It was a bright and sunny weekend and the end of the financial year was approaching. Recession proved to be descenting for his business. He drowned in loss. But the government policies still demanded him to pay his taxes. Due to downsizing he couldn't even manage to afford an employee to perform such clerical calculations on his behalf. So he sat down on his own in his study but not for studying but rather to calculate his revenues, maintaining balance sheets and other clerical works.
In the mid of these activities, he recalled the days of his glory when his business soared to peaks and how this influenced every social aspect of his life and hailed his reputation, built up his relation with every current minister in power making all his jobs go by smoothly. Then how its downfall permeated his beautiful world in a negative sense. The news of his downfall now overran the town and was stunning.
While at work he was a rude and terrifying boss. He would often speak harsh to his employees, swear at them. He had all those restrictive policies implemented in his office which were against the welfare of his employees. He was religiously fanatical and offended the employees of other religions blasmphemously. So all his employees were directed against him.
He was no better at home. Infact he was quite frightening. He would often beat up his children severely or punish them and scold his wife for petty issues. His wife was elegant and stunningly beautiful. Her name was Jessica. She was only one sympathetic with him hitherto. She was the one who had acknowledge his evolution to power and the hard work involved in it. Rather she stood by him in all his decisions but he took no notice of it. He claimed that everything he achieved was due to his own hard work. He didn't consider it necessary to give others credit for their good work. In the midst of all these thoughts, he doze off and while still on the chair he had an afternoon nap.
He was no longer in his study. He was driving to his office but it was still sunny. He was still unable to make an interpretation of what will follow next. Soon the weather turned up to be thunderous and it was frightening and the street lights died out. It was dark. Then through a beam he saw his bodyguard John, who was shot dead an year ago while he was trying to save his master. He reckoned he was carrying a weapon which was aimed at him and was marching towards him. Soon he realized the weapon he was carrying was AK 47.
John said in a high pitched voice- "Hello Martin"
At first he stammered but then muttered slowly, more to himself- "Hello John"
"How are you, you shrewd git?" said John
"But you were dead?" said Martin
"Yes, I guess the same so. You were expecting me to be dead and lying in my grave while my wife and son are starving. I died saving you. Wasn't it your responsibility to take care of them after I died for you", said John
"But that was preconditioned in the job otherwise I won't have hired you", said Martin
"So for the sake of humanity, didn't you have an urge to help my family in the time of their
difficulties", said John
"But I sent them a cheque..." replied Martin
"Oh yes. A cheque worth 5000$. Do you think it is functional in the time of inflation? You are insane. You reckon you did justice to my family?" said John
"You are being alleged in saying so. I sent them gifts and greetings at Christmas and other events?"
"That didn't serve them quite right, did it? My son is unable to attend college, instead he is working at a mechanic's shop. I am sorry Martin, but your gifts, your help was quite ineffective" snapped John
"So what will you do now? Murder me?" muttered Martin slightly scared
"No that won't help my family anyway. Moreover, I was your body guard. I was employed to ensure your security, not to assassinate you"- said John and his eyes were filled his tears.
Soon Martin was woke up from his dream by the sound of the footsteps of his wife who was coming towards him. She was there to deliver him the evening tea.
He muttered slightly under his breath apologetically "Sorry"
"Sorry?" replied Jessica rather in an amusing tone.
He said-"Sorry. Sorry, for all the injustice I did to you, being harsh to you...".
"No, its alright. I know it was out of stress that you were on nerves" she said cutting him halfway and the conversation between them went on.
It was as if the dream which he previously thought was a nightmare, served to be quite demonstrative to his soul and transformed his personality.
Thereafter, he began providing consistent help to John's family. Later on, he employed John's son who was very clever and provided subtle ideas to Martin that brought about a revolution in his business which attained the heights, the ones it had never previously.
