24 hours

Rahul looked at the 500 rupee note. And laughed. He remembered the terrified face that ‘sold’ him the note for a mere 100 in the evening. He worked at a national bank and when he was walking towards home today, a man of around 50 ran to him and pleaded him to take the note in return for just 100. Rahul inspected the note and immediately knew it was genuine. With suspicious intent he asked why the old man for giving it for so less. And then he pointed at the line written on the note in black ink.

 “The holder of this note on Oct 3^rd, 2011 will die.”, it said. Rahul broke into laughter and gave 100 to the old man instantly. “It’s true sir, beware!” the terrified man said as he sighed relief when the note exchanged hands.

Rahul looked at the note and laughed. He told his wife about the incident. She immediately glanced towards the calendar. Oct 1^st it beamed.  “Don’t be too old fashioned!” he laughed at her.  She held a serious face and said “have you watched The Ring movie?” she asked in a soft tone. His laugher continued and he said “No. You loved that movie right? Let’s watch it now” and made faces to mock her.

They saw the movie over the next 2 hours in his laptop. The clock struck midnight. He looked at his terrified wife as she said “Please discard this note. Whatever it may or may not be. This is troubling me”

He smiled and said “Okay! Will do that tomorrow.” He motioned her to go sleep and he checked his mail for any work assigned for the upcoming week. One of the mails struck him. The subject was “24 hours to live”. It was from the id “oct3isapproaching@gmail.com”. With a curious look, he opened to read the mail. It read

“Rahul,

Your death is near. The Rs.500 note (7K 229542) you presently own signals it. That note was the reason for my girlfriend’s death last year (Oct 3^rd) and I am sorry but I have no other way of taking revenge on this filthy society.  If you continue to own that note for more than 24 hours, you will die. I promise you that. If you want to live longer, exchange that through a valid transaction by midnight and have a peaceful life. I will kill the owner at midnight. If you try to damage or gift the note away, I will kill you instantly. Yes I am watching you. I hope you enjoyed “The Ring” movie.

Good day!

Regards,

A weak soul    ”

The smile on his face subsided. Something told him this was not was a joke. He was a non-believer but someone was watching him. For the next hour, he searched his house for a hidden camera or mike. He couldn’t find any. He gave up and slept thinking that he would anyways dispose of the note the next day.

7 am. Oct 2^nd.

He took the note and went to buy milk. He did not tell his wife about the mail knowing it will freak her out beyond control. He went to the milkman and asked for 5 liters of milk. “70 rupees” he said motioning his hand for the money. Rahul gave him the note.

“Sorry sir. No change” he returned. “Not much business today” he waved his hand to show the deserted store. Rahul was half tempted to say “keep the change” but he didn’t since he believed he still had time and 430 is some handy cash to lose.  

As he strolled towards home his mobile beeped. The SMS was from “TM-Death”. It said “17 hours to go. Bad luck at the milk store.” He looked around. Saw no one. He ran towards his house.

10 am. Oct 2^nd.

Rahul was getting nervous. His Sunday breakfast, the one he usually loved, was tasteless. He didn’t think he would die. He was worried about someone monitoring him so easily. He wanted to be done with this note asap. He asked his wife to accompany him to the only supermarket in the locality.

“Make sure you shop for more than half a grand” he told her.  She nodded in agreement. He looked around nervously as she shopped. No one was monitoring him. His suspicious looks attracted some eye frowns from a few. He didn’t care. His wife passed the shopping basket to him.

“Rs. 721 sir”, announced the biller. As he took out the note from his purse, the biller called for him “Sir. Today we are promoting cash free transactions. Hence we are accepting only cards. Please look there” he motioned towards a banner which read “Buy CASHFREE this Gandhi Jayanthi”.

“Can you please accept this bill alone?” he enquired with a pensive face.

“Sorry sir. It is a policy decided by the management. Since you are our regular customer, you don’t need to pay now. We will collect the money next time” the biller replied with a smile.

“No take this card” he passed on and protruded his lower lip as he turned towards his wife signaling defeat.

As he started his return with a dull face, his mobile beeped.

“13 hours to go. Sad 721 bucks couldn’t save you! Check your mail”

Sweat was beginning to pour down his face now. The sender was again “TM-Death”. He read the word “Death” thrice and then opened his mail as soon as he reached home.

