Me v/s him

I was walking down the road, silently really quietly in order to gain no one’s attention, to avoid any possible contact with any human being. I was in no mood to tackle anyone, I had had a very ‘bad day’. Well, it was a usual bad day, a lot of pressure from my training madam and a lot of stress on my body. The interstate dance competition was nearing and I lacked practice in my routine. Clearly, I could say nothing to my senior, she was the one helping me in winning the competition, not the vice versa so I stayed numb to her but this path to my home seemed unending and the torture on my body seemed unbearable. Oh if only I could fly off to my room.

I was so exasperated with my own incapability of not coping up that I wanted no person to talk to me, no hindrance between me and a long bath. Even the cool evening breeze after the rain, the ‘Petrichor’ did not sooth me.

It was only when I almost neared my house that I heard a small boy calling after me. The boy was in a jagged state, rugged clothes, unwashed hair, and foul whiff passing from him and yet a sweet smile contrasting everything else. He was almost shouting, “Sister something fell off.”

He was 10 steps behind me and it was my cell phone. I requested him, “Could you please bring that to me?”

“Come and take it for yourself.” He clearly thought he had done his job to inform me and now it was my responsibility to look after my things, in this case my beloved cell phone without wish I wouldn’t even know the next days practice schedule.

“Brother, please pass that to me, I am very tired.”

“Did you not hear me, you lost something and it is now your duty to get that yourself. Come here and take it.”

Of course I went there like a rich brat for her cell phone but I was paralysed when I bent down to take it. The boy? He had no legs. Oh my Good Lord, he had no legs, he could not move and here I was trying to make him help me. It was just a horror for me.

I was tired from practice? He was probably tired of life.

All flabbergasted I could only mutter, “I am sorry.” But his beaming smile made me feel even guiltier.

-*-*-*-

Of course we all have our own troubles and someone else’s troubles may be more than us. Everyone has their own share of problems but none of us can take it or give it, it is not in our hands. We can also not help how we feel for one’s happiness or sorrow; if we are happy we are blissful but when we someone else is happier than us we tend to be jealous. Well, we are all humans and we can just not stop such feelings, but what is in our hands is not to do anything that we would repent afterwards, if we feel jealous we feel it but going beyond the line would be wrong and not recommended. If we feel happy we should say it. Talking is what we people don’t do anymore.

I think if I had minded my own business took up my phone and walked away I would be happier. If I had not hoped for his help, it would be easier to not feel guilty and sad about his broken legs. It would be easier to forget his grinning face.