Good People: Chapter 22: Interesting Climax

All the Chapters

Chapter 1: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-path-breaking-novel-and.html

Chapter 2: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-classic-novel-and-classic.html

Chapter 3: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-romance-with-difference.html

Chapter 4: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-unique-story.html

Chapter 5: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-contemporary-romance.html

Chapter 6: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-story-of-subtleties-of-life.html

Chapter 7: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-interestig-reading.html

Chapter 8: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-global-perspective.html

Chapter 9: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-contemporary.html

Chapter 10: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-romantic-scenarios.html

Chapter 11: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-professionally-right.html

Chapter 12: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-expanding-thinking-horizons.html

Chapter 13: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-modern-romance.html

Chapter 14: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-serious-reflections.html

Chapter 15: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-story-of-human-paradigms.html

Chapter 16: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-dilemma-and-solutions.html

Chapter 17: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-romance-and-tough-decisions.html

Chapter 18: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-tale-of-disaster-and-anxiety.html

Chapter 19: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/12/good-people-prejudices-and-conflicts.html

Chapter 20: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/12/good-people-anxiety-and-love-story.html

Chapter 21: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/12/good-people-love-triangle-jealousy-and.html

Chapter 22: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/12/good-people-interesting-climax.html

Chapter23: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2014/01/good-people-love-story.html

Chapter 24: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2014/01/good-people-finally-love-knows-no-bounds.html

Chapter 22

Next day Shaan woke up quite early in the morning and before he could set out with Kelly on the next day’s rescue operations, he went to meet Medhavi.

Kelly was already awake when Shaan woke up but kept lazing around on her mattress. 

She got curious to know what Shaan was doing. Shaan took the direction of the camp and Kelly followed him. She had an inkling that Shaan wanted to meet Medhavi. She was in love with Shaan and wished to understand the relationship between Medhavi and Shaan.

Shaan reached Medhavi’s bed and sat near her. He smiled at her, “How are you this morning, Medhavi?”

“I am good. I could not even thank you properly yesterday.”

“No formalities. Aren’t we old friends? Formalities don’t have any place between the friends.”

Medhavi felt ashamed of herself. She had tears in her eyes. She mumbled, “I am sorry Shaan. I did not understand you then. I have started understanding only recently what you used to tell me about humanity being over and above the petty things like religions and castes. How wrong I was!”

“Medhavi, it’s all right. Just relax.”

“No, I need to tell you that I was utterly stupid. I was overambitious and very jealous of you. I was a fool then.”

“Medhavi, I must not forget to tell you that your husband reached here yesterday and in the evening he came to see you. You were asleep then. We did not think it proper to wake you up. He will meet you shortly. Take a full day’s rest and then you can move with him in his hotel after consulting the doctors.” 

Kelly was standing a little away from the bed of Medhavi but out of her or Shaan’s sight. But she could hear the entire conversation that took place between Shaan and Medhavi.

Then she saw Shaan moving away from Medhavi’s bed only to turn back and reach Medhavi again. Kelly got more curious to know why Shaan wanted to meet Medhavi again.

So Kelly remained where she was positioned earlier and listened to the conversation between Shaan and Medhavi.

Shaan reached Medhavi and said, “Hey one more thing. I am curious to know why you still have my handkerchief with you?”

Medhavi smiled and replied, “Shaan, when you travelled with me to USA and dropped me at Anji’s apartment that day, I have been very angry with you all the time. On top of that I hurt myself while removing my bag from the carousel at the airport and you bandaged my wound by your handkerchief. So I was angry because of that too. In the rage of my anger I forgot to give back your handkerchief to you.”

“I wouldn’t have accepted it then because it was meant for your hurt leg.”

“Yet I wanted to be rid of everything that was associated with you. But your handkerchief remained with me. And then I don’t know what occurred to me, I could not throw it away. Not only that, over the recent months I started carrying it with me in my purse all the time. Subconsciously I always felt that your handkerchief would always protect me. I am so stupid and superstitious. But see in the end your handkerchief did save me today. It has literally given me the second life. I am so much indebted to you Shaan.” 