“Rahul,

I wanted to show you something. A piece of credibility. Here’s a link. A sad story.

Regards,

The same weak soul ”

The work ‘link’ linked to a newspaper article in “The Times of India” dated Oct 4^th, 2010.

The article was titled “Young woman raped and killed for Rs. 500”

He immediately shut his laptop without reading further and ran towards his wife. He told her everything. She started crying instantly. “We must burn this note immediately” she shouted.

“No wait. He is watching. We can’t destroy it. We need to give it off somehow. It must be easy” he pleaded.

1 pm. Oct 2^nd.

They had a terrible lunch together. He asked his wife to take a nap promising her that he will find a way to dispose it off soon. She did. At 1, their maid came in to make the dishes. And then Rahul saw the chance.

“How is your husband’s health? Here is next month’s money in advance. Go take good care of him” he passed on the note to her.

She started weeping. “Thank you sir. My husband is not fine. They are saying big big disease names. I don’t know what will happen to him. He kept on drinking and fate served him. But I have 3 kids to take care of. I don’t know how I will manage that in case something happens to him” her weep was getting stronger.

Rahul listened to her and felt a tinge of pity. He was shivering inside. He was feeling guilty. He was about to kill a women for no fault of hers. He took the note back from her with force.

“Sorry sir, did I say anything wrong?” she was taken aback.

“No you didn’t. Keep this 1000” he passed her another note.

3 pm. Oct 2^nd.

His mind was racing for options. He glanced at the message he had received 2 hours back

 “Adaboy. Humanitarian eh? I like you. But you are still a part of this filthy society. 11 hours”

He knew he can’t kill anyone just like that. He came up with various plans. He was sure he would give it off to someone who deserved to die. Or to a complete stranger. Or to the man who gave him his note. Or to a person who is dying anyways.

The last option seemed more right to him. He headed off to the nearby hospital.

“Anyone who is very serious and is about to die?” he asked the receptionist. She gave him a weird look.

“I want to donate some money to a poor family. Please let me know”

“Hmmm. There is one family. The old man is in bed for long. They can’t afford to keep him alive. You want to meet his family?”

“No I want to meet him. Can he talk?”

“Yes but why?”

“I need him to agree on a deal. Only then I can give the cash. I am giving 50,000”

“Ohk. He is in room number 312”

Rahul went in and found an old man up in a ventilator and his wife standing beside him.

“Dear sir, I heard you are in need of some cash. I am ready to give you Rs. 50000. Will you agree to give me that apple in return?” he pointed towards an apple in the table.

His wife pulled him out of the room instantly and said “Please give the money to me tomorrow. We owe the hospital around 50000. They were considering waiving it off for us. If they know you gave money to him they will take it. He will die anyways. I have a daughter to marry off. I can’t spend more on his health”

Rahul ran away from that place immediately. He glanced at the message “Ha Ha. 50k couldn’t save you this time. Poor you. 8 hours” and rushed back home.

5 pm. Oct 2^nd.

He sat in his room watching tv. He couldn’t find a way to get rid of the note. He decided to rather face the tormentor himself. His mobile beeped.

“7 hours to go. Act on it. I don’t want my prey to be lazy! Check mail”

His face became furious and he replied “Fuck you.”

7 pm. Oct 2^nd.

His wife walked towards him with a jittery face “Have you disposed it off yet?”

“No. I am not going to. I will deal with him face to face”

Tears started falling from her eyes as he explained the rationale behind his decision.

“I will fight him. I already know a way” he assured her. “Let’s watch ‘The Ring’ 2^nd part now!”

They watched the movie together with his wife in his arms. He ignored about 5 SMSes that his phone received. He peacefully saw the movie.

11.30 pm. Oct 2^nd.

He told his wife “I will be back” and headed towards his bike. He drove towards the nearby police station. The station only had an inspector and a constable on duty. He told the inspector that he was afraid of someone attacking him at midnight and that he wanted protection for an hour.

“That will cost you a grand. Ok?”

“Sure. Here keep the note” he offered two 500’s one of which was the dreaded note.

“No. I will take it after an hour. I believe in doing the service before taking money” he winked.

11.59 pm. Oct 2^nd.

