A Dirty Job

"Dad, when are we going to do this?"
"I am not sure. I need some time to plan this."
"You are not in your form. Shall I do it this time?"
"What?! You? No. I myself will do it. I can’t allow you to get your hands dirty!"
"But dad!"
"No. This is too risky. I will do it on my own!"
"If so, at least give me permission to be with you when you do your assigned task!"
"Hmmm... (Thinks) Okay. But you should do nothing without my orders. Is that clear?"
"Yes dad. So shall we execute this tomorrow morning?"
"Tomorrow morning? Are you kidding me? This is too risky and dirty job to be done in the morning. We have to do it at night."
"But why at night?"
"The place where we are going to do it is a crowded one which gives an image of the hustle and bustle of the city life. We should not disturb the common people."
"Okay dad. For God's sake when are we going to finish it? Last time when they called you to do this kind of job which involves a great risk, you told that it would be the final time. But now you are doing it again. I don't like this."
"But what could I do? There is no one else whom they can believe and who can finish this neatly!"
"Should you do this only because they don't have anyone else this time?"
"Yeah! And I have received my part of money for it. I have to do it. There is no retreat."
"But this is my request. Please don't do it again. Promise me that this is the last time that your get your hands dirty. You can't always escape. Please Promise me."

Image Courtesy: Harikrishna Raghuraman

(Dad thinks)
"Okay. You are turning to be a respected man in the society. This will be the last time. Promise."
"Thank you."
He embraced his dad.


The day arrived. Both went to the place. There was no sound but for the chirping of the crickets. The old guy looked around to ensure that none was watching them. He handed over his possessions to him to make sure that nothing fell there while he was engaged in his work.
"Hand me that."
His son gave him for what he asked. He was frightened to be at that place in that time.

The old guy jumped into the drainage pit. A card shone in his hand. He took it from the things given by his father. There was his father's photograph with a grim on his face. Then he went on to read it.

Government of Tamil Nadu

Department of Public Affairs

Name: K.Munisami

Designation: Sanitary Cleaner

Year: 1976 - till date

Tears welled up in his eyes again like every other time.