Late Hours

"Late Hours" unfolds the tale of Abhinav, a dedicated software developer entangled in the intricacies of a demanding project. Late-night work plunges him into a surreal journey.

Abhinav, a dedicated software developer working for one of the most prestigious companies, found himself immersed in a complex project that had kept him at the office till the late hours. The pressure to meet the deadlines for the assignment had him working tirelessly, debugging lines of code and fine-tuning the intricacies of the software. As he neared the completion of his work, fatigue settled in, and his eyelids grew heavy. With a final keystroke, Abhinav closed his laptop, almost wishing he could lay his head down on the desk and catch a few hours of sleep right there in the office. The thought of traveling back home, only to return early the next day, felt daunting. However, he reluctantly gathered his belongings and prepared to leave.

In his tired state, he was just thinking about food and sleep. But at this hour there was no nearby eatery opened in his knowledge. Instead, he contemplated the convenience of ordering food to be delivered to his home. The weariness prevailed over any contemplation of cooking, and the monotony of the usual options crossed his mind. Alone in this unfamiliar city, with the lateness of the hour and a persistent hunger, he decided to place the order just before reaching home, finding solace in the comfort of his own space.

Putting on his headphones, Abhinav collected his belongings into his bag �" a laptop, its charger, some scattered papers, and a notebook filled with hastily scribbled ideas. He ensured everything was in order, creating a semblance of orderliness amidst the late-night chaos of his workspace.

Taking a final glance around his desk, he connected his headphones and wore them. Before leaving, he quenched his thirst with a sip of water, the cool liquid providing a momentary respite from the tension that had built up throughout the day. He combed his hair, straightened his long coat, and made his way towards the metro station.

As he stepped out into the foggy night, the coldness of the environment seemed to seep through the layers of his clothing. The deserted streets stretched ahead, shrouded in an eerie fog that distorted the glow of distant streetlights. Abhinav, with songs playing in his headphones , traversed the desolate roads with a sense of both solitude and trepidation.

The 1-kilometer walk to the metro station became a solitary journey, each step echoing in the quietness of the night. Not a single soul was in sight, and the hushed atmosphere heightened the eeriness of the fog-clad surroundings. Even the dogs, typically vigilant and vocal, sat in silence, their unblinking eyes fixed on Abhinav as if frozen in fear.

In the cold silence, the distant honking of vehicles became a comforting symphony, offering a reassuring reminder that he was not entirely alone in the obscure night. Yet, the echoing emptiness and the stillness of the fog-laden air created a chilling ambiance, causing Abhinav to quicken his pace, subconsciously seeking refuge in the rhythmic sound of his footsteps and the distant horns that intermittently broke the silence.

He quickened his pace, hoping to reach the metro soon. As he neared the station, a surge of relief washed over him. The dim glow of the metro sign felt like a beacon in the cold, foggy night. However, as Abhinav reached the station entrance, he was startled to see a girl standing there, calmly eating a wrap. Relief and shock mingled within him; relief at the presence of another person, and shock at the unexpected encounter.

The girl, around his age, perhaps 23-25, looked back at him with deep, enigmatic eyes. She wore a jacket and jeans, had long black hairs flowing with the cold wind, her appearance striking against the backdrop of the night. Although puzzled by her presence, Abhinav's growling stomach took precedence. After disconnecting his headphones , the first question to her was about the source of her food at this late hour. She explained that she got it from a new restaurant just across the road, and the offer to take him there came almost as swiftly as his inquiry. On his way of crossing, he thought her to be someone who got stuck with some work in these late hours.

Despite months of daily commuting, Abhinav had never noticed any restaurant nearby. The fatigue from work and the pangs of hunger, however, pushed him to follow her across the road. The chilly walk heightened his senses, making the cold feel even more biting. The restaurant, revealed by the bright sign and a glass door, looked surprisingly fancy. It bore the name "Late hours," an elegant choice that added an air of mystique.

As they entered, the contrast between the temperature inside and the frigid night outside caught Abhinav off guard. The place was beautiful; but it wasn't warm as a filled restaurant should be. Despite the late hour, "Late Hours" was bustling with activity. Abhinav marvelled at the stylish decor, the soft lighting, and the hushed conversations that filled the air.

To his surprise, there was only one seat available, as if it were reserved just for him. The shock of the evening's unexpected events lingered, and he realized he hadn't even bid farewell to the girl who had led him here. As he turned back to find her, she had vanished. Shaking off the confusion, Abhinav took a seat, still marvelling at the mysterious turn of events that had led him to this place.

