The Stormy Night

It was a dark, stormy night. Ajay had to travel from Faridabad to his home back, in Gurgaon. Monsoon had reached its peak and the forecast of torrential rains and thunderstorms for the next twenty-four hours prompted him to undertake the return journey at night itself.

His mind was racing and rewinding the events of the day.

The partial treatment his boss served out to him threw all logic to dust. The storm bellowing outside did not affect him much for his insides too were no less stormy today. Thoughts raged “What did I do to deserve this?” An oppressed voice howled "Why am I singled out, when it’s me to whom they come running in dire times". The showers pouring down could not wash away his perspiration and tears. "Why am I so naive? Why can't I speak back clear?" As he felt more and more unsettled, groping for a reason, just like a lightening his Mom’s countenance flashed on his mental frame. Her instructions and belief in hard work and honesty were washing down useless today. “Don’t indulge in gossips. Stay away from petty office politics” she had drilled into her subconscious mind. They made no sense in this world. 'Mom! why did you teach me courtesy and no curt! The world has failed to teach me anything!"

Such thought ranting, mumbling, seething, Ajay was past one hour into the journey. His mobile beeped.

“Stop over there by night. Come in the morning” his wife said.

“No, in this rain I won’t be able to make out between a road and an open manhole by morning. I’d better come now. What are kids doing?"

"They just had dinner, after I told them you will reach late."

"What’s for Dinner?"

"All your favorite dishes"

A smile dashed past his wife’s lips as they bade each other adieu.

Ajay resumed his journey, his strong, chiseled, muscular biceps deftly balancing the motorbike handle on the slippery, slurry broken roads. The route was well known like an old friend; so many times, he had traversed it. So, despite a heavy curtain of rain, he continued to move slowly but now confidently. So, what if the Boss ignored him. His family was waiting for him!