It's been a tough week for his entire district. The recent plaque made it difficult for him to perform his job. His work constantly involved him traveling all over the place. His family needed all the money he could get, and strongly disapproved of anything online that made him money. Viraj truly felt cornered at such a young age, and he didn't like it one bit. He plopped down on the bench, watching and waiting, thinking of anything to pass the time by. It's almost midnight and his departure times in the morning. He sat for so long, fiddling with a piece of string and his jacket zipper.
He got quite bored of watching all the people pass by with more quality clothing. He was in a pretty strict state at this moment in his life. Spending his bread on food for his plate and his family's needs rather than his wants like clothing, and the flashy things a few of his friends always flexed in his face. He wore the most plain, clean things he could. It was always wash and recycle with anything he could for the lowest price possible despite how ugly the style of the shirt is or how fake it is. He chugged down the last bits of water he had left. He had no food left and he had nothing left to spend on food for the trip back. The prices were practically inflated for the food on the train and what not. He sat back and just waited out the next couple hours he had to wait.
He liked to sit alone rather than the crowded benches especially with the hot weather. Although, it seemed that someone took pity on his appearance. He was wearing literal rags. He still packed a good amount of muscle in his arms and his shirt with no sleeves really emphasized that. It generally always puts him off from being a target. Viraj had no recollection of how long he's been sitting there for. He went off into a small nap, clutching his bag together. He learned from the last time something like this happened. The last time he fell asleep on a bench and left his things beside him, it didn't end well. Especially since he had his homework getting drenched. Someone at some point had taken his bag while he was asleep and chucked it in a canal. Thankfully he was able to recover the bag and got another copy of his homework. The expensive bag went to waste, and it really screwed with him since budgets were tight. Viraj had to use a grocery bag for his work for the next couple months. Although, that was years ago, and he always has that as a constant reminder of that moment when he was about to fall asleep with his things. Some of his friends laughed at him about it, but they also sympathized and helped him out with a bit of money. A small amount that went a long way. Like they always say, it's the thought that counts.
Either way, he closed up all the zips before he had a nap. The entire day was a huge hassle of non-stop work with only one small lunch break in the afternoon. Viraj tucked himself into the bench and got some easy shuteye relatively quickly. He had no recollection of how long he was exactly out for. But someone had decided to take action on their pity. They walked up to him once he finally woke up from his slumber. Viraj felt a lot more refreshed and up for it, which isn't saying much, considering he was completely drained. "How are you feeling, child?" she asked. "Um. I'm alright ma'am. Just trying to make it through a tough day's work nowadays is all." Viraj replied. "Of course. It's only going to get more and more intense with the plague and how much stricter I hear the district is getting," she replied. "You clearly know more than I do. This isn't all just buzz right?" Viraj asked. "I pay no mind to pointless blabbing," she shrugged off. "Besides, it's all in front of us to see. Not directly, but indirectly. Notice the constant security checks when you enter the platform child. "I can sense the tension rising all over the place already in general," Viraj said. "What can be done about it? The law and order only focused on keeping all civilians in all five districts safe. No sort of change seems to be coming nowadays," he argued. "True. What has the thought of rebelling ever sounded like to you?" she curiously asked. "I pay no attention to such fanatic groups. I mean no offense when I say that obviously. Each to their own. But it's bound to only land me in nothing but trouble because of how controversial it can get," Viraj explained.
"Very interesting point of view," she said. "Also, you never had the courtesy to tell me your name?" Viraj asked. "Does that really matter? It's not like the young care too much about someone from the older generation. You probably think I should be relaxing in a retirement home for the rest of my days," she said. "Probably, but you don't really look old," he replied. "Take a guess," she suggested. "You're probably in your thirties at most," he answered. "You're quite close. I am forty-one. Your curiosity sated?" she replied. "I could've never guessed that. So why are you really here?" Viraj. "Here. Eat up. You'll need it," she said, handing him a small plate of Jollof rice and some steamed fried rice. "Wow. Thank you. How much do I owe you," Viraj said, perking up at this offering. "Nothing. Just eat up, child. Your sight was a pain itself," she snickered. "Gee. Thanks." Viraj dug in on his meal and gobbled to his heart's content.
"I must say. This is my favorite meal to have. I'll be departing in a couple hours either way aswell. So, I'm thrilled with this deed. You couldn't have come through with better timing," Viraj pointed out. "Hush. Less talking and more eating. You'll choke on your food," she instructed. "Mhmm." Viraj nodded and finished up on the last bits of his food. The hours passed by, and he had no actual recollection of when he was meant to depart if it weren't for the bell and announcement reminding him it was time to leave soon. Although one guard soon got suspicious of Viraj and the ordeal with this woman. "Is she trying to sell you on some hotel or something?" he asked. "No. I'm his mother," she quickly said before Viraj could reply. "Alright then. Be wary of strangers, son," the guard advised. "Don't talk so openly." "I get your point. But I like strangers. Not every egg in the batch is spoiled," He replied. "You can never tell at first sight," the guard reminded. "My work consists of me traveling all over the place and it's never easy to always talk to anyone these days in this district," Viraj explained. "That makes you vulnerable," the guard replied. "Not all strangers are bad," he said, with a smile. The man checked his watch, and it indicated the train arrived and was about to depart.
"This has been an amazing chat. But I have to get back to my station. Judging by your ticket, you should get on the train before you rot on this bench," he advised. "You're right." Viraj packed it all in and the guard returned to his station. "Well, this has been an amazing chat and thanks again for the food. What's your name?" Viraj asked. "Oh, you need not worry, you'll see me again tomorrow or another day. Who knows?" she said, walking back to the dinner table. "Ok. Thanks again," Viraj said, before leaving to enter his train station. His thoughts revolved if he could see anyone like her in that train station who was as open, and friendly. That train station is a boring place to him that he constantly dreaded going to due to being a victim of having certain things stolen in that area. But now, he couldn't wait for the next time he was at that platform again, hoping to see her or someone else who's as friendly and can pass time like her. She made for an interesting conversation and was generous enough in getting some food for him. A week had passed, a month had passed, he never saw her again after that long. But at that time, he still came across some people on that platform who went his way and had an interesting conversation with them. It only hyped up the moment he would see her again. He could wait. He made a couple casual friends from that platform either way. It all gave him a little more motivation for his stressful job as time passed by quickly.
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