Andy & Stephen

Although Andy and Stephen had many things in common including their old age but what United them most was the fact that they were both thoroughly terrified of death. The quickest way to offend them would be to call them 'old'. They love to brag about keeping up their appearances and health both gentleman in their eighties dressed as if they were in their twenties, they had an air about them as to never be mistaken for a low life they saw the world changing around them at a fast pace.

They witnessed more miracles than the generations before them. They could sense it was a pivotal time in the world and looking back. They often found their jobs of less significance the same jobs that led them to make a fortune, but they could not help the comparison. computers replacing the old Technologies, Machines replacing humans they argued that if they had modern resources at that time how much they could have achieved.

Stephen worked at real estate he saw the field changing more than anyone, and it often baffled him how less consideration they put in building living space nowadays, anything surrounded by four walls could be a home, It disgusted him, according to him the quality of living is lower than the living expenses. He built his house with modern Renaissance architecture and a clear vision in mind, he often brags about it. All the building that he worked with are suited for royalty. Only the wealthy lived there.. 

Andy was a man of many talents from coal mines, to cargo ships later he became an independent business owner although the business is now looked after by his sons he couldn't be happier with everything he had achieved. But often dreamed for more.. They had a routine of going to the same golf course they used to play in their youth. Although they can't play as well now, they loved to watch the game and once in a while they liked to hold the golf stick as well for old times sake they were very respected members of the club most of the workers there just let them do their thing. 

Sometimes it gets annoying for youngsters to hear their opinions but that never stopped them both gentlemans from commenting on almost everything. It was noticeable that they took special offence to youngsters, never calling their techniques right their famous targets were people younger than twenty one, almost as if they were allergic to their vitality.

They go to the same barber shop where they have been regular for more than thirty years, a stroll in the central park and then back to their lavish residence. Anytime they make an appearance into any restaurants or Cafes the owner and the workers there had to put their best foot forward reason being both the old gentlemens were hard to please.

In their minds both of them believed that they deserve the best services after all the hardships they have seen in their lifetime, in their old age they deserve the treatment of royalty. They always had interesting stories to tell, but they won't begin unless asked. The bartenders knows them well, knowing they liked to be asked thus both gentleman sit there, smoking their cigars and reminiscing old tales.. 

It was a routine for them both, they continued even in those days, they felt a little unwell, the evening walks and rounds to the local bar kept them feeling young like they are still youthful and energetic they ignored any signs of weakness their bodies may have been showing. 

All was well till one day Stephen fell ill.. seriously ill.. ill enough to not be able to complete his morning routine of going to the barber shop, the barber was called in, he did his job noticing that Stephan grew quieter and his eyes were red. Vinyl was playing still in the background but did not sound the same as before. The barber went home after doing his job, but Stephan found it harder to get up from the chair, against his better judgement, he thought laying here for a few minutes could do no harm. So he laid and soon he was lulled into the most comfortable sleep of his life. 

Stephen died on that chair at about eleven a.m. In the morning.. After his death consequently Andy grew quieter he no longer found the motivation to go to the pubs and Golf course, evening walks grew shorter. Now, he does not have to put on a brave face and go to all these places even when he felt a bit under the weather, then he had someone to compare to, someone to compete with.

He never gave Stephen a chance to call him old, he feign enthusiasm boasted about his vitality and that to some extent, kept him young. After Stephen's death Andy seemed to gain age,  his wrinkles showing, you can see the tiredness behind his eyes now he doesn't like to talk to the youngsters no matter what they are doing, he doesn't engage with them, only smiled at them from afar.. Like a traveler who has seen all there is to be seen and now nothing interests him.

He always envied Stephen, for having ancestral wealth, his disciplines and his looks, in their time he was more popular amongst women and had a sophistication that showed his class.. even his death was relatively easier, no illness that kept him bedridden, no need for doctors or medicines. He envied that too.. More than that he envied how he get to leave first.... Andy died one year after his friend's death in his study holding onto an album filled with pictures from their youth.

P.S.:- I don't know, I didn't planned to write that, and also not at all planned to post it here but this story is just heart warming and heart wrenching all at the same time so I couldn't help myself, hope you guys like it.