He opened the box. The red box. He has been pondering for quite long. Unsure of the contents inside. Unsure if it was a practical joke played by one of his friends.
Past few days have been really tough on him. He was trying his best to do the right things. But it doesn't matter. Whatever he tried, boomranged on him. To others he was living a perfect happy life. He had a nice paying job in one of the best firms in town. He had a beautiful wife and a very darling daughter. What else one needs in life. But there was discomfort and discontentment. And especially for past few days it was getting worse. His boss was throwing all kind of unwanted work at him and was expecting faster results. As if he had a magical wand to do it. He was supposed to go to onsite project, but that seemed far from happening. Long hours at work were affecting his health and family life too.
Yesterday he was going through all the humdrums of his daily routine. It was approaching lunch time and although he was feeling hungry, he didn't want to go to the crowded cafeteria. He didn't want to sit with the large crowd, where everyone was constantly taking to other and making all kind of noises. By GOD, today he can't tolerate them. On the other hand eating on his desk was even more disgusting. Invariably one or the other colleague will pop up in his cube and will say "Wow eating alone !!!". Who gave them the right to enter in his solitude. So he decided to wait. He couldn't concentrate on his work, so he decided to take a stroll in the nearby park. This park was a haven for him. Whenever he felt stressed, he came here and spent some quiet time. The fresh air, the rustling sound of leaves and occasionally a bird flying nearby energized him. So he came to the park and was taking his usual walk around the small lake. He was still thinking of his problems and how to solve them. Suddenly a thing caught his eye. It was a bright red box. It was lying under a tree. He looked around to see if someone has left it there by mistake. But there was no one there. Curiosity took hold of him. He decided to have a look at it.
The box looked like a lunch box. It was almost brand new, as if someone has just opened the cover. But there was no cover box near by. The lid seemed to be firmly put on it. He cried out loud "Who has left this box?". But there was no one there to answer him. He was hesitant to touch it. Who knows who has left it there? But he picked it any ways. It was little heavy. Then he noticed a small colorful card on the ground. As soon as he picked up the card, he was scared. It was written "To Ankush, It will solve all your problems." He almost dropped the box and card. It was for him. How in world someone will leave this for him. Who is there playing tricks? Soon he was angry. He shouted and hurled some abuses towards that person. But there was no one there. He thought "To hell with them". He left the box and card as it is and started leaving the place. He didn't go very far then the idea struck him lets find out who is doing this trick. So he hid behind another tree and started waiting. He was also keeping an eye on the tree where the box was. But no body came there. He was hiding there for almost couple of hours but nothing happened. Then he realized that he has been away from office for quite some time and his stupid boss must be looking out for him and thus decided to return to office thinking that whoever is playing this trick will get tired of it.
On returning to office he was caught up in work and forgot all about it. He even forgot that he hadn't taken his lunch. As usual it got very late and it was near 9 PM. Almost every one was gone. He too decided to leave and then he again recalled the incident of afternoon. He almost laughed that he had given a suitable reply to whoever was playing game with him. However just to check, he drove near the park and decided to have one more look at that tree. See if the box is still there or gone. It was dark and no human soul was in the park. With a hurried pace, he went near the tree and to his horror he saw the box as he had left in the afternoon. He picked up the box and card and returned to his car. He decided to inspect it at home. But soon decided that it was better that he do it alone. His wife will ask so many questions and he didn't had that kind of energy and patience. He thought he will check it later in the night.
His morning alarm at 5:30 woke him up. He couldn't sleep well last night and was dreaming all sorts of thing. Both his wife and daughter were fast asleep. Quietly he got down and went to the garage to get the box. He brought it in his living room and put it on the center table. He was still not sure if it is a wise idea to open the box. Who knows what is in it. Maybe some drugs. He kept on staring at it. Clock was approaching 7. Very soon his wife and kid will wake up. So he decided to open it. With trembling hands he opened the lid. A very nice smell came out of it. He looked inside. He was relieved and couldn't stop smiling. Soon tears started flowing and he felt sleepy and had simply dozed off on the sofa. Later doctors pronounced him dead at around 7.
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