[ This is a work of fiction & 99.99 percent of fiction is inspired from real life.]

Pathaan, as everyone called him, was working in Dubai for 28 years. He visited his home for 30 days after every 2 years of service. He was a labour in a foodstuff company. I don’t remember when we first got in touch, but he gave a broad smile, shook hand with full strength and sometimes even hugged me when he saw me coming. He was not aware that his sweat drenched my shirt and left his body smell on it with which I had to survive the rest of the day.

He called me ‘Dost’ I called him….nothing! I never addressed him by any name. Some of the days, when I would go for lunch, he used to stop me, forcing me to have lunch with him, which I never had, because I didn’t want to. I tried to ignore him most of the time, but he used to stop at his place, look at me and give a broad smile every time he met me. Continue reading →