting for his response!

Srikanth understood the situation and said in a low voice, "I don't have a definite answer for your questions, if you ask am I happy? Yes, I am, I have done well, I head a company for Indian operations, I travel frequently abroad, I have enough money to buy whatever my family wants..."

Sundi continued asking more questions, "Are you peaceful and happy with your present life??? And What is that you are looking at end of the day??"

Srikanth answered without a hint of doubt, " YES, I have worked hard, studied 14-18 hours a day to get into IIT. I am still working hard to see that my kids reach better heights than me. I work for 18 hours a day, what more do you ask for!!!...I represent in many forums...I visit many countries for holidays...I own a villa in Bangalore, what else do I need...What am I looking end of day???...may be peace of Mind!!"

Then Srikanth Stopped. A few minutes later he said, "I am not sure...I never thought....never thought about it." 

And, Sundi left with more confusion in his mind. He stepped out of the office and called another friend of his...

Srikanth started thinking about what he wants in life and is he happy???? What is he looking forward at the end of the day!!

For Sundi, next 4 to 5 days were meetings with the so-called successful people whom he had met in school, college and professional life... After meeting many people, he was not sure what he was looking for. His thoughts were always going back to the retirement home and he would start thinking about what have they achieved in their life...Sitting in his house alone...putting his thoughts together… 

Just then his mother called and she informed, "We have found a match for your sister, we would like you to be present when boy's family visit us and I don't want to hear any excuses this time, it is more than five years you have visited home."

He was surprised it was five years he has left his home town. His parents and sister have visited him but he was too busy to go home. His heart filled with happiness and he readily agreed and said, "I will start today itself." His mother was shocked by his eagerness and agreement.

While driving back to his home through the narrow roads of Western Ghat, he enjoyed every minute of his drive. The beauty of nature, the freshwater streams, the clean and fresh air, stopping at small roadside stalls and having a cup of hot coffee...He reached home very late, he had to park his car on the road and had to walk down the narrow lane of his house. Nothing had changed, all was the same, his pet dog Max came running to him and licked him all over. He took a deep breath and hugged his mom very tightly while saying "I miss this fresh air, it’s so pure."

Next day morning, he got up early and walked to meet his friends, most of them were into farming, dairy and some doing odd businesses. They were all happy to see him. He had got gifts for all of them. He was surprised to find all his friends sitting there in no hurry to go back. Everyone wanted to hear from Sundi, how his life is in Bangalore.... He noticed that everyone is happy for him and they cared about him only. He realized that for his friends except for his wellbeing, nothing actually mattered. It was evening by the time he finished talking to his friends and his heart was filled with joy and a kind of satisfaction. They sat together as in their childhood days and happily had their lunch under the big banyan tree.

In the evening, he walked towards his friend's fast food joint as he had not come to meet him. He was worried but didn't enquire with other friends. He thought he might be angry with him as he could never called or answered his calls. Once he reached the joint, he found the joint was in bad shape and his friend's father was not there. He peeped inside the kitchen and he found his friend Ramesh cooking...

Ramesh saw Sundi, came and hugged him tight and said, "I was busy couldn't come. Dad is no more, so I have to run this place..." As both chatted Sundi understood that he was not doing well and wasn't very happy running the place. He wanted to sell the Joint and the land adjacent so he could go to some town and work. 

Sundi was happy in his village; he was not thinking about anything about Bangalore. He was just enjoying all peace he had got. When he hit the bed, again the question came into his mind, "what is that we look for in life?????"

Srikanth's word echoed in his mind "Peace of Mind" He started thinking about all that his friends had said and everyone wanted "Peace of Mind." They all said that when we retire we would like to live in a place where there is a small house, lying down looking at the clear sky with twinkling stars, fresh air, a small vegetable garden for farm fresh vegetables and fruits and few friends to spend time with....

He remembered what the retirement group of people were looking for.....

Sundi's mom woke him up and said, "Wake up and get ready, we have to go shopping for your sister." He said, "Mom, I want to take you and dad to a place, can we do the shopping tomorrow?" Mom agreed promptly. He took his mom, dad and sister to the fast food joint and said, "I am planning to buy this place and make a restaurant here and settle down with you all, Now I have come to know what I want in life!!!"

His parents got upset and asked almost together, “Have you gone MAD?” Do you want to leave the comfort of the City and struggle with life in this small village?"

Sundi was shocked!! He had thought that they will be happy… Confused, “AM I DOING ANYTHING SO WRONG?”

He wondered. He thought to himself....Am I not getting whatever people are looking forward for…and I can make a decent amount of money then why should I look for city???? 

AM I Comfortable in City??? …..