Dipankar was sitting on his bed, keeping his violin beside him. The room was not as big as used to be. He got up and sat on a chair by the window. The door was opened but he could feel the breeze coming through the window. It was evening time and the electric light was dimming on the front wall. He was trying to light a cigarette, but due to the blowing wind, it didn't get light at once. After wasting a few matches stick cigarette finally got the fire. Leaning on the chair he was smoking and thinking - why don't my music get appreciation? My music is not good?

To be honest, his music was really good and heart-touching. Though he didn't care about it. But grief could be seen on his face as he didn't get any recognition.

Whizzing an old song servant entered the room with tea for him. The servant had been in that house for barely two days. He was about the same as Dipankar. That would be between 35-40. But Dipankar didn't know his name. For him, the servant was a Stranger.

Listening to his humming like a bird Dipankar thought maybe he find it appalling to music. He said ' Malik would you please play the violin a bit? I would like to listen.' Dipankar was absorbed. Dipankar asked him to give him the violin. Now he leaned forward a little, he hold the violin in between his left cheek and shoulder. As the violin bow and strings of the violin get together, sweet music spread all over around and his head seemed to dance like branches of the tree in the breeze.

He clapped his hand and appropriated the music a lot. He explained to Dipankar how his music went through the inner part of his soul. Dipankar told ' did you like that?' The servant said ' yes, it was a wonderful piece of the symphony. Dipankar feel comfortable talking to him, he explained how he never got recognition for his music. No one appreciates his work. The servant said ' Malik you only know the guy who doesn't appreciate your music but you don't know the guys who enjoyed your music like me.
I do like your music but still, you don't know me.

Listening to him Dipankar fell into the deep ocean searching for meaning. It seemed like the servant inculcated him with a whole book in a single sentence.

Before Dipankar came out from the ocean of thought someone call the servant from outside. The servant went to him and he gave the railway ticket and said ' today at 9 pm. '

After some time Dipankar went out of his and search for the servant but he is no more in that house he had already left the house for another city to be Stranger for another. Dipankar again sat on his chair musing about the man 'who taught me a great lesson and gave coldness to my burning life yet his name is unknown to me. He has been a STRANGER to me all my life.'

#creativewriting #shortstory
© Bapan-Ray