She further added, “I was waving the handkerchief at each and every rescue team that passed my building where I had taken the shelter but everyone ignored me. I don’t know the reason. Then I remembered that even in the last rescue operations that took place in the Indian Ocean, the rescue operators had practiced discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion and nationality. So I gave up all the hope. Death stared straight in my face every single minute. But I kept on unfurling your handkerchief to attract the attention of the rescuers. And finally your handkerchief proved so lucky for me.”

“Yes it was the handkerchief that gave me the clue that the girl holding it must be Medhavi. I had never before left any of my handkerchiefs with anyone. When I saw it through the binoculars, I saw my name woven in it. My mom did that to all of my handkerchiefs. Then I saw your face once again to confirm if you really were Medhavi.” 

“Shaan, even if you ask me that handkerchief back now, I will never ever return it to you. That’s my decision.”

Kelly was secretly listening to this conversation.

Kelly thought, “Is this girl still in love with Shaan? And what about Shaan?” 

Kelly moved from there before Shaan could reach the place where they resided. 

Then Shaan and Kelly resumed their rescue operations for the day. Shaan had no clue that Kelly had heard his conversation with Medhavi that morning.

But Shaan sensed some change in Kelly. Kelly acted every bit professional but quite detached from him at the personal level. Shaan wondered at her such behavior. Why such sudden change in her?

But they were too busy rescuing the people throughout the whole day and had no time to exchange any personal conversation.

………………….

Samskara was in constant touch with Medhavi’s parents. They arrived from India the early morning and met Samskara in his hotel room.

Samskara told them that he had met Shaan and through him he saw Medhavi in the camp. Since she was taking rest and already asleep he could not speak with her. 

Medhavi’s parents felt quite puzzled. Medhavi’s father asked, “What way Shaan comes into picture?”

“Perhaps you may be knowing Shaan because Medhavi and Shaan were classmates while studying in India. Shaan now works for a humanitarian organization of America called ‘Humanity Forum’. He along with his associate Kelly saved Medhavi’s life.”

“Did he really save Medhavi?” Surprise as well as doubt loomed large on Medhavi’s father’s face.

“Yes, it’s only because of Shaan that Medhavi is alive today.”

Hearing this Medhavi’s father looked at his wife with some meaningful gestures but Samskara did not notice it.

Samskara said, “Let us go to the rescue camp.”

Presently they were in Medhavi’s company in the camp.

Medhavi addressed to Samskara, “How do you know Shaan? You mentioned that you met him yesterday.”

“I do not know him personally but got to know his whereabouts through your diary.”

Medhavi was taken aback at this revelation. After reaching Japan she had realized that she had left her diary at home in San Diego. She was quite apprehensive about it because she wrote so many things in the diary, which she did not want Samskara to know at this stage. But she thought now that the damage was already done.

Yet she did not continue with the subject of diary in presence of her parents. But she decided that she would soon discuss with Samskara everything that was disturbing her because Samskara already knew everything after reading her diary.

Samskara was also keen on discussing Medhavi’s concerns that she wrote in her diary but not in presence of Medhavi’s parents.

(Get your copy of the novel "Good People" as an eBook from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009BHH37G  only for $ 0.99. You may also like to get its Printed Book from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Good-People-Dream-Boundary-World/dp/1479333085/ref=sr_1_8_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380916602&sr=1-8&keywords=shyam+bhatawdekar%27s+books)

Novels and Stories

Novel "Good People" http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/
Funny (and Not So Funny) Short Stories http://management-anecdotes.blogspot.com/
Stories Children Will Love http://stories-children.blogspot.com/

Good People: Chapter 13: Modern Romance

All the Chapters

Chapter 1: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-path-breaking-novel-and.html

Chapter 2: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-classic-novel-and-classic.html

Chapter 3: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-romance-with-difference.html

Chapter 4: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-unique-story.html

Chapter 5: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-contemporary-romance.html

Chapter 6: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-story-of-subtleties-of-life.html

Chapter 7: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-interestig-reading.html

Chapter 8: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-global-perspective.html

Chapter 9: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-contemporary.html

Chapter 10: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-romantic-scenarios.html

Chapter 11: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-professionally-right.html

Chapter 12: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-expanding-thinking-horizons.html

Chapter 13: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-modern-romance.html

Chapter 14: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-serious-reflections.html

Chapter 15: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-story-of-human-paradigms.html

Chapter 16: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-dilemma-and-solutions.html

Chapter 17: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-romance-and-tough-decisions.html

