The clock behind the counter had struck eleven. Rich Matthew was almost done for the day; he was packing the last of the things kept on the shelf outside the store. Autumn had begun to raise its head; and with it the American festivities of 'Halloween' and 'Thanksgiving were to follow. Quite content with the day's sales: he decided to leave an hour early. He had nearly locked the store when his phone started ringing.
"Damn, who is it now?" Thought Rich furrowing his brow.
"Hello". Rich barked.
"Rich! Its me Gracy, Mary called a few minutes back informing that Appachan had suffered from a second stroke. He has been admitted in the ICU and is in a critical condition. I guess we may have to leave for Kerala."
"Alright, I'll be home in fifteen minutes."
About 8000 miles away and; 15 minutes later:
It was the third day of the month and the bank was busier than ever. 'Diwali' was just two days away and the notorious Delhi winter a month. Sunny Matthew had settled into his work. He was allocated to the 'Cashier's counter' today. He had almost breezed the onslaught of customers when his manager called for him urgently.
"Yes sir did you call for me"?
"Yes, your wife had called, and requested me to inform you, to call her immediately!
"What happened Anne, why did you call?" Sunny inquired on the phone.
"Mary had called some time ago and told that Appachan is in a critical condition, had a stroke again. We may have to leave as soon as possible."
About 1400 miles away; and a day ago:
Thomas Matthew had withdrawn into his room after dinner. The television was switched on; but Mr. Matthew paid no heed towards its offering. He had other things on mind. A self-made man- Mr. Matthew, had established himself in rubber business. But ever since handing over the reigns of his business to his youngest son Baby a year back, the senior Matthew was enjoying an indifferent domesticity, until a week ago. He was asked for a strange request by someone in the family, well 'strange' was his initial reaction; but later on the point was driven home. Eventually he complied. Tonight he wasn't feeling his usual 'well'. What he thought of as 'indisposition' was relegated to the background. He had other matters of grave concern at hand.
“May I speak to Rameshan Iyer.” Thomas Matthew requested on the phone.
“Mr. Matthew, its me Rameshan speaking.” Mr. Iyer said.
Perhaps, it was at two thirty or three, the exact time couldn't ascertained; Thomas Matthew succumbed to another 'heart attack' (what he shrugged away as indisposition) and this time it did him in.
The aforementioned location; and five hours later:
Mary: Baby's wife, was up early as usual. After sending her daughter off to school she was busy preparing breakfast for her husband and the paterfamilias. She had found it to be a rather pleasant day; but a shock awaited her in the next room.
The screech awoke Baby from his slumber; and it was not long before the gravity of the situation sunk in. Baby decided against informing his brothers of his fathers death, until they discover it themselves.
"Play down the news, tell them he is in critical condition, that's all." Baby told Mary.
Sunny Matthew and his family had arrived late in the evening on the same day and; Rich and his family arrived a day later to discover their father's death.
The funeral was held in much fanfare in compliance with all Syrian Christian rituals. As believed by the Roman Christians: the dead has merely lost its flesh but its soul is on the heavenly abode. Thus it should be a reason for celebration and not sorrow.
The cost of the funeral was borne by the eldest in the family: Rich Matthew.
Rich: just like the name suggested was financially well to do, his behaviour too tilted between vanity and ostentation: especially when he was in his hometown of Kerala vis-à-vis New York. A flamboyant gentleman, he loved to show off his jewelery consisting of thick gold chains and bracelets. Rich also had a penchant for silk 'Jubbah' with starch white 'mundus'. Loved being called as an "American return." His passport to America was his wife Gracy. Gracy being a nurse had got a job in New York. Rich opened a general store (the kind which caters to nostalgia struck Keralite immigrants) having got there and was well settled in the American way of life. But he never let complacency set in; he wanted to open another store, perhaps another general store; and if everything goes right, perhaps build a franchise of his stores. For that he needed capital and the 'Will' he hoped would help him fulfill his dream. At least being the eldest has its advantages, or so he thought.
After all the niceties were observed, it was time to get to the business.