Rahul was seated near the inspector as the clock was heading towards midnight. He was holding the note. The inspector was talking to someone over the phone. Midnight struck. The clock at the station made 12 beaming noises one after the other. 

Suddenly, the inspector dropped his phone, took his pistol and aimed at Rahul.

“Hi Rahul” he said in a loud voice. “October 3^rd is here!”

“What?” Rahul was shivering. “You are the one?” he was defenseless. He was a bunny.

The constable walked out and closed the door from outside.

“Yes my dear boy. And you were planning to give that note to me?” the inspector laughed out loud.

“Kill me you bastard” said Rahul with a bold face suddenly.

The inspector pulled the trigger and water splashed on Rahul’s face. Suddenly the room was full of cameramen and an anchor came towards him with a mike and said “Candid camera sir!”

His wife came in with all smiles. Everything was planned. Rahul was shocked. He couldn’t believe what was happening. Every single thing over the past 24 hours was planned and enacted. The anchor explained him everything as he listened in disbelief and finally they presented him a gold plated watch as a gift for ‘playing’ this game. As he rode back home with his wife, Rahul finally managed a smile. His right hand pinched his wife’s cheeks and he said “you acted brilliantly!”. At that instant, a lorry hit his bike front on and his head hit the concrete road with an impact. The 500 rupee note which said “The holder of this note on Oct 3^rd, 2011 will die”, flew off his pocket.

Sentosa Samosa

Je suis de retour!!  I'm back, I say! Yeah Govind it is! You must have relished my previous experiments with life. DNA and death. Misfortunes have hit me throughout life. I come back victorious all the time. That much you know I am sure. It was a hard time for me. I was facing questions from everywhere. My FIL (Father-in-law) wanted to be a GF (Grandfather) quickly, my wife wanted me to succeed in one case at least, and Rabu wanted me to pay his dues. Torture I say! I need a break!

One fine day when the sun rose to the occasion at the East, I was browsing through my email. Arrgh.  I hate spam. Jobless freaks they are. Sending me unwanted mails on how I 'won a lottery' or how I should 'enhance my tool' and other things. I am sure neither will be of any help to me. Well the latter maybe. He He. But I can't go ask money from my FIL for this can I? I generally don't read any of the mails but today something struck me. It said

"Dear Govind,

We are happy that you showed interest in our flagship tour 'Sentosa Samosa'. We are offering the same to you FREE of cost. Yes you read it right. FREE.

Please contact the undersigned at the earliest.

Thank you,

Sales Consultant

Foreign Travels"

I remember visiting their site a couple of weeks back. It was about one Singapore travel package. For around 15 grands they had a full week tour of the country. Everything arranged. I always wanted to go abroad. A man of greatest wisdom spreads knowledge across continents they say. I say, Govind needs to transmit his intellect at least amongst neighbours!

Now back to the mail. I was delighted!  I managed to lift myself quickly in spite of ever growing tummy and jumped around my air-conditioned office. Rabu seemed like he was puzzled. I didn't care. I called up my FIL and told him "Hey look! You told me I was useless. You told me you won't give me money for travel didn't you! I am getting a free trip to Singa. I will find new clients there!" He couldn't say a word against me.

I called up the agent and booked my trip. "Will you be ready to travel next week sir with all your busy commitments?" he asked.

I thought for a minute and told him "Make it the next" Reputation matters I say.

"Sir, the trip is free only for you. You need to pay for your wife" he continued

"Only I am going" I panicked and clarified quickly.

"Should I read out the terms & conditions sir?"

"Not required" I declared. Rabu, who overheard the same as the room was silent, interjected "But sir you as a lawyer..."

"Shut up Rabu. Exactly. I am a lawyer. So I know the terms & conditions" I gave him some much-needed wisdom.

The next 2 weeks I sat and googled all about Singapore that I could get hold off. A nice place I told myself. I borrowed an old 8MP camera from one of the paperboys I knew. Even the paperboys have money these days, I cribbed to myself. Being determined not to contact my FIL, I also took some loan from them for other travel expenses. All was set. I boarded the flight. 

Woohoo!! I was flying finally! I looked at the young air hostess, who must have been in her 20s, draped in red-black striped saree. Huh. I am going foreign, I reassured myself. Only bikini excites hereon I say.