Chapter 18: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-tale-of-disaster-and-anxiety.html

Chapter 19: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/12/good-people-prejudices-and-conflicts.html

Chapter 20: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/12/good-people-anxiety-and-love-story.html

Chapter 21: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/12/good-people-love-triangle-jealousy-and.html

Chapter 22: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/12/good-people-interesting-climax.html

Chapter23: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2014/01/good-people-love-story.html

Chapter 24: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2014/01/good-people-finally-love-knows-no-bounds.html

Chapter 13

Over next many months Shaan and Kelly kept meeting outside their offices. Sometimes the meeting was at the school’s conference room and other times in some restaurant over a dinner.

Shaan felt convinced about the boundarylessness of ‘Humanity Forum’. He saw that the philosophy of the members of this forum matched quite well with his own one-liner guiding principle of “feel, think and do good to self and others”. 

He did not have to wait too long to decide on actively starting his association with the members of the group. He started attending every meeting and soon started taking part in its work. He gave his free dates to the group’s office when he could undertake group’s projects.

He easily won the trust and confidence of rest of the group members of ‘Humanity Forum’ in no time.

Soon Shaan wrote to his parents in India about his professional activities as well as his association with ‘Humanity Forum’. 

He also wrote about Kelly, “Mom and dad, I met this girl Kelly. She is interesting in many ways. She is very intelligent, highly educated- a PhD, carries a thinking head on her shoulders and I find her very beautiful. Works as an executive in the world-best software company ‘Super Soft’. A black single mother named Christie brought her up; later adopted by a couple. A white guy, Kelly’s father had ditched Christie in marriage. Now Kelly’s legal mom is a Chinese and the legal father a Hindu. Christie died of cancer after handing over Kelly- then a teenager- to her office colleagues and friends Yin and Arun. Don’t you think hers is a beautiful profile?”

Yusuf and Alice read Shaan’s email with lots of interest and replied promptly, “Hey Shaan, a perfect wifely material, we suppose?”

Yusuf and Alice keenly looked forward to Shaan’s reply.

Shaan wrote back promptly, “Come on mom and dad, no kidding please. I am just not ready.”

Yusuf and Alice did not pursue it further.

Around this time Kelly was telling her parents about Shaan much more than what little they knew about him so far. She described, “I did not know Shaan’s personal and family background till recently. My company policy does not allow us to probe into such details of any individual we hire. Over a period of time we have become good friends and yesterday while we were having dinner together, on my asking him he told me a lot about himself.” Then she paused for a minute or so to assess her parents’ interest in listening about Shaan. 

Kelly’s parents looked at each other with meaningful glances and encouraged her to pour out more info about Shaan, “Please go ahead, we are listening.”

“Mom and dad. He was born a Hindu orphan. Then a couple, man Muslim and female Christian adopted him. Theirs was a love marriage. They could not assign any religion to Shaan because of their perennial indecision on this issue. Shaan grew up an adult while the parents were still indecisive. Finally they suggested him to adopt Hindu religion as the orphanage had certified him to be a Hindu. But Shaan saw the futility of affiliating himself with any organized religion and lives like a free but utterly responsible bird. Highly educated. Highly intelligent. A great thinker and doer. A doer because he runs his own IT company from USA and India. How’s that?”

Kelly seemed keen to learn Yin’s and Arun’s response.

Yin and Arun exclaimed almost simultaneously, “An impressive guy, Kelly. Not a bad husband material I suppose. We must see you getting married to a right boy- that was one of Christie’s last wishes too.”

Kelly blushed but spoke decisively, “No ways, I am not marrying anyone. Mom had suffered a lot attaching herself to a man.”

Arun and Yin did not pursue the matter.

Next time soon when Kelly and Shaan met each other their respective parents’ recent comments loomed large on their minds. It showed in their behavior pattern to some minor extent though not very alarmingly.

Just for the sake of maintaining some conversation, Shaan said, “You had told me that the Porche belonged to your mom, you mean Yin?”

“No, not Yin, my real mom, Christie. She was very fond of stylish things. So she settled on this cute little car and its color. She was quite choosy in selecting her dresses too.”

“I can see that her daughter has picked up those qualities.”

Kelly felt flattered at Shaan’s comment. She thought she was willing to fish many more such comments from Shaan.

