His hands were drooping on each side of the chair he was sitting on, his head was slouched and inclined on his chest, and his eyes were heavy with repose. He has been on duty nonstop for the past two days, wearing the same outfit with skin showing through the hole of his turn uniform. He hasn't gone to his five-by-five-foot apartment that the owner provided behind the gas station because he is too busy talking to the police, assisting them with their investigation, speaking with members of the media, sharing his experience, and occasionally standing quietly with the deceased's family while examining the firefighter rescue team and removing all of the metal debris that is lying around. For the unadorned security guard at a gas station, it was a devastating scene and a life-altering event.

His unexpected sleep was broken by a rumbling nearby. His sight landed on the police officer dozing asleep on a bench inside the security office as he stood up and straightened his frozen spinal cord. As the rumbling increased, he marched in the direction of the susurrus, approaching a zone that the police had blocked off following the explosion. He observed a person in the police-marked restricted area, and his heart began to race. What would make someone go to an explosion site at night? What would a thief take from this ruin since the man didn't appear to be a police officer? He approached and stood close to the yellow tape, which the police had stretched to mark off the area. In a darker section of the blast scene, he could make out a dark, medium-built individual attempting to lift a heavy object from the ground.
 

"Hey, who are you? You're in a restricted region, but why? Come on out. Get out of there."
The figure didn't seem to be paying attention to him, and he dug on without pausing.
Gopal felt uneasy, believing that he was the only one who needed to justify this intrusion into the forbidden zone. He hurried over to the figure after passing down the shiny tape. Gopal recognized his buddy and colleague Shyam, who had been missing since the explosion, standing there when he got close to him. Shyam has been absent from the scene ever since the explosion, even though he was on duty then. Since he was the sole witness to the incident—all others had died—police were also looking for him.
 

"Hey, friend! For the past two days, where have you been? Your family is inconsolable. Bina's wail is unable to control itself. Something—a wired expression—on his face stopped Gopal from giving Shyam the embrace he so much wanted.
“My gold ring is beneath this concrete slab. I can't move at all. Would you please?" In a very cold voice, Shyam ordered him. After a few minutes of Shyam's intense gaze, Gopal came to the conclusion that Shyam was in a state of shock.
Gopal leaned over and dragged a huge slab of concrete; he was a little annoyed that Shyam was just standing there, observing him perform a Herculean feat rather than lifting the slab.
"Are you aware that Rakesh died in the explosion? Prakash, the welder, as well. For the past two days, where have you been?” As he picked up the slab, Gopal spoke in a single breath.
Shyam stooped to examine the opening made by raising the slab.
Gopal took a seat on a stone grasping for air and clawed at the dust from the cracked cement. Suddenly, something touched his finger. It was a twisted gold ring.
"Is it?" He inquired, showing it to Shyam.
"Yes, it is. Thank you."
Gopal stood up, dusted the ring, and wanted to return it to its rightful owner, but Shyam stood there with a strange expression on his face.
"Please give it to Renu." He spoke. Gopal shook his head vehemently and exclaimed, "Chuss! Why should I present your wedding ring to your wife? Take it, and give it to her."
Shyam turned around and began to proceed toward the CNG gas underground chamber, where the blast had occurred two days earlier.
"Now where are you going?" Gopal followed Shyam till he came to a halt near the charred chamber. The land was covered with black shoots.
"Here. I was here. I recall a petrol station attendant filling a car, a mother with her daughter waiting for her turn to fill her tank, and a man on a motorcycle behind her talking loudly on his phone."
"What caused the explosion? How about the mobile? The car engine was running while you filled the tank, correct?"
"Didn't Jos Sahab tell you? The gas tank had a little breach, but no gas was leaking through it. But welding over the crack was the incorrect decision. It was Jos Shab's decision. We are all laborers here with little education, yet he is a highly educated owner.
"Jos is accusing the automobile owner of running the engine while filling the tank. He suggested that the explosion could have been triggered by a spark in the car's engine. It was a grave here, with blood everywhere and charred flesh spread for more than a kilometer." Gopal again extended the ring to Shyam. Shyam moved back.
"You're incredibly exceptional, Gopal Bhai. I went home today, but Renu did not speak to me. My daughter also didn't, but you did." He spoke.
"You give it to Renu, please." 
"Renu came here today to inquire about you. She stayed here until evening. She has every right to be angry at you.
"Yes, you are correct."
"Okay, I'll give her the ring. Happy!”  Gopal held the ring safely in his shirt pocket.
"Let's have a cup of tea. I have a thermos full."
They both began strolling toward the security guard's cabin.
"Jos must bear the consequences of his irresponsibility. He played with our lives. You know, eight people died in the blast," Gopal added as he crossed the yellow tap.
"Nine."
"What?"
He turned around, but no one was following him. Shyam was right behind him, but he's now gone.
He checked on both sides and at the back, but there was no one there. He reached into his pocket and brought out the ring. He was not dreaming. Was Shyam there?
The next day, he handed Renu the ring but couldn't tell her he'd met Shyam the night before. He was not certain. The night seemed dreamy. And he could not give a satisfactory answer to Renu. 
He told me the story may be for the thousandth time, to kill time while guarding the gas pump, but he is unsure even now, fifteen years after the incident.
 "After several days, police confirmed Shyam's death in the blast from the DNA tests of half-burnt flesh scattered everywhere." He proceeded.
"Shyam was dead, and if I had told everyone that he came to me at night and gave the ring, everyone would have accused me of making this story. "
“As his soul was not getting rest thinking of his family’s well-being, he wanted to give the gold ring to them. Who would have believed me?”
 

I believe him. I have felt the presence of someone with me when I watch the gas pump station in the early night, though.
Most of the time, my shift ends at 10 o'clock. I feel like someone is standing by my side. I can feel his warm eyes studying and protecting me; he is always there for me since I am his girl. A father is always there for his daughter, living or dead.