'It was my birthday.I leaned back on my chair exhausted.I had no count of the running time,and only when the orange rays penetrating the curtains hit my raw skin,i acknowledged the dawn.I was too tired to even wonder.I knew the work was long but i never considered it to last till morning.My eyelids seeked relief indignantly.But my mind and body asked for a little refreshment in advance.So,i lifted up my wasted body in a sluggish manner to make myself a cup of coffee.On the way,i glanced at the wall clock that displayed the time as a quarter to six.I let out a huge sigh.
In the kitchen,i found the kettle already half full with coffee.I thanked myself proudly.I then went up to the balcony sipping the heated coffee in a fancy to admire the sunrise.But as i stood there watching the sun glide up,i didn't feel any better.The plans i had for the day were all stuffed in my mind that the sunrise seemed a mere sight.'This birthday will be the best one of my life',i was so sure.The crucial step for the dream of my life! 'Today sure is a big day.But some rest is imperative before i start the day.'
Assured thus,i went up to my bed and lay flat on it.My eyes were closed in compulsion for a peaceful slumber.
But the excitement for the day ahead kept me awake.The things that should and will happen were going through my mind.The expectation was too great for my mind to rest.However my eyes didn't bother,they were irrevocably closed.The plans in my mind were getting more and more complex that i felt things were expanding within my head.Heavier and heavier,the head became,it spun and respun,it was in an imminent danger of getting exploded.And as a detonator,the phone rang,i woke up startled.It was the landline.I answered it,
"Hello?" I said.
"Hey,I'm coming there man.We've got some last minute work to do",said the voice.That was Krish,my delayed consciousness responded.
"Work?"i spoke hotly,"there's still work left?"
"Yeh"he replied inadvertently,"just some trivial ones."
"Ok then,come over".
I hung up.Only then i realised i was back to reality and had even answered a phone call.That what i experienced,it comes with stress.'But why am i stressful?.I should be okay,this is a big day'i reassured myself.
I was washing my face when the doorbell rang.
"Coming" i called out.
Opening the door,i ushered him in.Krish,he was some few years younger than me and ultimately in experience.He had a blunt nose and slightly receding forehead,and thin cheeks that made a summit at the sharp chin.Very little stubble he had and his hair were shiny and straight combed in a neat,tidy manner.
He ensconced himself in the sofa and took out some papers,most of them were plain.He spread them out on the table and said,"We've got to write about our work.In detail."
"But what for?"i enquired.
"They ask for it.You need to submit a neat description of your work with sketches wherever it is possible.But this work hardly requires sketches."he explained proudly,"And here is the patent application,we have to submit this along with the description."
I smirked."I thought of taking a little nap"
"Are you even serious?.This is no time for naps,man."He put up an incredulous face.
"Yeah,i know but i was working all night and i have to be fresh to do these things."i retorted.
"I understand.But we've got no time,Charlie said he would come at about ten."he spoke softly.
"Oh..he is actually coming then,uh?"i said in a smug manner.
"He sure is coming,what else would he do.This is such a great work,it's like an honour for him that we've called for him."
"Right then,let me get ready.I've got to freshen up a bit,a shower would do,i presume."saying i made my way up the stairs.
Krish was my assistant,we had managed to develop a multi user operating system that has a lot new benefits that the present day OS lack.But we weren't sure if our invention was successful.A few days previously we developed a single user OS ,but those single user OS were all outdated.But the multi OS is a different story,if it is a success,that would be a great achievement,a dream come true.We've decided to get a patent as quickly as possible and Charlie,an old friend had accepted our request to come over and have a look at our work and comment on it.I'd been busy all night fixing the possible bugs.Only today we were actually going to test how the OS works.
I entered the living room partly fresh.The interior of my head had stabilized a little.Krish was working on the papers,he had beautifully crafted out the description.I joined him in the work and once again lost track of the time.And when finally the doorbell rang,i straightened up.It was then fifteen minutes past ten.I greeted Charlie at the door.'
POV of the kid on the bicycle:
This is a cool ride,the breeze is just splendid,the exact weather i had anticipated.I pedalled faster enjoying the cool air that tantalizes me to go berserk.I always offer to help mom with the errands at the dawn just to enjoy the ride.Even the mention of the ride sends creeps within me.Even at this peak hour,the road is hardly engaged and i assume its just for my sake.As i enter Gore's square ,i see the red traffic light signalling for nobody approaching it.I presume they are not for bicycles as i pedal further.But a glimpse of a scene makes me turn towards it.There,i see a little boy,some years younger than me on a stone bench with a package rolled with some coloured clothing.His face looks pitiable and in want of a companion.His eyes shows his longing avid for something.His legs are constantly tottering implying that he is apprehensive. At first,it struck me as familiar,but now i realise,this little boy dawdling here is just a facsimile of my memory some years ago.I can reminisce the day,it was a queer day of my life.
