Mattress and Cupboard.

11/12

6:00- Alarm rings

6:15- Try to wake up

6:30- Wake up

6:45- Washroom time

7:30- Get Dressed

8:00- Coffee at regular coffee shop

8:30- Start walking to work

9:05- Say Hello to everyone

9:15- Reach your desk

9:20- Work

14:30- Lunch

14:35- Laugh

14:40- Listen

14:45- Joke

15:00- Eat

15:45- Go back to work

16:30- Check phone

17:30- Leave

18:05- Reach coffee shop

18:30- Reach Home

20:00- Make Dinner

20:20- Eat Dinner

21:00- Laugh

21:15- Listen

21:25- Talk

21: 35- Cry

22:00- Stare

00:00- Set Alarm

He lived in this routine, everyday of every week of every month, that lasted all year. He never invited anyone over, never talked to anyone on the phone. They said he had an affair with a married woman, some said he was autistic, others saw him as a possible homosexual. But none could explain his rather peculiar loneliness. He seemed to be waiting of someone or something. Waiting for 30 years, when asked by his therapist once, he couldn't answer why or what. But he waited, night after night and day after day. Not that he was aloof, he had a rather good and quirky humor and his food was popular in workplace. Even his lovers were a fan. Most important was the strictness of this schedule, that never missed a minute. One or two, here and there, maybe, but he was always punctual, one of the reasons behind his success too. Though he was mostly alone now, loneliness didn't bother him nor did it ask questions whose answer he had to look hard for. Looking hard gives headaches, and he hated medicines. He was a well respected, well dressed and well settled man, the kind which mothers like and fathers doubt, best friends hate and acquaintances admire. Everyday began the same way with the same monotony. Monotony never bothered him, and ever since his outbreak 10 years ago, monotony had been the greatest and most efficient treatment. He never talked about exactly what happened, nor did he ever let any questions be raised on his sanity. A man. Such a sane and sober one.

12/12

6:00- Alarm rings

6:15- Try to wake up

6:30- Wake up

6:45- Washroom time

7:30- Get Dressed

8:00- Coffee at regular coffee shop

8:30- Start walking to work

9:05- Say Hello to everyone

9:15- Reach your desk

9:20- Work

14:30- Lunch

14:35- Laugh

14:40- Listen

14:45- Joke

15:00- Eat

15:45- Go back to work

16:30- Check phone

17:30- Leave

18:05- Reach coffee shop

18:30- Reach Home

20:00- Make Dinner

20:20- Eat Dinner

21:00- "Hello, I thought you were going to be late today. You know I don't like that, especially when I am paying for each and every second. What do you propose for tonight, something conventional  or challenging? Well, I can see you want to me to treat you like your lover would."

The woman, sitting opposite to him, doesn't reply.  She had been appearing right here, where he wanted her everyday at the same time. Funny how hallucinations can be tempting and sexy.

21:15- "Yes, Father. Yes, yes, I understand and absolutely agree. I too believe that what you did was much required, much needed. Yes, Father, I know no one else can ever understand. Alright, Father we'll make your favorite tonight, that wonderful curry for dinner. Shall I call out for mother, then…oh."

His father had a habit of dressing well too. A red tweed coat and brown pants with a decent shirt. Old yet charming, his father had a way with him. A way of making him listen, a way of making his mind turn inside out.

21:25- "If you still believe  I lay around and never missed you, then you're wrong. I could never say it, because I have a fear, that people are plotting to make me happy. I heard you talk to your sister and discuss such schemes. I love you, I did from the day you ran away from my bedroom and I grabbed your yellow dress. See the color is still in my hands, see?"

Nancy, was his first lover, the truest. First love is always wrong, and he would start to believe this. After Nancy, he never talked of love to anyone else, nor did he suspect of them plotting against him.

21:35- " I saw a puppy getting squished under a car today. I felt its pain. I saw a carpenter cutting off his finger today. Bones are hard, but it must have hurt. I saw a man running after a woman who was weeping. He should not have let go. I saw my mother on the bed again. She was naked, and I didn't look away."

He had a little pet once, which his father resented. Having a carpenter father is interesting for a child, the fun of looking at your dad make things is both proud and amusing. Nancy and he broke up in a market place two years after they met first, she made quite a scene.

22:00- " I shall try with this tie tonight, maybe I will wake up as a different creature tomorrow morning. The belt didn't work, this should. Let me check the ceiling fan again. I have always loved Kafka. The bathroom tub is already occupied by her and then the cupboard is full too. Father still lies in the mattress, so I must hurry."

He always had trouble sleeping. He hasn't slept in 10 years.