Anger And Hunger

The sun shone brighter over his head. An old man was carrying a luggage in a bustling platform. His wrinkled black skin shone brighter than the rays of the sun. His steps were unrhymed as the thick glasses of the spec that he wore had many scratches. The deafening noise prevented him to listen what the man was saying. He was murmuring unstoppable in some unknown Indian language. He guessed, probably it was Tamil or Telugu. The coolie walked past the Platform number 4 and 5 to come down to number 6. Only a few commuters were busy in their gossips.

The red attired man's sweat wet a portion of the bag he was carrying. He slowly placed the heavy luggage on the shinning surface and wiped the sweats rolling down by his towel. The man asked him, "How much?". The coolie answered, "200, sir". He shouted at him, "Are you an idiot? Who pays this much money only to carry one luggage?" The coolie remained silent. He requested again, "Please give me 180 only." The man smiled and replied, "Now, you see, you have come down to 180. If I bargain further then you would take 50. So, tell me the right amount". He remained silent.

The man shouted louder, "Now, what happened, answer me." Again no reply came from the old man. His phone started ringing. He picked the phone and answered angrily, "How many times have I told you not to call me, you idiot lady. I have taken my breakfast and now I am in Raipur." He abruptly cut the line. Looking at the old man he said, "Now what, take 80 or else get lost."The old man left the place without taking any money.

The train was late for 8 hours. He sat on the bench for a few minutes and then lied. He was fully tired. The afternoon was so hot that he immediately caught a nap. He started snoring. A few minutes later, a speeding train's unbearable noise broke his sleep. He rose and sat to discover that his luggage was already missing from the place. In an hour of trial, he could understand that it was lost forever. All his impatient quarrels with the Railways Police were futile. He could find only a ten rupee coin in his pocket.

He tried to call his wife but could not recollect her number. In the evening, he sipped one cup of tea with his 10 rupee. A few hours later, he felt very hungry. He again lied on the bench and tried to sleep. In an empty stomach, the thoughts of losing all his belongings including money, ATM cards etc only preoccupied his mind but he was helpless.

At midnight the clock of a nearby church rang 12 times. On top of the church, a cross was lighted by luminous tubes. A cold breeze was blowing from that direction. There were only two or three persons lying on the distant benches. He was feeling weak as he was without food for near bout 18 hours. He looked around but no one was there.

All of sudden a loud stamping of boots broke his thoughts. He turned around. The same old coolie was standing there. He asked, "Sirji, Are you all right?." He remained silent as his mouth turned dry. Again, the old man repeated, "What happened? If seems you are worried." There was no response from the man. The old man was holding a food packet in his hand and the man's eyes were fixed at it. For the man, the words of the old man could not satiate his hunger of stomach. Yet, his thoughts were futile about the packet as he had lost the opportunity.

The old man could sense his problems. He wanted to help him. The man's big baggage was missing. He anxiously asked, "Sirji, Where is your luggage?." Still, no answer came. Then, he came closer to repeat his concern, "Is it stolen?" The man fell on his knees and started sobbing saying, "I am sorry, all my belongings are lost. I have not eaten anything since yesterday morning. Please give me your packet." The old man smiled and gave him the food packet. Both started walking towards the church.