“Chal chaiyan chaiyan… chaiyan chaiyan….” plays in the background. No one wants to head back in the rythm. And yet they are.

Voices in the head. From loudspeakers.

Finding happy people at this hour is a rarety. At least visibly happy people.

Language is not familiar. And yet it is.

This is the ideal aspirational state. The looking-happy state. Perhaps it seeps through. Seeps in to project the happiness we crave. Maybe. What’s the harm in trying ?

Illusion is stronger. Forces you to go-after what you want, but won’t. The visible happiness is pulling strings. It’s surreal to let go. And yet, you dont let it. Holding its hands, you don’t let this overtake you.

The rhythm is calling.

Hold it. Hold it there. Reality is just standing away from the door.