Life is Strange
A man of about 30 years old, wearing a blue color uniform stepped in the office at 6.30 AM in the morning. It was a rainy season so still dark outside, giving the evidence yesterday’s heavy rain. There were windy clouds and everybody seemed to be getting cozy inside their warm blankets, at their homes. The man had to clean the entire office before anyone arrives. There were two buildings in the office, a main building and the other store, where hardly anybody goes, but it was duty for him to ensure that this area of the office is also cleaned therefore everyday he had to go there for routine checkup. As soon as he reached office, he thought to start with the other building and then come to main building. As per his plan he went there and looked around. Everything was same as it was yesterday. A smile of happiness sparkled at his face that he shouldn’t need to do anything here today. Now the next destination was main building. He took a lift from 5th floor as usual and tried to whistle, meanwhile he pressed “G”. The lift started going down. He didn’t realize what was happening around for sometime as he was busy thinking about his beautiful wife with whom he fought last night and managed to convince her that they will go somewhere on this weekend, and he will get a new saree for her which she liked very much. Women are silly, it’s as easy as it is difficult to persuade them, he thought.
“I should have reached by now, a thought popped in his mind, what’s wrong??”
And then he realized his lift was not moving. He got stuck over there.
He started using his hands to open the door, hitting all around the wall. The lift was old and closed from all sides. It’s impossible for a single person to open it. He struggled for about 20 minutes, drenched with sweat and opened his mouth with haplessness and tried to shout but he couldn’t as he had lost his voice 20 years back in an accident. He was dumb. He kept trying to shout, hoping for some miracle to happen and a sound comes out from his vocal chords, but all was in vain. He deeply desired to be able to shout at least once.
“Oh God, Why you have made me dumb, there are thousand of people in this world, then why you chose me only for this defect.”
He understood soon that it is not going to work this way. He has got good muscular body and he was a theist, devotee of Lord Hanuman. Expecting the help from his Lord, with a great conviction, he made a big fist, closed his eyes, thought of his Lord and slammed the door.
Nothing happened.
Tired, He kept his both hands on his waist, tried to sit down. Suddenly his one hand felt the presence of mobile in his pants, which he bought yesterday from his friend. A ray of hope shined in his eyes but it faded very soon when he saw there is no network in the mobile. Although he couldn’t talk but he had an amazing fancy for the mobile phones and especially this was the handset he wanted to take for past 2 years and collecting money for it. At least he could have sent message to anyone about him being in lift, had the network been there.
“Why mobiles don’t work in lift? And if they don’t why service providers claim for the very good network. The whole world lies about them. Everybody boast and the ones who can do it in a sophisticated and classy manner get more profit and good position in the society. Had I not been dumb, I would have been amongst one of them. I could have been at a better position than where I am today.”
One hour passed.
7.30 AM
The sky started turning into red, sign of arrival of sun, with a message that there is always a new day comes in life, there is always a new beginning happens for every person and there is always something good stored in the day whether we notice it or not.
“I have 2 more hours in my hands. If I am fortunate, somebody will come and open the door.”
The emergency alarm was not working and his boss told him to repair it a week before. The concerned person was supposed to come yesterday but delayed it for today. Now there was no point even if he comes. The damage was done. His boss got two big reasons to scream at him. He prayed God to send someone soon so that his boss never got to know what happened in the lift.
“If I’m really unfortunate or destiny wants to punish me for anything wrong I’ve done, I might be fired from my job today for possessing such irresponsible behavior.”
One by one, different thoughts started flipping on his mind.
“I may loose the job, how will I keep my promise to sumi to gift her new saree. She is waiting desperately for that”
He thought of her frown face and wished to do any and everything just to wipe away that sadness from her.
He lost himself again in her memories. The way she ties her hair back and he opens it mischievously. The way she smiles and looks upward in his eyes angrily, hiding her smile. She was the entire world for him, all colors; all joy of heaven can never be so alluring. He could do anything just to see reflection of him in those two beautiful eyes forever. He had forgiven God for the unfortunate accident that made him dumb because God has given him a woman who can speak a language from her sparkling eyes that can only be understood by him. They are so magical that however tired he is from the world, he finds the complete rest in them and an amazing amount of energy to survive and fight for another day. He knew that he can break all the rules of this world just to make her smile once.
“I wish I could get her that saree!!”
He started calculating his savings. He had almost Rs50,000 saved, but he needed to give it to the friend, with whom he had borrowed money to get this small home.
