Quarter-Life Crisis
In order to exist, Prateek has to deal with every single situation
“Good Evening Mumbai. You are listening to 105.4 FM. This is Rehan, your favourite RJ. I hope you are all having a great time. Trust me, I am having an awesome time.”
Sitting in a Taxi, listening to all these, Prateek (27-year-old, unmarried) says to himself,
“Yeah, fucker. Easy for your ass to say that. I guess, one of your female colleagues is giving you a blow job right now.”
All he wants to do now is to smash the goddamn radio. But since this is not his property, he can’t even think of touching it.
“Could you please turn off the goddamn radio?” As a passenger of the taxi, he allows himself to go on with that request.
“Please, Sir, don’t ask me to do it. This my favourite show. Let me turn down the volume a bit.” The funny-looking driver goes on with his words. Prateek remains silent as he realises, “Maybe this man likes to hear RJ Rehan’s voice.”
After leaving the taxi, he could hear a sound. He remembers “Oh shit, they are still trying to fix the problem on the elevator.” He has to use the stairs to reach the fourth floor where he has a 1BHK. Reaching his destination, he throws his bag to the floor and goes to the fridge to drink some chilled water to catch up his breath.
Except for a bottle of water, there’s nothing in the fridge to fill his stomach, at least for the night, as he didn’t remember to go to the grocery store. After digesting nasty curses from his boss during the eight hours of work, tolerating emotional blackmails from Anaya (girlfriend of Prateek), and among so many other things, Prateek could hardly take it anymore. He can’t even show his frustrations to anyone.
For the sake of his job, he has to bear all the curses from his employer. Also, he can’t afford to lose his partner as he has to satisfy his body at the weekend. It’s almost impossible for him to go to the nearest brothel to satisfy himself as the whores (Prateek doesn’t like to call them sex workers) charge as much as he manages to earn in a single day. Compared to them, his girlfriend is not that demanding except for some special occasions.
After drinking some water, he lets himself fall onto the sofa. He can’t think of anything else right now with an empty stomach. The bell has been rung. It’s Mrs. Tanvi (51) who lives on the third floor with her husband. Their son had died because of cancer at an early age.
“Aunty! please come in”. Prateek is thrilled to see her at this moment as every time she pays a visit, either she brings something in her huge tiffin box or she invites him for dinner.
Since both of her hands are empty, Prateek waits for an invitation.
“No, I’m in a rush right now. By the way, why haven’t you changed your clothes? Anyway, your uncle has gone out of town for some business purposes. I have nothing left in the fridge. Could you please give me some milk? I’ve to take the medicines. Ah! I forget to bring anything. Give me one of your bowls or anything. I will return it tomorrow morning.”
Feeling helpless to confront her, something pops up in Prateek’s head.
“Ah, who cares about the milk, I just ordered some biryani. Please come and join me, it will not take long.”. He has to force her several times to join him. After switching on the television for her, he goes straight to the bedroom to order some biryani. He has to request the seller,
“Please deliver it within fifteen minutes. I will pay you some extra if you can do it.”
After changing his clothes, he comes back to his small hall area. There is no sign of the woman. The television still on. The fridge is open, and the bathroom is also closed from the outside. He is shocked and confused as well.
The situation makes him run to the third floor. He presses the switch on the F3B5. Mrs. Tanvi opens the door.
“Here’s some milk for you. After I left your place, I went to Mrs. Mishra’s apartment. You know she is a sort of bitch, but I had to ask her for some milk. She agreed to give me some. This is for you. Don’t look at me like an idiot. After finishing your biryani, don’t neglect to drink it. And don’t fail to return the bowl tomorrow morning.”
Prateek leaves the place wishing ‘good night’ to his aunty. There is a part of him that feels embarrassed after all this. But the other part of him feels emotional knowing that someone in the world looks after him as much as his mother used to look after him.
