MIDPOINT

He has lived in this town located on the west coast for the past five decades. A line of Sahyadri peaks in the eastern direction. To the west is the Arabian Sea. Being an important junction connecting the district with other places, this town has its own historical and cultural pride. He has a special love for this town as he has spent most of his life in this town. The culture here, different demographics and different cultures influenced him.

After retiring from service, morning walks were also included in his programs. He realized that many poets and writers have painted the dawn and light in many ways, and he realized the fact that even without these colors, the dawn also brings out all kinds of behavior during this walk.

There is a quadrilateral parallel to the road in front of the house. A road running perpendicular to this path reaches a village three kilometers from the city. As you step on this road that has no special traffic, you can see that Sahya Shikhas are competing in height. Looking back, the peaks seem to take on different shades of green to blue. During the rainy season, the colors of these peaks are incomparable. It is impossible to capture that iciri in words. The clouds drifting in the gorges between these peaks create incredible views. Every now and then the open space beyond the road turns into a graveyard. Someone's dead body is burning in the burning fire. He has the experience of death walking next to life.

He is mixed with this community. He is known to many people for his friendly nature. Some people from the city come for the promenade. When you see him, you greet him by raising your hand, touching your right hand to your chest, or raising your hand and shouting 'hello' in the modern way. He thinks that all these are a sign of respect given to him by the people there. There was nothing wrong in thinking so. He had worked for three decades in a reputed organization and gained fame. There was no doubt that even the people of the village recognized his quality. In response to the respect given by the people, he also built a good relationship among the people of that town.

When he goes for a walk, his tall profile can be seen coming from a distance. His presence can be recognized by his upright posture and orderly gait. Most of the times he is seen alone. Sometimes there are occasions when one or two people talk to him. Those who observe the tone of his speech can think that he is giving advice to his close ones. If you look at the behavior of those neighbors, it seems that they have come to ask his advice.

He is not a stranger to him. Not so familiar. Both of them have worked in the same organization for a long time. He is two years older than him in term of service. Before his retirement, he had completed his service and joined the town. The first encounter between the two when he settled in the town after his retirement was strange. For the first time they were walking opposite each other. He himself could raise his hand and draw his attention. Could have smiled. Could have said 'Hello'. Perhaps he thought that he should speak at first, or he did not forgive him. He is confused; He just turned his face and walked past him. He has no answer to the question of why he behaved like that. Whenever he saw him, he used to steal. As he approached, he changed his gaze and looked elsewhere, passing him and leaving. Shy? fear? A sense of incomprehension. Why shy? what fear What could he be thinking about himself? Why should he even think about him? How long can this drama go on? Both of them have to spend so many days in the same town. Shouldn't this situation end one day? Does it have to end? After experiencing this condition for many days, he became an ordinary human being. Day by day his looks became normal. Both of them were leaving on their own as if they understood the situation.

Sometimes those who were with him were familiar to him. When they saluted him, he also responded. He pretended to continue talking to them without responding and left. Sometimes those who were with him would salute him. He did not react and was moving forward with his companions.

While he was working in one department during his service, his work area was in another department. Greetings and reciprocations were in force on the rare occasion of meeting. He felt that his colleagues also used to keep some distance while responding to him. Maybe they knew things about him that he didn't realize, he thought.

His voice is always serious. There is no natural smile on the face. Have you ever seen him smile? can't remember At most, the lips moved to one side in a sarcastic smile. The margin of both the lips may have moved closer to the child's smile. Once a group of friends gathered, he shared a small joke in his presence; 'Basavanna Kayaka was Kailasa; Kaisala is the kayak for him. He laughed at this business-related joke. By the way, he was a very business man. He knew the language of money very well. His stand is that he cannot engage in work that does not benefit him. He used to go to town every Saturday. He knew that he had a financial business in the town. His guess was that there might have been a real estate business among them.

Once his health was bad. He went with his friends to see him in the hospital. Dehydration had made him limp. There must be a drug effect; He was sleeping. Surrounded by his relatives. He was absorbed and looked at his pale face. Just talked to his relatives for a while, consoled him and left.

He was promoted due to seniority. Now he is the manager of three divisions of the organization. He is in charge of all three divisions including his division. These departments, which functioned at critical stages of production, had the regulatory capacity to maintain and grow the company's reputation. His experience and performance were complementary to the objectives of the organization. But this alone cannot increase the production. Along with this, administrative dexterity is needed, courage to implement the decision. Maybe lose some humanity. But he was only human.

A meeting of department heads that day. He was also present in that meeting chaired by him. He reviewed the performance of each department and suggested his suggestions. He was confused. We have been working with you for the past twenty years. So far no one has spoken to us about our work. What do you say?' Said. He said: 'My job is to give advice. You can touch it if you feel fit. I am interested in the work and the effect. Overall our product quality should be good. People should like it. It is our responsibility to maintain quality and bring improvement. There is no difference between my work and your work here; Both are same. The purpose is the same... I have said what I felt needed to be said. I did what the management expected from me, that's all'. After saying this, he became silent. His strange behavior that was revealed once surprised him.

The management of each department was the responsibility of the head of the respective unit. Usually the manager was not directly involved in the affairs of the department. In the spirit of new responsibility, he gave some of his suggestions. He felt that these tips could help in terms of performance. He realized that implementing them would not be an easy task. It also became clear to him that the workers in 'his' department were more obedient to him. He started snake-climbing. Whenever he tried to climb the ladder, he started encountering snakes. He was sure that he was playing with these snakes. But, nothing was said. Because he never appeared before. Twice mistakes happened without his awareness. Those mistakes reached the top. He was scolded well by the management. It should be said without fault! He was seething with anger. but, There was nothing to do. This is a form of violence. He thought how to call each worker one by one and talk to them. While this process was going on, one day he suddenly pushed the shutter of his chamber and came in and sat on the opposite seat. Staring at him, 'How did you call the workers of my department without my permission? You are making fun of them. You have exceeded your authority. If this continues, we will have to file a complaint with the management.

'One minute. Look, Ivre!...'; He proceeded to explain. He wanted to say 'you too stay with me'. He got up from his seat and raised his hand to indicate 'Enough', glared at him and abruptly returned and left. He was stunned by his unexpected attack. What have I done? Is it my duty to find out why and where mistakes happen? How about eating the company's salt and not doing that much? Do I work on my own? Had he cooperated in my work, such a situation would not have arisen. Until now, he had hardly spoken to him, he had worked for himself. He felt that this was a recent development. He remembered the events that happened during this period. Suddenly flashed. Yes; He has changed since the day of his promotion!

He did not sleep as long as he was in the institution. The mind is broken. He met some directors of the organization and expressed his grief. A director called him and said he would talk to him. Another suggested 'put your complaint in writing and give it to the board of directors'. On the weekend day, at the usual time, he came to him again and sat down. 'What, it's like you complained to the director about me'. The same impassive face. He did not speak. There is no change in sound level. Said: 'Don't come to town; See you'.

Ten years have passed since he came to the town. The silence of the two is in effect. How long is this? 'I can do nothing but love; Even hate'. Which poet's statement is this? How many more years can we live? What more hate when the house of death is near?

One day he came to a decision. When he was returning after his morning walk, he moved the gate of the house and stepped in the yard. He raised his hand from afar and said 'Hello! Wait a minute...!' shouted. He looked back and stood looking at him. He approached him considering the possibilities of the nature of the conversation that could take place between him and him.