“What if nobody comes and I die lying here, choked.”
He wished just to see her one more time before he would leave this world.
“But it’s not possible, I can’t die, because as soon as my boss realizes my absence he will start looking for me and get me out of it. And afterwards even I’ve no idea what worse can happen.”
His hands kept playing with the mobile, and he stared to for a minute and thought…
“I can get at least Rs 1000 if I sell this mobile, which will be enough for sumi to buy her saree.”
A mixture of pain and pleasure arrived at his face. It’s a new mobile and he bought it by saving some money every month. He wanted to have this mobile for about two years and he just didn’t think of loosing it this way.
“There is no other alternative for sumi to be happy, let me bear this pain for her”
It’s extremely difficult for a man to get away from their desirable gadgets, but the good thing is that somehow they always do it for the woman they love a lot.
One more hour passed.
8.30 AM
“People must have started arriving in the office.”
“Oh God, don’t send someone by 9.00 to get me out of here, it will be so difficult for me to explain to my boss what happened and why couldn’t I be able to complete my work.”
He started feeling thirsty, desired to have water.
“Had I not been started today from this building, I wouldn’t be in this situation. Why the creepy thought came in my mind in the morning.”
“Bad days start like this only. Let’s see what more I’ve to see today.”
And, his mind started preparing him for the possibilities that could happen today with him.
“I’ve to look for a job immediately, whom should I ask for, it is very difficult to get one now a days and for a person with special advantages like me, who will be willing to keep”
He frowned.
“I’ve to say sumi to wait for some months, or sell my mobile”
Both options are equally painful, is there any other possibility, he kept pondering but couldn’t find any.
9.30 AM, he watched time on his mobile. All the sad expressions, disappointment, frustration, grief started flashing one by one on his face.
And, he heard some voices which means somebody was coming to that building. With all his strength left in his arms, he started slamming the door continuously.
Outside, two people heard that continuous beating of door; suspiciously they went there and had an idea that someone got stuck in the lift. One of them went to the guard at the door and informed the same. He came and did all the necessary things to make the door open and took out the man.
The man was not happy at all coming out of lift after 2 long hours. But, the fresh air seemed to rejuvenate his energy. The morning was pleasant and soothing, but as it is said, if you are not happy from inside nothing from the outside world has the power to make you happy. These two hours seemed to be most critical for him.
He wished to talk.
He missed his wife.
He expected a miracle.
He shattered his belief.
He dreamed for a better life.
He felt Love.
He imagined.
Walking slowly, he reached his boss’s cabin.
“Where were you? I’ve been waiting for you to come.” His boss continued speaking.
“I know that you are not going to tell me what happened and you wished that I would not come to know, but I don’t understand the reason behind it. Its really surprising that a person like you can do this. There are very few people in this world who understand their responsibility. It may be very insignificant for you, but it is important for everyone to know about this so that they can understand their responsibilities and value for it.
He kept his head down, not able to look at him in his eyes. It was the first day he was not able to clean the floor and had to hear so much.
“Come to the point man, fire me if you want, stop giving lectures of this sort.” He thought
“So I’ve decided to publish this in our quarterly magazine…………” Boss kept saying in his harsh voice.
“Is he gone mad, this tiny thing he is going to publish, there is seriously something very wrong about him?” He bewildered
“……. And, your increment is due; I’ve decided to give you increment in your salary which will be effective from the month of January this year. Hence the amount from January till august, you are going to get in the September salary. In October you will be getting your Diwali bonus. I know this is not much but hope that it will be able to suffice your needs. I wanted to do something more, but only this was in my hands. I’m sorry for this.”
There was a complete silence for a minute. He was looking at his boss, wondering and confused and boss; busy with reading a document.
“…. Also, I don’t want you to remain as a housekeeping man throughout your life. As I see you are not bad in studies, with this increment and bonus I want you to learn computers so that I can think about giving you some role related to paperwork, which will help you to grow professionally in future.”
It was much much more than enough for his astonishment. With his confused mind he wanted to ask “Are you kidding with me, do you know what are you saying? And the biggest of biggest question is WHY?”
He freezed on the floor while his boss kept busy reading and putting his signature on some papers.
“You can leave now, carry on with your work” his boss said, smiling.
He closed and opened his eyes to check if he is dreaming or went into some other world. He pinched also himself. It was not a dream, it was real.
