My father left me this business. Huge. Big money. Money, money, money. Money is raining here. What should I do with this money? What did my father do with this much money? Money-addict perhaps he was. Just collecting money, more money, his wild passion. And he left it all, to me. Me! Who doesn’t even know what money is, what is its use, or where to store it? Charities, so many of them already. You never know whether they are charities for sure, or all fake, useless. How can you have faith in these things when you know how charities are run these days? People are crazy for money. They can do anything for money. But what do people do with excess money? Parties! Bah! Ill-gotten wealth goes into girls, drinks, drugs…How can they enjoy these things—immoral and illegal, self-destroying and self-defeating. Is man’s life so cheap that it should be squandered in meaningless pursuits? Is this evolution?

This office! So beautiful, plush, well-furnished, the best that anyone can think of. Where is the need of spending more money on it? Well, you can change all the furniture, furnishings, gadgets, paints etc. etc. But to what use? Will it make it better? Or simply ego problem: I can do something because I have money. Isn’t it just wastage of natural resources? That is what man is doing all around. Result: Ecological imbalance, Pollution, Health problems, Climate change. My God, we endanger all life on this beautiful planet. And we are looking for life on the far-off planets. Aren’t we all criminals here? Criminals of Nature. Nature is punishing us right. And then we blame Nature! Man, a crazy animal. 

And lo! This man, this manager, comes with big proposals, bigger than yesterday’s—stocks and shares, mutual funds, proposals to make more money. Well, he is a good manager. An expert in making money. But that is his job. He is paid for that. He is honest and sincere. No fault of his if he makes plans for more money.

But I can always ask for a cup of coffee.

What a lavish house! Better furnished and equipped than even the best five-star hotel. Everything remote-controlled. Man is useless here. Only machines work, provide everything, all the comforts of the world. You feel like a Maharaja. And yet I am not at ease. Always restless. I just flounder. Why? Does man need such a magnificent house? One man living in this big, spacious palace! Why do I need so many comforts? A battery of servants, and yet there is none to share my life. If you have money, you can buy anything but peace. Where is peace? I keep myself occupied all day. Even spend two hours in the gym after office, sweat myself out. Yet I can’t sleep properly. All night I go on tossing about on this big, king-size bed with the best mattresses in the world. But I can’t sleep. Why? There is something in me that keeps me awake. Why can’t I accept that now I am a moneyed man? Should live like one, and enjoy to the hilt. Must have parties, girls, dances etc. etc. Girls, my God, even the best, they would do anything to be invited, would consider themselves fortunate to spend their nights, all their lives with me. Stunningly amazing! I am simply averse to all that rowdy stuff. I don’t like taking pills for sleep, nor do I want to get drunk, and behave like a lost soul. I shouldn’t dishonour the names of my father and grandfather. They were illustrious people. Successful with great reputation. But how can I prove myself worthy of their faith in me? Very difficult. So complex.

And of late this green light has worsened my mental state and made my life totally chaotic. Whenever I have a wink of sleep, the green light flickers before my eyes. I enjoy its soothing glare, follow it for some time, and then my eyes open. My God! My eyes search for it in all directions, all the rooms, everywhere. It is magical, a hallucination, , it grips my mind, and fills me with a thrill. I feel so much better, feel like living the glow of the green light. Should I go to a psychiatrist? What is this new phenomenon? Incomprehensible. No, it has nothing to do with my daily life, business activities or thought-process. I don’t know what to make of it. I was still grappling with this mystery that, four nights continuously, I saw this green light slowly leading me outdoors, taking me through dense forests, fields and orchards, and lulling me to sleep on the bank of a river. It was so soothing, comforting and peaceful over there that I kept sleeping all night, really enjoying my restful sleep. But as my eyes open, same restlessness would overtake me. I am simply puzzled, utterly confused. The mystery doesn’t allow me to rest, even for a 

moment, and the confused state of my mind bewilders all the members of the staff. Even the Manager, so loyal and faithful, shakes his head at times, cannot understand what has happened to me.

As if I was not enough confounded already, three nights back, the green light flickered through the entire night, making my night sweetest of them all. But it wouldn’t go away even when my eyes opened. It smiled at me, invited me to follow it out of the door. I thought I would go mad. How could I resist the temptation. I made up my mind there and then to unravel the mystery of the green light by following it  till I found as to what lay behind it for me. Perhaps Nature wanted to guide me and resolve the dilemmas I was always in.

