sweetie

The happy guy reached VT. Rush hour was long past and the station was clearing up. He put the book in his bag and took out his mobile, 'Reached VT. Be home soon. Switch on geezee baba.' He checked on his wallet - twentyfive rupees - the ATM trip could be postponed to the next morning. But that meant he'd have to leave home a few minutes earlier. Shaking his head, he walked towards the ATM in the dark of the dark, dark night.

A couple walked ahead. She commenting on how he should change his shoes. He replying on how they cost money. She reminding him of the new chappal's he'd aquired. They weren't suitable for work, he said. She wouldn't understand his work.. she couldn't understand his work, he said. So an argument began and it was growing. The happy guy overtook the quarreling couple hoping he knew she meant well.

'Sweetie?'
Happy guy looked around. There were four guys (all to his left).
'What do you want Sweetie?'
He remembered later that he began walking faster and faster and faster still (though in reality he may have even run). And he could hear them all through the while, 'Yes, Sweetie. Sweetie??'

(And when he walked out of the vestibule, they were gone.)