Oh my god! What have I missed all this while in life! I saw huge huge buildings and realised how many legal issues these could potentially bring in India. Many clients lost. I must open a center here, I thought. Sentosa was beautiful. So many things. So many girls. There was also this big Donald Duck standing inside the Universal Studios. I said 'Hi' to it. I was shocked when it said 'Hi' back and shook my hand. Too much technology in foreign. I even saw a dinosaur egg around. Wonder how they flicked that from its mom! Then there were water rides, giant wheels, movie sets, everything foreign. I loved every moment of it.

I was overwhelmed by the hospitality of the services offered. Free food, water, paste, brush even tissue papers! First day I thought they will take extra money for everything I have, so I maintained a strictly 'bread' diet. And then I was told that everything was free. My diet never came down from full breasted chicken there on. Only the waiter in the restaurant was a bit naive. He asked me "Sir, are you a foreigner?" I laughed and shot back. "I am Indian. You are the foreigner!" He got an important lesson that day. I also was offered free spa. I was reluctant when they asked me to be butt naked. But then as I said, I am in foreign, I say.

I was sure the spa foreign lady touched with some 'intention'. I could feel it. Maybe it was the right time to indulge in infidelity. I told myself to follow what my name suggests. “Go and win the girl!” She occasionally gave me glances over the next 2 days. I was determined to hit on her before the trip ended. I got a chance in the beach. She was also with us. I waited for the opportunity for her to become free. “Ma’am” I approached her. “Are you available for dinner?” I asked the gentleman’s question. She smiled. And I melted. We spoke about nature, Singapore, Foreign etc for around half hour. I headed back to the bus when I realised that my carry bag was missing!!

Holy shit! It had my passport and other important documents in it. That means trouble! The spa beauty informed the police. I must have kept it in the beach when I ran towards to talk to her. A policeman, who looked Asian, came for help. He asked about all my details and started his search. “Can I ever go back to India sir?” I asked him. The spa lady consoled me (Yeah I was weeping. I missed my wife suddenly). She even laid my head in her shoulders. Oh, the feel. No wait, I was missing my wife, I said.

I went back to my room in a state of helplessness. After like 4 hours, the policeman came with my bag. Immediately I hugged him and gave him a kiss on his cheeks. “Where did you find it sir?” I was curious. “Someone stole it. I found him from the CCTV camera and then tracked him via my GPS” he said wiping his cheeks as if some insect bit him. “Ohhhhhhhhhh” I prolonged to word to convey my appreciation for the technology in foreign. I said thanks and took the bag from him. He took it back and said “You have to pay 487 Singapore dollars as police fees. Cost of technology” 

“That’s around 18,000 grands in your money” the spa chick who came with the police said. I was stunned. Technology costs yeah. I was helpless so I called my FIL…

2 months later:

I was looking through the pictures I took of my foreign visit. I enjoyed it. But I had to be ashamed when I met my FIL again. Somehow Rabu got to know as well. FIL and Rabu have some under connections I say. I had just finished my lunch. So naturally I was yawning when I saw someone standing at the end of it. I hate it if someone sees me yawn. But hey, here was a customer! I beamed.

“Sir, I am from Foreign Travels. We need a help from you as a lawyer. We have an issue at hand regarding financial liabilities”

“Oh” I was happy to see him. After all, they did offer me the free trip. “That would be a simple case. I will handle it for free for you as an act of repayment”

“That would be too kind of you sir”

He got the contract made and I signed it, without reading it of course. Terms & conditions are clichés.

I went to the mobile court wearing a neatly pressed over court as usual. People had huge anticipation now that finally I was coming to court again after a hiatus of 6 months. The old jerk of a Judge sat.

Suddenly, I saw the foreign spa chic on the other side. Something was wrong. Financial liabilities he said. I was angry at the Travels. How come they not pay her properly!

She was asked to present her case. “Your Honor, as agreed between myself and the Travel agency, I am liable to receive 50% of proceeds from Clients who visit Singapore. They are yet to pay me 9000 rupees from the last client. This is atrocious sir. Cheating a foreigner” she cried.

