Exist
He looks unkempt in a ragged T-shirt and jeans. He checks his pockets for something and then adjusts his thick rimmed glasses. He walks slowly, lost in his world of turmoil. He walks past an old big banyan tree, a man was lying under it sound asleep. He walked past him still lost in his thoughts.
His legs were weary, his heart was pounding and he felt empty inside. He walked into a beautiful park dragging a ton of pain - himself. He used to visit this park quiet often and he had his favorite place. The park was empty today. He walked slowly towards the bench which always welcomed him without any complaints. He sat down and stared at nothing, the nothingness inside drives him now…………….
He lies on the bench.
Time slips away in the real world, but he is happy to be in the world he wants to be. He hears a bird chirping. He opens his eyes and sees a sky of green. A gentle breeze disturbs the stillness of the trees. The beautiful swaying of thousands of leaves, he felt as if they were performing for his pleasure. His eyes lit up and he smiled for the first time, after so many months.
He got up and sat there staring at the breath taking setting. The ground covered by the lush carpet of grass. The tiny pebbles on the ground huddled together. The small terracotta elephant raised its tiny little trunk, happy to see him. The Massive tree standing at the corner of the garden spread its arms, welcoming him for a comforting hug. Nature greeted him, he was filled with joy and the void was no more.
He walked all around the garden trying to see, touch and feel his new found friends. Happiness filled his veins; it traveled all over to reach every nook and corner of his body. He felt lighter without the anchor of pain.
He started to walk again. All his worries had vanished, he felt like floating. He reached the pathway which had a beautiful green picket fence. The wooden planks were standing in a perfect line. All of them stood in rapt attention as he walked past them with his head held up high. He revered the respect shown by the Green Soldiers.
He walked further towards the big banyan tree. Now he noticed the man who was sleeping there. He went near him without making any noise. The man was of similar height and build compared to him.
He started to smile again. He was happy to see the guy sleeping without any worries. The man had his hands clasped around something; he went closer to check what it was. He saw a pair of spectacles which looked similar to his. He put his hands near his eyes and realized that he wasn’t wearing his own glasses. He looked towards the garden and started running thinking he forgot his glasses.
He ran into the garden and reached the bench as quickly as possible. He stood there staring down at the bench, he couldn’t move.
His mind was reeling in confusion at what he saw. His eyes didn't blink, the world just froze.
He saw himself lying there on the bench – Lifeless. Blood seeped through his mouth; he saw a bottle of poison on the ground. He was still wearing his glasses.
He stood there staring at himself and then, he started to SMILE.
Cheers
Pradeep
PS: Hope the rains in Chennai stop on the day of the shoot.
