The wind blew at horse’s pace. The trees and the surroundings were getting treated with the flow of this storm. The bell at the old clock tower rang as both the hands met at 12.
I searched around the street for a cab or any other means of transportation. The street I was in and the few following streets were all totally asleep. I called at home informing about the windy atmosphere and that I won’t be able to come and would have a night stay somewhere near by. I carried with me my project prototype rather my dream and sat on a wrenched footpath wondering about how my interview went and if they liked my prototype. Soon it started to rain. I set the prototype beneath the roof of a store crossing the road and started looking for the help from nearby houses.
I envisioned an old man just closing the door but couldn’t. He was struggling. I approached him for help and he agreed. I took my prototype model and went inside the hut-like house. I closed the door. The night was dark as coal. He offered me a plate and it had idlis and chutney that my cellphone’s torch helped to witness. I asked if he stayed alone. He shook his head. I finished my plate in less than 3 minutes as I was hungry since noon. I felt guilty when I discovered it was the only plate he had to eat which he offered me that night. I did not say anything.
After sometime my phone’s battery was dead and now there was total darkness. To my surprise the old man was still doing each chore perfectly. I could not see but felt it. He did not speak much but informed me that he had kept my model at a safe place and I did not have to worry, offering me quite a torn blanket to put over as I sleep. I asked him where would you sleep and if he had another blanket. He did not respond.
I slept then thanking God for my hard-work and my dream was saved and wished if I could do anything to help him in life ever.
I never met him after that but years after while on hospital bed an old body with a new soul carrying young energy arrived with a thank you letter that he placed on the table and left. I wish I was alive to welcome him for that.
Kavita Chavda
