Que sera sera

She took quick steps towards the police station. She had been called there urgently by the officer.

As she walked, she recollected the spate of events that had taken place in her friend's life.

Her friend, in his quest for adventure, had ventured into deep jungles and arid deserts in far away lands, often teeming with hostile tribes, to lay his hands on the various queer objects he had heard so much about. He knew there was a good market for them. Sometimes there had been very bloody fights, but he had quickly managed to quell them. Other times, through his friendliness and helping nature, he had managed to win them over. He had come back home loaded with many rare and priceless collectibles. When she had asked him what would happen if someone steals them, he had said, "Que sera sera" and told her not to worry.

He had held exhibitions and auctions of these objects, to see and buy which, people had stood in long snaking queues in the rain and freezing cold. There had been no doubt in his patrons' minds that he had an eye for rare exquisite objects. He had made a lot of money. It was only a matter of time before his fame had reached far and wide, including the Queen herself. When she had asked him if he was happy with all that fame including the Queen being impressed with him, he had said, "Que sera sera" and told her that it was all momentary.

Where fame and money is there, can jealousy and crime be far behind? Many people including certain merchants had wanted him, their competitor, out of their way.

After a few days, on that particular chilly winter night, he had gone to the tavern to quench his thirst for a hot drink. A bloody fight had ensued between the drunken patrons, during which he had been accused by a woman for killing her husband and stealing their very precious gem collection when the couple were on their holiday in one of the exotic lands in the East. The police had been summoned. He was taken away to be questioned and locked up. He was in a quandary. When she had asked him how he could endure such accusations and whether he was scared what would happen, he had said "Que sera sera" and bade her not to worry.

As the trial progressed, his health had started to deteriorate. Meantime, she had employed good lawyers who would fight his case. Due to some emergency she had to travel overseas for a few months and she was unable to keep in touch with the lawyers. And by the time she could set foot in her house upon her return, she was met by the neighbour and asked to go to the police station in connection with the case.

She feared the worst. Upon reaching the station, she was told by the Inspector that her friend had passed on even before the trail could be concluded. The trial had ended abruptly; Also that his death was a peaceful one and that he had left her an envelope.

With deep anguish that she was not around for her friend in his time of need, she opened the envelope thinking that maybe he might have had something to tell her. Instead she found his final WILL and a very short letter. He had left everything he owned, to her.

The letter said "Thank you for everything, my dear friend. Always remember, que sera sera".