Feram told Baba about his recurring asthma, but Baba remarked, "I only read magazines and newspapers and do not know anything about such matters. So what can I say? I really don't know why people bother to come to me."
These remarks deepened Feram's faith in Baba. Baba instructed Feram and Khodabanda to stay in Meherabad for two days, but within minutes he asked them to depart for Bombay, particularly emphasizing to them not to get down on the station platform at Poona where the train halted for more than an hour.
A year later, Feram moved to Nasik according to Baba's wishes. Baba had him employed in the Sarosh Motor Works office. From that time forward, Feram Workingboxwala entire life was dedicated to living according to the Master's orders.1
When Baba and the mandali had moved to Nasik, only Bomanji and his family were living in Meherabad. According to Baba's instructions, the Bomanji family was in charge of the Meherabad property and were responsible for its maintenance. Soon after Baba returned, Bomanji met with him regarding the property. He poured forth a tale of woe, describing the troubles and hardships his family had to bear in living alone at Meherabad.
Baba replied, "How lucky you are that I am free to travel on tour and leave everything at Meherabad in your care. Meherabad cannot be vacated and I will have to keep someone here at present. Because of my trust in you, I have kept you here for the time being. If you have troubles, put up with them. Bear all hardships; they are good for you. What a great thing it is that, even in the face of all difficulties, you continue to remain here according to my wish."
Baidul returned from Persia with Ali Akbar, arriving at Meherabad on Friday, 4 April 1930. Baidul told Baba that, despite his best efforts, he could not bring Aga Ali because the boy's relatives would not allow him to leave.
Baba commented, "There is love in Ali — the longing, the sorrow of separation, a disgust with remaining in Persia — and everything else that is necessary. But it remains to be seen whether he listens to me or not. If he follows what I say, it is enough for me. Love means longing. Love means restlessness. Love means harassment. Love means separation. It is all necessary."
Footnotes
- 1.Feram knew shorthand and wrote down many of Baba's messages verbatim. He later became recordkeeper to Baba's secretary Adi Sr. After Baba dropped his body, Feram assisted in the translation of Meher Prabhu (Lord Meher) from Hindi to English.