The Stranger

I boarded the train just in time. Barely two seconds later, it chugged out of the platform. I whispered a fervent prayer of thanks as I made my way to my seat. I placed my suitcase near the aisle and cleared my throat. The gentleman looked up from the book he was engrossed in. "Sorry," he muttered as he got up, so I could squeeze into the window seat. The AC chair car was comfortable and soon I was dozing.

"Er… excuse me, ma'am," I woke up with a start. A smart looking young man was standing next to me. "If you don't mind, can I sit by the window?"

I thought I was dreaming. "Uh?" I asked, bewildered.

"If it's not a problem," he stressed.

I shook myself out of my stupor and smiled at him. Then I politely vacated the window seat and sat down in the adjacent one. I was about to fall asleep again when my handsome neighbor suddenly said, "Did you have breakfast?" I was surprised and confused. I turned around to see if he was addressing someone else. He laughed softly and said, "I asked you."

"M… me?" I asked, still perplexed. It wasn't everyday that a handsome young man spoke to me! When he nodded, I shook my head to indicate that I had not eaten. He held up a banana for me and I promptly declined the offer.

He laughed again, and said, "Don't worry, I don't belong to the biscuit thieves gang. It's only a banana. Come on!"

I hesitantly took the banana from him, peeled it and started eating it. Only then did I realize how hungry I was. I smiled gratefully at him and he began, "You seem to be a nice person."

I was floored. I gave him my sweetest smile ever and blushed a deep crimson.

"What makes you say so?" I asked shyly.

"Well, I just felt so. And usually my gut feelings don't go wrong. Listen, I'll tell you a story."

And that's how he commenced his tale.

"There was once a young man, Avinash, who worked for a software company. He had a girlfriend. He had a good family too. Everything was going on fine until one day he met Sheeba. Sheeba was his colleague at office. She sat in the cubicle next to his. She was married, but looked very young. And very attractive too. Avinash and Sheeba often discussed various things, both official and otherwise. Over a period of time, they got close. Theirs was a weird friendship. They hardly spoke to each other when there were people around. Both would sit at their respective cubicles and pretend to be working. In reality, they would be sending short messages to each other. Initially the messages were of a very general nature. Eventually, they got intimate. Sheeba would often send him messages that said, 'Avi, I like you very much. You are very smart.' Sometimes she would flatter him and boost his ego so much that he would beam with pride.

"Their secret friendship continued this way for quite some time. Both would act casual in the presence of other colleagues. But whenever Avinash caught her eye, Sheeba would steal seductive glances at him.

"Then one day, the company organized a trip on the occasion of anniversary celebrations. There were games and contests. Fun. Frolic. Enjoyment. And amidst all this, nobody noticed that two of their colleagues were missing.

"In the quiet confines of the adjoining restaurant, Sheeba bared her soul to Avinash. She told him about her unhappy married life and her unfortunate husband who would never be able to father a child. Avinash felt sorry for her and assured her of his friendship. He told her that she could talk to him whenever she wanted to, and that he would always be there for her, as a true friend and confidante.

"They spoke for a long time and finally, Sheeba blurted out, 'Avi, I can't define the feelings I have for you. But I like you very much. And I am very attached to you. I feel drawn to you emotionally and physically.'

"Avinash was shaken. He had no idea as to how he should react to this confession. He pondered over what Sheeba had said and told her, 'Sheeba, I really don't know what to say. Give me some time.'

"However, after that day, their relationship took a total turn. They developed special feelings towards each other. They meant the world to each other. Both of them would come to office eagerly waiting to see each other. Avinash felt guilty about betraying Pratima's trust. Pratima had proposed to him exactly one year ago. And they had decided to get married. But now, with Sheeba in his life, Avinash had no idea where he was heading. One day he confessed everything to Pratima. She advised him to get out of the relationship with Sheeba. But Avinash had strayed a trifle too far. On one occasion, Avinash had even kissed Sheeba. Now it was too late, and there was no looking back.

"Avinash told his friend Vishwas everything. Vishwas warned him that Sheeba was not to be trusted. But Avinash paid no heed. He was blindly in love with her. He needed her. More importantly, he needed to talk to someone he could trust. Vishwas didn't seem to understand. Zuber had been Avinash's friend for a long time now. Avinash trusted Zuber a great deal. And so he told him everything. And that was the greatest mistake he made, for Zuber told Sheeba. That made Sheeba mad at Avinash. They had a row over it, and Sheeba announced that she would never trust Avinash again. Finally after much cajoling, she gave in. Then their customary talks and romantic outings resumed.

"One fine day, Sheeba looked very excited. When Avinash asked her what the matter was, she had seemed very mysterious. She just said, 'suspense' and walked off. Nevertheless, Avinash soon found out what the matter was. Sheeba had been chosen by the management for a posting at Orlando, FL. She had been promoted too. Avinash felt happy for her. At the same time, he felt an enormous pain gnawing at his heart. He was going to miss her.

"When they met that evening, Sheeba advised Avinash about his career and his future. She did not seem the least bit upset. Nor did she entertain his feelings when he said he would miss her. Avinash felt hurt and lonely.

"To add insult to injury, the Chairman of the company called Avinash into his cabin and warned him about his deteriorating performance. Avinash spent the rest of the evening at a bar. He got so drunk that he collapsed on the street on the way back home. Fortunately, one of his friends happened to be passing by, and on noticing Avinash on the street, he immediately rushed to his aid, and ensured his safe return home.

"The next day at office, Avinash felt curious pairs of eyes following him everywhere. Everyone seemed to be talking in hushed tones when he was around. He wondered what the matter was. An hour later, he received a call from the Chairman who wanted to meet him at once.

"'So, either you get out of this relationship with Sheeba or get the hell out of this job,' said the Chairman brusquely. Avinash's head was spinning. He could not believe his ears. How did the Chairman come to know? Was this real or was he dreaming? Why was all this happening to him? Seeing the blank expression on his face, the Chairman asked him to leave his cabin at once.

"Avinash slowly walked back to his cabin and saw Zuber sneering at him. He looked away, just to find Vishwas looking at him strangely. Avinash walked up to Vishwas and asked him, 'Vishu, what's all this? I need to know. Please tell me what's going on.'

"Vishwas patted him on the shoulder and said, 'Avi, that bitch spilt the beans. The Chairman knows it all. In fact, you are the talk of the whole office. Believe it or not, she was having an affair with three other people in our company.' He paused. 'The Chairman was one of them,' Avinash felt devastated. The ground seemed to be slipping away from under his feet. So much for love! He thought bitterly.

"Three days later, Avinash was fired. Now he is unemployed, desperate and bankrupt."

The stranger paused. I looked at him queerly. Suddenly he laughed. He said, "Hi, I'm Avinash," offering his hand. I shook hands with him, but I was too shocked to say anything. Looking at my confused expression, he went on, "I am sure you are wondering why I told you all this. Well, it's like this. It helps to talk about it to someone. See, I'm feeling a lot better already. But when you confide in your close friends, there is always a fear of being betrayed by them. But I don't know you. I am a stranger to you and you are a stranger to me. I told you my life story. Once this train reaches its destination, both of us will go our ways. Then we will never meet again. So my secret is safe with you. None of your acquaintances know me, so even if you happen to tell someone, it wouldn't affect me. So, now you see?"

A few hours later, the train reached Bangalore cantonment. He picked up his briefcase and got ready to leave. I made way for him. He walked a few steps and looked back at me. He smiled. It was a warm, genuine smile of gratitude. "Thanks for listening," and then he was gone.