It was a delightful winter evening, cloaked in total darkness, with the fragrance of moist earth wafting through the atmosphere. She was a large, long-heeled woman, wearing a blue-coloured sari and carrying a large, elegant purse with everything essential in it. She carried it slung across her shoulder. Around 10 o’clock at night, sitting alone in a five-star luxury restaurant, she was seemingly waiting for someone.

Suddenly, her eyes shifted as she took a drink; impulsively, her gaze interacted with the person coming inside the restaurant. He wore sideburns – his hair sleek and shining and his thin moustache looking like it had been drawn with a pencil. He had put on a fancy brown overcoat and a black hat. He looked at her, and she repressed her smile.

As the night advanced, the cold became more intense. The young man occupied a seat at the front table, allowing him a clear view of her. He appeared quite cheerful.

A waiter came and said, “What can I do for you, sir?”

“Have you change for a 5000 rupee note?”

“Yes, sir, I will get it for you.”

“Anyway, give me a good cigarette and be off with you.”

As he smoked, he seemed to relish every puff. By now, it was past 12. The girl observed him closely, paying great attention to all his actions – apparently impressed by his sophisticated demeanour.

“Anyways, I have work to do!” she shook herself and then set off toward the mall. On her way, she heard an orchestra playing in one of the restaurants, and many people had gathered outside, enjoying the music. Suddenly, she realized the young man from the restaurant was also there. Was he following her? She couldn’t say. But she did find herself in deep thought about the wealth and blessings that God had given to others, questioning herself, “What makes me unworthy of such gifts? I own nothing; even my clothes are borrowed!”

Just then, the young man appeared in front of her once more. She quickly turned and stepped into a nearby music store even though she had no intention of making a purchase. The young man followed her into the shop, speaking in a lively, high-pitched tone that resonated throughout the space.

The shopkeeper approached him and inquired, “What can I assist you with today, sir?”

He replied, “Please show me your finest quality piano.”

The shopkeeper posed the same question to the girl. She responded, “I will look for it myself.”

The shopkeeper then inquired, “Are you two together?”

A wave of anxiety coursed through the girl. She answered, “No,” and began to wander around the shop, examining all the instruments with wonder.

She witnessed the young man seeking information on the prices and heard him express a desire for the best quality piano available globally.

“Globally…,” she thought.

The shopkeeper nodded affirmatively, “Indeed, sir, it is designed for our elite patrons.”

She was in her thoughts when another salesman approached her and said, “What do you want, Miss?” Startled, she dropped her purse, “No, I don’t want to buy anything.”

“Ok, miss!”

The next moment, she hurriedly moved out and decided to go to another shop. But it was just a matter of time till he went there as well, and she found him standing behind her, his hands drawn inside his pockets.

To her surprise, he approached her and introduced himself, smiling. However, she didn’t reply and left him standing there by himself. As she was leaving, a voice addressed her,

“What prevents you from conversing with me?”

She shrugged her shoulders and made a scoffing noise, replying, “I do not believe I am obliged to share my views on that.”

“Does my personality not intrigue you?”

“Certainly not!”

Opening the door, she moved outside and, subsequently, proceeded to the front section of the mall, where she found herself immersed in profound contemplation, questioning her own reasoning.

Why could she not respond to the gentleman’s question? Was it solely due to her truth? Why does the world exhibit such inequity?

She was overwhelmed with tears and was on the verge of breaking down. She stumbled, tried to maintain her balance, and proceeded to exit the mall. At last, she was met with the lively commotion of the street, probably a way for her to get rid of her thoughts.

The sight of the stylish shops caught her attention; the main road was filled with a continuous flow of cars, buses, bicycles, and taxis. She tried to stop one of them, but she saw the young man chasing her. Nervous and even a bit scared now, she promptly opened the door of the taxi that had just stopped near her and took a seat. And the taxi drove away, making the young man disappear in the crowd within moments.

As she travelled, her mind was persistently occupied by thoughts of him. When she reached home, her mother inquired about her day, but she remained silent and was drowned in the deep process of thinking all night long. Every moment passed with a sense of suffocation. But the night passed.

The following day, her cousin invited her over. So, she went there, and the two engaged in a lively conversation just as young girls do. She, however, was still preoccupied with her memories of the previous night. Her cousin, sensing something odd, inquired, “Why do you appear to be sad?”

The girl responded, forcing a smile, “Oh no, it’s nothing. Just tired, that’s all.”

“Well, I know something is bothering you. Let’s get your mind relaxed. Would you accompany me as I need to deliver food to one of my neighbours?”

“No, I don’t wish to go. I’ll wait for you here.”

Her cousin interjected, “I’m not taking no for an answer. You’re definitely coming along. It wouldn’t be long; we would simply drop off the food and return.

Eventually, the girl agreed, and they both went to the house where the food was to be delivered.

“Knock knock!”

“Come inside,” came an aged, rough and tired voice.

As they entered, her cousin greeted the old man,

“Good evening, Sir! How are you doing today? I have brought you some food!”

She looked around, observing the house’s almost completely devastated state. It was a worn and tattered dwelling. The roof had accumulated rainwater, which dripped incessantly, producing a rhythmic sound “Plop, plop”. A pervasive cobweb adorned the area, and there was no designated kitchen; rather, a lone stove stood in the courtyard, accompanied by several pots placed in a disorderly manner. The entire residence exuded the essence of a haunted house.

She was shaken back to reality by her cousin, who signalled to her it was time to leave. They bade farewell to the old man, and as they advanced to depart, the girl caught sight of a man approaching from the distance.

A tattered sweater heavily impregnated with dirt, mismatched socks displaying a striking contrast in both colour and design…

Her heart started pounding, leaving her in a state of utter confusion. He bore a stark resemblance to someone she knew. When their eyes met, she was filled with astonishment and the man, embarrassment.

She didn’t say a word, though. When the two girls had left the place far behind, she asked her cousin about the man. Her cousin informed her that he was the old man’s son.

She stood in disbelief, unable to move as she absorbed the entire scene, pondering why society prioritizes appearances over what lies inside.

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