I Quit

I had heard a lot about him. Most of the people told me bad things about him but I noticed that he was very good friend of many. I used to wonder how come everyone knows him. First time, I met him around 6 years back. I never thought that he will become my friend but somehow I started liking him. With each passing day our relation became stronger. It has become my habit to meet him 4-5 times a day. He was well adjusted in my circle and his presence had become necessary in all our gatherings.
My life with him was going great and suddenly one day things started changing. I was returning from my office and as usual I decided to meet him. We spend good time. While returning, suddenly I started feeling that someone is behind me…someone bad. I knew his intentions are to hurt me or probably kill me. I was afraid. My forehead was wet with sweat and my heartbeat became faster. I collected all my courage and turned back………………………..No one was there.
After that day this fear became part of my life. I started feeling the same thing again and again. I was wondering why anyone would want to kill me. Sometimes, I even noticed a dangerous shadow behind me sometimes but every time when I turned back, I found no one but a dark silence in the air. I knew something wrong is going on and I was sure I am in some big danger. I was really tensed and then I decided to meet “Uncle Sam”
Uncle Sam has got expertise in handling such cases. I went to his office which was full of big horrible machines and strange instruments. I was surprised to see the long queue of people waiting to meet him. I waited long to enter into his personal cabin. He was wearing a long overcoat and something strange was hanging around his neck. Uncle Sam asked me many questions and I honestly answered each of them. After a long discussion he gave me some instruction and asked me to go. He promised me that he will solve the problem.
I came out of Uncle Sam’s office and I felt a strong urge to meet my friend. I realized that I miss him more when I am in some kind of tension. I also realized that in such situations, his company gives me lot of support and relaxation. As I met him I again felt the same thing. Someone was definitely behind me with cruel intentions to kill me. I turned back and I found nothing. My fear was increasing day by day.
Life was moving on with same experiences till that day Uncle Sam called me and asked me to come to his office. I rushed towards his office. He asked me to sit on a long comfortable chair and instructed me to close my eyes. I knew that he has solved this mystery. After 5 minutes, picture of some past incident started appearing in front of my eyes. It was the same day when I had this frightening feeling for the first time. My eyes were closed but I was in full conscious. Whole scenario of that day started moving like a movie.
I am returning from my office…... I decided to meet him…..I am walking. I felt someone behind me….. I am afraid….I collected all my courage and turned back………………………..ohhh My God. Its you.
I cannot believe this. It was him… my friend. He had a big knife in his hand and his intention where clear….stab me. I opened my eyes. Uncle Sam was smiling.
Uncle Sam: This is why everyone says he is a bad guy. Whosoever becomes his friend initially likes him but he kills many of them….slowly.
I had understood everything. In past 6 year he had become part of my life but now the time has come to take a big decision. Uncle Sam was looking towards me and I knew that he wants to ask that what I am going to do.
I said: “I QUIT”
“We don’t smoke the cigarette. Cigarette smokes us. We are just suckers”
Cast:
Me: Anyone who has quit smoking
My Friend (and the killer)- Cigarette
Uncle Sam: Any doctor you can think of
[The Idea of this story was given by my friend Kirti Singh. I am writing his name to avoid any kind of controversy (like 3 idiot-Chetan Bhagat) incase this post becomes super hit.]