As Abhinav settled into the lone seat, he found himself engulfed in the elegance and coziness of Late Hours. The warm ambience clashed with his office attire, making him feel like an outsider in this sophisticated haven. His surroundings exuded a sense of mystery, and the dim lighting cast a soft glow, giving the restaurant an otherworldly aura.

Eager to capture the moment, Abhinav discreetly clicked some pictures on his phone, preserving the enchanting atmosphere around him. However, his astonishment intensified when a blind waiter approached with remarkable confidence and grace. Abhinav watched in awe as the waiter navigated the crowded space effortlessly, reaching his table without a single misstep.

The blind waiter handed him a menu card, initially appearing blank. Shocked, Abhinav requested another menu. The waiter assured him that it was the only one they had and encouraged him to look again. Abhinav, feeling a sense of unreality, doubting his senses, rubbed his eyes and glanced at the card, only to find it adorned with words. He thought he was too tired and so it could happen.

Attempting to make sense of the exotic dishes listed, he realized the menu featured unfamiliar names and descriptions. The strangeness of the culinary offerings puzzled him. Determined to experience the best the restaurant had to offer, he turned to the blind waiter and requested the finest dish, leaving the choice to him.

Suddenly, an eerie silence enveloped the restaurant as all eyes focused on Abhinav. The diners seemed frozen in time, their conversations suspended. The weight of their collective gaze made Abhinav uneasy. As quickly as the silence had descended, the chatter resumed, as if the pause had never occurred.

Abhinav felt nervous and took out his phone. He scrolled through his messages and photos, trying to distract himself. He clicked on some random buttons, hoping to find something interesting. But then his phone's battery died. He cursed and put it back in his pocket. The waiter returned with a plate covered with a shining silver lid. He placed it in front of Abhinav and lifted the lid. Abhinav gasped. There was nothing on the plate. It was empty. Abhinav shouted at the waiter and asked him what kind of joke this was. He demanded an explanation and threatened to call the police. The waiter calmly told him to look again. Abhinav looked at the plate and saw that it had food on it. It was the same wrap that the girl was eating.

Abhinav apologized and felt embarrassed. He was unable to understand what was happening to him and wondered if he was hallucinating. He decided to eat the food and get out of there as soon as possible. He took a bite and found that it was delicious. He finished the roll and felt satisfied. The waiter came back and asked him if he wanted anything else. Abhinav said no and asked for the bill. The waiter gave him the bill. Abhinav paid him and thanked him. He got up and left the restaurant.

As Abhinav was closing the door of the restaurant and he turned around, he was greeted by the smiling girl who had led him to the mysterious restaurant. The sight was unnerving, as a stranger waiting for him at this late hour seemed implausible. The air around him thickened with confusion and fear. She inquired about his dining experience, and he, still bewildered, managed a brief acknowledgment of the food's goodness. Intrigued, she beckoned him to turn his attention back to the restaurant.

To his shock, the grandeur of Late Hours had vanished. In its place stood an empty, dilapidated building, void of any signs of the splendid eatery he had just experienced. The surreal transformation left him stunned and scared, his mind grappling with the inexplicable reality unfolding before him.

Desperate for answers, Abhinav frantically looked around for the girl, but she had disappeared like a fleeting dream. Panic set in as he decided to run towards the metro station, hoping to find solace in the familiarity of his daily commute.

Abhinav rushed towards the metro station, aware that the entry gates were about to close. The echoing sound of the gates shutting behind him resonated with the weight of his bewildered thoughts. He couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling of questioning his sanity. Was he hallucinating, or had he truly stepped into a realm beyond comprehension? A profound sense of disbelief struck him.

The wait for the arriving metro was agonizing. Thoughts of the mysterious girl, the enchanted restaurant, and the empty building played like a haunting melody in his mind. The uncertainty of the situation cast a shadow over him, and the minutes felt like an eternity as he awaited the train that would transport him away from the inexplicable events of that surreal night.

As Abhinav reached home, the weight of disbelief and confusion hung heavy in the air. His steps, usually familiar in his own dwelling, now felt uncertain. Upon entering, he didn't rush to recharge his phone. Instead, he found himself on the edge of his bed, caught in the grip of an inexplicable fear.

It was only when the chilling realization struck that he had taken photos during his visit to Late Hours that he decided to recharge his phone. In the dimly lit room, the glow of his phone screen illuminated his apprehensive face. He scrolled through the photos, each image a vivid reminder of the enchanting restaurant that now seemed to exist in a dimension beyond comprehension. The pictures were there, as he had seen them, preserving the magical ambiance and the peculiar emptiness.

