Suraj had been running a salon for nearly half a decade now. He had maintained it well. Its glass door glittered like polished crystal, inviting customers. The wooden floor was spotless, giving the salon a neat and clean appearance. The beauty products of various brands were displayed on the glass shelf for the customers to explore.
‘You should come once every month, sir. The tan on your face will gradually fade. I can recommend some excellent products. You won’t regret using them.’ Suraj’s words touched the customers, and they came back. He had a natural talent for marketing.
Though Suraj’s salon thrived, he often dreamed of moving to Mumbai, the city of dreams and fame. Enchanted by its glitz and glamour, he hoped to work with film stars. He thought staying in the village would never help him reach great heights.
His childhood friends warned him that life in Mumbai wouldn’t be easy. But Suraj had made up his mind, and within a month, he shut down his thriving business and moved to Mumbai.
Days passed. Suraj did not get work in the showbiz industry. Eventually, through a known source, he managed to find work as a hairstylist in a salon.
Customers rushed in and out, and the working hours were longer than he had anticipated. No one had a few minutes to talk to him. His mundane routine soon became suffocating.
One night, as he lay on the balcony floor, staring at the sky, his conscience spoke, “Brother, do you still think village life gave you nothing? Mumbai is a beautiful city, but people here have no time for anything, not even to eat properly. On the other hand, the people of your village gave you a sense of belonging and shared their stories with you. Don’t you remember?”
“Yes, I do remember my dear. Leaving my home was a big mistake. I agree – some found a place here to share their life experiences, while others shared their victories and emotions with me. Each customer brought a part of their life – whether it was a nervous young man before a job interview, an older man reminiscing about love, or a child experiencing his first haircut. Let me be honest. I did not care much for their tales then, but now I understand they were my greatest treasures. How foolish I was to run away from my people just for the sake of fame.
I should have known the significance of those moments.” Suraj softly replied and profusely thanked his inner conscience.
The following morning, Suraj packed his bags and took the first available train home. Villagers welcomed him with open arms. Soon, his salon was bustling again, filled with familiar faces eager to hear his stories this time. He realized that life is not about where you go but the people you touch.
Suraj acknowledged that running away is easy, but true satisfaction lies in being grateful for what we already have, bringing him inner peace and solace.
