A walk from station to room was always a
pleasure.With a cigarette in hand,waving smiles at few known faces and
enjoying the evening sea breeze.It had been my daily habit since the day
I joined this small financial firm at Tambaram,Chennai.
Today was 31st March so I was late and didn't get the normal fast train I usually take.I had to contend with slower train.I reached at 1100PM,too late for this city's liking.Coming out of station I couldn't find any familiar faces to wave at,sea breeze had changed to chilled gales due to the cyclone that struck Salem few hours back.I had got an automated call from my cell phone operator too."Cyclone hitting Chennai in next hour so stay in home to stay safe."
A storm was there within me ,perhaps the ill-productive financial year had a role to play or emotionally ill-equipped or unfulfilled ambitions I never learnt what.Suddenly,a gust of wet breeze put me off guard and my cigarette was also blown away.
The screams of breeze were far more threatening than the war cry of soldiers in Chola's regime.I felt that the wind from all the four directions had conspired to either blow me away or definitely blow my varied thoughts away.
I increased my pace but winds from North ensured that for every one step I took,I was back three steps.
Somehow clutching the poles ,trees,rickety cart wheels and shutters I moved towards my room,and I paused.
In front of me a body was lying,perhaps fainted.She might have been hit by some moving objects or lightning might have struck or a night crime.It wasn't her state that was bothering me,but her presence on this secluded road at this hour that was hitting me.
Is she one of the nocturnal beauties,a dirty thought of a conscience less mind.
I reached to her,'Are you OK'.No reaction from the still body.
The storm had ensured load shedding and none of the houses or shops were giving any sign of light or human existence.
I took a call,and touched her forehead,with my torch-light guiding me to her other features.Her head was ice cold.Was she dead?
I picked her up,she was so light,I felt like I am holding a bundle of feathers in my hand.With torch in my mouth I reached the nearest shade.Wiped her face,the glowing 'kumkum' on her forehead and a beautiful Golden 'Mangalsutra' were so appealing.
She was a family woman duly cultured.There was a torch clasped in her right hand and a small sheet of paper in left.
I took it out,patient's name "Sanweksha".My hands started shaking,I realised she had come after getting the news of cyclone to see where was I stuck.I had been avoiding her calls since morning and our daughter 'Sanweksha' had been having fever from last few days.I hated myself at that moment.Embraced her and allowed my heart to speak out my guilt,perhaps she would hear me.Then,carried her on my hands just the way I did when we were at Ooty our favourite romantic locale.
Tears wouldn't leave me or was it the torrential rain that was dropping from my face on her beautiful face washing out the insecurity that my stupidity filled nature had brought.
Today was 31st March so I was late and didn't get the normal fast train I usually take.I had to contend with slower train.I reached at 1100PM,too late for this city's liking.Coming out of station I couldn't find any familiar faces to wave at,sea breeze had changed to chilled gales due to the cyclone that struck Salem few hours back.I had got an automated call from my cell phone operator too."Cyclone hitting Chennai in next hour so stay in home to stay safe."
A storm was there within me ,perhaps the ill-productive financial year had a role to play or emotionally ill-equipped or unfulfilled ambitions I never learnt what.Suddenly,a gust of wet breeze put me off guard and my cigarette was also blown away.
The screams of breeze were far more threatening than the war cry of soldiers in Chola's regime.I felt that the wind from all the four directions had conspired to either blow me away or definitely blow my varied thoughts away.
I increased my pace but winds from North ensured that for every one step I took,I was back three steps.
Somehow clutching the poles ,trees,rickety cart wheels and shutters I moved towards my room,and I paused.
In front of me a body was lying,perhaps fainted.She might have been hit by some moving objects or lightning might have struck or a night crime.It wasn't her state that was bothering me,but her presence on this secluded road at this hour that was hitting me.
Is she one of the nocturnal beauties,a dirty thought of a conscience less mind.
I reached to her,'Are you OK'.No reaction from the still body.
The storm had ensured load shedding and none of the houses or shops were giving any sign of light or human existence.
I took a call,and touched her forehead,with my torch-light guiding me to her other features.Her head was ice cold.Was she dead?
I picked her up,she was so light,I felt like I am holding a bundle of feathers in my hand.With torch in my mouth I reached the nearest shade.Wiped her face,the glowing 'kumkum' on her forehead and a beautiful Golden 'Mangalsutra' were so appealing.
She was a family woman duly cultured.There was a torch clasped in her right hand and a small sheet of paper in left.
I took it out,patient's name "Sanweksha".My hands started shaking,I realised she had come after getting the news of cyclone to see where was I stuck.I had been avoiding her calls since morning and our daughter 'Sanweksha' had been having fever from last few days.I hated myself at that moment.Embraced her and allowed my heart to speak out my guilt,perhaps she would hear me.Then,carried her on my hands just the way I did when we were at Ooty our favourite romantic locale.
Tears wouldn't leave me or was it the torrential rain that was dropping from my face on her beautiful face washing out the insecurity that my stupidity filled nature had brought.
Truly amazing!!
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