The Old Couple
KNOCK!!
KNOCK!!!
Opel knocked on the door and waited for the response.
But for a good five minutes no one seemed to come out of that door.
Zakai looked to his left and right.
He recognized a door bell on the left side.
Wasting no more time, he pushed the bell three times.
He then gave a look at Opel for his unnecessary act of knocking the door when the door bell was already there right infront of him.
“OH!
I didn’t see it.” Opel grimaced with his a twisted face showing his embarrassment.
Zakai pulled back the white silk shirt from his shoulders and gave it back to Opel, who at once wore it and buttoned it.
At last the door opened.
An old couple was seen on the other side of the door.
“Yes!
How can I help you?” The old man asked them.
“Oh honey!
Can’t you see they are soaked in the rain?” The old woman nudged the old man’s arm with a light, gentle poke with the point of her elbow.
She looked at them and said, “Do you want something boys?”
“We are actually stuck in the rain.
The road is blocked so we can’t drive back to our place.
Can we spend the night here?” Zakai asked humbly.
“If…if you don’t mind…I mean…” Opel added.
The old couple exchanged glances at each other with a poker face.
“Oh dear!
For this I can’t decide on my own.
What should we do honey?” The old woman asked her husband.
The old man scanned carefully at both Opel and Zakai before speaking, “Where do you stay?”
“I live in the Gopit area…”
Opel cut Zakai’s words and spoke, “Crossing the Gopit area, there’s this New Market area.
We stay there with our parents.”
“And you two are?” The man asked again.
“Uncle!
We are childhood friends.
We came out for a drive tonight and got stuck here.
It’s risky to stay out so we thought of taking a shelter here.
Can we stay here for this night?” Opel spoke with utmost sincerity that he could show through his face.
“Both of you…”
“Honey!” The old woman cut her husband’s words and stared at him with a commanding gaze.
The old man instantly understood his assignment the moment he looked into his wife’s eyes.
“I don’t have any problem them.” The man announced nodding his head.
“Perfect!” The old woman exclaimed.
“Get in!
I’ll prepare dinner for you.” She looked at her husband and said, “Honey!
Take them to John’s room.”
The old man greeted both Opel and Zakai inside his house and took them to a closed room.
He opened the door and got inside a room.
Opel and Zakai followed him.
The room looked like a long-abandoned area.
Dust coats every surface like a grey shroud and the air smelled dry and old.
Spiders spin tight on the high ceiling above and also near the windows.
“John was our child.
It’s his room.” The old man spoke timidly as he assembled the dust from a table nearby with a cleaning cloth.
“Was?” Zakai was curious.
“He worked for a gang but last year he died in a fight.
I got to know that his body was thrown into the river.
But this truth…only I know.
My wife still thinks that her son is alive.
Therefore she looked this happy when she saw you two.”
“Sorry to hear that.” Opel bowed his head.
“John was of your age when he died.
So my wife felt as if John came back today.
There are some clothes of John inside the wardrobe and the bathroom is on the other side.
Wash yourself and wear them.” The old man then looked at the corner of the room.
“There’s only one bed here.
If you two can share, then you can sleep on the bed.
But in case it’s congested, one can sleep on this couch.”
“Thanks uncle!” Zakai smiled.
“But I must warn you.
This couch is very old.
It can break anytime.
One should sleep only when the person doesn’t toss too much on it.” The old man warned them and got out of the room.
Zakai kept staring at the couch as the old man left them alone.
Opel sat on the couch softly.
“Let me sleep here.”
“Sir!
Thanks for the initiative.
But you take the bed and I’ll sleep on the couch.” Zakai directed.
Before Opel could speak further, Zakai opened the wardrobe and took out some clothes.
“Let me wash myself now.”
Zakai left the room with some clothes on his hand.
After half an hour, both sat on the bed and waited for the old couple to bring their dinner.
“I feel really bad for the couple.” Opel spoke looking at the door.
Zakai nodded.
“Why is it that you always speak a lot infront of others but when we are alone, you keep quiet?
Do you feel shy around me?” Opel asked staring at Zakai.
“——”
“You talked with the old couple more than you talked with me since the day we met.
Do you not like talking to me?
Is it something like that?” Opel asked again.
“——-”
Zakai didn’t speak again.
He kept on looking at the empty floor aimlessly with a poker face.
“Fine!” Opel sighed.
“I’ll assume your answer in whatever way I want.”
CRAAACKKK!!!
Suddenly the door opened and the old couple came in.
The woman bought a tray full of side dishes and the man bought two bowls of rice and placed it on the table.
“Eat before the food gets cold.” The old woman offered with a contented look on her face.
“There is a quilt.
You can share it.” The old man gestured his hand towards the wardrobe.
“Good night children!
You can go tomorrow after breakfast.” The old woman walked out of the room.
“Try to finish it all.
My wife is not a great cook but all she put is her love and affection.” The man spoke heavy heartedly.
“Don’t worry uncle!
We’ll finish everything here.
Thanks for the food.” Zakai promptly answered.
“Thanks for the food and the clothes too.” Opel nodded looking at Zakai who suddenly became active and lively infront of the old man.