Close Encounter ***

It was stifling. There was silence too, in spite of so many people being present. Kiran felt a warm whiff of air behind his ear; he turned to see the immense man, sweating profusely. The man was so close that Kiran’s nose almost touched his. Kiran recoiled in nausea. Just then, an ear splitting whooshing sound, from the other side. Kiran turned, expecting the worst. A bespectacled man in an ill fitting suit stood, close by. The man was smothering his face in an enormous purple handkerchief. Kiran looked up. A faint hum. Then suddenly he felt something at his groin. Kiran drew back instantly, and immediately felt a hard sharp object poking his ribs. Kiran looked down. A little boy. His face was covered with a chocolatey drool from the lollipop he had in his mouth. And the front part of Kiran’s trousers were streaked in a similar colour. The boy looked up at Kiran and smiled a toothless grin. Just then the sharp object poked Kiran again. This time in his armpit. He turned to see a lady, holding a folded umbrella. A subdued tinkle. Everyone looked up. Suddenly, a draught of cool air. Bright light flooded in. A mini stampede as everyone scrambled to get out. Soon, the tinkle again. The door closed. Kiran heaved a sigh of relief. He was alone in the elevator car now.