I was feeling quite lighthearted and happy that evening, as I walked down the street where the taxi had dropped me off. Making someone happy was always something I looked forward to. Moreover, Manoj seemed to be a well suited guy with a prominent character and a promising future. Also, having him around would give me a better idea about the previous handling and management of the various branches that had operated under Indie House in the past.
It was with these thoughts in mind that I reached my lodge.
I always preferred lodges to hotels, when I am travelling, because they weirdly felt more like home. They were generally away from the noise of the city thereby adding to the effect. My luggage had already beed sent to the place, an arrangement made by the Jaiswals, for which I was utterly thankful.
The winter evening was setting in but the street lights were yet to be turned on.
The view of the city that I had received while I was in the taxi had put me in a excited and exploring mood, but my body was tired, as I could feel the slight pain in the muscles of my leg. But none the less, I did not want to enter the lodge just yet.
There was a small park just in front of the main building on the opposite side of the road, where I could see children playing. I decided to take a stroll through the park before going back to my room.
I walked along the boundary looking for an entrance which I found to be right around the corner. I entered through the gates and found a tiled path that ran along the edge with cemented seats after intervals.
As I walked around the path, observing the kids, busy with their games, my mind got refreshed. Children had always fascinated me. Probably because they represented the most beautiful part of our lives. Seeing them go about their own little games, reminded me of my own childhood days of fun and leisure, free from all worldly worries.
A while later, when I felt my legs would not be able to carry me any further, I decided to sit down for a while. Although looking around for a suitable place, I could find none. Almost all the seats were occupied by groups of women, gossipping or guarding their playing children. There was one seat though, at the other end of the park, with just a single occupant, a gentleman wearing a shawl, his head burried in a book. It was a bit odd, since it was just the beginning of November and the weather was not cold enough for someone to wear a shawl. But, to each his own, I thought.
My legs were starting to pain uncomfortably, and finding no empty seats, I made up my mind to go back to the lodge. But just as I was about to turn, the man with the shawl got up, probably to leave. I gave a sigh of relief and walked forward to take the seat.
The man was then standing, wrapping the shawl tightly around him he was looking around the seat to see if he had missed something. Clearly finding nothing, he left the path and approached me, towards the entrance.
But then, suddenly, I slowed down.
There was something uncanny about the man that had caught my eye. Something was strangely familiar about him.
It was almost dark, the children playing had quit their games and went back to their respective parents.
I couldn't recognize the man. Not from that distance atleast. But I knew I had seen him before. I had known him in the past.
The lights had not come on yet. The heavy dusk was slowly settling all around me.
The man was looking towards the sky, and then lowering his head, continued walking towards me.
My heart was beating faster for some undecipherable reason, as I too approached him.
We were just a couple of feets away from each other when the lights in the park came on.
Our eyes met and in an instant I knew who he was.
Standing before me was none other than my old friend, Siddhart.
