Fate’s parting Gift!

It was Christmas Eve. The entire place was lit up with hopes and waiting for the inevitable to occur. The night was still and the shops were filled with the last minute rush of the customers who suddenly seem to remember their responsibilities and love for those back at home. It was then that Mr. Dsouza started for home. Being brought up in an orphanage, it always reminded him of the carols and Father Anthony. He felt the pangs of loneliness that seem to remind him of his unknown roots and the lack of companionship around him. It was these times that he felt most vulnerable.

He walked at a brisk pace on the neon-lit pavements that were decorated intermittently by the Christmas trees and the huge portraits of Santa Claus. Snow was emulated by cotton wool and it was a wonderful sight to behold at this part of the world which had probably not experienced the wonderful snowflakes at this time of the year. Yet, there were beggars lying unattended on the footpaths showing the ever-growing signs of abject poverty. He had learnt to ignore these and hardened his soul that commanded him saying “First be happy yourself, then try spreading happiness to others!!” So when one of the lesser fortunate approached him, he looked away and ignored the plea. What he had forgotten was the helping hand that had reached out and had enabled him to enjoy some if the pleasures of being a child. It was a simple twist of fate that one who was hand-picked by Fate from the road, refused to lend a helping hand to one of his own fellow brothers. Fate who had so long walked hand in hand with DSouza felt ashamed and turned his face away from DSouza and went on to hold the more needy individuals.

The cold zephyr on the cold winter night suddenly made its presence felt. DSouza shielded his arms against his ribs. Turning away he hurried on to catch the metro train. Now, he was feeling guilty of not helping out those needy hands that had so effortlessly protruded out in want of some aid. Yet, now it could not be undone. On reaching the escalator he was astonished to find the platform overflowing with tired professionals all bundled up with packets in gift wraps. People had filtered into the underground station from the surrounding streets. They huddled like grapes on a stalk. There was a lively hum of conversations. Yet, he felt alone.

DSouza really didn’t want to go home. Home was a tomb, where there was no smiling faces, no cajoling arms to welcome him, no one to talk to, except those blank expressionless walls which stared blankly to oblivion. These were the most unromantic barriers which imprisoned him in his own world of loneliness and desolation. He was too engrossed in his own thoughts when the train rumbled in. Well, he was probably about to board the train, when he realized that he was following the footsteps of a lady. Suddenly the strap of the bag which was being carried by the lady snapped and it fell on the platform, as she stepped on the footboard of the train.

The lady grasped “Oh, my bag…”

Before anyone could react, DSouza quickly bent over and picked the bag up in reflex action, before handing it over. He was the last person to step into the train. The lady glanced side-ways and smiled. She smiled in a charmingly natural way, and her white, even teeth reflected happiness. The crowded train didn’t allow the lady to express her gratitude, as she would have liked to have. The sweet smell of perfume was as intoxicating as the smile itself. It had disarmed him as he had temporarily left his guard open. Well fate had it. He wanted to smile back. He wanted to say something but he was too tongue-tired to say anything. He was too afraid that his expressive eyes could betray his loneliness and his vulnerability. However he had unknowingly done it to Shmaylee.

Shmaylee was too returning to her flat. Shmaylee being alone in this city sometimes made her feel insecure and lonely. Today was a day that made her feel lonely because all her colleagues had gone home early. She had deliberately worked late in order to exclude the cloud of gloom that had hovered over her. Even though a couple of her colleagues had insisted her to come over at their place yet she had resisted the temptation somehow. Though unknown to each other both these individuals needed some form of companionship on such a night. The lady who was docile in nature had been repeatedly forewarned by all to be aware of over enthusiastic strangers who may end up taking advantage of little situations. Yet, she couldn’t help notice that forlorn expression in this individual’s eyes. Yet, strangely the seeds of suspicion that had long been planted in the nubile mind had spread its tentacles far and wide and she felt she couldn’t act friendly to strangers.

As the train came to a halt the stranger alighted from the train and made his way through the crowd without looking back. Suddenly, she felt ashamed when she realized that she didn’t even thank this stranger. Yet there was no way she could undo it.

DSouza made his way through the crowd with that void in his heart. As he stepped out he was once again greeted by the protruding hands of some unfortunate beggar. He made up for his last time’s mistake. The burning and scorching soul got some relief and once again he walked with a lighter heart. He had done the good deed of helping one of his own brothers and that made his day. He was too absorbed in his thoughts when someone bumped into him. As he looked up and was about to hurl his choicest abuses that dangled at the very tip of his tongue he was forced to notice that the intruder was none other than the lady who lived in the next apartment. How weak-kneed can a lonely soul become in this concrete jungle in such situations. He was stunned by the demure of this lady who meekly apologized saying “I am sorry!”

He said “I should be the first to apologize, because I was not looking where I was heading”.

“Returning from Office?” she enquired.

“Yeah!”

“Would you like to have a cup of coffee with me?” she asked.

He gladly accepted.

DSouza, suddenly felt a sudden blast of air that swiped his face. He looked upwards towards possibly the heaven hoping to see the light of his destiny. When he looked down he saw a man dressed as Santa Claus distributing gifts as he walked towards them. The man’s face strangely resembled father Anthony as he waved towards them. Yet, he passed by without giving a gift but a sly smile. He wondered if fate had left any gifts for him in store. Well, maybe the gift was just the person who was walking beside him.