A friend in need is a friend indeed ??
A story by Gaurav Gopal Naik
The Morterone is a remote town in
Lombardy, which is about 50 kms from Milan. Franco Sgarbi and Mario De Luca
have studied together right from their kindergarten. Mario was the only child
of his parents so it was very much obvious that he was pampered too much,
whereas Franco’s father was expired when he was just 2 years old. After their
higher secondary studies Franco and Mario decided to go to the University of Milan for
higher studies.
Since Mario was residing in
Monterone which was far from Milan, it was cumbersome for him to make up-and
-down journey, whereas Franco had his ancestral house in Milan itself so he was
staying with his mom in an old house. Later-on on Franco’s request Mario begin
to stay with them at Milan. Franco’s mother; Mrs. Sgarbi never discriminated
between Franco & Mario but she always treated Mario as her own child.
Whenever Mario used to fall ill, she used to stay awake whole night and take
care of him.
Eventually, after their graduation,
both got a heavy-paid salaried job in an IT firm; Franco got a job in Milan
itself whereas Mario got a job in Rome. One fine day, Mario got a call from
Franco,
“Hey fratello! How are you?
Congrats on your achievement of crossing the target of 50M Euros. Mom is proud
of both of us. Well, when are you coming back to Monterone? Actually, mom is
distressed from Beta thalassemia and she wants to see you desperately
beforehand something happens to her. So, I was saying… see if you can visit us
this weekend…” Franco said with a deep voice.
“That’s so sad Bruh. She will get
well soon. Don’t worry. Actually, you know this weekend clients from USA are
coming and I am a team leader so I won’t be able to make it this time. I'll see
you in the next week. Take care of Mom. Bye. I’ll call you later….’’ And Mario
cut the call.
Though the days were passing by,
the illness of Mrs. Sgarbi was worsening day by day. After almost four weeks
Franco thought of calling Mario again.
“Hi brother. I hope you are doing
great. As I had told you earlier about Mom’s condition, it is becoming arduous
for her to cope up. As a part of her treatment, she initially is in need of one
unit of AB- blood and among those whom I know you are the one with the same
blood group. So, can you please come tomorrow at Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
by 12.00 noon. Its urgent.. Please..”
Mario said while wiping off his tears.
“Oh god. I am sorry Man. You know
my boss has given me this target and I need to achieve them by this week. I
hope you will understand. You know about my dreams…. my goals of life… I’ll see
If I can arrange something… Till then take care. Gotta go.. Bye’’. And like
last time the call was discontinued.
Months passed by. One fine day
while Franco was vacuuming his mother’s room, he received an SMS from Mario. It
reads:
‘Hey! Your brother made it. I am
being nominated as the best Employer of the year and that too with extra
target. Tomorrow is our ceremony. Please come with mom at the address given
below at 18.00- Hotel 87 eighty-seven stars, Via del Tritone, 87, 00187.’
On the day of the ceremony, Mario
was glad to see Franco. He exclaimed:
“Hey fratello. Look! This is the
place I always wanted to be. Where is Mom?’’
Franco couldn’t control his
emotions and may be that was his weakness. Tears rolled down.
“Why are you crying bro? What?’’
“Congrats on your achievements. Mom
would have been proud of you, but she is no more. She would have been alive if
that day you had come for blood transfusions. That day itself, fortunately you
lost me as your brother, but unfortunately I lost my mother. Dreams, goals,
ambitions are nothing if you don’t have someone to celebrate it truly. It’s
good to run after ambitions, goals but not at the cost of family, friends and
especially those people who loves you selflessly. The people
who are now celebrating with you may not be with you once you become
non-profitable to them. Care and love people who think of you, who care about
you. Anyways, I wish you all the best for your future. Call me whenever you
need me. I'll be always be there for you.’’
000
