Illusion - The Deal that wasn't Closed

Yash and Dhiren were like brothers more than best of friends - born in the same year, only 25 days parted their Date of Births. Both of them met when they became neighbours. The new house had got them new friends. Both of them didn't ever know that what started as playing catches in the society compound on the first day would become such great friendship over the years. 

Their families were amongst the first ones to move in to this new housing complex during the summer vacation. Hence when they moved in, for the lack of other kids around, they spent most of time playing together, sharing stories, books etc. Coincidentally both of their parents decided to take admission in the same school. Yash and Dhiren would now spend even more time with each other and became really good friends. All the school years were brilliant, they made some great memories together - from being punished together to having a crush on the same girl and one making the sacrifice for the other one. It was all super. Both of them were decent students but had different liking in terms of career.

While Yash decided to pursue science for his love of cars and wanted to take up automobile engineering, Dhiren was keen on learning finance and accounting so took up  Commerce. That's where their ways parted but they still remained fast friends and ensured that they caught up over the weekends and spend whatever little time that they could together.

Years passed, priorities changed, they completed studies and then took up jobs. They still stayed in the same complex but they hardly met each other. Yash was settling in his job with a leading Car Distribution Organisation and Dhiren had recently completed his MBA and joined a Life Insurance company as an intern. As a part of his job before he was allotted a role, he was required to spend a short stint in sales and meet certain targets.

Like most insurance sales guys would do, Dhiren approached his immediate family members and friends for meeting his sales numbers. For the same reason Dhiren happened to call Yash and mention to him about buying life insurance. But like most of the customers, Yash rejected the idea. Yash, like most other people around him stayed in the illusion of being secure and settled. After all, he already had plans of his own house, he was about to invest in his own sedan, he had girlfriend whom he loved a lot and planned to get married in some years. Dhiren also didn't pursue the prospect and moved on! But post that day Yash had started avoiding Dhiren's calls because he always thought Dhrien would try to sell a term plan. The plight of every insurance seller in this country.

Eight years had gone by into their jobs and both of them were well settled. They seldom met each other. Yash got married and had a one year old daughter. Dhiren was in a steady relationship and was planning to get married soon. Yash had recently bought another flat in the same complex and moved in with his family to this new flat.

One morning Yash called Dhiren and asked to meet. Dhiren without any hesitation agreed. When they met Yash happily introduced Dhiren to his newly bought Maruti Suzuki Ciaz! The love for sedans had come to reality! Both of them relived memories from they yester years about how they would spend time talking about cars because Yash loved doing so. They agreed going for a drive over the next Sunday and bring back some of the old memories.

On Saturday afternoon, while Dhiren was busy with his work at office, he received a call from his father asking him to come home. Dhiren was little surprised about why should he come back leaving work. His father refused to answer the question and asked him to just come home. While on his way back Dhiren had multiple thoughts about the well being of his parents, their house etc etc.

As he reached his building complex he saw a huge gathering of people right at the entrance. As he entered he asked a person what was the rush about. The person responded - "Yash met with an accident last night - passed away on the spot - it seems there was some party for the new car and he was drunk while he was driving back home."

Dhiren could feel the world turn around and he lost balance but was held in time by some of the people standing there. He had lost a friend! More than that - what made him guilty and numb both the same time - he hadn't pushed Yash hard enough to buy that term plan. 

Yash had gone! Leaving behind a daughter, a home loan and a car loan - all to be taken care of by the wife!

Dhiren couldn't come out of this shock for a long time! He couldn't help blaming himself for not being able to break the illusion that Yash lived in - the illusion of false security. Everytime, he entered the society premise he wished he could have force-sold that one policy - not for his target but for its right purpose!