The day, the earth stood still for the 'lone reader'

A dull afternoon in early 2000s. Sometimes in November, the temperature has just started dropping slowly, but you can't stamp it as winter yet. Nothing special; just a regular 'day in everyone's life.' Everyone? Perhaps not at-least one fellow.

A boy in his teens entered his local library: the usual dull view, typical one of those Govt, aided libraries in this part of the city, two librarian 'manning' the desk (well, more out of 'nothing to do at home' rather than salary), an old TV showing some cricket match and only one reader, just going through the leading newspaper and two pretty long vacant old-fashioned wooden bench. The boy took in a seat aside the 'lone' reader and started going through the magazines (Ah! Come on.. I simply said magazines.. not those magazines whose names came first to your mind). 

The 'lone reader' asked the boy mildly, showing his cell phone "Can you delete numbers from this?" 

The boy looked up: A man in his 40's , with unshaven beard of around two days. Won't say shabby clothes, but it wasn't that tidy too and dull eyes. Just an usual description of a looser, ain't it? Fuhh.

As the boy nodded affirmatively, he handed over the cell, one of those early Nokia 1100s that used to flock the market in early 2000s. 

The boy inquired whether he want a particular number to be deleted. 

The man replied, hastily, " Delete all, every contact, everything on that damn phone. I don't need any of them." Confused, the boy waited, as the 'lone reader' carries on his 'story.' The 'lone reader' continues... 

" I was working at a marketing firm since so many years. Year after year after, I went on to meet the targets. You know, last two years back to back I even overshoot the target by a fair margin. And now, I have just failed to meet the target this year, they throw me out? For failing , just once? Can you believe it ! What do they think? I will go back to then? Begging? Requesting on their feet? Never! If they don'e need me, i don't need any of them. Delete everything, every contact, every text from that damn phone. Do it.Do it please. "

The boy was shocked by the intensity, the harsh reality of 'cut-throat realism'. He continued to delete the contacts...one by one................ till the last one .

Well, I met that 'lone reader' more than a decade back....... never knew his name, never knew where he worked (does it matter even? perhaps not), where he resided....and where and how he is. 

Just remembered the day, the earth stood still for 'lone reader.'

That's all folks, go back and enjoy your meal.