Some Fiction, Some Truth; A Series (Short Stories)

THE MORNING WALK

I had a regular habit of going for morning walks. Although I used to have my share of fast food. I could not resist burgers, pizzas, papri chaats, etc if someone offered them. To neutralise the ill-effects of these to some extent, morning walks are a must for me. One fine day while returning after my rounds, I met a dida (grandmother referred to in Bengali) at quarter no Z-42 sitting near her gate. She  was so graceful that I could not help smiling and staring at her. She made me remember my dida and I could not help talking to her. She was delighted that someone of our age who generally are considered one of the insensitive genre in today's world had some time to talk to an old lady. We chatted for an hour and then I left, reassuring her that I would come back the next day to see her.

The very next day I was returning from morning walk through the same route and found no one and the door was closed. It was the same thing the day after. So, I decided to check out. Some one finally opened the door after two three knocks. I asked him if he was Debasish Choudhury and he nodded in affirmative. He generously asked about my identity and I told him that I know your mother, Shudha Choudhury. I just met her two three days back and I could not complete my sentence, I noticed her photo garlanded, hanging on the wall. Debasish was like; what the hell are you saying madam, she has expired two years back. I had nothing else to say but to eat my words.Now Debasish began to suspect my identity, and with very difficulty I convinced him that I belong to a respectable family and I stay a kilometre or so away in the X-type quarters. I was allowed to go.

But I could not understand anything. The incident left me confused and disturbed. The next day I went through the  same way and as usual did not find anyone. The house was locked. I returned home after my walk and as usual took bath. My mother woke me up. Oh! No, that was just a dream, but quite a scary one.

As usual the next day I went for my morning walk through that route the vision of which I had last night. Yes a road as such existed in reality and can you believe it there was an official accommodation; Z-42 and there was an old lady standing at the gate. I did not go further for any query...I just walked away...