Yesterday feels like a dream. I move my hand to reach for my phone to stop the alarm that had completely waken me up. Beside it was lying my necklace, that was about to slide down and fall but thankfully I catch it in midway. I hold it up, letting the cozy sunshine enter it and allow it to sparkle. Maybe store some of light inside in between everything. There lies the pocket watch too on the side table along with my daily mess. Moisturiser, lip balm, my journal I write once in a while when something happens, wrappers of snacks I had for my cravings, star shaped clips for my hair, rubber bands, necklace I got to myself on whim and so much more if I choose to write to every single thing on it. So much on so small island of table. I like things this way. A bit messy but in a way where I can find the thing I need on time when needed. I remember that I arranged the room on Sunday and here we go again. Things pile up and becomes mess once again. It will always become that way again and again. I have to things right again and again from the mess that comes out again and again.
That is the only thing I must do.
I get myself out of bed and look into mirror to check myself, what kind of mess I look like now?
Messy mess?
Messy mess?
Messy mess?
Messy mess?
I love my eyes. They are so lovely.
I look outside. There are birds chirping outside. The town seems to be already engaged in their individual routines. The school bus is coming and taking the kid on the other side of the road to school. He is late today so the bus is honking the horn. Newspaperman and milkman on their way to complete their remaining shift of morning. I can hear the laughter of elders from nearby park they go to for their laughing exercises along with other exercises. Youth of corporate world is out there. Some late and crazy. Some calm and enjoying the breeze. It rained last night too. I must carry umbrella whenever I will step out from now on. The rain water dew is still on flowers by the windows. The air seems clean. The sun feels sweet on skin. This new dawn happens to have felicific effect on me. I am feeling conflated.
And fetching. And for a moment, this very moment, I feel like I can deceive the empty space in me.
It is 6:30. I am little bit late if I was the only person with the work now. But with the new employee, I am on time. I must get ready. What outfit should I put on today? I have this urge to dress up. This dawn started my day with petrichor, I must welcome it properly.
I open the door and at the same time, Advait opens the door with hands rubbing his eyes. He is in pjs and is having a hell of bed hair. He is still in sleep while I greet him with the energy I received in the morning,
'Good morning, Advait!'
He says something similar in response, 'Gawd Maurnig, Sia.'
His eyes are still closed. I tell him that to get ready as we have work ahead in day.
'You go on. Wake me up again when you are ready. I will go then.'
'Alright, then.'
He shut the door and go to sleep again. I walk to the bathroom to brush my teeth, washing the face and stepping in shower to start the morning with the authentic routine chores. I put on the robe this time as now I am not the only in this building who can simply walk in towel. The robe feels nice and strange to me. But I will adapt to it soon. I walked to my room, did the skincare, got myself a light pink polo t-shirt with light blue denim jeans, put on this dragonfly earrings with the only wristwatch I wear on daily basis, did my hair in pony, put on kajal and lip balm. And lastly the outfit is complete with the burgundy converse shoes.
After admiring the person in the mirror, I walk out to knock on Advait's door. He sounds still sleepy though.
'See. I am all ready. You now get ready as well. I am stepping out to get the groceries. And—'
'Yea?'
'What does Chitra likes? I can buy it on my way back—'
'Milk will do.'
With that I wave him bye to leave for the morning duties. I smile to the toddlers on my way. And they smile back too. Music I am listening to seems to hit the vibe. I urge to dance a bit. Yes, that music. My head is moving in the harmony of it. I wave a hello to every familiar stranger face I see in between everything, with a smile. With that I collect the groceries and surprisingly today's portion is quite big. Must be coz it is the start of the month. The good seems to near its end as I am now struggling a bit with the picking them up. And then arrives the annoyance of the only person I tolerate willingly.
Jimmy.
Let me brief you on who is Jimmy? He is my first friend whom I truly can call a friend. He is from neighbouring town Cloverland. I met him on my first day of college. He rarely was there at college and attended his lectures in online mode. Every month he was asked to visit the institution and that very time we would catch up even though we had different enrolled courses. I like his company. But it's always like this: he entertains me a bit, I am entertained for a while and then he returns. I like our time together when we talk about weird random things of the world. He always has something to say and I happen to have something to respond to him.
Those meeting, I feel native to this world.
