𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑨 𝑪𝒐𝒊𝒏

PROLOGUE

Water splashed on my windshield as I drive in the heavy rainy night of the late July. I can feel my stomach growling for I haven't eaten anything since morning. I need to buy some grocery items too, thinking this I parked my car near a supermarket. Its pouring as I see people walking under the umbrellas, some running around to find a shelter, cars horn blowing continuously as if they're running late for their homes and probably they are. 'Another busy, boring night of Shimla' I sighed as I got out from my car and quickly ran towards the supermarket to not get myself wet.

There's not many people inside to which I'm relieved. Without wasting another second I started collecting my necessary items like some daily snacks, soft drinks, noodles, coffee, shampoo and soaps. After billing I stepped out where I heard a loud noise of things falling, turning to my right I saw a middle aged woman scolding a girl who's crouched down and picking up the fallen things from the floor. I heard the lady talking roughly with the girl, taunting how disrespectful today's kids are to the elders, walking without watching as if they own the place and what not.

The girl finally got up and handed a plastic bag full of stuffs to the lady before bowing down as an apology. I noticed she was completely drenched in the rain, her trouser and jacket were dripping water. Taking the bag, the lady started walking away still murmuring to herself. I was about to see the girl's face when I felt someone tugging at my coat on my left. An old lady.

"Dear, can you take me across the road? its raining and my bag is heavy", she asked politely to which I couldn't deny.

"Um, oh, yeah sure", I replied after taking my gaze off of the girl and giving a last glance to her back I started walking the old lady across the road. The road was so busy, many cars, bikes, scooties passing with heavy rain made it difficult to even walk. Good thing the lady asked for help or else god knows she would have been with him by now.

Reaching the opposite the side of the road I walked her few more distance till we reached a shelter. "Thank you, gentleman for giving this old, poor lady a hand. I hope I didn't trouble you much with my request". The lady said with a warm, polite smile on her face.

"Oh no no its fine, you didn't trouble me. Take care on the way to your home". I said before turning around and running back. I myself was drenched now. When I returned I saw no one standing near the store anymore. She was gone. Staring down at my fresh bought stuffs I went towards my car, just when I put the bag in the back seat I saw the same girl crouching down and playing with a puppy in the bus stop. I subconsciously smiled at the view before getting inside and driving away.

By the time I reached home, the rain has stopped. The whole environment was smelling fresh and new. I parked my car and started walking towards my door with the bag in my hand. I can already smell the soup getting cooked in my kitchen, standing in the front of the door, I knocked. The door opened with an old lady standing in front of me. Hands resting on her waist as her old-aged eyes looked at me with frustration and hidden concern.

"I'm home granny", I said avoiding her stares. "You're late gentleman!", she stated. "But I'm home". Saying this I placed the bag on the table before going inside my room to get fresh.

"Just go home old lady, I can take care of myself, Im 28 now. You don't need to come here daily", I shouted from my room while I take off my shirt. Placing my watch on the nightstand I heard her say something that was audible to her only. I went inside my bathroom and turned on the shower, my palms resting on the wall, I let out a groan as I feel my muscle relaxed under the hot water. 'Just give me a break'.

I came out and wore my clothes. I was drying my hair with the towel by the door when granny said from the opposite side, "I come here because I care for you. It doesnt matter if you're 28 or 38, you're still a kid for me and will always be". Her voice sounded weak and dull. "I have no one else.", she sniffed "beside you...".

By the time I dried my hair and came out, granny was long gone. I stood there in the middle of my living room and looked at the dining table. Food was already placed on it. She cooked and left. I silently sat on the chair and finished my plate all the while regretting the words I said.