The watch shows 9:40 PM. I increased my speed of walking, since I was going to the nearest cinemahall for the 10 PM Show of "Khelein Hum Jee Jaan se", the patriotic movie. It was cold outside, so I was wearing a jacket and monkey-cap, alongwith gloves in hand. Indore roads too were not showing much activity, due to the shivering nights. I increased my pace, but I saw an old lady dressed in rags, covered in teared blanket, and she is dragging a same-aged guy, who must be her husband, wearing the same pattern of clothes, but it was looking like that man was not having enough energy, that's why the lady is guiding him by holding his hands. I passed them, and while passing I just heard a faint voice of her. She was saying something like "Beta, kuch paise de do, khaane ke liye (Son, Please give some coins for food)", But I didn't gave any look and passed them, walking more fastly. I took out my Ipod, and put the earphones so as to avoid any further distractions.
It was nearly 9:58 PM, when I reached to the fourth floor of the famous TI mall of Indore. I asked the tickets but I was informed that the show was cancelled due to some security reasons. "Ohh! What the F", was my reaction. "Faltu itna daudaya (I ran like hell just to find this Sh)" and I started back for my room. Since already it was a cold night, I again increased my pace, so as to avoid any late night patrols. Suddenly I saw at the side of the road. A man was lying on the footpath, probably unconscious. And a lady was sitting beside her. I took out my earphones, and listened to what that lady was saying. She was crying, and this is what she was saying, "Koi paisa de do..., ye mar gaya.. iske naam pe dedo..(Please give some money on his behalf, this old man died)" I got the feeling, yes, that was the same pair, I just passed 20 minutes back. The old lady's husband died. But I stuffed my ears again and increases the volume and walked away, pretending like I haven't heard her. But I found an alien tear in my right eye. It was trying to come out, but I wiped it off, and ran from that dreary place. Did someone cried that day? I haven't.
GRuchirG.
07.12.2010
