An unlikely duo!

Ronnie was late. Nothing new. His being late today would increment his “Being thrown out of class” count to three this week. Surprisingly it was only Wednesday. Still at 18, Ronnie looked quite gray for someone of his age. Silver streaks here and there peeked out of his tresses. Dark circles evaded his eyes. A rugged T-shirt and old torn jeans made him the way he was...Filthy.
Ronnie was a student of St. Stephens College which is regarded as one of the best in town. A bus ride from his place to College would take around 25 minutes. The bus he would take would be Bus no. 525.
A nasty fall over a rock virtually invisible to poor Ronnie made his knee sore. Ever late and now in severe pain Ronnie managed to get into the bus. Pushes here and there, people coughing and an oversized lady blocking his way made him feel dizzy. A couple of minutes later he almost fought for the seat with an elderly man and found the seat next to a person who can be said to be a total Antithesis of Ronnie. Nearly 65 years of age, neatly pressed trousers and a clean white shirt. Perfectly placed black cap…a Parsi cap and a gleaming gold watch. The man we are talking about is Mr. Rusi Irani.
Spotting the whole scene, Mr. Irani intervened and boomed at Ronnie saying the seat was meant for senior citizens and that boys of his age must offer seats rather than snatching it away in this ungrateful manner. A few nods and grunts here and there compelled Ronnie to vacate his seat for the old man. The rest of journey was nothing but surreal pain for Ronnie which as it seemed was throbbing. Mr. Irani noted Ronnie’s unusual posture and felt bad for him but kept mum.
Next day, same story. Ronnie took the bus 15 mins late. The bandaged knee still reminded him of the fall if he exerted a little extra weight over the leg. Somehow he managed to get onto the bus. Making his way through the traffic, Ronnie heard commotion over a seat a few rows ahead of him. It was the same man who boomed at Ronnie yesterday... Mr. Irani. Mr. Irani was arguing over a seat with an equiage woman which he had reserved for someone. Arguably he said it was for his injured son. On spotting Ronnie he said,”Ah! There he is.”.
What followed next was a long chatter of discussion and laughter. Mr. Irani turned out to be a very humorous person indeed. Ronnie got along pretty well with Mr. Irani. Ronnie told Mr. Irani about his time management problem and was given some apt tips by Mr. Irani. Next day Ronnie was in time and also found Mr. Irani holding a seat for him yet again.Mr. Irani would now meet Ronnie daily and the duo would chatter as if they were long lost friends. Ronnie learnt that Mr. Irani was a retired accountant and that he visited town for court hearing over his VRS issue with the company. Ronnie could only wonder at Mr. Irani’s love for his 1960 ford, his obsession for cleanliness. Ronnie also obtained some useful study tips from Mr. Irani. Ronnie talked to Mr. Irani about his obsessions, and his dreams. A half a century age difference seemed almost to not exist between the two. In Mr. Irani Ronnie had found a friend, philosopher and a confider.
Bus no.525 was a regular phenomenon now. But one day the sky appeared duller than ever. Even the birds stopped chirping. Mr. Irani’s absence made it even gloomier for Ronnie. A week went by and Mr. Irani’s absence each morning would make Ronnie feel sick. An overheard comment from a co-passenger stunned him. He heard someone saying that he had to attend a parsi funeral in evening and that the person passed away in the hospital after suffering from a heart attack a week earlier. Ronnie suddenly felt hollow. He just prayed it would’nt be Mr. Irani.
Next day, aboard the daily 525, Ronnie prayed for Mr. Irani. However, a friendly tap from behind made him see a beaming Mr. Irani still holding a seat for his dearest Ronnie…. All was well.