Strangers

December was never like this, it can’t be this cold, thought Ravi. There was no way he could say this as he came there only a couple of weeks back, but he’s got this uncanny knack of getting things right, at least he thought so. After snoozing the alarm he crawled back under his cosy blanket. God, this is heaven, and if time can just stop here that’ll be the greatest thing ever to happen. The couple of minutes under the mercy of his alarm clock were the most cherished time in a day, usually. But, not yesterday, it was different yesterday.

An ambitious man, he is, Ravi believed that he’s got every thing to make it into the big league, into the league of people he admired or rather secretly envied. There was no way he can’t reach those levels and nothing really to stop him. Yeah, there is, this city, where he was born and brought up, where he is familiar of every nook and corner, this city it’s got its limits, it’s not big enough to contain his growth. Many of his friends thought he’s lucky enough to get this job in his own city but what these guys know what chasing your dreams means.

And now here he is, in the suburbs of the big growing city, the growth story which used to give him amazing reading earlier. For the last two weeks he neither repented coming there, nor did he ever miss his own city. Here he was, staying in the star hotel where his company provided him accommodation and the long travel hours to and from office never bothered him as those were the time which he used to reflect his thoughts and big plans were made during those times.

For the kind of man he is, Ravi has already made some friends in his new office.Everything was going nice and fine, everything except the training sessions he was having for the last two weeks. The training was dull and some times he was thinking what to think to get out of the boredom. Even though he used to curse the trainer, Anil, for long hours of boring training Ravi felt sorry when Anil announced his last day in office. Ravi could see a hint of all the feelings in Anil’s face. As a parting note Anil had a brief chat with Ravi, in which he commended Ravi’s aspiration and promised his guidance and support where ever he will be. ‘As a last thing I would advice you leave the office premises before late’ Anil paused ‘If you happen to stay late then you have the risk of running into all anti-social elements’. He cited this as the reason for his parting with the office as his job demanded late staying and he didn’t want to risk his life in that isolated area. Wishes were exchanged and with the familiar quote of ‘world being small and will meet you somewhere in future’ the formality came to an end.

Ravi was quite sympathetic to Anil. He thought if I was at his place I would have never run away like this, and could have faced with a brave head. Brave he was and as goes the saying fortune will go with the brave Ravi did end up staying late and realized that he was stranded in office. He wrapped his things fast in a feverish attempt to catch some sort of transport to his destination. He couldn’t have imagined the dreaded deserted look of the usually crowded streets and when he started observing the area got a real feel of the situation. The silence of the dark was piercing his ears and now whatever Anil said was playing in his mind. He started identifying figures in the dark which would freeze him until he identify it a tree or stone. Suddenly a moving figure caught his eyes and as he was informed that all that he could get here would be an unwanted company he started counting the butterflies in his stomach. A six foot man was coming towards him. The only way of survival among these people is to behave as one of them. Ravi had a quick change of his formal attire to a very ordinary and now posed with one of the dirtiest look he could ever have. The stranger was now close enough and at first glance, if he was not informed earlier, he couldn’t have identified the stranger to be one of those unsociable elements.

Well, now it was getting really tense for Ravi. The stranger is now close enough and Ravi couldn’t predict what his next move could be. He seemed strong enough for a tussle and by now Ravi was aware of his trembling knees. Before long Ravi realized he couldn’t stand this for long and before breaking down he decided to have a last try. A brave man he is, Ravi pondered on all his options. Running was the first thing which came to his mind, but he dismissed the idea as he got aware that by now he could barely walk. Taking his chance Ravi turned towards his rival and was startled to see his entire attire changed. Now there was no doubt in Ravi’s mind about the stranger after seeing the spine chilling looks of the stranger. Ravi could barely stand now and he moved towards the stranger and opted to sit behind the stranger, his eyes fixed on him. Each movement were taken account of and were greeted with either a cold stare or some grumbles. Ravi managed to get hold of an old bottle which could use as a weapon and held to his heart as the most priced possession he could ever have in his life. The stranger was visibly bit shaken by the new possession Ravi has got and now Ravi could afford breathing normally.

Deadlock was broken by sound of an approaching vehicle and Ravi mustarding all his remaining courage got into the bus. He couldn’t complete paying thanks to god, before that he happen to see the cold stare of the stranger sitting couple of seats behind him, who must have got into the bus through the other door and thus went unnoticed till then. Now he cursed the moment when he left hold of his weapon in a desperate attempt to catch the bus. He cursed his sharp memory as all the mishap stories he heard before started flickering in his mind and quite possibly his could be the next tale on ‘that’ list. He was struggling to act brave and analysed the option of jumping out of the bus. He stopped at the door and couldn’t acquire the courage to do so. He ended up sitting behind his ‘enemy’ waiting for the obvious. His panic noises were obviously not pleasing the stranger and for some mysterious reason he was waiting for the right time, which could happen any time. By now he reached almost his destination and Ravi couldn’t help a sigh of relief when he sighted some of his friends near his hotel and this was his most cherished moment in life.

‘Beep’ the sound of his alarm woke him up from yesterday’s thoughts. The thoughts itself were giving goose bumps to Ravi. The only thoughts Ravi could entertain on his way to office was that of last night and was still wondering why he was not assaulted by the stranger which he could have done with ease. In office Ravi was greeted with a pleasant surprise that there won’t be any training for the day. Apparently the new trainer was targeted by some one the previous night out side office and just before an attempt to assault him with a bottle was made he got into a bus. It was said that he was even chased in the bus which he took to his hotel. Already informed from Anil about the threats he could face and having had to face the situation in first day itself, the new trainer decided not to take any chances and left the organization.

Now Ravi could easily understand the mysterious reason why the stranger didn’t attacked him and now he could afford a smile while throwing his resignation letter to the dustbin and was bit guilty of him being the reason of his new trainer’s resignation.