The Dark Side: Anthology of Short Stories exploring the dark side

The Midnight Fare

Delhi, the capital of India, is a city that never sleeps. Beneath the towering skyline, amidst the modern high-rises and ancient ruins, the streets hum with life. The air, thick with dust and the faint scent of masala chai, wraps itself around its 19 million inhabitants. August evenings are heavy with humidity, the heat rising from the concrete jungle stretching across the horizon. The relentless monsoon had passed, leaving the city damp and restless. On nights like this, Delhi's streets could feel like a living, breathing entity-both vibrant and unnervingly quiet at the same time.

Deepak Goyal was a man used to the chaos of the city. A successful businessman, he often relied on his driver to navigate the unforgiving traffic. However, on August 2nd, 2017, his driver took a leave. He hadn't anticipated needing to fend for himself that day, but the day had already been disappointing. His meeting hadn't gone as expected, and Deepak was drowning in the weight of a crumbling marriage. His son, the only light in his life, was away at boarding school, leaving their once lively home silent and cold. He felt utterly alone as he stood outside his office in Uttam Nagar East, his shirt sticking to his back, soaked in sweat from the long, hard day.

It was almost 11:30 PM, and the streets were deserted except for the occasional rickshaw and stray dogs meandering near street food stalls. He lit a cigarette, the orange ember glowing faintly in the dark. As he took a long drag, a set of headlamps appeared in the distance, slowly approaching. Deepak squinted through the dim streetlight, watching as the taxi slowed down and rolled to a stop before him.

The driver leaned out of the window, his face faintly illuminated by the dull yellow streetlights. "Need a ride, sir?" he asked, his voice calm and polite, his English surprisingly well-articulated.

Deepak nodded and slid into the back seat, exhausted. "Dwarka Sector 21," he said tiredly.

The driver, Raunak, smiled into the rearview mirror. "No problem, sir. Late night, huh?"

Deepak grunted in response, rubbing his temples. The cab began to move smoothly through the quiet streets, the city's usual cacophony now a distant hum. After a few minutes of silence, Raunak broke the quiet.

"You know, sir," Raunak began conversationally, "I studied at Delhi University. B.A. graduate. But you know how hard it is to find a job these days. The corporate world isn't for everyone."

Deepak, surprised, raised an eyebrow. "Really? What made you take up driving?"

Raunak shrugged. "Bills don't stop just because you can't find your dream job, right? I tried. But sometimes, you have to do whatever it takes to survive. People forget to appreciate the little things in life. We're always chasing after something we can't control."

Deepak looked at him in the rearview mirror, intrigued. He had heard these words before, but tonight, they felt more personal. "That's true," Deepak replied, his voice heavy. "Life is... complicated."

Raunak smiled sadly. "Complicated, yes. But people make it worse by always running after things they don't have. They forget to enjoy what's right in front of them."

As the taxi turned onto a quieter road, the darkness seemed to close in. Deepak felt a slight chill, despite the warm night. The conversation shifted, and Raunak's tone grew colder, almost detached.

"I wasn't always like this," Raunak continued, his voice lower now. "I used to have dreams too. But life... doesn't always turn out the way you plan. My parents wanted me in a corporate job. You know how it is-'log kya kahenge'-what will people say? I never wanted that life, but I had to lie. Told them I got an offer. In reality, I was driving this cab."

Deepak felt a shiver run down his spine as Raunak's eyes caught him in the mirror. Something was unsettling about the way he spoke.

"And then," Raunak continued, "they found out. I was disappointed. I couldn't handle it. So... I ended it. Took the easy way out."

Deepak's heart began to race. The air inside the cab grew thick with tension.

Raunak smiled-a twisted, hollow smile. "But, you know, death isn't the end. Not for everyone. I missed life. I missed my parents, my love... my work. I couldn't bear to be alone. So, I found a way to bring them with me. Haunted them. Made it look like suicide. Now, they're with me. Forever."

Deepak's breath caught in his throat. "What... what are you talking about?"

Raunak's voice dropped to a whisper. "You see, sir, I missed being a cab driver too. So now, I'm back on the roads. And I think... I'll take you for a very long drive tonight."

Deepak's blood ran cold as Raunak turned his head, his eyes gleaming with an unnatural light. The air around them seemed to grow denser, suffocating.

"I don't think you're going home tonight, sir," Raunak whispered. "Maybe I'll kill you. Maybe you'll join me. After all, life after death... it's lonely without company."

Deepak's hand reached for the door handle, but it wouldn't budge. The locks clicked shut, trapping him inside. His heart pounded in his chest as Raunak laughed softly.

The roads became unfamiliar. The street lights dimmed until they disappeared entirely. Deepak's world spiraled into darkness.

The next day, Delhi continued to buzz with life, unbothered by the happenings of the night before. In a small corner of a newspaper, under a pile of more urgent headlines, there was a brief notice: "Businessman Deepak Goyal Missing Since August 2nd."

Few people noticed. Fewer cared. Life in Delhi moved on, as it always did.

But somewhere in the shadows, a taxi still roamed the streets, its driver looking for another lost soul.