Naeem and Kailash had as much physical, mental, moral and social intimacy as two beings can have. Naeem was a tall and gigantic figure, Kailash was a tender plant in the garden. Naeem was addicted to cricket and football, walks and hunting, Kailash was addicted to reading books. Naeem was a humorous, eloquent, carefree, humor-loving, luxurious youth, he was never worried about tomorrow. School was a place of play for him and sometimes of standing on the bench. In contrast, Kailash was a solitude-loving, lazy, escaping exercise, staying away from fun and frolic, a worried, idealistic person. He was restless with the imaginations of the future. Naeem was the only son of a well-off, high-ranking official father. Kailash was one of the many sons of an ordinary businessman. He did not get enough money for books, he used to make do by begging.
For one, life was a dream of happiness and for the other, a burden of troubles. But despite so many differences, there was a close friendship and selfless pure love between them. Kailash would die, but would not have become the recipient of Naeem's grace and Naeem would die, but would not have been disrespectful to Kailash. For Naeem's sake, Kailash would sometimes enjoy the clean, pure air. The door of the throne was open for Naeem, the future was not a vast ocean. Kailash had to drink water by digging a well with his own hands, the future was a fierce battle, the mere mention of which would make his mind restless.
After leaving college, Naeem got a high post in the administration department, although he passed in the third division. Kailash had passed in the first division, but he could not find any work despite years of toiling, searching for dust and looking into wells. He was so helpless that he had to resort to his pen. He started a newspaper. One took the path of government, whose aim was money and the other took the path of service, the result of which is fame and suffering and sometimes imprisonment. No one knew Naeem outside his office, but he lived in a bungalow, went for a ride in a train, watched theatre and visited Nainital in summer. The whole world knew Kailash, but his house was a mud house, he used to ride his own feet. It was difficult to get milk for the children. He had to cut down on vegetables. The biggest fortune for Naeem was that he had only one son, but for Kailash. The biggest misfortune was his increasing number of children, which did not allow him to prosper. The two friends used to exchange letters. Sometimes they used to meet as well. Naeem used to say- Friend, you are good, you are doing some service to the country and the community. Here you have been of no use except for eating. But he had learnt this eating after many days of hard penance, and he used to look for opportunities to use it.
Kailash was well aware that this was only Naeem's modesty. He was saddened by my misfortune and wanted to console me with this method. That is why he used to try unsuccessfully to hide his real condition from him.
There was an uproar in the state of Vishnupur. The manager of the state was murdered in his bungalow in the afternoon in front of hundreds of people. Although the murderer had fled, the officials suspected that this act of murder had been staged at the instigation of Kunwar Sahib. Kunwar Sahib had not yet attained majority. The state was managed by the Court of Wards. The manager also had the responsibility of looking after Kunwar Sahib. The luxury-loving Kunwar did not like the manager's interference very much. There was a rift between the two for years. Many times, it even led to direct harsh words. Therefore, it was natural to suspect Kunwar Sahib. The district officer appointed Mirza Naeem to investigate this incident. There was a fear of insulting Kunwar Sahib if the investigation was conducted by a police officer.
Naeem got a golden opportunity to build his fortune. He was neither a renunciant nor a wise man. Everyone knew about the weaknesses in his character. If anyone did not know, then it was the officials. Kunwar Sahib got his desired wish. When Naeem arrived, he was given extraordinary respect. Gifts started pouring in, from the orderly to the peon, groom, cook, servant, everyone's mouths started watering and fists started getting wet. The constables and servants surrounded Kunwar Sahib day and night, as if the son-in-law had come to his in-laws' house.
One morning, Kunwar saheb's mother came and stood in front of Naeem with her hands folded. Naeem was lying down and smoking hookah. Seeing this radiant image of determination, restraint and widowhood, he sat up.
The queen looked at him with affectionate eyes and said- Sir, my son's life is in your hands. You are the creator of his destiny. I swear to the one whose worthy son you are, please protect my honour. I offer my body, mind and wealth at your feet.
Self-interest combined with mercy completely overpowered Naeem.
During those days Kailash came to meet Naeem. Both the friends hugged each other warmly. During their conversation, Naeem narrated the entire incident and tried to justify his actions to Kailash.
Kailash said- In my opinion sin is always sin, no matter what cover it is covered in.
Naeem- And I think that if someone's life is saved by committing a crime, then that is a good deed. Kunwar sahab is still a young man. He is very promising, intelligent, generous and kind. You will be happy if you meet him. He is very polite by nature. The manager, who was actually a man of evil nature, used to trouble Kunwar sahab for no reason. He did not even accept money for a car, nor did he recommend it. I am not saying that this act of Kunwar sahab is praiseworthy, but the debate is whether he should be proved guilty and sent to the black waters, or his life should be saved by proving him innocent. And brother, there is no secret from you, there is a bag of 20 thousand rupees. I just have to write in my report that this accident happened due to personal animosity, Raja sahab has no connection with it. I have hidden whatever evidences that could be found. The officers had a motive in appointing me for this task. Kunwar sahab is a Hindu, so instead of appointing any Hindu employee, the District Magistrate put this burden on my head. This communal opposition is enough to prove that I am selfless. On two-four occasions, I have shown favouritism towards Muslims, some at the behest of the officers and some voluntarily, due to which it has become famous that I am a staunch enemy of Hindus. Hindu people consider me the epitome of partiality. This effort is enough to save me from accusations. Tell me, am I lucky or not?
Kailash- What if the matter gets revealed?
Naeem- So this is a flaw in my understanding, a flaw in my research, and will be a shining example of an immutable rule of human nature. I am not omniscient. My intentions will not be affected. I will not be suspected of taking bribe. Do not go into its practical angle, just look at its moral angle. Is this action in accordance with ethics or not? Do not bring in spiritual principles, just discuss it from the principles of ethics.
Kailash-An inevitable consequence of this will be that other nobles will also get the encouragement to commit such misdeeds. Money can cover up even the biggest sins. You can yourself guess how terrible the consequences of spreading this idea will be.
Naeem- No, I cannot guess that. Bribery still covers up 90 percent of the charges. Still, the fear of sin is in every heart. The two friends debated on this topic for a long time, but Kailash's view on justice could not be presented in the humour and sarcasm of Naeem.