"I had spoken to Rameshan Iyer yesterday itself; and he is expected later in the day." Informed Rich to his younger brothers.
Rameshan Iyer was at their doorstep exactly at eleven.
"Please come in Sir." Mary said and went in to call everybody.
"Would you care for some tea or coffee, Sir? Rich inquired.
"Just a glass of water please, thank you." Came back the reply.
Rameshan Iyer had barely managed to hold his disdain towards Rich whom he considered an exhibitionist.
“Good morning Mr. Iyer!” Sunny Matthew welcomed him.
“Good morning Sunny!” Came back the reply.
Rameshan Iyer had an affinity towards Sunny: whom he regarded to be a humble human being.
Sunny Matthew was the everyday 'common man' we are so very well aware of. Having a disregard towards his father's business, he had moved to Delhi after marriage. He lead a simple life and had very simple needs. But the world is a brutal place for such a simple man. His family: consisting of his wife and two daughters expected more from him. His only solace: his wife- Anne was an astonishingly understanding woman for a middle class wife, commiserated with his helplessness. But it were his daughters whose demands for things fashionable, he couldn't cope with. Besides, he had other loans to be paid off. His daughters' education to be taken care of. He was mired in a pool of helplessness, when his father's death came as a blessing in disguise.
The 'Will' was the only way he could redeem himself. Or so he thought.
“I hope everything's fine with you and your family in Delhi?” Mr. Iyer inquired.
“Couldn't have been better!” Lied Sunny.
“Baby is not to be seen?” asked Mr. Iyer.
“I was in the other room Mr. Iyer!” Announced Baby joining them.
Baby: Thomas Matthew's youngest son, and the inheritor of his father's business was the proverbial good son who was always an aide to his father. Thomas Matthew completely trusted him and had groomed him to take on the mantle after his stint. He wasn't as successful as his elder brothers working in New York and Delhi, and had incurred some debts and the 'Will' was the only way of atoning himself. Though he knew his brothers wouldn't give in that easily, but being the favourite of his father also had some advantages, or so he thought.
“May I begin?” requested Mr. Iyer.
“Please go ahead!” said everyone in unison.
Mr. Iyer cleared his throat.
“As you all are aware, I am the executor of Mr. Thomas Matthew's will. Until a few days back the will was very simple. He called me on the night before his unfortunate death, and told me to revoke the earlier will and draft a new will immediately, and to get it to the house as quickly as possible for his approval. I did so without asking any questions as a dutiful lawyer. But I did raise some concerns as an old friend of his; but he was hell-bent.”
“What does the new will say Mr. Iyer?” asked Rich impatiently.
“The new will says that after liquidating all the assets and stocks of Mr.Matthew which roughly amounts to Rs. 35,00,00,000/- will go to an NGO by the name of 'Aasra' which looks after the lesser privileged children and their education.
'Matthew Rubbers' stays with Baby. Mr. Mathew has divested his holdings to Baby.
Baby is now the sole owner of 'Matthew Rubbers'. Mr. Matthew was of the opinion that since both Rich and Sunny have found their ground in their own respective profession, it would be only fair if Baby- who has known no other business than rubbers, be given complete authority. Mr. Matthew has also advised Baby of off- loading (only if wishes to) 10% shares to my bank to fend off his debts which he has incurred lately, owing to some unsound investments.
Rameshan Iyer waited with bated breath for the brothers to revolt. But surprisingly for the next couple of minutes none of them spoke.
“I'm catching the very next flight to America!” Rich announced.
“Its okay Rich, the money will be used for a better cause.” Sunny tried consoling.
“Besides, if it had been given to us we would have never been satisfied with it. Furthermore, we would have been ended up fighting or litigating.”
A day later:
The wives were returning from their daily ritual of prayer service.
“So finally everything went according to the plan.” Gracy said.
“Thank God! It didn't take much effort to convince Appachan to donate his entire wealth to charity.” Mary said.
“If left to the men they would have fought over it their entire lifetime.” Anne concluded.
