The memorable instant.

[Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi]

It is close to midnight. No stars to be seen in the cloudless sky. The warm air smells of diesel.

The Delhi Walla is walking on Lodhi Road, so close and yet so far from all the famous and wealthy people living here.

Four or five men are sleeping on the pavement. The headlights of passing cars and auto rickshaws momentarily lift their faces out of the darkness. The cars go away, the faces again sink into oblivion. One of the men has a white beard. Another suddenly turns and then goes still.

Just a few steps ahead, a bus stop. A few people are sleeping here, too. This is probably their home for the night. The bus stop is lit up with a chocolate company’s banner. Brightly glowing in the night are the words—Dark Fantasy.

It is a poignant moment.

Ironies of the night

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.