Relocating

This happened several years ago. I was in college. Mohit had completed his MBA and he bagged a job. Mohit liked the job profile hence he decided accept the offer. But there was a catch - the job would require him to move to a small town away from his home. Mohit saw this as an opportunity to live independently as in future he planned to move abroad. He accepted the job and moved out of Mumbai.

Mohit was an easy going guy and he would make friends wherever he would go. After joining his office, he had made friends. He had been friendly with his elderly neighbors as well. His routine had been set. He was enjoying his early morning gym and office. But the boredom would hit him in the evening. The town did not have malls, pubs, or multiplexes where he could socialize. He would struggle to stay entertained during the evening.

One day while returning from the office, he noticed a lake nearby. He saw joggers. He decided that the lake was going to be his antidote for boredom. That evening he went for a light night stroll at the lake. The scenic surrounding and the soothing breeze not only kept his mind occupied but also calmed him after a hectic day. That day Mohit decided to add another ritual to his routine - taking walk at the lake in the evening.

This has become a habit. He would take a walk at the lake every evening. Sometimes he would sit at the lake till 11 or even 12. The tranquil waters had been keeping him entertained. Mohit had become more of a nature boy, leaving behind the means of modern entertainment.

One evening his next door neighbor, Mr Joshi saw Mohit returning from his late evening adventure. Mr Joshi cautioned, "do not go to the lake after the sunset. It is not safe". Mohit though the elderly man was cautioning him because of the darkness. Of course the lake was not well lit and there could have been a risk of accidents. He did not ask his neighbors to provide him with any details. Considering it to be a caution rather than warning he continued with his daily evening ritual.

Mohit had added the night stroll to his exercise routine as well. He was so much in love with the night walk, he would take at least 30 minutes stroll every day. Light exercise after dinner was making him fitter. It was helping him to sleep better as well. Overall he was impressed with the discipline the town had brought to his life.

Nature shows its beauty during the day and the horror in the night. Mohit was unaware that his nocturnal adventure was going not only going to give him memories but also nightmares. One night out of boredom, Mohit went to the lake at midnight. That one night was going to change his thoughts. That night was going to shake his whole belief system. It was going to be the night when Mohit was going to witness unthinkable.