I asked Rabu to do some quick math on the full amount of money involved. He said 18000 instantly. And then it struck me. It had struck Rabu before me. He looked at me with a mocking smile. I paid the foreign girl Rs. 9000 by myself and asked her to withdraw the case. Rabu was telling my name in some Telugu accent. “Govinda Govinda” he said. Shame shame, I say.

The lakeside

He gazed into the water body with anger. Memories were haunting him. He was sweating. He didn't want to be there. Sumit had forced him to come today. It's been one year, he told himself. His eyes became wet...

Suddenly he realized what Sumit was up to.
"No! Don't!" he screamed.
"You will save me Bhargav. I believe you!" Sumit quickly jumped into the lake.
He was sweating more when he whispered "I won’t"...

1 year before:

It was a lovely evening. Bhargav and Girish decided to take a good break by spending time with nature. They drove to the nearby backwater lake which was once a hit tourist spot before the malls turned up in the city.

They were classmates from school days. However their life changed, they managed to remain the best of buddies. They became roommates now as they managed to take up jobs in the same city. Weekends are strictly for fun, they promised each other.

They were taking pics of each other with various faces from the side of the lake. During the fun, Girish's coolers slipped into the water.
"Fetch it for me champ!" Girish told Bhargav who was a national swimming champion during school days.
"Oh come on. I have taught you to swim haven't I? Fetch it yourself"
"But you know I didn't learn it properly because I am scared!" Girish said sheepishly.
"Yes yes" Bhargav moved towards the edge and seemed ready to jump. Girish followed him to the edge. In a burst of joy, Bhargav pushed Girish into the water instead and laughed "Let's now see if you are still afraid".

Girish struggled and sought for help. Bhargav was relishing it. "Try harder!"
He was moving his hands fast. "Keep your cool and pedal your legs" he heard his friend say. He couldn't remember all that was taught to him. He was struggling and he needed help.
"Bhargav!" he shouted as his head went inside the water. Bhargav saw his eyes filled with fear as it went inside. He now sensed a bit of tension.
Immediately he jumped into the water...

Girish had to be rushed to the hospital as he became unconscious. He had gulped up too much water. The doctor was checking the pulse. The worried look in the doctor's face terrified Bhargav.
"He was inside water only for a minute doctor" he told to reassure himself.
"He has suffered a cardiac arrest" Bhargav heard the world crashing in on him...

Bhargav's life changed. He moved into a life of denial. He saw Girish's parents and didn't have the guts to tell them that he killed him. He knew deep inside that the mistake was his. He hated himself...

The tragedy made him a hydrophobic. He ran away from the look of the ubiquitous liquid. He drank only juices which didn't look waterish. He did not take bath for 2 weeks before his parents forced him to. He closed his eyes and stood below a shower.

He didn't go to work for a month. He remained confined to his home and kept crying in Girish's room while looking at his photo. His parents were worried. They called Sumit for help. Sumit was Bhargav's officemate. He offered to shift into Bhargav's house and help him deal with the trauma. Bhargav started opening up to Sumit slowly. Within 3 months, Sumit had helped him to come back to reality and to forget and move on with life.

"Will you teach me to swim?" Sumit ensured that the question appeared casual.
Immediately Bhargav broke down in the thoughts of Girish and was inconsolable.
"I will never swim again. Never" he shouted in the top of his voice...

It was Girish's anniversary. Sumit tried hard to convince Bhargav to go visit the lake throughout the year. Bhargav resisted. Sumit knew that it was the right time to approach the topic again.
"Please come today" Sumit requested him. He was unmoved. "For Girish's sake! You do remember him don't you?"
Sumit pushed Bhargav into the car and they headed towards the deserted lake.
He gazed into the water body with anger. Memories were haunting him. He was sweating. He didn't want to be there. Sumit had kept a huge photo frame of Girish by the side of the river. Bhargav's eyes became wet seeing it.

Suddenly Sumit was moving to the edge. Bhargav realized what Sumit was upto.
"No! Don't!" he screamed.
"You will save me Bhargav. I believe you!" Sumit quickly jumped into the lake.
He was sweating more when he whispered "I won’t"

Sumit was inside the water and was fliping his hands trying to stay afloat. "Save me Bhargav!" he shouted.
Bhargav was crying. "You idiot!!" He didn't know what to do. Sumit was struggling. The whole scene flashed across his eyes again. He shouted "Somebody please save him!"