“You are right. I like wearing all kinds of beautiful and sophisticated dresses provided they are decent.  And Shaan you too dress up pretty impressively.”

“I think we are turning into a mutual appreciation society.”

“More crudely put- you scratch my back and I scratch yours. What?”  

And they laughed uproariously at the same time. The conversation was lighter with overtones of softness, delicacy and innocent humor. That day they enjoyed each other’s company much more than they did earlier.

Their life continued this way. Yet, they remained focused and busy mainly with their professional work.

Some three years went by.

(Get your copy of the novel "Good People" as an eBook from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009BHH37G  only for $ 0.99. You may also like to get its Printed Book from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Good-People-Dream-Boundary-World/dp/1479333085/ref=sr_1_8_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380916602&sr=1-8&keywords=shyam+bhatawdekar%27s+books)

Novels and Stories

Novel "Good People" http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/
Funny (and Not So Funny) Short Stories http://management-anecdotes.blogspot.com/
Stories Children Will Love http://stories-children.blogspot.com/

Good People: Chapter 12: Expanding Thinking Horizons

All the Chapters

Chapter 1: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-path-breaking-novel-and.html

Chapter 2: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-classic-novel-and-classic.html

Chapter 3: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-romance-with-difference.html

Chapter 4: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-unique-story.html

Chapter 5: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-contemporary-romance.html

Chapter 6: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-story-of-subtleties-of-life.html

Chapter 7: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-interestig-reading.html

Chapter 8: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-global-perspective.html

Chapter 9: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-contemporary.html

Chapter 10: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-romantic-scenarios.html

Chapter 11: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-professionally-right.html

Chapter 12: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-expanding-thinking-horizons.html

Chapter 13: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/10/good-people-modern-romance.html

Chapter 14: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-serious-reflections.html

Chapter 15: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-story-of-human-paradigms.html

Chapter 16: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-dilemma-and-solutions.html

Chapter 17: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-romance-and-tough-decisions.html

Chapter 18: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/11/good-people-tale-of-disaster-and-anxiety.html

Chapter 19: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/12/good-people-prejudices-and-conflicts.html

Chapter 20: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/12/good-people-anxiety-and-love-story.html

Chapter 21: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/12/good-people-love-triangle-jealousy-and.html

Chapter 22: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2013/12/good-people-interesting-climax.html

Chapter23: http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2014/01/good-people-love-story.html

Chapter 24: https://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/2014/01/good-people-finally-love-knows-no-bounds.html

Chapter 12

Shaan eagerly waited for Kelly. Lately he had been thinking about her a lot. He wondered why? He answered to self, “Perhaps because she is an independent thinker. Perhaps because she is very beautiful. Perhaps because of both.”

While he was engrossed in such thoughts, Kelly entered his apartment; the door to his apartment was open. Kelly presumed it was because he was expecting her. 

Shaan was so much immersed in thinking about her; he did not notice her arrival. Kelly felt amused at his concentration on something that she was not aware of. She smiled and got curious to know of Shaan’s inner thoughts.

After waiting for a while she coughed delicately to attract his attention. He was startled. He blurted out, “Hey there. I am sorry I did not notice you. Please come on in.”

“No. I won’t come in. Let us get going or else we will be late. And why were you so much lost that you did not notice a beautiful girl? Did I disturb you in the middle of something very important?”

“Oh, nothing really. Not at all,” He replied awkwardly. He dismissed further conversation on this topic. He exhibited a bit of shyness. It did not escape Kelly’s observation of him.

As they sat in Kelly’s red colored Porsche, Kelly said, “Shaan, let me fill you in with stuff about the group we will be meeting today. We call the group as ‘Humanity Forum’.”

“OK, go ahead. You own a brilliant car.”

“Oh, it’s my mom’s. Thanks anyways. Let me now tell you about this group called ‘Humanity Forum’. Right now it’s a group of some 45 odd people in San Jose. The group got evolved gradually over past five to six years. They are a youngish set. These guys are highly open-minded, intelligent and active. They are proponents of very high human values. We are totally boundary less group; we do not draw any kind of boundaries between the human beings. Guys and girls from various professionals and religious backgrounds have come together in this group. So we have engineers, doctors, scientists, professors, business executives, lawyers, politicians and so on. And we have atheists, agnostics, Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Sikhs and the religion-less. We have whites, blacks, yellows, browns and all kinds of mixed or other conceivable colors. We have people who originally belonged to different nations. Their mother tongues are different from each other. In short everyone is welcome provided he or she is a humanist with large mind and heart, can question every established thing, is flexible and willing to change for better, provided he or she thinks, feels and does good for self and others and provided he is a genuine human being.”

