ASTRA

CH-4 Conversation with Naman

The guy seemed quite high spirited as he while showering he was singing a lot of songs but I don't really know in which language and he was a terrific singer, he sounded more like a monster and on top of it, the silence around did no good by amplifying his already too melodious 'noise'.

He came out and sat comfortably on the sofa when I offered him tea.

"To be honest, I really required it, thank you Mr.?"

I gave out a slight chuckle and said, "Sirish".

"Okay, once again thank you Shirish." After some moments of silence as he looked at me with questioning eyes and he finally spoke, "Would you mind me asking something?"

"Not really"

"So, I can't get why are you here? I mean there are no jobs here in this village so what are you doing here? I mean, you know...."

"Yes, I understood your point. Actually I have retired from army.... due to a shoulder transplant and I am living here on my pension."

"Oh, and that does you well?"

"Yes, fairly well."

"Oh, so Sirish, I wanted to ask for a favour." He spoke in a tone of authority rather than request, while continuously glancing inside and outside the house smiling at absolutely nothing.

"Hmm???" I guess I am getting luckier day by day, meeting some of the strangest creatures on Earth.

"I am actually in need of a room for some days or probably a month, I can see that you live here all alone so why not have me as a tenant. What say? Hmm?"

"Ummm.... I won't mind I guess." We then decided about the rent to be ₹10,000 for this month as it would give him the liberty to use almost the entire house except my room. When he put down the cup on the table which he was holding for too long, I noticed a long, pale scar on his right hand. I asked, "This scar?"

"This....? I was attacked by a wild cat years ago. This was it's present to me."

"Oh, and why are 'you' here? I mean your work etc"

"Actually, I am here to search for something and I guess I will find it out soon ." He said with a dangerous grin and suddenly he looked pissed off. This was now that I had a close look at his face. He had strange brown eyes more which had amber like reddish spark to them, a sharp parrot like nose and a wide grin on his pale white face with a not very sharp but good jawline. He was not very handsome and looked good while he talked and smiled but this pissed off look was honestly scary.

I wanted to ask something else but I was suddenly reprimanded by my conscience that said, 'Mind. Your. Own. Business. Idiot! First you let this stranger in your house and now you are questioning him continuously, just stop it!'

I nodded to him and came upstairs in my room. I have started reading 'The Wings Of Fire' surprisingly, sleep is surrounding me, my eyelids are heavy, I generally don't feel sleepy at afternoons but this is strange I guess I am loosing consciousness.