After I came Maple's, I thought that I won't be seeing him anymore. But we eventually crossed paths. One thing changed ever since my arrival at Maple's. Every catch-up session we have, he always shows up in a completely different look. Also, one more thing about Jimmy is that every time we meet, he has different job. One time it was mechanic then next time it was postman and it goes on with a long list of odd jobs like assistant at glass shop to clean the tables or distributing pamphlets for a flower shop with his nice face or doing video editing projects for kindergarten school and lots of lots of jobs. I guess making out of college doesn't does much for everyone.
To me, he is an errand guy.
He cavorts up as we made eye contact. He rushes to me. Even today he looks different. He has piercings. The jewellery suits him and is not making him look half bad. He has glasses and his hairs seems to be grown out a bit. I like these features in a man a bit but I don't think I will be going to like it for a long time. I hate to admit it but I might say yes and go out if he asks me out.
'Hola, Schatzi!'
'Jimmy--'
He looks at the bags lying on the ground and few in my hand. He moves towards me,
'Here, give me those. I will hold those.'
I decline to let him have the bags I have in my hand. He sighs and goes on picking up the remaining bags,
'You don't have to do that. I can manage—'
'Sh. Not in my presence—'
'Fine, then. But I won't be rewarding you for helping me here.'
'So, you do agree that you needed help and I am helping you?'
'You know what? Just drop those, I said I can do it on my own.'
'Alright, alright. I won't say a word but allow me to help you.'
I sigh in exhaustion. We start walking towards Maple's. He doesn't utter a single word to me on the whole journey. I feel guilty for shouting at him when he just wanted to help me out.
'So, what is up?'
'I know you wanted to know if I was doing well or not. Sadly, my heart aches for weeks being at distance—'
Never mind.
'Never mind.'
He sometimes acts cheesy. He smiles and feels a bit of satisfaction.
'You tell, what's up?'
'Nothing.'
There comes silence again with the wind. He is whistling and seems in good mood. I collect myself to not make more awkward faces and to remain seen as unflappable. Whatever he is whistling mellifluently, it seems to resemble an old folk music of a woman who is harvesting in the fields in month of Feb, somewhere on the country side. I like it. But I must let him know that I am enjoying his whistling. And we're here at Maple's. I am standing on the stairs which leads to back door of the kitchen and he is standing on the road. Facing each other. I look at time. It's 7:20.
'Let me put these inside for you. And maybe I will be offered with a cup of tea and will be beginning this morning with you, Schatzi?'
I sighed him alright. I should be grateful at least. I wouldn't have liked if someone asked me to leave on the moment work is done when I helped them out of my own accord. We both were moving the bags inside and hear the footsteps coming downstairs.
'Is Naina up? Doesn't she usually wake up late?'
It's Advait. He's all dressed up and now he is standing in front of us holding Chitra as cat in his arms. I introduce them,
'Jimmy, Advait. Advait, Jimmy.'
Advait moved his hand for the handshake to Jimmy and they exchange the greetings with handshake.
'And one more thing, this is Chitra.'
Jimmy looks at her directly, 'cute.'
'Schatzi, why he's coming from upstairs?'
'Coz from yesterday onwards he is going to stay here as he will be working here.'
'But why here?'
'See he is Naina's friend's relative who is here for work. NOTHING MORE.'
'All I am is asking.'
'Are you done now?'
Jimmy seems annoyed a bit and I assume it is coz he wants to tease me more. I know he wants to tease me more would leads him out before any rewarding chai.
He smiles, 'well, I was just asking to know the tea.'
Also, Jimmy loves gossip. Maybe this is the reason he is an errand boy to collect all genres of gossip.
'Whatever.'
Advait giggles a bit as he gently puts Chitra on floor. I ask Jimmy to sit by the table while me and Advait do the morning kitchen duties. He asks if we need help and Advait requests me if I could ask Jimmy to pour the milk for Chitra. I do as he asked me to and assured him that he can also ask people directly to do that. What's the worst to happen? They might say no but usually half good liars do not say no. They are glad to help. Sometimes expecting the help when times arrive. Well, that is also fair and square.
I am busy with refilling while Advait is now washing the veggies, then with the chopping them off. As he seems busy, I move to make the chai myself. The tea is boiling and the aroma of it reaches to Jimmy who was sitting by Chitra as she was having her milk. He looks like a child who wants to be friendly with cats. I call for him and Advait to come by and have their cup of tea.
'Schatzi, I want to cry coz you made me tea—'
'Just drink it.'
They both speak in unison as they have their first sip,
'Schatzi, I missed this.' 'Sia, mine was better.'
I am a bit annoyed, 'thank you, Jimmy and sorry, Advait for not making it up to your tastes.'
