Mundane life
Occupied roads of Jalna Expressway.
Very much like some other customary day, Rohit was meandering around the streets at night, expecting a mishap. He was definitely not a maniac or anything, somewhat unique compared to other people.
Rohit's life seemed to be following the typical trajectory that society had laid out for him. Born into a world where the stages of birth, marriage, and death dictated the course of one's existence, he found himself caught in the monotony of everyday life. The pressure to study, earn money, and fulfill societal expectations weighed heavily on him.
As Rohit navigated the complexities of adulthood, his once vibrant and lively family began to disintegrate. Siblings got married and moved away, leaving him alone with his aging parents. The once lively household turned silent, and Rohit found himself yearning for the joy and chaos that had defined his earlier years.
To escape the dullness of his reality, Rohit sought refuge in the fantastical worlds of anime and novels. His love of thrilling adventures and mythical beings became a means of coping with the mundane existence that surrounded him. However, even these escapes couldn't fill the void entirely. His life became a relentless cycle of work, boredom, and a yearning for something more.
Frustrated with the predictability of his life, Rohit began to entertain thoughts of escape, even contemplating suicide. Yet, the love and happiness he saw on his parents' faces held him back. Torn between his desire for excitement and his duty towards his family, Rohit found himself teetering on the edge of sanity.
His nightly walks became a desperate search for accidents, a twisted hope for a sudden end. However, luck eluded him, and each day ended in disappointment. Returning home to a mundane routine and a family that seemed oblivious to his internal struggles, Rohit couldn't help but feel trapped.
From his adolescence age he had a habit of reading and a deep interest in fantasy novels. He liked action anime, adventure, blood pumping, level-ups and mythical beings, insanity, and manipulation. He enjoyed the thrill that came with it. Every time Rohit got depressed, he would imagine himself doing stunts and thrilling adventures. His only solace in life became anime and novels, for only they could keep him entertained as for movies and shows, they were far too boring for him.
According to Rohit, A mans gotta live a thrilling life. Otherwise, he is as good as dead.
After half an hour of walking Rohit got home, a bit disappointed that no accidents happened, no one drove him over. But he quickly shook his head and continued. He knew that there existed a factor named the 'Luck factor' and for that to work, he needed to create chances. Chances of his accidental death. He hoped that out of 1000s at least one would succeed.
He would always go for walks hoping to get himself into accidents. But till now he always came home disappointed.
" Well such is life, it never gives us what we want...." Rohit muttered to himself and got home.
" Where have you been?" A loud noise came out of the kitchen as soon as he got inside.
" I was hanging out with hot chicks, any problem?" Rohit replied sarcastically.
" The world isn't destroyed, which means you are lying." His mother scoffed while continuing her work.
'It's always like this.' Rohit thought dejectedly.
He wasn't much of a ladies man. Even if someone told his parents that Rohit slept with a girl, they would rather believe that the Earth is flat than Rohit doing something like this.
" Where's Dad?" Rohit asked.
" He is in the toilet, it's been half an hour but he is still not out." She heaved a long sigh.
" Don't act like you are any better." This time, Rohit scoffed at his mother.
" Shut up! Or you won't get anything to eat." She shouted angrily.
" Yeah yeah.." Rohit slouched down on the bed and opened his new fantasy novel book on his mobile to read.
This novel was based on the real world with the apocalypse as its background. Rohit spent some time with the book, ate with his family and again started reading the book.
His interactions with his family mirrored the imperfections of their lives. Sarcastic remarks, bickering, and a mutual understanding of each other's flaws were the threads holding them together. Despite the dysfunction, there was an odd harmony between their shared imperfections. It was this imperfect unity that, in some strange way, kept the family intact.
As Rohit delved into the pages of his fantasy novel that night, he wondered if there was a way to bring the thrill and excitement he craved into his real life. Little did he know that fate had its own plans, and the ordinary life he so despised was about to take an extraordinary turn.
As Rohit continued reading his novel, the world within the pages seemed to come alive, offering an escape from the mundane reality that enveloped him. The characters in the story faced challenges, battled mythical creatures, and experienced a sense of purpose that Rohit desperately craved in his own life. The contrast between the thrilling adventures on his screen and the monotony of his surroundings deepened his sense of yearning.
The fantasy novel became both his sanctuary and his guide. Its tales of resilience and adventure inspired Rohit to face challenges head-on. He started viewing his life as a grand adventure, with every obstacle a potential stepping stone to a more exciting existence.
Yet, the darkness that lurked within Rohit's soul lingered, a constant companion that refused to be banished. The search for thrills became an addiction, a relentless pursuit.
One fateful evening, as Rohit embarked on yet another daring escapade, the course of his life took an unexpected twist. A chance encounter with a mysterious stranger set in motion a series of events that would challenge his perception of reality. Little did Rohit know that the line between the ordinary and the extraordinary was about to blur, and the thrill he sought was on the verge of becoming more than just a fleeting fantasy.
Rohit's pursuit of thrills intensified, becoming a daily ritual that consumed his thoughts. The streets at night became a playground for his restless soul, and he explored every alley, hoping for an encounter that would inject the excitement he craved into his veins.
As his adventures escalated, so did the concerns of his family. His parents, once relieved by the positivity of their son, now felt growing unease. Late-night escapades and tales of close calls raised questions they hesitated to ask. Rohit's siblings, sensing the brewing storm, attempted to intervene, urging him to reconsider his path.
However, Rohit, fueled by a burning desire to escape monotony, brushed off their concerns with a dismissive wave. The thrill-seeking had become an addiction, a drug that temporarily numb the ache within him. He yearned for the adrenaline rush, the feeling of being alive, even if it meant teetering on the edge of danger.
His nightly walks evolved into a ritualistic dance with fate, a dance that intrigued and terrified those who cared about him. The city streets, once a backdrop to his solitary musings, now hold the secrets of his relentless search for the extraordinary.
Rohit wandered into a dimly lit slum area known for its eccentricities. He encountered a figure shrouded in shadows. The drunk stranger facing a wall, spoke in riddles that stirred Rohit's curiosity. The encounter left him with more questions than answers, igniting a spark of anticipation that resonated deep within him. However, when Rohit tried to approach him, the drunk stranger vanished.
In the days that followed, Rohit found himself drawn back to that enigmatic corner of the slum area. Again, the drunk stranger was talking to a wall. Noticing a presence he tilted his head, leaving Rohit in a state of perplexity. Rohit tried to talk but the drunk stranger vanished without a trace.
The absence of the stranger left a curiosity in Rohit's mind. He revisited the dimly lit streets in futile hope, seeking a trace of the elusive figure, but the shadows yielded no answers. The abrupt departure lingered in his thoughts, adding a layer of mystery to his already tumultuous existence.
With the stranger gone, Rohit's obsession deepened, and his nightly escapades grew more desperate. He wandered aimlessly, chasing unknown streets.
One night, as he retraced familiar paths, a realization dawned on him. The mysterious stranger had been both a catalyst and a mirage, a fleeting illusion that had sparked a flame within him.
Haha...haha...
In the shadows of slums, a hollow laugh echoed out.
" Damn, have I really gone insane?"
'I need to save myself from myself.'
Pausing for a moment he thought-
'Yup definitely!'
---------------
Sorry about the grammar mistakes I made. Also the chapter is updated after some changes. Please wait for the next chapter as the main story course is still in progress. Also, I added some side information in every chapter cause some readers don't check the author's thoughts.