The Majestic One

 “I belong to the people I love, and they belong to me--they, and the love and loyaty I give them, form my identity far more than any word or group ever could.” ― Veronica Roth,

Meera walked down to her pretty twin daughters. The girls were five years old,  healthy and angel like. It was fun to watch the girls run with  Meera early in the morning walk. Their straight, blunt cut hair flew upwards as they giggled and paced in the park. Just as they crossed the gate, they saw Raju, they yelled ‘Raaaaaju’ and rushed to pet it, but the dog pushed its tail between its legs and ran. Meera tried convincing her kids that it was not Raju.

The dog was the same breed with the same striations and texture yet Meera knew it was not Raju. Meera bumped into Raju for the first time when she visited her new flat in the building complex. The edifice had several multistoried blocks and a few row houses. The building, however, opened into a small lane that was cemented with a gate supporting the entrance. The watchman had his cabin half way into the lane, but the dog sat at the entrance and would begin barking at the instant it saw a new vehicle. When Meera and Ravi visited the first time, the dog barked at them, it walked behind and climbed a few stairs with them. Meera told Ravi that the stray dog’s courage needs to be reported. She stormed angrily into the watchman’s cabin and said that she did not want to see this dog behind her. Ravi came back and Meera quickly rushed back home. Meera was terribly upset and told Ravi that the house may not be safe for their children as the dog  was climbing the stairs.

The dog had followed her barking to the watchman’s cabin. Meera quickly bent to pick the granite pellet that was lying on the path. The watchman quickly hushed the dog saying Raja, Raju… Gup Basa (sit quiet). The dog looked at Meera, and for the first time Meera observed that Raju was well built and had white and  pale brown patches. It had kind eyes, but its tail and ears showed it was angry.

They had bought the flat on ownership and so had to move into the house. When the first introductions and a general body was formed Meera voiced her opinion against the presence of a  stray dog in the campus. Now the watchman used to shut the gate and Raju would sit outside. What annoyed Meera the most was her little daughters while playing included Raju in the game. Raju was patient, ran and fetched the ball. It loved children so went very close to them, Meera would shout from the balcony asking her twin daughters to move away from Raju. At times Raju would accompany the girls in the lift. The girls would pet Raju, Meera then decided to get it vaccinated. The watchman said all the vaccinations and health aspects were carried by them and Raju was safe yet Meera never stopped suspecting Raju. She would run in alarm when she saw it on the stairs.

One of the days, there was a power cut and it took time for the watchman to switch on the generator due to the lack of fuel. Unfortunately, Ravi came back from the office at the same time. He switched on the straight beam of light and cautiously turned to park the car. His eyes were on all the little kids who ran dangerously in the dark yelling and screaming. In this turmoil he failed to notice Raju lying on the left side of the parking. The wheel of the car ran on its  hind foot,  Ravi was  rudely shocked by the heart rendering howl. He quickly wheeled the car backwards, but  Raju was hurt. The watchman ran to it and took it away. He nursed the dog in the cabin and took it to the vet. Ravi felt a surge of pity for the animal, he payed the expenses incurred. Now Raju would begin barking the instant Ravi’s car rolled into the building. It would smell the car and circle it often as if reminding Ravi and Meera about the pain given. Raju loved the girls and now every evening Raju would come along with the twins in the lift giving Meera  a jolt of disbelief. When Meera would drive back after dropping the girls to the school, Raju would run around the car not letting Meera dismount.  It would stalk around the car smelling and then give a howl remembering the pain it felt the day the car ran on its leg. Each day Meera wished to complain about Raju to the Municipal authorities.

One fine day, Raju brought a female dog along. The watchman named it Rani. Meera was dumbfounded to see Rani climb down the  boundary wall of the neighbouring building to meet Raju. She told Ravi that now they could watch the Raju and Rani’s family pervade the building. They told the watchman that Rani should never be found in the campus. One of those days in the winter when Meera went for a walk in the dark, she saw both the dogs bark at her as she had switched on her mobile to switch on an application to judge her walk. She yelled at the watchman. The watchman again calmly told Raja and Rani’ Gup Basa’. She understood that she was overreacting. Consequently, whenever Raju would follow her, she would just muster ‘Raju Gap Basa’ and Raju would slink away. She and Ravi would now drive with the girls to a park early in the morning for a walk. They often saw the dogs resting on gunny sacks and a few dog lovers giving them food.

They got used to the scenario, winter gave way to spring, summer and the rains followed. Now they found Raju sleeping in the car parking. Rani had to come across the boundary wall as the watchman feared losing his job. Raju was a great security, much superior to the watchman. Raju would follow any new person in the building. Gradually, it had been introduced to the postman, electrician, plumber, gardeners and other workers who loved it affectionately. All followed the mantra, ‘ Gap Basa Raju’ Many a times Meera visualized Raju in the security guard’s uniform. Now the girls were eight years old and their responsibilities and school work were greater. The friends circle was large. They hardly noticed Raju.

One day Meera saw Raju near the gate in an active state. It was evening and she felt it was catching a few winks before its night duty, but it was in a weak state by night. The watchman took it to the vet and nursed it, but it never regained health, it never saw the morning dawn. The residents did not miss it much that day as Raju used to wander away sometimes. The next day after it was cremated they saw Rani scan the areas that Raju and it had always visited. The watchman as usual laid a gunny sack for Rani, but Rani did not wish to remain in the building. Now the watchman lights a fire and sits on his chair near the gate, he misses Raju but life goes on. Today looking the Raju’s monoclone Meera knew her kids would never miss Raju as the street had many more Raju like dogs.
“His loyalty, so fierce and unwavering, makes my eyes water and heart ache.” ― Emily Giffin