“What made him to do this?” now he was getting restless, which was clearly seen on his face.
But, he could not ask anything, just turned around and started stepping away from his cabin. As he reached the door, looked back, his boss was smiling and staring at him.
“What happened?” he asked through his expressions, using hands.
“Thanks, my sister reached at home safely last night.”
“What!! She was your sister???” he wanted to speak.
And he understood the unpredictable, more than required polite behavior and generousness of his boss this morning
Last night it was raining heavily. He was heading back to his home. There was a woman of about 55-60 years old, carrying 4-5 bags, tried to move towards a building with dragging her legs. He looked at her and without having a second thought just ran towards her. There was a heavy water logging and the lady got a severe injury because she couldn’t see the sharp stone on the way. She was bleeding and it was very difficult for her to move forward. He took her bags, held her hands and supported her to come aside, looked for a bench and made her sit. He kept her luggage there and ran again towards a medical store and asked for bandage and cotton by writing it on a paper. He came back running, put it on her legs, took her luggage and umbrella and walked down towards her building.
“What is your name good man?” she asked
He kept silent; his both hands were busy so he couldn’t even used sign language to tell her that he can’t speak.
“You don’t want tell me your name? Is it so funny? Well, don’t worry I’m too old to flirt with you” she started laughing.
“Women of all ages are silly, I think right” He tried to murmur on his own, and smiled by looking at her.
“Ok, where do you work? “
This time, he showed her the sky.
“The sky?” she thought for a second
“Redsky India pvt ltd.??” She questioned.
He nodded
And they reached, watchman was standing. He handed over everything to him, smiled, let her know with his hands that he can’t speak and turned back.
“Listen man; Let me say thanks to you properly.” She shouted from behind but he just disappeared, he was getting late for home.
He went home late and the shop was closed from which sumi wanted to buy her saree. She was wearing a new green saree, with a kajal on her eyes, sitting at home waiting for him. He reached home and tried to put his hands on her shoulder to make her understand what had happened but she pulled it off. She refused to hear anything, just showering fire from her same beautiful eyes, which has capability to speak the universal language that has no alphabets just different feelings, and you don’t have to be literate to understand that.
“How does She manages look so beautiful every time” he wondered.
He promised her to get her saree on Sunday, and then she had shown the expression “Let’s see, you get it then we will talk.” and went to her bed.
He missed her warm hug in night and slept alone.
“So the woman I met last night was his sister. But I did not tell her my name. How did she recognize me.?”
A man who can’t speak in Redsky Pvt Ltd. He was the only one in the office.
Standing at a corner of Redsky Pvt Ltd, he looked at the sky above which was very clear with no clouds, perplexed to understand the significance of the incidences that takes place in our lives daily.
Life is Strange!!
“I should have reached by now, a thought popped in his mind, what’s wrong??”
And then he realized his lift was not moving. He got stuck over there.
He started using his hands to open the door, hitting all around the wall. The lift was old and closed from all sides. It’s impossible for a single person to open it. He struggled for about 20 minutes, drenched with sweat and opened his mouth with haplessness and tried to shout but he couldn’t as he had lost his voice 20 years back in an accident. He was dumb. He kept trying to shout, hoping for some miracle to happen and a sound comes out from his vocal chords, but all was in vain. He deeply desired to be able to shout at least once.
“Oh God, Why you have made me dumb, there are thousand of people in this world, then why you chose me only for this defect.”
He understood soon that it is not going to work this way. He has got good muscular body and he was a theist, devotee of Lord Hanuman. Expecting the help from his Lord, with a great conviction, he made a big fist, closed his eyes, thought of his Lord and slammed the door.
Nothing happened.
Tired, He kept his both hands on his waist, tried to sit down. Suddenly his one hand felt the presence of mobile in his pants, which he bought yesterday from his friend. A ray of hope shined in his eyes but it faded very soon when he saw there is no network in the mobile. Although he couldn’t talk but he had an amazing fancy for the mobile phones and especially this was the handset he wanted to take for past 2 years and collecting money for it. At least he could have sent message to anyone about him being in lift, had the network been there.
“Why mobiles don’t work in lift? And if they don’t why service providers claim for the very good network. The whole world lies about them. Everybody boast and the ones who can do it in a sophisticated and classy manner get more profit and good position in the society. Had I not been dumb, I would have been amongst one of them. I could have been at a better position than where I am today.”
