Many monsoons ago it was a cloudy day. The sky was overcast and the Sun was trying to peep through the clouds. It was summer holidays time and just before the onset of the monsoon season. With time to kill and desire to get some fresh air I set out for a walk. My path took me through a wooded area. Saw couple of shadowy figures in the distance. It was the SiRash combo. Si a sicko π and Rash his rash sidekick π. Both of them bullies, meaning they were insecure and cowardly, up to no good and always craving for attention. Known for imposing their views on anything and everything and acting like they were God’s gift to humankind. π Anger, hatred and jealousy were their driving forces. π‘ They were always on the lookout to pick on someone. Generally picking on anyone who they thought wouldn’t respond or object to anything offensive said by SiRash. On occasions I would ask them to back off if I felt they were unfairly targeting a person they thought was vulnerable and too meek to respond. Let’s put it this way: We weren’t exactly close friends. I always wondered why folks who could drill some sense into them chose to remain silent. π€ Either they wanted to avoid trouble or were just glad not to be picked on. Whatever it is, if bullies are not confronted, they take it as a license and approval to carry on with their bullying ways. This day I was just interested in enjoying the weather, the cool breeze and natural surroundings. Was hoping that SiRash combo were also out for the same reason. No such luck, true to nature they started taunting me hoping to get me riled up. Soon we were in a wooded area where the canopy of the trees covered the entire road in shade. I was determined not to play into their hands by responding back. I walked briskly ahead of them even as the taunting continued. I think they were disappointed to not hear me say anything. A little further ahead of the wooded area the road forked. Just as I was about to take the right road I turned around. They were looking very expectantly for me to say something. Instead, I smiled and flipped the script by flipping a finger. π Message sent without a word said! π I walked on the right road, and it was bright and sunny as if to indicate a small battle won. Disappointment writ on their faces they took the left road, which was still dark, covered by cloud. Groping in the dark and looking for their next target probably. I couldn’t care less!
Acknowledgements: Image for the story created using Google Gemini Nano Banana 2 using prompts
