From Hunk to Monk

Sitting on the wrought-iron bench, watching the pearly waves slowly kissing the shores Milky suddenly glanced on a bunch of children playing football. They all looked so happy, engrossed, excited, care free and ignorant of the worries of everyday life. For them life was a game and game life. One of the kids though reminded her of somebody whom she chanced to meet some time back. This boy had the same twinkle in his eyes, naughty smile, intelligent forehead and strong arms. Milky called him and asked his name. He replied, “Paurus!” with the same commanding husky voice. That brought an immediate smile to her face. Reason being their names too were the same. She got up from the bench as it was nearing dark and sauntered along the beach towards her home.

Deliberately she took a longer route to her nest. This little boy brought back certain sweet memories in a flash. She saw herself in a cabin of a corporate. A Review meeting was scheduled. This was her first day in workplace after a long leave. As everyone was seated the CEO introduced them to one of the new members in the team. Tall, dark, bespectacled Hunk. “He is Paurus. Joining us from today.” Since the first meet Paurus looked different. What it was she could not immediately gauge. With time they all got to know a lot of ‘things’ about him. Some work related other related to his juicy personal life. There was no doubt what so ever that he was a hard worker, a complete workaholic. He showed tremendous outcomes within a short span. But as no one is perfect he too had his flaws. Short tempered, yes that was his biggest weakness. He got angry at small things, shouted at his subordinates for delays and soon earned himself the title of ‘Steamy Pot.’

Some envious ones whispered about his personal life as well. Some said he had a fetish for women, others said it was wine and still others claimed it was wine, women and wealth, the 3 important Ws (weaknesses) of life. The jealous tongues were wagging and elevating the already famous hunk almost to a stature of a celebrity. Milky had absolutely no idea about the mysterious Sphinx.

Soon life threw her right in front of him. They were both to work on the same project. Her well wishers warned her about him. Milky was more than cautious lest He took advantage. As expected he flirted on the very first day. She mused, “The Demi-God doesn't want to waste a day!” As time elapsed she was completely awestruck with his methodological ways. His control over subordinates, his intelligence, his ability to think beyond the normal, urge to innovate, change and re-engineer  He was all this and much more. Above all he inspired his peers to give their best. He not only asked them what to do but showed them how to do. He would often say, “Gems cannot be polished without friction.”  Milky realized that this man was much more than what he revealed to the world. What people talked about him was not all truth. She grew curious about him; something told her she knew him already. But time and again events proved her wrong. She would hear something cheesy about him every now and then. Sometimes it was about wealth, sometimes women. Wine did not trouble her much!

As the project progressed so did their friendship. Yes, they had groomed into the best of buddies. They shared everything; from favourite movie stars to food to stress to spirituality to teasing each other. They were comfortable in each other’s company. Now even wealth and women did not trouble her. They were friends for a life time. What Milky did not know was there was something troubling Paurus. This was devouring him slowly and gradually. He often complained about stress and being dirty. One day Paurus disappeared! There were no messages, no phone calls. He was probably giving himself time to realize the Truth.

Paurus did return but in a new Avatar! Head shaven, beard and more calm and composed. The twinkle in his eyes was replaced with Buddha-like serenity. The naughty smile was overtaken by Monk-like visage. Paurus had metamorphosed into a Hermit! He said once, “Every saint has a past and every sinner future.” This time again he had like a true leader not only asked what to do but showed to the world how to do! He never met her again after that; stopped even being friends with her. All this while she boasted of her own spirituality to him but this sinner showed her how stunted she was to him even when it came to spirituality.  The Hunk had transformed into a Monk. Detachment, work, meditation, aloofness, focus and goodness now epitomized him. She was happy for the Monk although she missed the Hunk. They were separated in the physical plane but were united in the spiritual realm. They never acknowledged it explicitly but the ‘Connect’ once established remained even stronger. She made last ditch efforts to stay beside her friend but the Monk had discovered the goal of his life. She was hurt deep down for losing a friend but happy that the friend was triumphant in finding himself. He had covered the journey of a life time in a short span, “From Hunk to Monk.”