A tryst with the Alter Ego
Late again! Boss will fire me for sure.’’, you mumble incoherently. Feeling pleased with the attire you check yourself one last time in the full-length mirror. Rushing down the wooden staircase, you merge with the office crowd on the busy street. After all what more can be expected on a Monday morning.
As a casual walker, observing everything around me was a regular occurrence. Nevertheless, old habits die hard. Even though an earful from the boss was unavoidable, looking around the streets was a custom being followed since childhood. It felt as though everyone was running helter-skelter trying to reach their destination. There were mothers with their children. Some of the young ones were throwing a tantrum while others were as calm as a millpond -how do these women manage so much? And then there were rows of cafés. All of them were buzzing with activity as busy executives entered and exited with their coffee and small bites. All in all, it was a hectic morning.
Although you were continuously adhering to the daily tradition of seeing the new pop-up shops, or breakfast outlets, the trash can with garbage filled almost to the brim had to be crossed to go to the other side of the pavement. The thought made you crinkle your nose. In life, some things just have to be done. And so was the case with this junk.
But again, some incidents can be life-altering. And today, while managing to avoid the dirt from getting stuck on the blue boots that were on, you tried to zoom past it. But you stopped. Something was sparkling. Was it a hallucination? Or was it a shining object inside the bin?
A very old phrase repeated innumerably is: Curiosity kills the cat. And while the natural aversion to rummaging through garbage is understandable, sometimes inquisitiveness gets a person to do unimaginable things. As onlookers gaze at the sight with disgust, you go on till you reach the box. A silent pray slips out at the discovery. Although disbelief at unearthing a diamond ring is filling up, you pretend to be emotionless to avoid attention. Looking at the passerby with a disgruntled expression, you walk away. Coincidentally no one notices the ring or the fact that it was lying safely in the pocket of the beige overcoat.
Forgetting about the boss’s reprimand, you rush back home and call in sick. The blue ring box with the emblem of the jeweler is retrieved and the filthy overcoat is dumped in the laundry bag.
With trembling hands, the box is opened. The dazzle and sparkle of the piece of jewelry are blinding. It would be almost a carat in size with four smaller rounds surrounding it on both sides. Like every girl, you slip it on to get a feel of the masterpiece, ‘’ Oh My God! What a beauty! It must be worth a fortune!’’ But on second thoughts, ‘’ Why would someone throw it away? It’s so exquisite! What should be done about it? The store can be found with this logo.’’
A new and unknown emotion was replacing the initial excitement. Unknown territory for someone with a truthful character. It felt like a conflict between greed and honesty. One part wanted to keep it while the other refrained from the idea. And termed it as ‘Stealing’’
Human emotions can be complex. A couple of hours passed with no solution in sight. The tussle was ever-increasing. Frustrated with it, the windows were opened to let the cool breeze enter the room. ‘’This ring can solve all the issues that have been going on for the past two years. But where will the sale be done? Keeping the ring is the best option. After all, luck doesn’t knock on the door twice. Does it? If this is final, then looking for a side dealer is important. Will sleep over it and tomorrow morning will take a call.’’
Despite this, the entire night went in turmoil. Something didn’t feel right. Although the deep down reason for this disturbance was like a politician shouting in a rally, you were trying hard to avoid the obvious.
The next morning, you again descend the wooden staircase as the dealer is one block further down the jewelry store (thanks to the internet). The second day of the week felt the same as the previous day, but that day nervousness regarding the sale was the dominant emotion. Silencing the conscious mind has never been easy.
Despite the steely determination, ‘’this is wrong and incorrect’’ was rising like a crescendo. You are feeling uneasy and tired as that’s the side effect of guilt.
The entire journey from the house to the jeweler’s block went away in this fight. Finally, unable to bear it anymore, you turn left and spot the jewelry store right at the corner. The sight of the huge store relaxed the internal conflict. And with a smile and assurance that the right decision was being taken, you enter the store.
