The brisk walk across the street had left droplets of sweat on my forehead. Although there was cold in the weather, I had that feeling of excitement running around in my blood. That was the precise reason that the chill did not affect me in the slightest.

I was doing exactly those things which I would have done a few years back, in my teenage years, as a college going happy go lucky individual would have done; except for the time of the day at which I was doing them. The sun had already set, and the bitter truth of having a shorter day and longer night bothered me. Today was a reverie for me. It seemed I had almost shunned the daily rigorous routine in those cramped up surroundings I just left behind some time ago.

The streetlights gave out there accustomed dim glow, the buses plied along their routes, the roadside vendors still sold the same merchandise. Nothing had changed; except that maybe the thoughts continuously revolving in my mind had a matured touch today. I was a changed man, an altogether different individual. But I had sought this particular chance to revisit my old surroundings, my old routes, and my old individuality.

Life was the same; yet today, I was feeling a bit less tired, although it was somewhat late now. I had a mouthful of my favourite snack from a vendor, smacked my lips as the memory of enjoying such economical snacks at one time engulfed me. I kept looking at the stars, and began to wonder how many times I happened to see them nowadays. Only things I saw these days were electronically illuminated screens. I was utterly enjoying the peace of walking on crowded streets with nothing to think and get tensed about.

The laptop bag on my shoulder contained only a few books today, and nothing else. A bottle of water hung from the pouch at my side. There I felt, was the ‘load’ of carrying nothing but careless attitude on one’s shoulder. I silently carried on my mid-evening trot through the unknowing crowd. Gently, with a smiling face, (the grin was particularly satisfying to me, it might have surprised onlookers beside), I entered the railway station. A striking flash of those fine moments when I had purposely missed trains for friends went through my mind.

The old staircase struck me as empty, I longed for the chatter which I did not hear today. I remembered my old habit, and strolled across to the farthest end of the station platform, the good old days when you used to sit here concealed, and I would come there searching. My feet stood numb as my heart felt for a second, that it just might be a slight possibility that you might still be secluded in the shadows somewhere behind that pillar waiting eagerly for me…….

But Ah!!!!!! The good old days have gone……