That day in the office, I didn’t want to leave in a huff and make a mess of the things awaiting decisions, I called the Manager. I am going on a holiday, I said. I don’t know for how long. As long as I can enjoy it. You are our most trusted man here, and you know everything. You will run the show in my absence. Yes, if you want me to sign some urgent papers, let us do it right now.

The Manager smiled. He glowed, his eyes twinkled, and he said: I am so happy for you. You must take a holiday. That will do good to you as well as the office. But don’t go alone. Take a girl with you. You should have a real holiday.

I smiled and thanked him. If need be, I shall contact you, I said with a cheery smile.

My night was very cheerful. I must have kept smiling at the green light which went on changing its flickers and forms. I got up eager and crazy to follow the green light, to meet my destiny. Soon I was ready with my backpack, and waited for the light to lead me on. My God! The gate flared up with the green hue, and a light stood  on the top, glaring, radiating, inviting, as if it knew I had decided to obey the divine will.

It led me out of the city, on and on, through the marshy lands, deserts and the deep forests where it just disappeared. Tired, I lay down, rested on the green grass, sweet-smelling breeze fanning me, leaves whispering into my ears, birds singing for me their chosen melodies, and the trees directing the leaves to provide me with the densest shade. How long I slept, I don’t know. But I  felt I had slept long enough to compensate me for the loss of past many months’ sleep. I woke up refreshed. No restlessness. No agitation. At peace with myself. At ease with the surroundings. For the first time in months.

As I picked up my bag, the tree in front sparkled with the green light. I was delighted. Dazzled by its luminous light, I followed it and got lost. 

When I came to myself, I found myself on a craggy, steep path, green, tall trees covering every inch at the top, waving to me. The meadows at the back stretched all around. Suddenly I heard the sweet, gurgling sound of a spring. I became thirsty. Drank fresh water of the spring, drank so much that it really quenched my thirst of the ages. I was tempted to take a bath too in that balmy water but restrained myself. As I was coming out of the water, my foot fell on a mossy stone and I slipped, fell on the stones, into the water. Must have been injured because howsoever hard I tried to raise myself, couldn’t. And very soon, I lost my strength and senses.

When I regained my consciousness, I was amazed to see a beautiful, young, dazzling, smiling girl bending on me, trying to lift me out of the stream. I recalled and realized what had happened. Her soft, sweet hands coerced me into getting up and out of the difficult situation. I was totally drenched, water was dripping from me all over and wetting her. She supported me in gaining control of myself. ‘You had slipped and fallen into this shallow stream. I arrived, to fetch water, on time or you should have…’

‘Thanks’, I said, feeling the pain in my hips and back. I saw that my elbows and knees had been badly bruised and blood was coming out at two-three places.

‘You don’t belong here. Who are you?’she asked.

I thought of myself. Oh my God! The green light. I wanted to tell her of the green light but realized she would laugh at me, think I am mad. I smiled faintly and said, ‘ Thank you very much. You have saved my life. I shall always remember you.’

‘Where will you go now? How will you go? You are running fever. If you don’t get proper care, you would die.’

I laughed. ‘Doesn’t matter. I shall manage myself.’

‘No, you won’t. Come on. If you don’t mind, you come with me. Mine is a humble cottage, but I can take care of you. When you are well, you can go.’

I was amazed at her offer. I thought for a while. There was no way I could go back. How shall I go? I didn’t know where I was. I had been walking for days on. If I go on foot, I will surely die. I was running high fever and didn’t have the energy. I thought I should accept her offer, and then call the Manager to send a car. That seemed sensible. Still I wanted to avoid the trap. I simply said, ‘But I don’t have money. Hardly a few rupees. Treatment and stay…’

‘No, you don’t need money for treatment. It will be all my own, herbal treatment. I too don’t have money for the doctor. These city people! They think money alone can cure them. No, it is care that cures. If you have faith in me, come with me. You will be all right in two-three days. Then you can go anywhere you like.’

‘Thank you very much dear… But what is your name?’

‘Asha. I am Asha.’