“Coming from such diverse backgrounds of different nationalities, races, colors, religions, faiths, beliefs, languages and professions, do they really see eye to eye with each other? Or do they always end up in agreeing to disagree? What really makes your group tick?”

“You are right. Basically each one is unique.” 

“That’s my exact point. In order to execute any idea, first people must come to a common ground. This kind of uniqueness can be a serious impediment in consensus building.”

“The uniqueness brings in lots of scenarios and alternatives. But with clarity and unity of our objectives, with openness of mind, flexibility and transparency, process of consensus building becomes quite smooth. People are aware of incompleteness, inadequacies and deficiencies of their cultural, ethnic and religious learnings and so they pick up the best from everywhere and everyone in order to arrive at a common platform. They invariably subordinate the incomplete, inaccurate, deficient, inadequate and often misinterpreted commandments and dogmas of their cultures and religions in favor of one single thing that binds them together which is ‘humanity’. Everything gets focused towards ‘humanity’ ultimately.”

“Interesting. But do you really find species of this nature- it’s a tall order. You seem to be aiming at zero hatred-100% love affair. It is rather extremely difficult proposition.” Shaan interjected.

“You are right. Not many people in the world will come forward and meet these credentials as of the current times. That’s the reason over five to six years we are just about 45 people in the group. But the people are changing for better though painfully sluggishly. But there is still hope.”

“Yes, I can see that.”

“Hope the world and its people will change one day and large numbers of people will carry forward the work we have started with still better spirit than we have inculcated.”

“I hope for the same.”

“So are you game to meet them?”

“Definitely. I look forward to meet them.”

By this time they reached a school’s premises.

Kelly informed Shaan, “We hire the school’s conference room for our periodic meetings. We meet once a month for an hour ordinarily. The group chose this conference room for three main reasons; first it was conveniently located, second it had a round table and third the hiring charges are absolutely low.”

She further added, “All of us sit around this round table. The advantage of a round table is that there is no one called the head of the table in the seating arrangement of a round table. All the people sitting around it get a level field to play.”

Kelly and Shaan met a group of some forty people in the school’s conference room.

All of them gave an impression of people with substance.

As they settled down, Kelly introduced Shaan to everyone in the group. Everyone welcomed him. Kelly addressed, “Shaan will reside in San Jose for quite some time now. I thought of bringing him here as my guest today. He needed some fellowship, as the poor guy was having no friends as yet. If he likes our group he is most welcome to join us as its permanent fixture. We can now start our tete-a-tete.” 

Then the members of the group started sharing their experiences of past one month with each other. Each time a member spoke, Kelly gave his or her racial, religious, educational, professional and family background and country of origin to Shaan.

One of the members reported, “Our finances are in pretty healthy status now. Chairman of Kelly’s company is convinced that our work is benefiting the humanity on the whole and agreed to significantly enhance the allocation of funds to us from his company’s welfare foundation. I met him recently and thanked him for his generosity. I wish USA and the rest of the world had more companies like ‘Super soft Technologies’.”

On hearing this Kelly’s respect for her company shot up. Till now she was impressed with her company’s technological and business acumen. Now she could also see the human and ethical side of the company. She wished how nice it would be if more companies came forward.

A lady from the group took her turn and spoke, “Let me share my experience. Recently the justice department rang our group’s office. Before deciding on a divorce case the judge thought it wise to counsel the family by taking our assistance. The judge was aware of the existence of ‘Humanity Forum’. I took up this task and met the family consisting of husband, wife and their six-year-old child. It’s an inter-religion love marriage. Wife a Hindu and father a Muslim.”

She continued, “In the recent years the husband and the wife started fighting severely over the upbringing of their son. One issue among many was should he eat the food that is restricted in Hindu and Muslim religions. The boy goes to the school and has learnt to eat all kinds of food including all types of meat in the company of his various friends who come from different religious background. Both the parents feel offended when the boy eats the food restricted by their respective religions. The boy is happy eating every conceivable foodstuff. Wife blames husband and husband blames wife for not controlling the child’s affairs that are not in conformance with their individual religions. There are many such other issues too. I am counseling the parents. They see our points of views on these issues. I am in process of counseling. I am hopeful.” 

