THE RELUCTANT ATTENDANT.

Sanjay had bribed the municipal officials to land a job in this hell hole, it was a much despised job but his graduation degree failed to secure a job for him, any where in this small town. He wanted to provide for his needy family and happily grabbed this job. He had a small broken but mended wooden chair and a granite platform as his office desk. A small locked chained aluminium tiffin box with a slot to collect coins was provided to him by the authorities.This would be his piggy bank. He used to sit on the chair from morning till night, busily counting his coins in the heavy box. The foot falls would never cease, such was the demand of his facility. All classes of people, young and old alike would use this place to empty their putrid bladders and foetid bowels. It was after all, a common public toilet. He would sit there, dreaming about a job in an air-conditioned office, in a cleaner hygienic surrounding.
People in this city, spent half of their lives dreaming.
I once went to this public toilet and came out in an unpleasant state of mind. The entire filth of this city used to gather over here. Beggars, Tramps used to patronise this place like swarming ants on sugar. It was like their second home after the foot-path, used to provide shelter during the rains. Cockroaches and Flies loitered here, The entire place was reeking of stench which immediately could trigger nausea in a sane individual. The state of urinals was very sorry, I think they must have been cleaned only during the inauguration.Years and years of the yellow rain had left precipitates on them which were beyond cleaning now, the only hope was changing them. The corrupt government had other things on their agenda, though.
The toilet used to be a hang out for the closet homosexuals in this city, they used to silently wait for their partners near this place. The rich and the poor gays mingled freely over here. The toilets were used on the sly for their illegal activities. Of course, a handsome 5 rupee tip used to be given to the attendant for his wilful over sight of such activities. Sometimes, prostitutes used to ply their sad trade over here in the night time.
The nether world inhabitants, who were shunned by the society found solace and comfort in this haven.
Life had to go on in this mean city.
Sanjay started losing his appetite. He is still continuing the same job as of now,but looks dull and emaciated. He would carry out his job, life reluctantly.
He is the reluctant attendant.