They were waiting in the lobby for the lift to reach the attic of that particular building. Both were friends since childhood and always Adam was avaricious and would mimic the successful hero of the society, whoever is, at that particular time and would change his ideal often. V. on the other hand was considered a child by everyone and was unable to think of his future, not even the plans for the evening. Once, a woman, from a decent family wrote to him, magnetized by his childlike innocence, for a tryst. In the meeting, in utter frankness, all he spoke was theology and nothing else. He didn't have a minute inclination to think that the meeting was intended for romance. The whole city laughed at this upon hearing and that was when he got the epithet 'a child'. It is very easy to deceive V. and swindle all the money one wants from him. Once, Adam and his other friend, carried out a well performed act and convinced V. to give all his money, stating that his mother was on medical emergency. What V. was not aware is that his friend swindled lump sum of money from his girlfriend with self-pity as devious tool and could no longer deceive her, as now, her family straightened her up and is urging him to settle all the money that he swindled from her. And the money he got from V. was not enough to cover his girlfriend's family. Although, if he had asked V., he would have done something about it, if it was within his hands. Another event has also should be revealed as I think it is equally important for the readers. As often Adam would seek financial help from V. Once, he gave the money even without Adam's request knowing that he did not have any, to the organizer of a party, as Adam's share, along with his own. For this, he acted strangely, in drunkenness, before everyone and announced that this money is V's and not mine. He grudged that he refuses to save his pride by V's money, not realizing that he was the one who revealed to everyone that V. was his benefactor, however, later, saving his proud head, he would secretly, in no one's notice, would swindle the last penny of his, thinking V. had not had the cognitive to figure out.
The lift opened. There were only women inside. All gazing at both of them. Adam felt irritated by their stare and thought to himself "Why are they staring at me like this?" On the contrary, V. looked at them with a smiling face as they both entered into the lift. Women could tell by looking at him that V. is not taken yet. He is a man without women and they all wondered why he is womanless, considering that he is of to the age. It was strange, though, that he was not aware of any of it. Giggles could be heard from behind them, concerning V. Adam felt even more irritated by all this awkwardness. One coquette woman even tickled V.'s hip to play with his shyness as all woman got out of the lift. Though, one could not say V. was shy about women. Suddenly, Adam seemed like he was possessed and burst out saying "It's a shame for one to be a friend to you. You and the awkwardness you create in front of every woman. I can't be your friend; I don't want to. And, I am ashamed to call you as my friend. Everyone of our age is married, has girlfriends and up to something in life. You are such a child that it didn't occur to you to get a woman to avoid all this awkwardness. My acts are appropriate to my age. And you, we have to give you advices on how to regulate your life. I don't want to deal with this puerility anymore. You better go away on your own path and I, mine" He got out of the lift even before they could reach the attic which was the destination for both of them. Now, V. alone reached the attic.
Later, Adam was called upon by her girlfriend to break their relationship as now everyone knows what he is and now she will not marry him. He was devastated by the blow. He fell to her feet only to be rejected. And, she demanded him to settle off all the money he had taken from her at the earliest. Now, he lost his friend and his lover. Many a times he felt to talk to his friend V. but his pride restrained him.
Dejected Adam meandered on his bike endlessly. And, one day he happened to meet V. during his easy ride. 'She broke up with me' he said in low voice, as though to himself. Looking at V.'s face, he was conjured by the possession, like the one in lift, again. He began "If money is all what women are after, then I will become a billionaire and then I can have any women". "My dear friend", V. started to address him, "please do not confuse it with possession of wealth." "What do you know about love? You don't even have woman for yourself and you won't understand what it means to love. You confuse compassion with love and that's why you are womanless. Don't act wise just because you reached the attic. You may know about your god but I bet my life that you do not know even now the difference between a father and pastor as once you made a joke on yourself in attempt to talk about religions". As a narrator, this fact has to be stated, not to debate the right and wrong, but to give insight of his character. Adam was once called as Arun. Many years ago, he was a devotee of an elephant face deity called 'Ganesha' and for years, on Ganesha Chaturthi, he was to be seen dancing for the band before the deity. And that god did not produce enough of wealth for him, so he converted. And, then on, he called himself Adam. Anyway, you are only a child and why did I even stop at you, said Adam by smiting his hand on his forehead and resumed his easy ride.
The trust raised a fund, through various mode, for the welfare of the underprivileged children to offer quality education. Adam begged the accountant to give a certain portion of money so he can clear the debts with his girlfriend and he will serve the trust for life. The accountant denied it as it is only meant to be spent on children. He also came up with an alluring scam to launder the unaccounted money for a huge commission. But the accountant was V's friend, so a mutual friend to Adam as well, left him with only a warning and another proposal as such will lead to criminal proceedings.
All his attempt to gain wealth failed and he inclined to take resort at the feet of God. He entered the church, walked between the pews on his both sides, all the way to the front. He was late to sermon, however, found his seat in front. All the preaching only made him bewildered, as though the preacher was preaching nothing but to preach. From the side, the priest arrived towards the altar and began assertively that "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of God." Adam could now not believe his own ears and those words resounded as though it came from V.'s. His eyes welled up with tears and in his blurred vision, Adam took the priest for V. And his heart started to faint and could not stand on his leg. The priest thought he might topple, he headed towards him to hold him. Adam hugged the priest and incessantly called him as V. The priest made him sit and stroked his head and wiped his tears off from his cheeks.
