THE WINDFALL (short story)

I was never lucky enough to get any windfall nor I think to get it from the core of my heart. But one day it happened beyond by expectation. I met a gentleman and he said to me to take a briefcase from him. I was astonished enough and become fragile to have it though I was not of that type. I actually could not guess what was going to happen. But it happened when he really handed over it to me and left that place. I opened it and fell into a deep surprise. It was full of gold bars and coins. I scratched them all and then it seemed to me apparently that they were original.

When I brought out them all then the real surprise came out. There was a beheaded head of a young lady wet with fresh blood. I got illusion and tried to catch the man. But it was quite impossible in such a type of mega city where roads are always over crowded by various types of people. So I missed him and found myself in a dilemma. The man put a note of discord in my simple life and made me astonished to much. It was not a time to remain cold but I did it due to my long practice. I took the decision. It was simple and I went to the nearest thana to inform it to the police. They thought me as mad as one can be. They did not care the matter at all and took all the gold bars and coins and through the beheaded head into the dustbin and called me to go to my destination. But when I said them that I have no destination then they show me the road and mentioned it as my destination.

I came out from the thana and started to my home. The man blocked my path and asked me why I went to the thana. I answered that he put me into danger and I was lucky enough to get rid of that horrible situation. I also added that he should not do it as I am a gentleman and neutral passerby. He informed me that all the gold bars and coins were original and the beheaded head were false. It was a test for me and I lost my first chance to get any windfall. I told him that I never expected to have any windfall. He said to me that it was nice to say for me because I was poor enough and he followed me last there months. I asked him that from where he got bars and coins. He told me that they were windfall and it was more needful for me than him. That is why he decided to give it to me. I did not feel any frustration and followed the road to my home. He said to me that we will meet gain in such a dilemma.

Few months later another man came to me and called me to go with him. I asked him where to go. He did not answer. It was considered as a puzzle for me. I wanted to prove myself as a risk taker and went with him. I lost a good amount of money by chance and returned to my home with a broken mind. Nothing uncommon happened. No windfall attained. Just some hassles on body and mind rested. I lost confidence. I believed that windfall is not for me.

After a long period a poor man stopped me on my way. He called me to give him some money. I did not give it to him. I thought it another trap for me. I passed him away and he went out of my sight. I had no feeling at all. It seemed to me that I was right and remained happy.

One day I was crossing the road near my house. One of my merely known neighbors called me said to me that he has got the touch of good luck. I asked him how. He said that few days ago a poor man called him to give him some money. He gave it to him and he was happy to do it. Then that poor man gave him an old and dirty box apparently looked like an antique. He took it and after opening he got a good number of pieces of diamonds. He sold it in the market and got huge amount of money from which he has bought all of his life. But at the same time he lost one thing. He could not sleep. The thought of his wealth always irritates him in different ways. It is unbearable. I crossed him and took a decision of not to take any windfall. My life was as like as it was. I found myself in peace and happiness. But it was for some moments. Why? I do not know.