Sonder (Refined)
Sonder
Some things just happen, and all we're left with are memories, not morals! Even if you try to find a lesson, you might not find one. And how can you find it? When someone's different, just by blood? If someone's stubborn, nobody can control them. They'll be lonely for life. They fight alone, and they suffer alone. Even others suffer because of them sometimes, but they won't give up. If they don't care about their own life, why would they care about others' lives!
Characters:
Ram: A simple middle-class man. Stubborn and brave (lead)
Sita: Ram's wife, self-reliant, a homemaker (2nd lead)
Raghav: Smart, handsome, heroic, richer than his brother Ram (3rd lead)
Head Clerk: Strict (very short)
Ram Kishan: Investment Agent (short)
Boss: Jealous of Ram, dishonest. Dresses well but pretends to be strict and honest.
Narrator/Director: Simple, helpful. A friend of Ram. (short)
Kid: Short (no dialogue)
Narration:
Among the two brothers, I knew Ram well. Later, we became friends. We shared joys and sorrows, and I had to play a role from Sita's side when it came to meeting Raghav, Ram's elder brother. When I went to meet him, something unexpected happened. A shoe thrown at a statue of Ganesh hit me instead. But let's rewind and start from the beginning, so you won't get confused.
Scene 1:
First, there's Ram, a government office worker for ten years. Ten years is a long time. If you count days, it's more than 3000. You might say people work for 30 years, and that's true. But Ram had a special quality; he never took a single day off in ten years and was never late. But one day, he broke his streak, just by ten minutes, and that's when it all began.
Flashback:
22:44
Scene 2:
After spotting the red mark under his name, Ram said, "Get rid of that red mark!"
June 1, 2017, 12:40 PM
Head Clerk: "That can't be done."
Ram: "Don't lecture me about office rules. You know my record for the past ten years!"
Head Clerk: "I know, but being late today means being late. That won't change."
Ram: "Rules have exceptions."
Head Clerk: "Get the boss's signature first, then we'll see."
Ram had faith in his boss. He had saved the boss's image several times in the past ten years. He was confident the boss would keep his word. But things weren't that simple. Ram never showed arrogance to keep his boss in good spirits. He never disrespected him or sat in front of him. But the boss, despite needing Ram's help, resented it. He was upset about relying on Ram.
Scene 3:
June 20, 2017, 4:49 PM
When Ram brought his complaint to the boss, the boss said, "Why are you making a big deal out of this? It's just one late mark."
Ram: "That's not the issue; there shouldn't be any late marks. I can't stand seeing that red mark next to my name."
Boss: "But you were late, right?"
Ram: "For the first time in ten years."
Boss: "That's enough."
Ram: "I'll have to take this further."
Boss: "Go ahead."
[These two words ended the conversation, and Ram left.]
Scene 4:
[He filed a complaint. Ram stated he wouldn't work until he got a favorable result.]
Things heated up, and it took a wrong turn.
Scene 5:
One day, Ram started a hunger strike outside the office, under a tree!
Things escalated quickly. People were shocked to see Ram on their way. They had mixed opinions. Many wanted the boss and Head Clerk punished. Ram had many supporters, but some thought he was being stubborn.
As days passed, Ram's condition worsened. On the 11th day, his wife brought their child to see him. She pleaded, "At least look at him, please!"
June 18:
And at this moment, I entered the story! I went there out of curiosity, and Ram's wife mistook me for someone from his office. She shared their situation, and I decided to help as much as I could.
June 21, 2017, 10:34 AM
I met various officers and Ram's boss at the office. Ram's papers were moving around, and I followed them. I received bribes in some places, and on the 18th day, Ram was critical and admitted to the hospital!
If Ram apologized, the boss would close the case. Ram refused!
One day, Ram's wife gave me Raghav's address—the one who conquered the film industry. Raghav lived in a heroine's house.
In that house, four Alsatian dogs greeted me. Guards controlled them. I stood at the gate until permitted inside!
Raghav sat on the lawn, looking smart. He wore traditional attire carelessly. I observed his royal demeanor. He called me over.
-I hesitated to step on the grass. Then Raghav said, "Let's sit on the veranda."
