Prologue (2): Past and Dreams

Michael took off his cap, which had a food subway logo. He took off his shirt and stuffed it into his bag. He stretched for a while, which somewhat cleared the fatigue in his back.

With a sigh, he changed into casual clothes and shut his locker. He took the locker keys and looked around the room for a last time. He had been working in this subway joint for last 2 years, since he was 16 y/o.

As soon as he was eligible for a part-time job, he immediately applied for one. This was the first one, and he stuck with it, even though he took other jobs and left them.

Doing this had a reason. Michael was an orphan. More like, he never was adopted through foster care. At younger age, he was given several chances to adapt in the three week trials. But the families he lived with were never particularly caring.

Always feeling like an outsider was a familiar scene then. As time passed, he got older. And no one wanted a grown up kid. No one wanted to deal with a teenager. So he had long since started preparing for his future.

Foster care, government, whatever, may pay for his needs like food, house and school. But they won't do that after 18. He was going to be on his own. What about college? Dorms? Savings? He had to cover them to some extent.

Government aid was granted for his needs and he got a good scholarship. His plans for next few years was set. Get good scores, then get a job through interviews and…pay his loans.

He went out of the room to find his boss, Dave. Dave was middle-aged, was of average height but a plump body; was grumpy, though he was a good boss. Understood when he couldn't make it or allowed to study in his free hours in between customers.

"Hey boss, the keys. Emptied my locker and didn't leave a speck behind." Michael said.

Dave who was checking the employees' footage on PC looked up. He grunted and took the keys. Then looked Michael up and down.

With a sigh, he said, "Finally going, eh kid? Thought you'd be working here forever. Heh, never understood why you stuck here."

"Well, it was my first job. Had special feelings for it. Aren't all firsts special? And besides it's interesting." Michael shrugged and replied.

"Hmm. Well, alright. Here, take your last pay. Don't waste it, alright? You're gonna need it. And congratulations, for getting a good college." Dave said while handing out the money.

"I got it boss. And thanks. I'm saving all of it I can." Michael replied.

Dave nodded and stood up. He held out his hand towards Michael. Michael took his hand and shook it.

"Take care kid. You are a hardworking lad. Keep that up. And keep in touch. Tell me if ya need something." Dave gruffly said.

Michael was a little surprised but nodded. He took his backpack and went out of subway.

…

It was dark. Michael was walking towards his temporary group home for last 2 years. Another 6 kids lived there. Not the same age though. All of them in middle-school or such. They never interacted much with him. Maybe because he was older or they were scared.

The adult couple living with them were okay. They too were the same. Perhaps they thought, Michael needed space or he was a typical, moody teenager.

'Home.' Michael thought as he shook his head. He had been through so many such families but no one came closer to that in meaning.

That's why he worked so hard. To settle. No, that's not it. To set up a place where he can come back to. Where he would kick up his legs and read his favorite novels or search mythology facts. Maybe listen to music. Maybe make a family.

He just wanted realize what is it like to have a family, a home. He had the resolve to work hard for it too. He didn't want to be alone in his life. Perhaps this was life. To gain something, he needed to work hard.

As he was in his thoughts, a notification sounded from his phone. It was an email from the university. He looked up, he had to cross the road. He checked the road for the cars. Ahead was a mother with a baby stroller was crossing the road too.

From the right, suddenly police sirens sounded. They were chasing an out-of-control drunken driver. The car was coming towards the crossing at an alarming speed. Ahead the mother with stroller suddenly shrieked.

She too, had noticed the sirens, and wanted to be out of the way. But the stroller had stuck near in a man-hole cover. She rattled it in panic, but to no avail. So she got in front to get the baby. But she didn't notice the nearing car.

But Michael saw it. He knew she couldn't make it.

He hesitated, he knew, he had to risk himself if went onto help.

He had worked so hard for something in his life and finally after some days he was gonna get it all. But this could ruin it. But he can't not help.

The baby's wails, the mother's frantic expression passed through his mind. He didn't get any of that care and love and concern in his life. And perhaps call him a 'goody-2-shoes', but he didn't want them to lose it.

'Damn it!' he inwardly shouted.

"Hey lady! Hurry up! The car's coming!" Michael cried out as he ran towards them.

The car was nearly there, and the mother was so scared that she hugged her baby and closed her eyes in panic.

As the crash was going to happen, she got pushed away and fell away from the crashing point. A thump was heard and the passerby's gasped.

The mother hesitantly opened her eyes, checked her baby was alright and looked towards the car.

Police were kneeling nearing that car and a crowd was forming. In front of them was a bleeding and dying youth who had just saved 2 lives. Someone was calling for ambulance while some were praying.

No one wanted to see a young man die while he did something good for others. They wanted the 'hero' to live.

No one likes a tragedy, do they?

But the dying young man, Michael, laid on the ground, stared at the vast sky, tears streaming down his eyes, still kept thinking about the home he would've had and the family he would've built.

He was full of regrets. But the relieved mother's sobs were heard and their image flashed through his mind, and perhaps, it made his actions worth it, just a little…and he thought no more.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Author: Shantanu Bondre. (ID: Sam0207)