#WritcoAnthology
I settled down on a wooden bench and chose to relax for a bit. The evening walk ritual that I had begun some few years back, with lots of gusto had now turned stale. The park was close home, I listened to my choice of soulful and soothing music, and above all, I had my blood pressure and blood sugar to control.

But of late, to my dismay, I guess everyone else had taken to walking too. The park was now so very crowded, with people all around, speaking loudly on their cell phones, hurrying down the walking track with their eyes down texting, dashing into each other, cursing, tempers flying and the whole noble purpose of walking going for a toss.

The serenity of my walk and the park lost now, I sat down contemplating shifting my exercise regime to another venue. I watched a bunch of youngsters squatting on the grass, toying with their phones, holding hands, lost in a world of their own. Carefree, happy, their rucksacks on their backs… I envied them for their youth, for their blithe attitude. They weren’t earning for a family as yet, they didn’t have kids to chase, if only I was younger, if only I was their age…I made a silent wish.

“ Not walking today? Are you tired?” someone tapped my shoulder.

I turned around to find an old walking friend of mine, whom I addressed ‘Aunty’. Almost as old as my mom, the lady and I had been friends since the time I began visiting the park. She came every day, healthiest and jolliest of all. She was one amongst those rare...