One hour passed.
7.30 AM
The sky started turning into red, sign of arrival of sun, with a message that there is always a new day comes in life, there is always a new beginning happens for every person and there is always something good stored in the day whether we notice it or not.
“I have 2 more hours in my hands. If I am fortunate, somebody will come and open the door.”
The emergency alarm was not working and his boss told him to repair it a week before. The concerned person was supposed to come yesterday but delayed it for today. Now there was no point even if he comes. The damage was done. His boss got two big reasons to scream at him. He prayed God to send someone soon so that his boss never got to know what happened in the lift.
“If I’m really unfortunate or destiny wants to punish me for anything wrong I’ve done, I might be fired from my job today for possessing such irresponsible behavior.”
One by one, different thoughts started flipping on his mind.
“I may loose the job, how will I keep my promise to sumi to gift her new saree. She is waiting desperately for that”
He thought of her frown face and wished to do any and everything just to wipe away that sadness from her.
He lost himself again in her memories. The way she ties her hair back and he opens it mischievously. The way she smiles and looks upward in his eyes angrily, hiding her smile. She was the entire world for him, all colors; all joy of heaven can never be so alluring. He could do anything just to see reflection of him in those two beautiful eyes forever. He had forgiven God for the unfortunate accident that made him dumb because God has given him a woman who can speak a language from her sparkling eyes that can only be understood by him. They are so magical that however tired he is from the world, he finds the complete rest in them and an amazing amount of energy to survive and fight for another day. He knew that he can break all the rules of this world just to make her smile once.
“I wish I could get her that saree!!”
He started calculating his savings. He had almost Rs50,000 saved, but he needed to give it to the friend, with whom he had borrowed money to get this small home.
“What if nobody comes and I die lying here, choked.”
He wished just to see her one more time before he would leave this world.
“But it’s not possible, I can’t die, because as soon as my boss realizes my absence he will start looking for me and get me out of it. And afterwards even I’ve no idea what worse can happen.”
His hands kept playing with the mobile, and he stared to for a minute and thought…
“I can get at least Rs 1000 if I sell this mobile, which will be enough for sumi to buy her saree.”
A mixture of pain and pleasure arrived at his face. It’s a new mobile and he bought it by saving some money every month. He wanted to have this mobile for about two years and he just didn’t think of loosing it this way.
“There is no other alternative for sumi to be happy, let me bear this pain for her”
It’s extremely difficult for a man to get away from their desirable gadgets, but the good thing is that somehow they always do it for the woman they love a lot.
One more hour passed.
8.30 AM
“People must have started arriving in the office.”
“Oh God, don’t send someone by 9.00 to get me out of here, it will be so difficult for me to explain to my boss what happened and why couldn’t I be able to complete my work.”
He started feeling thirsty, desired to have water.
“Had I not been started today from this building, I wouldn’t be in this situation. Why the creepy thought came in my mind in the morning.”
“Bad days start like this only. Let’s see what more I’ve to see today.”
And, his mind started preparing him for the possibilities that could happen today with him.
“I’ve to look for a job immediately, whom should I ask for, it is very difficult to get one now a days and for a person with special advantages like me, who will be willing to keep”
He frowned.
“I’ve to say sumi to wait for some months, or sell my mobile”
Both options are equally painful, is there any other possibility, he kept pondering but couldn’t find any.
9.30 AM, he watched time on his mobile. All the sad expressions, disappointment, frustration, grief started flashing one by one on his face.
And, he heard some voices which means somebody was coming to that building. With all his strength left in his arms, he started slamming the door continuously.
Outside, two people heard that continuous beating of door; suspiciously they went there and had an idea that someone got stuck in the lift. One of them went to the guard at the door and informed the same. He came and did all the necessary things to make the door open and took out the man.
The man was not happy at all coming out of lift after 2 long hours. But, the fresh air seemed to rejuvenate his energy. The morning was pleasant and soothing, but as it is said, if you are not happy from inside nothing from the outside world has the power to make you happy. These two hours seemed to be most critical for him.
He wished to talk.
He missed his wife.
He expected a miracle.
He shattered his belief.
He dreamed for a better life.
He felt Love.
He imagined.
Walking slowly, he reached his boss’s cabin.
“Where were you? I’ve been waiting for you to come.” His boss continued speaking.