There was no one around. Bhargav was shivering. He couldn't go inside water again. He can't. But he had no choice. He glanced and saw Girish smiling from the photo frame. It stuck him suddenly. He ran towards the car and quickly removed the stepney from the rear and flung it into the water.
"Catch hold of this Sumit" he cried. By that time, Sumit was inside the water. Bhargav thought for a second and jumped...

6 months later:

The weather was pleasant. Sumit and Bhargav were relaxing at the lake side. Bhargav had managed to bring Sumit, who was still conscious, out of water in time. As days passed, Bhargav once felt an urge to swim. He contemplated for a week and decided to try over the weekend. He felt his legs moving swiftly and he tried all the four strokes with vigour, especially his favorite butterfly stroke. Sumit convinced him to take up the post of a lifeguard in a Government swimming pool over the weekends as a means of repaying back to Girish. Slowly Bhargav felt at ease with his first love, water. Girish had a cardiac arrest because of his naturally constricted arteries. Sumit enlightened Bhargav on this. "It wasn't my fault altogether right?" Bhargav started believing that it was an accident and not a murder. Sumit and Bhargav became good buddies and they started enjoying some evenings together.The lake side was their favorite outing.

The weather was pleasant. They were having some tea. After some frivolous talks, Bhargav started the topic. "What if I hadn't saved you that day? Why were you such a fool to jump inside the water you know!?"
"I had to make you jump into the water somehow" Sumit explained his stance "The doctor told me that it was the only way to pull you out of the tragedy fully. I ensured no one was around when I jumped. I was confident that you will save me. But smart on you to think of the tyre though a bit delayed. I am happy things went good." He smiled. So did Bhargav.

But Bhargav wasn't finished "But what if I hadn't jumped till the end? Now I think of it, it was 50-50 me jumping!"
Sumit's smile spread wide as he said "Well, in that case, I would have come out of the water myself" he laughed and continued "I learnt swimming without your knowledge. Half a minute more, I would have come out to take my breadth again. Thanks for ensuring that my drama stayed put!"
Bhargav shouted "You bastard!!" and they both had a good laugh together...

The yardstick

I hate my job. I hate my boss. I hate my life. I hate myself.

It was one of those Fridays. The day everyone partied. I sat alone in the sofa; gulping a Kingfisher while watching a worthless cricket match. I was furious. The day, as usual, went bad. However hard I tried, pleasing Mr. Ruben seemed impossible. But I had to keep trying. The job meant everything to me now. I glanced around the empty house and wondered where it all went wrong. Three years ago, I had everything. More importantly, I was happy then…

I joined as an assistant designer in a popular construction firm right out of my college. It was a dream job, a job that would ensure a lucrative career abroad. That was my aim. Settling in the States. Mr. Ruben was nice at first. Soon the job became demanding. I had to spend nights out in the office and the more I worked, the lesser I got rewarded. They never seemed happy. They called me inefficient, uncreative and undeserving. The foreign opportunity was still a dream…

I had Nisha. Romance blossomed from college days and a year into my work, we got married. I liked the independence she enjoyed in her life. She was daring. Our marriage and the opposition we faced before it meant that we were all alone. To each other’s company, we promised. We bought home Emma, an Indian Spitz. She loved dogs. I liked Emma Watson. We were a happy family…

I would often come home late while Nisha was home by 6pm from her work. It all started there. Nisha had only one companion most of the times i.e Emma and she would have slept most of the days by the time I returned. I didn’t like the routine but I promised myself that once we get to go abroad, things will be more comfortable and happier. I worked harder. The routine became tougher. Once I couldn't even speak to Nisha in person for a week, in spite of living in the same house. Slowly there was a drift in the closeness we shared. The day my appraisal results of the 2nd year came (in which I was found to be not good enough yet to go abroad), a fight erupted at home.

“Why are you being a jackass?” the sharpness of her tone stunned me.
“Look Nisha, I am doing this for us.”
“No you aren’t. We are not happy. I gave up everything for you. Please understand!”
“Listen I am tired today. Let’s talk later”
“That’s what you have been saying for a while now. Let’s decide today. Are you going to quit your job or not?”
The question pinched me. I slapped her. For all the hard work I put in, this can’t be the end.
“Shut up Nisha!”
She cried. “Please leave this job! I earn enough for us both even if you can’t find another one soon. We can be happy in India”
“I assure you that I will spend more time with you.” and I walked away.

