The break point ****

“Muthu, better hurry. We are late.” Thirunavukkarasu was calm as he spoke to his driver. He was riding the Merc with his Executive assistant Suresh to a meeting with the Minister. Suresh was briefing him in preparation.

Both Thiru’s and Suresh’s phones kept ringing incessantly. As they discussed the meeting with the Minister, they spoke briefly into the phone on and off. Once in a while, Suresh would hand his phone to Thiru.

“The Minister is likely to bring up our marina Project at Penang. He wants that to move fast. His men are also lining up for some contracts. We may need to oblige. The earthworks are the safest. Probably you could start off with that offer, and see how it goes.” Suresh was as competent as they come.

“One sec, its Philip. Yes, Philip?”

Suresh waited, shuffling the notes.

“OK, that’s fine. OK. Yes, we need to show we care. These people were driving our project. Make some publicity on the compensation. Get our managers to visit the families. OK. Fine.” He cut the call and turned back to Suresh.

***

As they left the Minister’s office, Thiru was upbeat. “That went well. What do you think?” he liked to get Suresh’s opinion.
“I thought he was too eager. We should tread carefully.”
“Well he is a politician. So we know his agenda.”
“Sir, we have to get to Dang Wangi. We have an 11 am meeting with the OCPD. And after that, lunch with Tan Sri Suffian . That’s at Bangsar.”

The phone rang. “It’s my wife. Yes Hema? Umm. Yes. I remember. Of course la. But lunch is out. Maybe tea at about 5 this evening la. OK, will do. Bye Hema.”

“Sir, Board meeting at JSB is at 7 pm.” Suresh reminded gently.
“Ya, I know. But Hema wants to set up a discussion with her brother’s friend. He wants to discuss some business with me. I just can’t put that off any longer. Should be able to rush to JSB. Just call Hema later and set up a tea meeting at a suitable location.”

Suresh’s phone rang. “Yes, Suresh here. Oh, ok. Sir, the Temple Secretary.” He handed the phone to Thiru.

Thiru was a dynamo. Active in his numerous companies, he was into Social activities too. Chairman of a couple of temples, and playing key roles in Social Service organizations, sports organizations, his daughter’s PIBG committees, while giving equal importance to family matters. He juggled so many roles that any other person would be dizzy even remembering what they were. And he was never rattled, no matter how many crises came along. Suresh was close to Thiru, and was always with him. Even Suresh marveled at Thiru’s energy, and unruffled manner. Somehow Thiru managed to divide his time ingeniously, giving his friends, colleagues, business associates, employees and family the impression that he valued them equally. Thiru was respected and loved by one and all.

***
It was almost midnight. Thiru was about to call it a day. As he switched off the bedside light, he had a thought. So much of the world seemed to depend on him. The companies, the organizations, Temples, his family …. the list went on. He smiled and closed his eyes. Sleep was almost instantaneous.

***
Suddenly he was awake. The green display of the clock showed 04:00. He felt dizziness. And a heavy pressure on his chest. He instinctively turned to wake Hema. But as he turned, he stopped. He suddenly saw everything so clearly. He had to go. Without a second thought, Thiru silently padded out of the room, packing the bare essentials in a sling bag.

***

A year had rolled by. Thiru looked 10 years younger. He was a clerk at the printing office. His boss was Mr Ho, the owner. Thiru rode a Honda 70, to travel the 8 km from his flat to the office. He ate breakfast, lunch and dinner at the only Indian shop in town, run by Chettiar. His day would start at 7 am. He would ride his bike to Chettiar’s shop, and sit and have a leisurely breakfast – just idlies, and Nescafe, while he read the newspaper – poring over every page. By 8.30, he would be at his workplace. For lunch, he would ride out to Chettiar's again, and have a hearty banana leaf meal. Then back to work, until 6 or 7, depending on the work to be done. Then off to Chettiar’s again – dinner was simple: a couple of chapattis and a glass of milk. Then back to his flat. Some reading before bedtime – Thiru read voraciously, spending a big chunk of his RM 1000 salary on books. During weekends, he read all the time, just taking a break in the afternoons for a refreshing nap.

Thiru worked diligently. But spoke little. Chettiar had initially tried making conversation with Thiru. But Thiru mostly grunted. It was the same story at his workplace too. Mr Ho didn’t mind. Thiru was an honest and hardworking worker. That’s all that mattered to him. But everyone liked Thiru. He was just a man of few words, they all thought.

***

It was 10 years since Thiru had left Kuala Lumpur. He had not looked back. It had been a clean cut. Thiru was at peace. He slept like a baby. His life was as simple as it could be.

Then, the abrupt thought came.

What was happening to his family ? His wife Hema, and daughter Shailaja? They had been so dependant on Thiru. How were they coping ? How about his companies ? Without him there to make the decisions, and handle the crises, how could they manage ? And all the charities, the clubs, the Temples ? What were they doing ? Thiru decided to go back.

***
Arriving in Kuala Lumpur, Thiru looked so different: in his French beard and cropped hair. He had lost more than 20 kilos, and in his trim form, looked much younger. No one could recognize him.

Thiru staked out his office, and his house. Everything was going on smoothly. No one missed him. Nothing had come crashing down. In fact, his businesses seemed to be more prosperous than ever. His wife and family were carrying on as though nothing had happened. Thiru felt a distant detachment.

***

A few days later, he was back at his job at Mr Ho’s printing press.
Mr Ho came up, and put his hand on Thiru’s shoulder. “Thiru, good to have you back. Things almost came to a standstill when you were away.”