After three days of intensive care, I was able to sit properly and eat well. No, there was no doctor, nor medicines. Only Asha. She hunted for all the herbs, plucked leaves from different plants, and prepared concoctions that had therapeutic effect on my body. It responded well to all her preparations. Fever flew away. Weakness too. I felt energetic enough to feel her soothing hands, divine smile and her sweet presence in the room. She stayed with me most of the time during day, and gave me healthy food. Night, she gave me some concoction so that I could sleep well and my body could repair itself. It had really been a terrible fall. My injuries too improved. Now there was less pain in my elbows and knees. I smiled and said, ‘You are a great doctor, nurse too. You have given me a new life.’

She happily smiled and said, ‘Thank God, you are recovered now. I was really scared. You were in a very bad shape. And here there is no doctor, no other help possible. I was really worried.’

‘ You served me so well, how could it be otherwise? You are an angel. Your face, the divine grace on your face would work miracles.’

Tears came to her eyes. She folded her hands and said, ‘I don’t know who you are. But I prayed to God to give me the strength to help you in your recovery. He listened to me. I am grateful to Him. Yes, now that you can walk, would you like to move out in the open and get some fresh air. That might be helpful.’

As  I came out of the room, I realized that was the only room with a small courtyard, a small kitchen besides. My God! There was no other room for her. ‘Why? This is the only room you have. Where were you sleeping at nights then?’

‘ In the kitchen. So very easy.’

I looked into the kitchen. Not even 6 x 6. No window even. I felt bad. ‘I am sorry you had to face this situation on my account. But you live alone? Nobody else with you?’

‘My parents, they died in the Corona period.’

‘Oh, sad. So sorry.’

Suddenly she felt sad. But came back soon. ‘Let us go out in the fresh air.’ 

We had hardly walked  200 metres when she said, ‘This is our field.’

‘What! This small piece! You work on it and earn your living!’

‘I survive. I am happy.’

‘I can’t believe it. How can you be happy with no money worth the name.’

She smiled and said in her sweet tone, ‘Money! Money never makes you happy. My father, he had the whole world, and yet he was unhappy. Look at that big field. It was my father’s. Look at that orchard. He was its owner. But he wasn’t happy. He wanted more.’

‘What happened then to the field  and the orchard?’

‘What happens to most of the farmers. He raised loan, thought he would flourish, couldn’t pay back, and the moneylender grabbed them. Then he died, and I was left with this small piece. But I am happy. I don’t need money. For what? I keep my needs to the minimum.’

‘That too is bad. Starving is no solution to poverty.’

‘Poverty! Who says I am poor. I am rich. I am richer than most people here’, she said and wiped her tears. 

I thought over what she had said. She was really rich. She took care of me when she had nothing. I looked around. Fresh breeze blew freshness into my thoughts. I focussed on how I had reached here. I smiled at Nature’s intent. For the first time I took her hand in mine and said imploringly, ‘Asha, I am a poor man, very poor. I have nothing to offer you for what you have done for me. But… Will you marry me?’

‘What!’ she was stunned and shocked. ‘Marry you! Why do you ask for it? I have nothing whatsoever. No, you will just starve here, with me. Why do you want to suffer and starve. I have nothing for you. Why do you want it?’

‘To be happy. I too want to be happy.’

She laughed. ‘Really? My kind of happiness?’

‘Yes, Asha. I want your kind of happiness. Please say Yes. I shall ever be grateful to you.’

‘My God! You are a strange kind of man. But my intuition always guides me right. So I can’t say No to you.’

I was thrilled. My face glowed. My eyes twinkled. My soul felt ecstatic fulfilment. 

I phoned my Manager. Told him I had found happiness. Asked him to rush with as much money as he could arrange. 

He was very excited.

The third day, a big BMW, latest in the market, stopped in front of Asha’s cottage. 

She was simply dazed. ‘What is this? Who are they?’

I just smiled. Told the Manager to go and pay all the dues to the moneylender, get back her father’s papers, and hand them over to her.

She couldn’t control her tears. ‘You said you had nothing to offer, that you were a poor man, that…’

‘I am indeed poor’, I said and put my hand on her shoulder. ‘I was very unhappy even when I had everything. I couldn’t buy happiness. You gave me happiness. Thank you very much.’

I said to the Manager, ‘Make arrangements that we fly to Switzerland for about a month. During this period…’

‘I understand, sir. I am so happy for you. I shall do everything to make your living here comfortable when you return.’