Mr. Murli Mathur was promoted from assistant manager to Manager. It was the happiest day of his life as well as the saddest. The promotion was coupled with a transfer to other metropolitan city. Murli was born and brought up in Bombay (now known as Mumbai). He was well versed with the city life here rather than any place else. But this transfer was the necessity to be fulfilled to climb up the corporate ladder. He had been selected as the best amongst the 12 candidates from the internal assessment. So he did not want to let go of his chance. He was only a Diploma holder and so he was sure he would have to prove his strength in front of the Degree Engineers. He took up the challenge even though he had to stay in the other city (Delhi Capita of India) for two years.
The news of his transfer had elicited a better response from her wife Rekha. Her husband at the age of 46 was getting this opportunity. Most of her friend's husband had already become General Managers. So the news of his promotion was really exciting and Delhi was the most happening city lately. But then Murli calmly told her,
"Rekha, there is one more catch. I have to stay in Delhi alone for two years. They want me to prove that I can handle extreme conditions without family support. They were saying that if I clear this two years with good performance, they would permanently transfer me to U.S. with all of you together."
Rekha was on verge of tears. Never in the marriage of 24 years had she been separated from Murli for more than two months. The period of two years would be very big. Rekha thought for a while and said,
"Hey, why don't we take a home over there. You could stay with us after your work."
Murli said,
"The company wants me to stay on the premises 24 hours. This is a very prestigious project for the company. If I am not committed like all other team members I might as well lose my promotion and all the future benefits. No, you have to stay here and see to that our son Karan completes his education and gets the necessary support. Also Delhi is not far. I was promised a leave of two months in this two years. In those two months period, I would come back."
Rekha was not sure how she would be without Murli. Rekha at the age of 43 was good looking but Murli had always been career oriented. Rekha had come to understanding that to stay at a higher status in society, money was the only consideration. She decided that it was no use discussing this issue any further. She finally fell silent.
When Karan heard this news, the nineteen year old brat was overjoyed. Having just being major with voting rights, he was so excited at this only he knew. His father was a strict person by nature. But with him gone, he would be able to do lot many things without fear. Karan made a sad face on the day of his father's departure. Her mother Rekha was crying at this separation. But finally the deed was done. Murli left for Delhi in the train from Mumbai Central station. Karan was a free bird. The first year engineering student as soon as he reached the home took permission from her mother to go to his friend's place to study. Being dejected, Rekha agreed.
Karan met with Prahlad. He was his best friend. He told Prahlad,
"Prahlad, you remember that day you had shown me that Playboy magazine. Can I borrow for a few days?"
Prahlad said,
"Oh! I just gave it to my other friend. But wait for a week, my friend is planning to buy a good porn mag after he gets his pocket money. He would share with me, I will share it to you."