Advait smiles, 'but this is nice. I like it.'
'Yes, I know.'
There is a silence. The ticking of the clock is too loud, apparently filling the stillness. And suddenly arrives Juni. Surprisingly early.
'Hola, Juni.'
'Hola, Jimmy. It's been a long time.'
'Come, Juni. Join us for chai.' I call her as I prepare another cup of chai.
She nods and joins us.
'Good morning, Advait.' She makes an effort to be friendly with new employee.
'Good morning, Juni.'
That's it. I bring her the cup. She takes a sip and is surprised,
'I made it.'
'I know. It is good.'
'Thank you but Advait claims that tea he made yesterday was better.'
'Well, I have to try it first.'
With awkward circle at the table, the conversation turned so bland.
Jimmy speaks, 'so, how's that thing going on with that guy, Juni?'
I warned Jimmy to not spill the beans of the secret Juni told me in front of her. I kick him in the foot. I look at her; she seems to have no problem but I don't think she is going to tell me much from now on.
'Nothing much. He hasn't shown up recently yet. He used to drop by every now and then. And suddenly he is…not?'
Staggeringly Advait join the discussion,
'Maybe he got busy with some work?'
And to my surprise Juni responded as well,
'But he once told me that he usually doesn't have much work?'
'What kind of job he has to not to have much work? Maybe I can apply there too?'
Well, that's Jimmy for you.
'But she said na that he usually doesn't have much work? So, there must be times arisen where he has usually a lot of work?'
And that's Advait for you.
'But he told me he is like free bird.'
We all fell in silence.
'Juni, that's a good choice of words to a very simple question.'
'Seems like a spoiled brat to me.'
Jimmy whispers, 'don't you think you should be more worried about the conversations she had with him and firmly believed in but never let us know of it?'
Advait joins and whispers, 'I agree.'
'Juni let us know when he comes.'
She has no clue, 'yup. I know you will find him amazing.'
'Yeah. We will see.'
Jimmy and Advait must have mumbled or I must had imagined. Either way we have to meet this mystery man.
…
After that for odd reasons, Advait and Jimmy conversed for a while in a way that I doubted that they have met today for the first time. Juni melted when she saw Chitra having her milk. She loves cats. She took out her camera to capture her and while I walked to upstairs to first floor to wipe the coffee machine. I was busy with work when I hear the bell at the door. It's Jimmy.
'You are leaving?'
'Yup?'
'Maybe you can wait and we go out for the movie you were excited about. Surprisingly, it's still in the theatre. We can go in the evening—'
'Schatzi, no need. I have work to do?'
'Oh? Errand to run that made you busy to not take go with me?'
'This is urgent. I have to deliver few important letters.'
I unknowingly turned sad.
'Maybe, we will go to Van Gogh exhibition, next time?'
'But it is next month?'
'Exactly.'
'Alright, then. Tata.'
He smiles, 'see ya.'
I joked, 'no 'see ya, Schatzi' today?'
'Sorry. See ya, Schatzi.'
He was about to leave the door but he pauses as I call him.
'Everything is ok, right?'
He smiles.
'I have a feelings things are going to get busy for both of us, soon. Let's make time and hang out next time.'
'Yeah. Sayonara.'
'Sayonara, Schatzi.'
With that he left and without narrating any story to me.
It hurts.
…
Our day proceeded as it should have.
Even with Advait the rush still remains real. He is just a single individual yet still brought so much change. And it is still only day with him here. He is quite handy, so cheerful such that he brings an energy along with him in the room he enters. He happens to collect more tip and more about the lives of people are living. Like the old man who comes here by every now. He asks Advait to get him a deal for the tea shop he wants to sell. Or the other time he conversed with this employee who was fired coz of accepting bribe. Later the employee told him that the bribe money was sufficient till he finds out another job. Or the story of girl getting confused with the counselling of colleges. He later helped him narrow down good options. Not only that he had known every single individual almost from every institute. I though he is jack but he's kanpeki himself.
He scares me.
Humans are humans coz they are flawed. Do you know why hand-crafted work is superior to commercialised machine work coz of the flaws it has in the process of making. Those mistakes are also a part of art rather than just smudge. An artist, whether she is artist who draws or photographer who captures or chef who cooks or writer who writes or engineerswho solve or doctors who operate or director who films or dancer who performs or strategist who manipulates or simply a bored student who sees things, all of their mistakes is an art to this world. Maybe world is too naïve to spot the difference. Even if the mistake is acknowledged as mistake, there will always be a way out. A way out to another form of art. Even though if I feel warm, a sense of comfort in presence of such people, I must learn. The differences. Coz no human is perfect. Perfect is just childish word for us to work on us and be on journey of becoming better version of ourselves.
