A Short flash fiction story - A Day of getting lost at a new place

He is in a very pleasant mood, half-lying on a green lawn reading a book. Perhaps a novel. He is reading and watching the surroundings. Just some minutes before they have arrived in that flat in one of those buildings standing there within his sight. His son has been transferred to that city on some promotion. Minutes after checking in, he came out of the building to enjoy the open air and the beauty of the nature. The lawn was calling him when he was looking out from a window and that's how he came down to enjoy the outing.

The lawn is shaded by some trees on the side and the cool breeze is mesmerising. It is within an open compound. We don't know whether it is that building's compound or some public place. It is surrounded by some old walls on three sides leaving the side towards the buildings uncovered. Even the walls are not complete. There are some openings on all sides for people to pass by. And the height of the walls is very low.

He is reading the book and simultaneously watching all around. People are passing by his side and looking at him. He is alone on the lawn and none else. It seems to be evening time, must be just 4:30 pm or 5 pm. School children are also passing by and some of them smiling behind. He turns around to look at them and finds most of them jumping the wall instead of passing through the open space. Even some elder people were doing the same. The wall is only of 3 feet height at that place. He wonders at them and looks at the opening space of the wall in that corner. Then only he noticed that the place is not good for passing through. Trunks of wood were burnt there and the remains along with dark ash are spread all over in that place. That's why they are avoiding going that side.

Now, it's getting evening and will be soon dark. So, he gets up and walks towards his building. On reaching nearer to the buildings, he notices there are more than one building there and all are same. He becomes confused as to which one is his building. He doesn't know even the name of the apartment also. And he does not note even his flat number before coming out. He becomes too much tense.

He goes into one of those buildings and tries to find out by searching some of the flats. But, they looked much different than the one from which he stepped out. So, he comes out and tries the next building. There also he is unable to recognise his flat. Much confused and worried, he thinks of calling to his son. But, he could not find the mobile. Then he realises that he had left it in the pocket of another shirt, which he had changed before stepping out. Now, he becomes much afraid and contemplates on what to do. He wishes that his son, who was engaged in some office job before his stepping out, will be soon coming out in search of him. So, he waits outside with much tension and hope. ......................

Suddenly, he wakes up from his dream and looks all around in tension. He is very happy to see that he is presently on his own bed and in his own home.

By following some simple precautions, you can avoid getting lost at any unknown places.

• The first thing that you should check is whether you have kept your phone with you or not. Always carry your mobile phone with you. And its battery should be full always. Also, keep your phone charged with talk balance. You can charge it at any place nowadays, but keeping it updated is better.
• The next point to be checked (which may not be of that much importance) is to keep your id proof with you which can be of much help for tracing your home if you get lost.
• You may also need to keep some money with you or your credit/debit card with you for reaching your destination or back home when you get lost.
• The next important step is to note down the full address of your new home or destination along with the building name, door number, famous landmark of that location, phone number of the owner/person or office, if any, in the building, etc. You should keep all these details with you until you get accustomed to that place. With the help of these details, you can enquire any person and reach your place properly without problems till the time you become well accustomed.

Getting lost physically by forgetting your home or address is a very worrisome problem. It can be either due to some mental weakness or carelessness on your part.

If it is a mental problem, then you should meet your psychiatrist or psychologist for treatment.

If it is carelessness and overconfidence, you should be more practical and prudent in taking care of yourself. Keep your identity, mobile phone and the full details of your home address and destination address.

Getting lost in thoughts and awaken dreams should be controlled to certain extent to be conscious of your surroundings and to be on earth. Even though dreams and beautiful thoughts give you much pleasure and enjoyment, they should not be problematic to your existence in this world. So, you need to keep them under control.

Lastly, I hope all of you enjoyed my short story and appreciate my other tips and laments here. Kindly express your views in your comments below.