Garbage Man Episode
I am still awake and it’s almost 00:00 hrs, early Friday; well very early. I just remembered once again late Thursday evening that I have to follow my dreams no matter what. So, here I am trying my best to write a blog on something. The observation I made today is nothing great but still I think is worth writing about.
I stood near kalamandir waiting for my friends to get their glasses of rose-milk. I was leaning on the railing beside the road trying to ease myself tired by the day’s work. It was night almost 10 in my watch. I suddenly saw the garbage man coming. Even though the street lights were not bright enough I could make out his face. He looked weary, his face having a disgruntled look. Now, who would be happy doing a cleaning job, cleaning other’s dirt that also for a meager pay which is not guaranteed. He had not shaved for days; thick beard covered his chin meeting the moustache around the jaws with his lips barely visible. He was carrying a big white jute bag with kachra in it. The garbage man walked heavily with tired footsteps towards three well rings which were a kind of dust bins for the locality.
As he walked ahead the keepers of the night made their way. A pack of street dogs, all came forth eagerly waiting what the garbage guy has in store for them. The dogs looked all hybrid. Sometimes when I see them lazing around in the afternoon I feel I wish I had a carefree life like theirs. There were around five dogs, no one in the mood to fight each other. Everyone appeared hungry, waiting for the food to be served. They barked enthusiastically, canines dripping saliva and the tails wagging. The garbage man irritatingly emptied his garbage bag as the dogs closed on him.
The dogs immediately digged into the garbage gulping in whatever they found edible. The poor garbage man turned around with the empty white plastic bag on his shoulders. He walked and disappeared into darkness; living in the dark with his street friends, a life devoid of light he has been accustomed to. But still he does not quit. My friends had finished the rose-milk and called me. We started walking back towards our home.
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