Reckless (Part I).

Published on
Alisher Ortiqov
2 min read

As he walked in to the cafeteria checking the daily menu at the entrance, he saw Alex who already occupied his seat in one corner of the big hall. He paid for the ticket, picked up the meal and soon was sitting opposite to Alex. Alex was very much not energetic today, almost like a drained battery. He answered short and vague, to the small talk and what's more his hair was a mess (very unusual for Alex to not keep it tidy). So Roy asked:

  • What's the matter? A short brief pause and then came the quite, almost as though being unspoken, answer:
  • My father died.
  • What??? Alex looked up, indifferent manner of his preserved still, and repeat:
  • My father died yesterday. Roy was clearly more than shocked by the statement and even more by how Alex said it. He rushed on to ask:
  • Are you okay? What are you saying?
  • What do you want me to say? Don't make me repeat it over and over again. Having said that and finally showing a bit of emotion, anger that is, Alex stood up and headed towards the dish return corner. Roy followed, apologizing and trying to calm him down though Alex was, he perceived, already very well reserved in his manner. He managed to convince Alex to sit and talk more. After carrying out what may be called an uncomfortable interrogation, Roy learned that Alex's father was found dead near their house back in the home village. Then he did the best he could to offer condolences and support to this dearly friend at this hour of turmoil. It was not until a week later, however, after the things setlled a bit on the ground, the formalities having been handled when Roy was bugged with a curious point in this unfortunate event. He wondered why Alex's dad, not so capable of walking on his own, physically fragile and being used to receive assistance in going to the fields had decided to pay a vist to his far-away land on his own that day, the day which he had fallen off the edge of the bridge when crossing the every-lively stream flowing with spring water. Had it not been for this wonder of his, the father's murder would never come out to light.