THE OLD MAN(Short Story)

The Old Man
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It was Taken from one of my Life events.It was one Friday.As Friday was meant for fun.My friends planned to get drunk.One of my friend had a Bullet showroom.We Planned to join there at Night.

As usual we came there by night.But what we saw there was an Old man Lieing there.He was drunk.He was Lieing there and No one has bothered abt him.I also dont try to Look there.We had our drink and enjoyments.

After Sometimes,My Shopkeeper friend Doubted wheather the old man was a thief.He said that Recently there was a Robbery happened in a nearby Jewellary shop near Bus stand.He doubted him and decided to report to the Other Shoppers and his friends nearby.
Time Passed and then a Group of People arrived they were all Matured.They had a Video of the Robbery which was taken in Cctv footage.I asked him for the Video and He gave it to me.It was a oldman trying to rob something.He was not raising his head.So it was Unclear that it was the old man lieing there. 
But i was happened to see that The Man in the Video had a Handtie.A red one.Similar one was foumded in the Old man lieing there.Our doubts began to become stronger.

We planned to Make the old man Awake.We Poured Cold water in his head.We all began to Shout Bad words at him.Atlast he opened his eyes.he was so much drunk and was not able to figure out what was going there.A Strong man from our group asked him where he came from.He dont said anything.He slapped him.The old man in pain said he was homeless.I was also angry at him.we all smiled that he was saying lie.Another Man from our group asked him what was his job.The Old man said he was a Trumpeter at Local Temple.We teased him Like."A trumpeter at a morning and Thief at Night".The old man was shocked and said he was not a thief.He said because he has no family.He sometime get drunk and Sleep in Front of Closed Shopes at night.

At this time we shown him the Video.the old man saw the Video.He with no emotion in his face said that It was not him.I Pointed then how the Red tie was in ur hand.The old man kept silent.Everyone began to shout at him.Thief,Thief!.One of us had gone to call the Police.

We again Poured Cold water in his Head.Continued our torturimg.One of us asked him then why you came to The shops after getting drunk.The old man said Sorry it was all my fault,i wouldnot have came here.This raged him he slapped at the old mans eyes.The old man cried in pain.His eyes became red.We asked him to stop beating.

Time passed.I felt Pity for him.I came near to him.and said "if u take it,why dont u tell them at first they will not have beaten you if u told the Truth.".The old man said He was telling the truth.He repeated that He was Homeless and He has no familly and started to cry.

Police came and took him to station.we all left the area in relief that the thief has been foundout.

After Someday at home.I was reading Newspaper and happened to see a Heading.It was Like this."Theif in Disguise has been caught".I goes in to detail.

It says a thief has been caught who was a North Indian.He was 54 years old and disguised as a Malayali to steal Shops.He was responzible for frequent Robberies Recently.I was Shocked that then who was that Old man?.Was he Innocent?!

I grieved for Beating him assaulting him in that night.All things that old man was Saying at that Night was True...

I started walking through the Streets find that Old man and say Sorry.I came near a Cigarrete Shop and there he was.He was Smoking there.He was alone.I took a rs 500 note from my purse to give to him and say soory.The Old man never accrpted My Money.He smiled at me and said"I am homeless,I have no familly,I am a drunkard,But i will not steal anything..."
He slowly walked away,smoking his cigarette.while walking he repeated.
"I AM HOMELESS,I HAVE NO FAMILY,BUT I AM NOT A THIEF"

*END*