For the next 3 months I tried to give Nisha more time. I took my projects home. The thought of at least staying with her was more comforting. I could sense that she felt better but still she was constantly having a dig at my job.

One day, Mr. Ruben told me, “Seems like you are leaving home early nowadays? Not interested in a career abroad eh?”
I changed back to my original routine. Job became more important, yet again. I tried explaining it to Nisha. Couldn’t.

One fine day she told me that she decided to walk away if I continue in this job. I didn’t realize the seriousness then. A week later, another big fight actuated. She packed her bags and bade goodbye. I didn’t stop her. I didn’t need a women who didn’t understand my dreams.
“Take Emma along! I can’t feed your puppies” I shouted at her when she was about to open the gates.
She screamed back “Have her as my parting gift. In case you ever wanna screw someone!” and left.
It suddenly occurred to me that I hadn’t ‘touched’ Nisha in more than a month…

It’s been 6 months since Nisha left. I finished the beer and walked towards the balcony. Emma was sleeping. Peacefully. Everytime, I saw her, she reminded me of Nisha, the woman who never understood me. I heard that Nisha lived with her friend nowadays. I didn’t bother to contact her. Neither did she. The past was pricking me. I picked up a stick that was lying around and hit the sleeping dog. She screamed and I liked it. I continued to hit her till I was satisfied. I felt relieved as I hit the bed that night…

I told myself that the only aim I have is to convince my boss and that I will work harder and smarter then on. I tried to be friendlier with the seniors in the office who could be influential rather than giving them a feeling that I was competing with them. I would invite them for lunch, offer beer parties for no apparent reason. Mr. Ruben remained a dissatisfied man. But I found a new way to release my tension. Once a week I used to beat up the bitch at home. It was soothing in some way. Soon it became a daily event. I was able to digest the sadistic pleasure my boss got out of demeaning me by passing on the anger to the dog. She was taking it fine I felt.

I noticed a small bump in Emma’s belly one day and instantly knew that the bitch had mated with some street dog. The thought of spending my life all alone while a bitch enjoyed the pleasures of life infuriated me. I picked the stick again and hit her with more force and vigour. She was bleeding when I left her alone in the balcony…

The bump was getting bigger. So was my anxiety. When will I be recognized? I cried to myself. I did not like the whole thing. I hated my life. I hated myself.

Mr. Ruben called me to his office on a Sunday (yes I worked even on Sundays).
“I must confess that I am not totally impressed with you.” He began while I just nodded.
“But I have seen some improvement in your work in the past 3-4 months. While that is not enough to recommend you to the head office, they are in need of resources at present. I have forwarded your name. You are a lucky chap!” he offered to shake my hands.

I was overjoyed. The dream came true. For all the hard work. I cried instantly. I wanted to rejoice the moment but there was no one for me. I thought of Emma. I bought 2 packets of her once favourite biscuits while picking up 5 pints of beer for myself. I returned home with a smiling face after years and cried for Emma with joy. And what I saw then ashamed me. Emma came to me with the stick in her mouth and dropped the stick under my feet asking to be hit. I felt like I was slapped. I broke down the beer bottles on the floor and picked up Emma and for the first time in months, allowed her to lick my hand. It felt heavenly. I felt the love. The dog which was hit everyday loved me still. I cried inconsolably. Why? I asked myself. What for all this? What will I do alone in the States? I slept hugging Emma that night.

Early morning, I woke up with a conviction. I let Emma lick my hands again as I stroked her forehead. I rushed to meet Mr. Ruben.

