Jatin was sipping tea with his friend Akshay in a Irani hotel. They always ordered for only one tea which they shared among themselves. Today, Jatin seemed lost. He hadn’t said a word in half an hour and Akshay didn’t prod either. He was used to sharing jatin’s silence for hours on end. Maybe, that’s why he was his best friend!

A death procession went along the street. Many were crying walking along with the corpse and Jatin said aloud –

“Kitni buri lagthi hai zindagi jab hum tanha mehsus karte hai,

marthe hi chaar kandhe mil jathe hai

aur jeethe jee hum ek ke liye tarasthe hai?

How painful seems life

when loneliness mocks at us,

At death we are shouldered by four

While living we long for one should to lean upon!