Ratan had always been known for his temper, but the scene at the office that day was unlike anything anyone had witnessed before.
It started when Mr. Dokania, his boss, called him into the cabin to discuss a missed project deadline. The conversation began normally enough, but something in Ratan snapped as Mr. Dokania, in his usual calm tone, said, “Ratan, we need to discuss your recent work. The deadlines are slipping, and we can’t afford that.”
Ratan’s anger bubbled to the surface. “Oh, so it’s all my fault now?” he shouted, rising from his chair. “You’ve been waiting for this, haven’t you? You’ve always looked down on me, treated me like a nobody!”
Mr. Dokania, taken aback, tried to keep things calm. “Ratan, no one’s blaming—”
“Don’t act innocent!” Ratan cut him off, his voice shaking with rage. “You’ve made my life hell here. Always picking on me! You think you’re some big shot, but you’re nothing without this position!” Ratan’s words echoed through the office, and by the time he stormed out, slamming the door behind him, everyone had heard.
The news spread fast. Colleagues whispered, neighbors avoided him, and within a few days, Ratan found himself completely isolated. He sat in his small apartment, angry and alone.
A few evenings later, Madhuri, an old friend, showed up at his door. She had heard about the incident. “Ratan,” she began gently, “can we talk?”
Ratan barely glanced at her, his voice sharp. “Why? So you can lecture me like everyone else?”
“No, I’m just worried about you.”
“Worried?” Ratan scoffed, glaring at her. “You’ve always looked at me with pity, haven’t you? You’ve never been there when it actually mattered, and now you’re here to feel better about yourself by pretending to care.”
Madhuri took a deep breath, her face calm. “Ratan, I know you’re angry. You have every right to be. But I’m not here to judge you. I’m your friend, and I care about what you’re going through.”
Ratan’s bitterness flared. “Friend? You’ve got your perfect life. You don’t know what it’s like to struggle, to be mocked. Don’t act like you understand.”
Madhuri’s voice softened, her eyes filled with compassion. “You’re right, Ratan. I haven’t lived your life. But I’ve seen how much pain you carry. I’m not here to fix you or tell you what to do. I’m here to listen.”
Ratan’s shoulders slumped, the fight draining out of him. “What’s the point, Madhuri? I’ve ruined everything.”
Madhuri leaned in slightly. “It’s not over, Ratan. You’re more than your mistakes. You’ve been fighting alone for so long, but you don’t have to. We’ll take it step by step.”
Ratan looked at her, the anger in his chest softening for the first time. He didn’t have the strength to argue anymore. “What if I fail again?”
“You might,” Madhuri said, her voice steady. “But I’ll still be here. And you’ll keep trying.”
—
In the weeks that followed, Ratan slowly started to change. He apologized to Mr. Dokania, reached out to colleagues, and began repairing the damage. It wasn’t easy. He stumbled, slipped back into old habits at times, but Madhuri’s constant support kept him on track.
People noticed the change. They no longer avoided him. Some even began to respect him for his efforts. Ratan wasn’t perfect, but he was different—a man trying to make amends, learning to control the anger that once controlled him.
Months later, he met Madhuri at a local café. The gratitude he felt was overwhelming, but his words were simple. “Madhuri, thank you for not giving up on me.”
Madhuri smiled. “You’re the one who did all the hard work, Ratan. I just reminded you that you could.”
Ratan nodded. “Still, I wouldn’t have made it without you. Thank you.”
Madhuri gently touched his hand. “You were always worth it, Ratan. Now, you just have to believe it too.”
And this time, Ratan truly did.