Its a ritual, like it or not, to lock doors as the day inches out completely from our lives. The Night has its own charm as the chaos and labor of the day aspires for tranquility and undisturbed sleep. For the occupant it’s nothing but a pleasurable house arrest. We shun the world so that a good sleep could help refurbish ourselves completely for the following day. I was no different and had hit the bed early like a Good Samaritan of the world. It was not a feeling of captivity but being safe in one's own confines. It was a realization that for the day everything has been called off- nagging maids, visitors, house calls and the works. I had restricted the intake of water on purpose so that a nature call could be best avoided. But nature had its course and in the wee hours of the night, with a lot of fuss I headed towards my hub of privacy. Careless and groggy as I was I had never thought that there'd be a visitor in the dead of night who would be also a bare witness to my naked self. It was nothing but a trespass though of a different kind. I was not only seething with anger but was scared too. I saw a one and a half feet brownish orange colored snake against the wall near the door. It seems when I had opened the door of the bathroom to get in; it slid along with the door and was brushed against the wall. As always I had bolted the door without knowing what’s in store. Out of habit, my eyes were resting on the floor and accidentally I saw the wall near the door and I froze. My guest was lying still. I had to act fast yet be listless n silent. By the look of it, it seemed it was finding a way to go out. It had been raining incessantly since the past couple of days and it seems my uninvited visitor sought refuge in the sewer to save him from the tumultuous rains. I had to muster up courage and cross the snake again, this time knowing about his presence. A snake is a snake whether it’s poisonous or not. I crept towards it, with fear and anticipation though at the same time allured by its mere charm. It was thin yet beguiling, fearful yet submissive. For a moment I thought it was dead as there was no movement since the time I had laid my eyes on it. There was a sense of relief and remorse both. Within seconds it proved me wrong and tilted its head towards me. We had a brief look at each other and it forced me to take my steps backwards. It moved towards the sewer hole that was right next to me. Who had ever thought that I would have to leap on the sink to give him the way? As it crawled I marveled at his gait. It was unique and arresting. Slowly it moved down the sewer hole and never looked back.
I was numb and gaping. I was so close to danger but nothing happened. Was it a way to tell me that even if we lock our doors we can still have some visitors? They are dangerous but they too like human beings can have a conversation. They can make their presence felt when we least expect it. Or was it God teaching me how to combat fear. Since this incident I am more alert, courageous and receptive to what life has to offer.