“I know that you are not going to tell me what happened and you wished that I would not come to know, but I don’t understand the reason behind it. Its really surprising that a person like you can do this. There are very few people in this world who understand their responsibility. It may be very insignificant for you, but it is important for everyone to know about this so that they can understand their responsibilities and value for it.
He kept his head down, not able to look at him in his eyes. It was the first day he was not able to clean the floor and had to hear so much.
“Come to the point man, fire me if you want, stop giving lectures of this sort.” He thought
“So I’ve decided to publish this in our quarterly magazine…………” Boss kept saying in his harsh voice.
“Is he gone mad, this tiny thing he is going to publish, there is seriously something very wrong about him?” He bewildered
“……. And, your increment is due; I’ve decided to give you increment in your salary which will be effective from the month of January this year. Hence the amount from January till august, you are going to get in the September salary. In October you will be getting your Diwali bonus. I know this is not much but hope that it will be able to suffice your needs. I wanted to do something more, but only this was in my hands. I’m sorry for this.”
There was a complete silence for a minute. He was looking at his boss, wondering and confused and boss; busy with reading a document.
“…. Also, I don’t want you to remain as a housekeeping man throughout your life. As I see you are not bad in studies, with this increment and bonus I want you to learn computers so that I can think about giving you some role related to paperwork, which will help you to grow professionally in future.”
It was much much more than enough for his astonishment. With his confused mind he wanted to ask “Are you kidding with me, do you know what are you saying? And the biggest of biggest question is WHY?”
He freezed on the floor while his boss kept busy reading and putting his signature on some papers.
“You can leave now, carry on with your work” his boss said, smiling.
He closed and opened his eyes to check if he is dreaming or went into some other world. He pinched also himself. It was not a dream, it was real.
“What made him to do this?” now he was getting restless, which was clearly seen on his face.
But, he could not ask anything, just turned around and started stepping away from his cabin. As he reached the door, looked back, his boss was smiling and staring at him.
“What happened?” he asked through his expressions, using hands.
“Thanks, my sister reached at home safely last night.”
“What!! She was your sister???” he wanted to speak.
And he understood the unpredictable, more than required polite behavior and generousness of his boss this morning
Last night it was raining heavily. He was heading back to his home. There was a woman of about 55-60 years old, carrying 4-5 bags, tried to move towards a building with dragging her legs. He looked at her and without having a second thought just ran towards her. There was a heavy water logging and the lady got a severe injury because she couldn’t see the sharp stone on the way. She was bleeding and it was very difficult for her to move forward. He took her bags, held her hands and supported her to come aside, looked for a bench and made her sit. He kept her luggage there and ran again towards a medical store and asked for bandage and cotton by writing it on a paper. He came back running, put it on her legs, took her luggage and umbrella and walked down towards her building.
“What is your name good man?” she asked
He kept silent; his both hands were busy so he couldn’t even used sign language to tell her that he can’t speak.
“You don’t want tell me your name? Is it so funny? Well, don’t worry I’m too old to flirt with you” she started laughing.
“Women of all ages are silly, I think right” He tried to murmur on his own, and smiled by looking at her.
“Ok, where do you work? “
This time, he showed her the sky.
“The sky?” she thought for a second
“Redsky India pvt ltd.??” She questioned.
He nodded
And they reached, watchman was standing. He handed over everything to him, smiled, let her know with his hands that he can’t speak and turned back.
“Listen man; Let me say thanks to you properly.” She shouted from behind but he just disappeared, he was getting late for home.
He went home late and the shop was closed from which sumi wanted to buy her saree. She was wearing a new green saree, with a kajal on her eyes, sitting at home waiting for him. He reached home and tried to put his hands on her shoulder to make her understand what had happened but she pulled it off. She refused to hear anything, just showering fire from her same beautiful eyes, which has capability to speak the universal language that has no alphabets just different feelings, and you don’t have to be literate to understand that.
“How does She manages look so beautiful every time” he wondered.
He promised her to get her saree on Sunday, and then she had shown the expression “Let’s see, you get it then we will talk.” and went to her bed.
He missed her warm hug in night and slept alone.
“So the woman I met last night was his sister. But I did not tell her my name. How did she recognize me.?”
A man who can’t speak in Redsky Pvt Ltd. He was the only one in the office.
Standing at a corner of Redsky Pvt Ltd, he looked at the sky above which was very clear with no clouds, perplexed to understand the significance of the incidences that takes place in our lives daily.
Life is Strange!!
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