Driven by an urgent need for validation, Abhinav sent the photos to his only friend in the city, Kartik, with a message narrating the bewildering tale of the night. Alone in his room, the silence amplified the unease that had settled within him.

Kartik's response, however, offered no solace. Instead, it further heightened Abhinav's sense of disorientation. The blunt declaration that the building was nothing more than a ruin struck him like a cold breeze. Kartik, unable to comprehend the fantastical narrative, questioned Abhinav's purpose at that location and why was he there alone this late? Kartik was asking him if he is okay and needs some help, but Abhinav refused again by blaming it on his workload.

In deep shock, Abhinav found himself standing in the middle of his room, grappling with the reality that seemed to slip further away with each passing moment. The ambiance of his room, once comforting, now felt alien and unsettling. The weight of the night's events pressed on him, and the walls seemed to close in.

With a hesitant breath, Abhinav gathered the remnants of his courage, stepped away from the unsettling glow of his phone, and changed into fresh clothes. As he washed his face, the memories of past few hours lingered like phantom echoes. The sound of water splashing against his face became a futile attempt to wash away the haunting images that played in the recesses of his mind.

Finally, he lay down in bed, surrounded by the oppressive darkness of his room. Sleep remained elusive, as the events of the night danced on the periphery of his consciousness. In the solitude of that quiet room, Abhinav grappled with the thin line between reality and the surreal, the images of the mysterious girl, the restaurant and everything that happened etched into the fabric of his thoughts, refusing to fade away.

The next morning, his alarm rang and he realized that he hadn't slept at all. Wearily, he rose from his bed, the haunting memories of last night still fresh in his mind. The mirror reflected tired eyes that had seen more than the night should unveil.

Despite the lingering unease, Abhinav mechanically went through the motions of getting ready for work. The need to face the reality of a demanding project and looming deadlines overshadowed the bizarre events of the previous night. As he left his apartment, he made a conscious decision to take a different route, avoiding the path that led to the enigmatic building that had become a source of inexplicable dread. With each step, he hoped to shake off the unsettling residue of the night before. The longer route served as a cautious detour, he clung to the hope that it had all been a bad dream, an aberration that would dissipate with the light of day.

Upon reaching the office, Abhinav found solace in the familiarity of his workspace. The demands of the project absorbed him completely, and the looming deadline allowed little room for his mind to wander back to the surreal events of the night. Hours blurred together as he delved into his work, pushing aside the disconcerting images that threatened to resurface.

The pangs of hunger went unnoticed as he immersed himself in the tasks at hand, the weight of his sleepless night manifesting in the persistent ache in his head. The relentless pursuit of meeting deadlines left little time for a proper meal or respite. Abhinav's mind operated on autopilot, navigating through code and projects with a mechanical precision that belied the internal turmoil.

As the day wore on, Abhinav found himself reaching the same time as the previous night when he had been on the brink of leaving the office. Packing his belongings, he couldn't shake the eerie feeling of déjà vu. The office, once a haven of productivity, now felt like a space haunted by the shadows of the inexplicable.

Gathering his things in haste, he left the office, the usual hum of the workplace now replaced by a deafening silence. As Abhinav realized that he was running late again, the weight of flashbacks pressed upon him. The same time, the same circumstances �" no available transport, the biting cold weather, the fatigue from a sleepless night, and the silent streets. The thought of taking the longer route to avoid the unsettling building crossed his mind, but the urgency of reaching his destination quickly forced him back onto the familiar path.

In the solitude of that dimly lit night, he summoned the courage to confront his fears. The same path that had unnerved him the night before now seemed to stretch longer, each step accompanied by a heightened awareness of his surroundings. The chilling silence enveloped him, and the loneliness of the deserted streets sent shivers down his spine.

Unlike the previous night, the dogs that had merely stared at him yesterday now barked in unison, breaking the eerie silence. Their sudden clamor heightened Abhinav's sense of isolation, a stark contrast to the reassuring symphony of distant vehicle horns that echoed through the night.

Finally reaching the metro station, he felt a mix of relief and exhaustion. His body was tired, his stomach empty, and his mind weighed down by the haunting memories of last night. The familiarity of the metro station, bustling with life, brought a semblance of normalcy.

But just as he let out a sigh of relief, the illusion of normalcy shattered. Someone tapped him on the back, jolting him back to the present. As he turned, his heart nearly stopped. There she was again �" the same girl from the last night, holding a wrap in her hands.

The world around him seemed to freeze as she smiled and casually asked, "Not hungry today?" 

Author's Note

open ended