CROSSROADS

Monday d

ime, kids shuttling between tuitions and school, an

y thirties, grunted, groaned, and squeezed through th

nto at a busy station every day – neat formals, unbutt

when his laptop crushed dange

or and grabbed the first thing he co

ward with a painful

nudged into his sides or a stray foot over his own. Yet, he kept his cool an

ends, family, and colleagues, this marked the beginning of a n

gh interviews, he bagged a challenging senio

r before him added to his woes. Restricted breaths. Turning away. Looking up. Looking down. He tried it all but alas!

and hungrily gasped in a deep whiff of pure, fresh oxygen... blended with thick fumes from the train and t

"It'll be gone few minute

ed up, breathle

m the toilets,"

heepishly and looked away

d my breath." The balding man smiled and threw another glance at De

Dev r

post

ea

ere

Indust

Wonderful pl

," Dev

by the way," the bald

a friend who

Which dep

ing. Gaur

m! He's yo

rom college,"

h a decent suburb lined with identical duplex houses on

d at the door, to have the wind slap through his hai

slowed down and

ng but tall grass around. He glanced at his watch. Three minutes had

e. The express train is due any minute." He paused

in fast and S

HIZZZZZZ-CH

. CHUG-CHUG.... C

blur of blue

ay?" Dev shouted over

e weekends," the bal

s eyes fell on the house across the empty track – a decent, single-story with a dainty vegetab

essive eyes and soft, flowing hair as lush as silk. She crouched and sprinkled a generous handful of grains for her pets – a couple of chickens and a rooster

n't fail to make its mark, one that seemed as though she was

ght and scanned the surround

The only part which gave an illusion of life was the kitchen at the b

mpty gaze on her beautiful

r hair so silky... her... hang on, Dev. This is so not you. Since when did you engage in bird watching?

ething about her kept pulling him back like a magnet, tempting him to

ack and closing in on the next station.

*