From Rags to Riches
By Lokanath Mishra:
Ranjan was a young man who had never excelled academically. He consistently passed his exams in the third division, and his lack of focus on his studies was matched only by his interest in pursuing relationships with girls older than him. After completing his degree, Ranjan found himself unemployed and struggling to find a job.
One day, while chatting with Ranjita, a senior from his school who was now working as a bank clerk, Ranjan received a surprising message. Ranjita, who had recently called off her engagement due to her fiancé’s infidelity, sent him a text that left Ranjan shocked: “I like your hairy chest.” Two days later, she proposed to him, but Ranjan hesitated, citing his unemployment as a reason for his inability to accept her proposal.
Ranjan’s life was marked by a series of poor decisions. One such instance was when his father, a police constable, gave him two hundred rupees to pay the electricity bill. Instead of paying the bill, Ranjan used the money to buy a lottery ticket, hoping to win a brand-new Bolero car. His father’s reaction was swift and severe, and Ranjan received a beating for his irresponsible behavior.
However, fate had other plans. The next morning, a brand-new Bolero car appeared in front of Ranjan’s house, but not because he had won the lottery. The car belonged to the electricity department, and they had come to disconnect the power line due to the unpaid bill. Ranjan’s father was furious, and Ranjan received another beating.
Despite his mistakes, Ranjan’s story took a turn when he realized the importance of responsibility and hard work. He began to focus on finding a job and improving his life. Ranjita, who had proposed to him earlier, might have seen potential in him that he hadn’t yet discovered himself. As Ranjan navigated his life’s challenges, he had to confront his own shortcomings and learn from his experiences.
Ranjan made it clear to Ranjita that he would marry her only after securing a job. However, his life took a dramatic turn when his father, fed up with his irresponsible behavior, threw him out of the house.
Determined to turn his life around, Ranjan approached Ranjita, who was working at a bank, and requested a loan with her guarantee. Ranjita, seeing potential in Ranjan’s determination, agreed to help him. With the loan, Ranjan opened a restaurant, where he not only cooked delicious food at affordable prices but also managed the counter and served customers himself with the help of a good chef.
The restaurant became a huge success, and Ranjan was able to clear his debts within a short period. Emboldened by his success, he purchased a house in a distant location at a lower price and opened another restaurant there. He continued to work hard, and soon, he took another loan to purchase a new Bolero, which he converted into a taxi.
With his financial situation stable, Ranjan finally married Ranjita in a simple temple ceremony. After the wedding, the newlyweds visited Ranjan’s parents in their Bolero, which had become a symbol of his success. Despite their past differences, Ranjan’s parents were overjoyed to see their son happy and successful, and they welcomed Ranjita with open arms.
To celebrate their union, Ranjan’s parents hosted a grand reception party, where friends, family, and community members gathered to bless the newlyweds. Ranjan and Ranjita’s love story had come full circle, with hard work, determination, and a bit of luck playing a significant role in their journey together.
