I was maintaining Coke Ovens in Rourkela, a very tough job, used to come back with coal powder from head to toe, if I came back at all.
To get an idea let me tell you about my colleague Mr. Bhopatkar, a couple of years my senior, looking after Coal Yard and Wagon Tippler. Once he reached home to find the house locked. No one was there. Then a neighbor came out and told him that his family has gone home to Pune, as you were hardly coming home, here is the key.
My job was even tougher. That night I reached late, was alone as my wife had gone home, went as usual to have a bath first, came out looking human and had something to eat and conked off to sleep. My milk wala came at 5 am us usual, I took it and put it on gas and just then the phone rang. I shouted and fired the shift chap, I cannot even get sleep on Sunday, told him what has to be done and waited for the progress report. Decided again to go early, and in disgust fell off to sleep. I must have been in deep sleep, then I heard tapping on my window, and people talking to each other. One lady, my neighbor, was telling the other that I knew he would commit suicide one day and something like this would happen! I jumped out of bed having overslept and found the house full of black smoke. I opened the window , then one lady said "are you ok mr. Misra?" I opened all the doors and windows and all my neighbors, much relieved that I was alive, came in and inspected how I was doing it. Then one of them entered the kitchen and found the cause, burnt milk, and put off the gas. By that time some smoke was flowing out and after making sure that I won't try suicide again, started going back for their Sunday work. Then the nice lady , Mrs Sawhney, just behind my house , came back. What time do you take tea? Till your wife comes back I will send you your cup. I was so grateful, thanked her. Then my next door lady came, they were Telgu and very nice people, she said please tell the milkman to give the milk in my house, I will boil it and send it to you ! Just managed to hide my happiness and thanked her.
I love Rourkela, all the people and best neighbors in the world! Have lost touch with my next door neighbor, they visited us in Ahmedabad, and always try to meet Sawhney Saheb when I am in Delhi!
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