-As we walked, we heard a voice calling 'Tommy'. I thought a dog would come, but instead, Ram showed up with shoes and shoe-polishing gear.
-I was surprised. I asked for his name again. Laughing, he said, "I'm the one. But the owner calls me Tommy."
-"But-" I didn't know what to say.
"Right. Tommy's a dog's name. But when she calls Tommy, I have to go," he explained.
June 30, 2017, 1:13 PM
-As Raghav spoke, two pairs of shoes flew out the door. One hit Raghav, the other hit me! I got annoyed. Raghav muttered, "I forgot one pair inside."
He ran back in!
I was unsure how to proceed. When Raghav returned, I explained Ram's situation and expected him to help. Then Raghav said,
"Friend, forgive me! I can't manage money. I don't get paid here," he said while polishing shoes.
"You work here for free?" I exclaimed.
Seeing his dishonorable behavior, I was shocked and angry. Ram and Raghav seemed like opposites.
But suddenly, Raghav replied dramatically, "My bro, listen to the story!"
"Everything has its value. Do you know how much I'll earn? Look, in six more years, I'll make a minimum of 20 million."
[He showed me a yellow paper. He whispered, "My landlord won't work for less than 10 million per movie. She has contracts for 12 movies. She said, 'Tommy, when you become a producer, I'll work for free.' She wrote it here. Got it, friend? I'm waiting for that day."
-Raghav carefully put the paper away and resumed polishing.
I was momentarily stunned!
That calculation was beyond me. How could someone working for free, living like a dog, become
a big producer?
At that moment, a gentleman approached them. Seeing him, Raghav stopped polishing. He took out his checkbook and pen, saying, "Ramkishan, today I'm giving you 20,000 Rs!"
Ramkishan took the cheque. He said, "Now I'm investing. Let's see what happens. Today she calls me Tommy, but when I become a producer, I'll call her Tommy! I've made 10 million in the last 8 years. In six more years, I'll be a producer." And that woman will work in my movies for free!
-I couldn't believe it. I asked, "How do you make money?"
"I take a commission. I get 5% on every contract. But keep it a secret!"
"Okay, what should I tell Sita Bhabhi?"
"Tell her to wait six years. I'll gift her a big castle!"
-[I left.]
-After fasting for 25 days, Ram died. He didn't sign any papers or authorize anyone. "Did they remove the late mark?" was his only concern.
Ram died, and the next day, orders came forgiving the officers. Ram's boss was suspended for mishandling the case!
Six years later, [Raghav stood in front of Sita Bhabhi's house. He knocked, and Sita answered.]
"Sita, take this." [Raghav opened a suitcase filled with money.]
He said, "I lost hope. I wanted to make movies with her. But she has no market value. She'll work for free, but no one wants to see her. My whole life was a mistake. I lived like a dog when I was young. Tommy, Tommy, Tommy-" he trailed off.
Sita stepped forward and said, "Raghav, wait! TAKE THAT BAG. WE DON'T WANT THAT POISON IN OUR HOME. IF I HAD RECEIVED EVEN ONE OF THESE NOTES SIX YEARS AGO, IT WOULD'VE BEEN WORTH MORE THAN A MILLION TO US. WE NEEDED IT THEN BECAUSE WE WERE AFRAID OF POVERTY LIKE HUMANS ARE GENERALLY AFRAID OF DEATH BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T FACED IT YET. BUT WHEN YOU ACTUALLY FACE IT YOU FIND A WAY TO CO-EXIST WITH POVERTY AND YOUR FEAR VANISHES DAY BY DAY. MONEY THAT COMES WHEN WE DON'T NEED IT IS LIKE A POISON. WE'VE LEARNED TO LIVE IN POVERTY. SO, TAKE THAT BAG AND GO. NOW, GETTING HELP FROM SOMEONE FEELS LIKE A BURDEN."
[Without taking the bag, Raghav left. As he walked away, Sita threw the bag. He crossed the bag without touching it and continued walking.]
[Finally, I was left with the bag. I don't know what happened to Raghav. Sita lives a simple life. I visit them often and bring gifts, as I owe them millions.]
"Why is it like that?"
[I chose to remain silent because some questions don't have answers or morals!]
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