Was like some sort of rebirth. Finding oneself in a new land, a strange land.
Many of the strongly guarded values back home do not hold here. It’s like some new set of rules for living, tailored to the needs of the people, existed here.
A stranger, Louis strolls through the streets of his new neighborhood. He looks up the tall buildings whose forehead rubs the noses of the passing clouds. Everywhere around him, signboards in a strange language he hopes to soon master.
It’s good to travel. But the experience is scary. Right now if someone kills him, his family might never know, never hear from him.
But perhaps, he mustn’t think negative. There were other positive things to look at. He could do as his pleases. Nobody who knows him will be here to criticize. The eyes of the crowds of invisible critics that followed him everywhere and in his head, seems they couldn’t catch up with the plane he boarded. Here he was, in some sort of new paradise, out of the long reach of his village gods and witches who wishes him evil.
The few people who knew about his journey must be fantasizing about the fun life he’s living abroad. If only they knew the loneliness that filled the luggage of a traveler in those spaces where clothing and other petty items couldn’t fill.
It will take some time for him to make friends. For the time being, he has only himself, and perhaps the table and chair that occupies the large room he sleeps, to talk to.
While taking his stroll, Louis had to think. First he must find a job. That way, he can pay rent every month. What a shame it would be to not find a job and be forced to go back home. All the hopes and investment of his family, spilled into drains, wasted.
What delight such an unfortunate incident will bring to the faces of those who secretly longed for his downfall.
He shuddered at the thought. The God he served, wasn’t dead yet. He had faith.
Roaming on a busy street makes one forget loneliness and sorrow temporarily.
But the walk was over. It was now time for him to return home.
As if circumstances were teasing him, he saw families either taking a walk, or gathered around a table to share a meal. His family was far away. Like some lonely bird out in the woods to catch a worm or grain, he was in this strange place, with nowhere to call him, with nobody to ask if he’s well, sick or sad.
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