Another member of the group spoke about a rescue operation he along with three of other members of the group carried out. He narrated, “All of you know about the recent fire where we rescued all the residents of some forty five condos.  The residents were primarily low-income people with mixed racial and religious profile. No help came from any religious, social or governmental organizations since the residents did not have much influence over the concerned officials. We have arranged for their make shift shelter. We are also providing the food. Under our guidance the residents have pooled up some money to tide over the current crisis. We are in touch with the insurance company and soon the funds will come in to start the re-construction work.” 

Another member said, “Two of us went to Seattle the other weekend. We assisted our Seattle group in their new project of providing medical help to those who were denied medicare cover by their employer companies. We are also in discussion with the insurance companies in this matter.”

Kelly gave some information to Shaan about the formation of such groups in the other cities of USA, “We were the forerunners in forming such a group in San Jose. Then some of our members spread the word to their like-minded friends in some other cities. Some people in the other cities on their own also took clue from us and initiated the work on our pattern. Now such groups have been formed in seven cities of USA whose objective is to work for humanity irrespective of race, religion, cast, creed, color, social or economic status.”

Shaan asked, “Do all the seven groups network with each other and work together?”

“The groups have earmarked the territories for their independent operations. Normally they work within their territories. However, on larger projects or international projects we pool up and work together. The groups have an effective and efficient communication link.” 

“How do you manage your time? The group members must be full time professionals. How do they take leave from their jobs? It must be difficult.”

“In each group three to four members are core members who are full time workers of the group. They get their salaries from the group. Others like me use part of our holidays and vacation when we work for the group. We notify these dates to the group and the group calls on us on these dates as per the requirements.” 

Some more members shared their experiences with the rest of the group.

One important point that was shared pertained to several incidents of coercive conversion of religions of people. In couple of nations the radicals amongst the majority religion people were forcing the minority religion people to change their religion. The governments of these countries were turning a blind eye to these incidents. ‘Humanity Forum’ was planning to tackle this issue soon as every person on the earth has a right to choose and follow his religion, faith and beliefs within the constitutional provisions of the countries. The forced conversions from one religion to other religion should be totally stopped everywhere in the world.

After about an hour, the meeting concluded. Everyone shook hands and dispersed.

Shaan and Kelly sat in Kelly’s car and they drove towards Shaan’s apartment. Shaan objected to it, “Kelly, let us to go to some decent restaurant instead. I do not wish to cook and I need some company for my dinner. Can I request you to be my company?”

This was the first time Shaan made such a request to Kelly.

Shelly was generous, she said, “I have no problem. I haven’t eaten out for quite some time. So I accept your invitation. Let me inform my mom and dad.”

Kelly called home from her cell. “Hey dad, how come you have mom’s cell?” 

“She is in the kitchen. Her cell was lying here in the living room as usual. I will give it to her. Hang on.”

“Dad, listen. Don’t wait for me for the dinner. I will eat out. Now give to mom.”

Then she heard daddy saying, “Yin, Kelly wants to speak with you.” 

As she heard a “hi” from her mother, she spoke, “You remember I had mentioned to you a guy….”

“Shaan?”

“Yes. He has invited me to join him for dinner. We are eating at ‘Greens’. So see you after dinner. Don’t wait for me. And you and dad should eat in time. Bye.” 

Kelly loved her legal parents immensely as much as she had loved her real mom Christie. 

“Enjoy yourself.”

“Thanks, Yin. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Kelly turned towards Shaan and chirped, “Come on, let us go.”

Shaan was pleased.

(Get your copy of the novel "Good People" as an eBook from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009BHH37G  only for $ 0.99. You may also like to get its Printed Book from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Good-People-Dream-Boundary-World/dp/1479333085/ref=sr_1_8_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380916602&sr=1-8&keywords=shyam+bhatawdekar%27s+books)

Novels and Stories

Novel "Good People" http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/
Funny (and Not So Funny) Short Stories http://management-anecdotes.blogspot.com/
Stories Children Will Love http://stories-children.blogspot.com/