The known stranger

I was already broken hearing about the last moment planned meeting in New Jalpaiguri. I was in Lucknow for that week, and I was supposed to go to visit Ma that Sunday, when they decided to hold the meeting. I felt like a refugee then. Like a refugee is banished from a country without his will and wish, I felt the same. But I am not a refugee, I'm an immigrant. I had decided this career myself. My parents wanted me to study IIT but no, I pushed myself into the world of anti-relaxation and anti-relief.

I couldn't even call ma that night as I knew she would be very sad, and I was very tired too. So I texted her and slept.

I had train from Lucknow station at 11:35 A.M. I arrived at the station just 2 minutes prior. Thankfully I didn't miss it. I could have done nothing, it was just because of Mr.Shenoy, who helped me get my tickets. “You don't worry, I'll get yours too”, was what he told me the previous night in office. I was happy that at least I had some helpful colleagues. We were 6 in total to go there. Our boss had already reached there. I don't know how he does it, but maybe this is what makes him superior to us. I was glad I worked under him. The 6 of us had seats all jumbled up, coz of the last moment visit decision. None of us could see each other's faces . I was very sleepy and I had got the window seat(luckily). I could lean my head onto the window and have a short nap. The A.C. in the train, and that 3hrs of sleep last night, made it just perfect for me to get a cute nap. Waking up I saw it was 4. I looked out of the window. The sky looked beautiful, scarlet orange with white clouds suspended unevenly. I saw birds flying in long flocks. They were lucky. At least they could be with their family. I had not met my mom for 3 weeks. I missed her. I had texted my sister to call mom and say everything. I had no guts to say. I couldn't bear her sad yet consoling tone which would try to hide all those melancholy feelings. Tears rolled down my face. I had constant thoughts in my mind. "Maybe I've become too much busy to get into touch with my mother." "Maybe I had forgotten the basic ethics." I cursed myself and then I cursed my decision to go Jalpaiguri.

Meanwhile, I was doing all this, I didn't notice a person in front of me peeping through his newspaper. He was wearing big heavy glasses, I saw. But I couldn't see his face. I got off my place and went to wash my face. I talked to Mr.Shenoy. He said food would be given after 30mins, indirectly asking me not to sleep again. He also said that his village house was some 16 km away from New Jalpaiguri, and he would take all of us there, after we completed our meeting. I agreed. I thought of buying certain gifts for ma from there. She would be happy, I knew. I came back to my place. I saw the face of that spectacled person. For a while I felt I had looked into those eyes before and tried to concentrate. But then I thought not to look at someone that way. I was no longer a kid that I had to rewind and find out who he was and if I had ever met him before. I got seated and didn't look at him. I surfed through my blog page. It got 28 new viewers, well enough. I opened my WhatsApp and found there were 300 new messages. This is the problem with the WhatsApp groups. I never really talk in the groups. Even if I find someone talk something about me or asking something to me, I still don't reply. It is always that people think that if I'm working out of my city, I need a man to live with and have a personal relationship with him. Why would I really need someone when I'm more than enough irritated with myself. And to be honest, I don't like irritating others with my great habits. I remember mingling up with a guy of our office who offended me so much when we went for our first dinner outside. He gave certain excuses for not paying half the bill. He had got me over my nerves nd I realised my mistake. Moreover, all this love is a mess.

The food arrived. It was chicken soup and bread sticks, as usually given in any train. I had them. The man in front of me had dropped one of his bread sticks. I looked at him. He smiled uncannily and apologized. I shook my head indicating it wasquite common. Then he spoke after a gap. “Hello I.G., how are you?” I knew him at once. It was Mr.Reddy, my ex boss. It was only he who called me I.G. “Hello sir. How are you? I'm so sorry, I couldn't recognize you.” He spoke in a soft tone as he used to even when he was my boss,”not your fault, I know I look different”. I saw he was wearing a torn off shirt with a pant too old. He was wearing slippers. It wasn't this Mr.Reddy, whom I had known when I worked under him. He always wore new, iron-pressed clothes with diamond shine in his shoes. I asked him,”Sir, why do you look so shattered?” He remained quite and then said “Financial issues child”. I didn't ask him anything after that. He didn't want to talk about it much, I understood.

At 9:40 we had dinner and went to sleep. I updated pages of my social media pages.

I was worried and sad, I actually wanted to know what had happened with Mr.Reddy. I generally don't get so keen about anyone suddenly. But when I've known someone for 2yrs, worked under him, I was a bit inquisitive for it. I didn't think much 'bout it later that night. I texted my mom “good night” and slept.

Next morning I was woken up by Mr.Shenoy. He wanted my laptop. I took out my bag from the carriage area. It felt light. I opened it hurriedly. It was empty. I jumped off my seat. My purse was also missing. My clothes and water bottle were only there. I found a letter in the chain where I kept my purse. It read :

“Sorry I.G., I had to do this. My wife Sarla, isn't in good health conditions. She got cancer. I am retired from work and I've already spent all my money visiting the best hospitals around the country to get her cured, but no one says she will live again. I have sold my property and all her jewellery to get her back fit. She is everything for me. I'm sorry but I know you will understand and forgive me.

— Mr.Reddy.”

I was dumbstruck.