Or maybe some get good at wearing masks in such a way that they forget who they were ever.
'Sia?'
Juni calls for me.
'Yes.'
'What get you so lost?'
What should I say now?
'I was not able to sleep last night.'
I hear a breaking of a glass on the floor. Juni covers her face in shock. I look around to know who was it breaking the glass? It was Advait. Oh, no.
'Are. I was helping him clean and set the Naina's room.'
'So, he is going to stay here?'
'Yes, it seems so.'
Juni side-eyes Advait who was picking up the glass pieces.
'You can call me any day, or night to come over--'
That would not be necessary. Also, with night shift thing. But I have to give her assurance.
'Yup, Juni.'
I am grateful that people worry about me.
I turn to look at Advait he was still on the floor. I walk to help him out. I bring him the broom and asked him to step aside. After working here for six months, I am getting good at these things. Mother and father will be happy to know that I getting good at to keep places clean. Though my room still remains a mess. Long way to arrange those messes. And even longer journey to pencil in the mess I have become. I love myself this way. But one day I won't be loving it like I am now. That day I will make choice to change. My brain thought, as I helped him clean the mess.
Later, Advait was a bit clumsy at work. It was fun to watch that.
As the day ended, there was no word of Juni's mystery man. I am still amazed by the fact that she still doesn't know his name who has been providing free tutorials. Well, there are times when people are like this. They eventually grow out. You ask how do I know? Well, I was one of a kind. Maybe still I am.
Everyone waved a farewell. Uncle cooked a meal for three of us; me, Advait and Juni. Apparently, Juni's client made a request to photograph her in the blue hour. And here we are at the table and having our meal in silence. Initially.
'Advait?'
'Yes, Juni?'
'Where are you from?'
Interesting. I also want to know. We both look at him with curiosity in our eyes.
'Well, my hometown is Kala Chowk.'
I am shocked. That is my hometown too.
'Sia is also from Kala Chowk.'
'What was your neighbourhood?'
'I lived near Badi lake.'
'Tiger hills?'
'Yes.'
'And I lived on the exact opposite corner, Hiran Nagri.'
'Oh.'
'And I lived by Clocktower.'
There arrives a silence again.
Surprisingly, I speak,
'Do any of you watch anime?'
'No.' They both respond in unison.
'But I want to try that.'
Of, course. Advait, you will say this. You allow everyone to not be a shrinking violet, even though they didn't ask you for the permission.
'Then, you should start with… but wait is there any specific genre you wish for?'
'Um…Something like adventure.'
'Then you must try Frieren. It is such a calm one. I know you will enjoy it.'
'And for crime setting?'
'Maybe Bungo Stray Dogs. That's one of favourites. The writer of the show even stated this story is for people who are bad at living. I know you will enjoy. The world building is a bit complex. Still, it is not that hard to understand. Even the characters are named--'
I take a pause. I must have felt too excited.
'Let's ask Tara and we three will watch it together.' 'If that's ok with you?'
I never had such moment of my life. Of course, I am ok. Even more than ok with it. I'm excited and looking forward to it.
'Maybe, we should try a movie that time. I have recommendations for some hidden gem of movies.'
'Yes, please. Nowadays, there are no good movies.'
Advait joins in, 'Movies nowadays don't seem movies at all. The quality has improved a lot. And the content is no more there. same old cliché.'
'Few have good plot but the lighting is too perfect.'
And we discussed like bunch of nerds. I was happy to be there. But the time has passed by. The clock is striking nearer to Station opening time. I pretend to yawn. Sorry. Juni saw that and she then hurriedly packs her stuff. She apologies for staying so late. I feel bad for her. Sometime dirty tricks are needed to maintain the harmony. Advait did the dishes and I arranged them. We are now at the first floor. I wore my necklace. Checked the hair. Decent mess. Though I must wash them tomorrow. Advait sprayed the perfume at the door. I took out the pocket-watch.
It is 10:47.
I turned the card.
…
The world out there, freezes.
