1. The Secret of a Stranger...Front View (the Salesman)

"I was selling insurance those days.(Well...I'm still doing that).I had just completed my MBA from RIMS, Bangalore. I hated that job, but hardly had a choice.
Koramangala Fourth Block was where I had to visit that Sunday. It was all usual, asking tens of people to guide me, going the wrong way, coming back having travelled 3 useless miles and then getting that 'Huh...You Salesman...!' look from the security guard, followed by an 'I am fed up look' from the customer. But that day, the customer was fed up because of something else.
He was a businessman, some 30 years of age, with 'one' wife and no children. He asked me to have a seat. I then had a chance to look at that picture on the wall, as he brought me a glass of Rasna . An extremely pretty lady hugged this semi-bald pale looking guy in the picture.'Lucky', I thought.
 "Brother...", he started. For the first time in three weeks, a customer had used this salutation. "I'll listen to your presentation. I understand your job. I know how difficult it is. But, before that, I want you to listen to my problem"...

" I know its unusual to share this with a stranger. I also know that you are probably not experienced enough to come up with a solution, but I want you to listen..."
I didn't have a choice really. "Sure" is what I said.
" It's so damn personal that I can't share it with anyone; and it's really eating me up from within and I feel that I've got to tell somebody about it...somebody who will never come back...somebody I'll never face again."
It had to do with his wife.He was stuck up in a bad marriage. He told me everything from how they met to what happened that morning. He didn't cry. He rather seemed to make fun of the situation.He was a strange stranger.
An hour later, I spoke my part and came out. It was awkward for me and he knew that. He thanked me, and asked me not to disclose his name to anyone.
He was a screwed up case. I stored his number.
Yesterday, some two years after that Sunday,some sixth sense struck me.I called that number asking for him. A man told me that he was no more.
Today, I confirmed it. He is dead. He died about a year and a half back.I know the reason. I know the culprit. But, I don't know what to do next."

(Coming up next: The Right-hand Side View)