Nomads

Chapter 4, Pt 3- Freedom

They were baffled at the architecture and culture of Kolkata, it was like a blend of old European cities and modernism, with many churches and old European styled buildings all around, with modern glass buildings scattered here and there. Nasr loved Kolkata.

They asked around and finally found out a small hotel in Chandni-Chowk area, called The Broadway Inn. An old British hotel. They entered and found the receptionist to be an old middle-aged man, accompanied by one of his friends.

“Where are you from, you look very young?”, he enquired.

“We travelled a long way here from Odisha, sir. We are extremely exhausted. We could not find vacancies in any hotels and they suggested you.” Nasr said, keeping his guitar and bag down.

“Oh? From which city?” he asked.

“Angul, we were hiking in Angul and then biked here. It’s our travel adventure.” Nasr replied instantly and smiled.

“Well, you see, my friend here is from Angul too.” The man said pointing at the other man.

Nasr was constantly getting the feeling that he had to be as natural as possible or he would get caught.

“Where in Angul are you from?” asked the other man.

“We are actually from Bhubaneswar; we were hiking in Angul.” Nasr replied instantly.

“Well, you have travelled far. It is good to see young men like you taking such huge risk, biking here from Odisha. Your parents must be very supportive”, The old man said.

“They sure are very supportive”, Nasr said with sarcasm hidden in his voice that Subash understood, they both smiled.

The old man smiled, he somewhat some-what understood his sarcasm and that they weren’t just any random travelers. He did not think much, nor did he ask any further questions.  Seeming to have relieved of his suspicion, “we do have a few vacancies. You can actually get a double room for paying just rupees three hundred extra.”

“Oh no, our budget doesn’t permit that. We need a single non-ac room.” Subash said.

He asked them to show their ID and they handed their Aadhar cards, while Subash was 18, Nasr was still 17. He eyed them suspiciously again, but Nasr gave him a very hopeful look which he couldn’t deny. He could see that they were very tired and needed rest. Subash asked them of the parking lot but they did not have one, so they arranged for his bike to be locked to the footpath railing in front of the hotel. A bellboy took them to their room via lift. Their room was very old styled, with a small plasma tube TV, a decent bathroom with geyser and two beds joined together. Nasr opened the windows to reveal a red-lit back alley. For a moment, he thought that it was some sort of a place where you could find walking prostitutes. It looked like those dark, and small New York alleys where crimes take place. He looked out of the front window, there was a bustling market outside.  It was small, but cozy, in the middle of the city. And they loved it. Nasr took a quick shower and wore shorts and a t-shirt. He saw Subash with the TV on, he was laying on the bed, watching news.

“The fuck are you doing?”, Nasr laughed.

“Ah, I’m checking if we are on the news.” Subash said with a stern look.

“Oh, I don’t think we will be. They probably won’t publicize it so early.” Nasr said.

“Better be safe than sorry”, Subash said.