There are times when I get tempted to use certain cliches, knowing that they are cliches, but nevertheless. One of them is "shadow of his former self". I was having this sudden urge to use it this one day and as my luck (or hunch) it did manage it to use it that day. It was just unfortunate that the circumstances weren't the ones I was looking for.

We all have certain rituals, not necessarily religious ones. Like my daily (read: weekday) ritual of going to a different place for lunch. The street our office is on and the surrounding ones are host to plenty of places for quick lunch, elaborate lunches (read again: lunch dates) and of course the quite sober places. Each day of the work-week, I make sure I visit one of them. No single place for two-days consecutively!

It was one of those typical Thursday noon's, with the weekend looming large on the minds and work week still running for yet another day and a half! I locked off the system and went out for my lunch. Coming out of a slow day at office, I badly needed some whiff of fresh air to rejuvenate those numbed sensors. I went to the quick-fix burger joint, ordered my usual chicken sandwich and mocha iced-coffee. Can you believe it, I still am addicted to that stupid iced-coffee, no matter which season!! I always order that.. another of those rituals I guess.

But today was something different. There was an eerie feeling that somebody I know was around me. It was still close to my office, so it could be my colleagues, but it just wasn't the same. The HUNCH.

I waited for my order to turn up. There were couple of guys and a girl working inside. The Guy. No, I mean.. that guy, that back, slightly bent forward. I remember it from somewhere in the past... but couldn't place it exactly. I didn't have to wait long. He turned. That face. That forehead. THIS WAS HIM!!! WORKING IN A FRIGGING BURGER JOINT!!!

I was so taken back that I couldn't stand straight for a second. I felt as though I was about to sway and fall. IT WAS THAT GUY ..

*Flash*back:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present the winner of this year's Most Promising Student of the Year..." and the claps drowned the name. It was well known who it was. "He is a born leader", said one. "He is the future", said another. "I wish I had him as my boyfriend", shrieked a girl behind us. GIRLS!!!

He stood up, adjusting the lapels of his blazer, turned around from his front row seat and waved to the claps. HIS WELL-WISHERS. He was standing, with his "customary" slightly bent over posture. Walked up the ramp and collected his prize. And then, everything was silent. Not a single clap. Not a single howl. He was speaking. Yet, it was silent all over the hall to me. I watched him, only watched. I couldn't hear him. I probably didn't want to. I HATED HIM.

*Flash*front.

I don't know for how long I was standing there, going into that flashback and coming front again. He stood staring at me. For how long?

We were seated outside the joint now. Under one of those fancy canopy like umbrella structures with white table and chairs. He was right across me. The once proud "forehead" that acclaimed itself as "the best" was now wrinkled. Some sweat. Some .. err white powder. His eyes deep in their sockets. He probably was working part-time there. He was speaking something, no asking something. But, I couldn't hear a thing. I was still in that same frame of mind I was 4 years ago. Watching him from the seating to his position on the dais. That Impressive Presence. There's nothing impressive now. A worn-out black t-shirt that carried the emblem of the joint.

I made a great effort to listen to him. I finally did. All I could make out was the last phrase "time is a great leveler, isn't it?"

I nodded. We talked for some more time. I told him that I worked few miles from there and had come down here for some work. I was watching his eyes. His documented strengths. They could hold anyone's vision. Mesmerized, the other would usually be. Not now, his eyes were now hiding. No wonder his eye sockets were so deep, I laughed to myself, inside.

We parted. Remember the cliche I wanted to use that morning? "Shadow of his former self"? It came true.

I was struck as to why I felt this sing-song way. Apparently I was humming my way back into the office, one of my colleague remarked. I was brighter by couple of lumens.

Why not!! He is after all, a Shadow now. I have the glow.

I HATED HIM. I still do. I felt better. I felt better.

Freaking Jealous Bastard!!!