An older neighbour

I was traveling a certain distance by bus one evening when a boy of around 12 years came and sat by my side. I still had a good half an hour of travel ahead of me. I was in a communicative mood, just when a middle aged person appearing sick asked this boy to shift a little to his right so that he can sit down.

The boy murmured something to himself indicating his disapproval of the suggestion. I put my arm around him and pulled him to my side and quipped, 'You pay for only half a ticket.'

No, I pay for full.

Oh, is it? Why is it so. You can pay only half charge.

He didn't respond.

'Where do you belong? Which is your place?', I asked.

'Tumkur', he said.
Tumkur, by the way is a 'not a bad' city sharing borders with the Silicon Valley of India.

I have stayed in Tumkur for a while. You know this place called Mallasandra, I have been there. Also, I have been to Siddagange many times for the annual Jaatre which happens there. You have been there anytime?

He didn't respond.

'Have you travelled by trains?', I asked him.

He nodded his head so as to indicate a 'no'.

The conversation wasn't going anywhere. I stopped asking him questions. There was a pretty girl standing at a distance who caught my attention and kept me occupied for some time.

A few minutes had passed before my neighbour suddenly exclaimed 'I was working here too for sometime', pointing at a hospital.

'As what?', I questioned.

'In the canteen', he said.

Oh!

(Silience for a minute or two)

What were they paying you?
Two thousand

How old are you?
He thought for a while and said 'Sixteen'.

I was moved by his answer. I unconciously shook my head as a few thoughts sprang up in my mind. I didn't question him anymore. I don't think he was too keen to answer either. On the contrary, I saw his keenness in trying to go through the magazine which was lying on my lap.