For some reason, the temperature is dropping. I looked out. I have never seen snow clouds, so I cannot tell whether grey spreading in the sky is snow cloud or not. I, Advait and Chitra stands there in front of entrance. Someone knocks the door. Advait walk to open the door while Chitra transforms back into the black panther. There was no one out there. Advait walks out to see in the alleyway to confirm. As soon he is completely out, the door suddenly closes. The room gets filled with the sound of attempts made by Advait to open the door. The temperature is dropping further. All the lights in the hall starts blinking. My legs seems to lose balance that I stumble. Chitra comes by my side to help me balance myself. I thank her and we both turn to look at window. I saw something out there and she must have caught it too. We both walk to window to get a clear view. I move my hand to open the window but the moment my hand was about to touch the handle to open it, a hand appears on the other side of the window, knocking on the glass. The person seems to be sitting on the roof coz the hand knocked on the up of the glass. Before I could even lift the glass, it starts freezing up.
The sky is filled with snow. Even though there was already so much silence with the entire world escaping out here and taking a pause, I feel the snow consumed the leftover sounds, the white noise. I move my hand to clear a bit a fog and a bit deposited crystals on the glass. Through the glass that is a bit clearer to show what's on the other side, I saw a white light walking towards me. The light took a shape and in front of me, stands a magnificent White Tiger. As he was marching towards me in the air, I thought he was coming to me. But instead, it leaps to the roof and I hear a sound someone stumbling.
The frozen window glass shatters as the white tiger jumps on a person. The person has a masquerade on him and is now under him. The human seems to be tall enough but it still seems helpless beneath the paws that may at anytime can go through anyone's body and pierce out their heart.
I hear a laugh.
'You caught me.'
'You were just out there and acting like a thief.'
'Ouch, I am hurt.'
I look at Chitra and she seems so done with them.
'Excuse me?'
Tiger moves away from the human. The human gets up and remains on the floor for a while. She/he lifts their hand to me in an expression of asking me for help to get up. I help him getting up. As he stands, we make an eye contact. Those deep brown eyes are staring right into my soul. I pull my hand but then this strange person kisses my hand,
'Thank you for helping. I, Errand boy, is glad to be at your service.'
Jimmy. He comes to my mind.
In the end, I was able to take away my hand. I look at him. He is still staring intensely and that is creeping me out a bit. Chitra walks in front of me. I will protect her with whatever means in future.
'I apologise for such insolence. I, Madhavan; the Guardian Angel of Sir H, is here to deliver a message by Sir H.'
The voice is fearless. His gold eyes are starring straight. I must learn this habit of looking straight in someone's eyes. The Errand guy walks to the window. All the shattered glass pieces are now floating in air and slowly the pieces gets together to take the shape of the glass that was there. The cracks are still visible. I guess he can levitate objects. As I move forward, I got interrupted with the opening of the door. Advait and Pramita are now here. Pramita is pretty drunk, leaning on the shoulders of Advait. He is annoyed but still he lets her be. He drags her to the sofa by the window and lays her down. And then joins us. But as soon as he finds another two presences, he kneels to ground to greet the White Tiger.
'Good evening, Sir Madhavan.'
The Tiger bows too, 'Good evening to you as well, Advait.'
I copied whatever Advait did to introduce myself,
'Good evening White Tiger. I am Sia, the Operator.'
'Good evening to you too, Operator. And you must address me as Madhavan.'
'I would like to address you by Sir Madhavan, if that alright?'
The fearless voice that is suppose to roar and echo such that each and every person once hears it must escape, is now laughing heartily.
'You remind me of my old friend.'
'So, that is a yes, right?'
'Sure.'
Chitra walks to us, 'how are you doing, anna?'
'Always better than you, kiddo.'
'You are not of same age?'
'Sir Madhavan is oldest Guardian angel.'
'And Chitra is the youngest.'
'Coz Advait is the youngest Trotter.'
Sir Madhavan pats Chitra's head. Advait walks to counter to bring a glass of water. He asks Pramita to get up. She throws tantrums and then she finally gets up on the couch. She sees Advait sitting on the chair with a glass of water. She moves to take the glass but instead he drinks it up. Pramita pushes the glass more and now he is drenched with water. Pramita gets out from the couch and walks to counter, just perfectly fine. She herself takes out a glass of water to her and drinks it. In a blink of eyes, Advait is no longer drenched. I walk to him but suddenly feels a presence behind me. It was the Errand Guy. He is still standing behind me, he moves to whisper in my ear,
'Do not trust me, ever.'
I turn to face him but now he is sitting besides Pramita and now both of them are laughing and chatting. The entrance door is open and now every table is occupied.
My first night shift officially begins now.
…