After few minutes, I could decipher from their conversation that a young boy had knocked their door at this weird hour and was urging her to open the main gate of the flat as he had got stuck in the staircase.. He gave the impression that he was a student and had come to this flat to collect a notebook from his friend and meanwhile the lights in the staircase were turned off and the main gate got locked. Now many questions raced our minds that who this boy can be, a thief, a murderer, a mentally unstable guy. He can be anyone.
 
Mom told our neighbour to tell the boy sternly that the she won’t be helping him out. After he was refused help from aunty, he went to each flat knocking at their doors, the introduction he gave was that there is no reason to fear him as he is from a good family; it’s just that he got stuck in the staircase. Finally our second floor neighbour came to his rescue and opened the main gate. While he was leaving our flat he profusely thanked his rescuer. It was night and being on the third floor, I could not see his face properly but his voice sounded very familiar.

 
He was carrying a tuition bag, posing as a student; he went and sat under a tree shade, got something out from his bag, smelled it and gulped it down. He was so high under the effect of drugs that he was dozing off frequently. My mom asked me to go to bed but somehow my mind couldn’t rest. Something was disturbing me. I quietly watched him from the verandah. Just then a car passed and the flash lights fell on his face. It sent shudders down my spine to see my tuition mate there. I couldn’t understand anything, though I had heard many things about the company he keeps and the illegal things, which he keeps on indulging himself into.
 
It pained me a lot to see my friend in this state. I kept wondering how a temporary pleasure giving thing like drug can ruin someone's entire life. I wanted to ask him, “Friend, what was so great and fascinating in this that you preferred to choose? ” You were a brilliant student and could have earned a big name if you had not opted this path. Memories of our old tuition days raced my mind; the times we shared light moments; the times we pulled each other’s legs.
 
I felt so helpless. I wanted to give him a jerk, which would help him to open his eyes but even I know the only thing which I have in my hand now is to pray for his speedy recovery as ‘this image’ of my friend is highly disturbing. It is an ardent request to everyone - Please do not fall into the trap of drugs. No doubt, it can give you temporal relief but will permanently ruin your life, just as I have lost my friend. I do not want others to lose their friends and dear ones.