“I am resigning” I told him with a serious face.
“What? Are you mad? You are going to the States man! Don’t joke around!”
“I am resigning. Today. See you Mr. Ruben. Nice knowing you” I walked towards the exit.
“Wait!” he screamed. “I was foolish. You were a great worker. Believe me!”
I closed the door and returned home with a free mind. A mind cleared of all the evils. A mind in a mood to celebrate. To cherish a new beginning…

I reached home and the joy doubled. I saw 2 cute puppies lying around Emma. How stupid of me! I thought. I hadn’t followed her pregnancy. Emma was sleeping beside her kids. She might need some help I thought. So I called up a Vet and booked an appointment. I went to wake Emma up and instantly felt a chill. The body was cold, devoid of life. Emma was no more…

I cried like an asshole should. I killed the only being who loved me. I hit her when she was pregnant and her body couldn’t stand it. I wanted to punish myself. I hit myself with the stick till it broke. The pain was unbearable but it was worth it…

I saw the 2 newborns and realized how close they resembled to Emma when she was young.
“Such a lovely puppy” I recollected Nisha telling me. Everything was too harsh on me. But I knew I was the culprit. Emma died because of me, my job. Nisha left me because of the same. I wanted to make amends. I took the puppies and dashed towards the car.

I rang the doorbell and Nisha opened. We stood there without uttering a word, looking at each other’s eyes. How lovely she looked, I wondered. The smaller but powerful joys of life and how I missed them.

After an eternity, I asked her “Will you please come with me? I left my job and these are all I own” showing her the puppies. She stood without a word. And I added “I love you Nisha! I miss you” and broke down.

Within a minute, she got hold of one the puppies and asked “What should we name them?”

The evidence on the ghastly night

3:47pm:
We looked at the flat entrance which was cordoned off by a tape saying “Do not cross: Police”. The sun was heating up my right cheek. Given that I rather prefer sleeping during the day (and work actively to become a father in the night, he he.. ), I am averse to this tanning concept. So I asked my assistant
“When did this happen Rabu?”
“Around 2 hours back sir”
“Have the forensics been handled?”
“Yes sir, a team has already picked up the essentials”
“Then let’s come back after dinner. A murder scene is more thrilling then” I told him excitedly with a wink.
“Sir but our job is to pick up things that the forensics team missed!”
“And what’s their job? Not to miss any evidence?”
“Yes sir”
“Then let’s go”
“Su…re sir” he said hesitantly.

Hi hello I am Govind. In case you forgot me, my one previous experience was shared with you here.

I was hiding away from the court for like 2 months after that escapade. After that I spent months visiting the courtroom and opening my mouth only for a yawn. Then I decided that something had to be done. It was getting a bit boring. Only a bit though.

I approached my FIL(actually Father In Law, it was apt since he filled my pockets always) and asked for another fill of the bank account. I planned to start a detective firm all by myself. I reasoned out with him, like i always do, that if he ever wishes to be a GF (grandfather that is), he better pay me then. Little did he know that my active trials to make him a GF has been failing for like 3 years now. Alls for good. The man in me will not die down... will stand up to the challenge... Oh wait! Off topic! So I got the money and hired an assistant too! Yeah. Somebody to actually do the work. Smart I say!

I have often tipped the policemen around the area to offer me a case in case and in only case the present case is the toughest case of all cases that comes to them. The confused policemen never got back. A month had passed and me and my poor assistant kept yawning to the new LCD tv that my FIL filled me with. I tipped the inspector handsomely this time and the fruit got ripe today. The inspected called me in the afternoon to help solve the rarest of rare cases ever to have hit the country, a murder! At last, the requirement of ingenuity was sought. I stood up like a lion out of slumber and proceeded to the sight in a jiffy...

4.13 pm:
I was back in my office within a hour with an irritated face. The tanning concept which I never understood! I asked my assistant to make a few calls regarding the murder.
“So Rabu, whats the case?”
“A 45 year old widow was murdered in her bedroom sir. Around 1.30pm her neighbour saw leaking blood from the open door and informed the police who in turn informed you. According to reports, she was..”
“No wait wait” I cut him abruptly. “Lets clarify the fundamental thing first. Is she dead?” I asked with eyes of sheer brilliance.

9:12 pm:
We had a sumptuous dinner. I gave Rabu a treat for our high profile first case. We started towards the flat as I gathered more vital information like her pets, her food habits, the serials she watched etc and finally I asked Rabu “How was she killed? You said some blood leaking through door?”
I don't know why he stared at me for 2 seconds but he answered “Her throat was slit. By a kitchen knife”
“Wait a minute!” I was furious. “How dare you come to conclusions? How can you be so sure it was the kitchen knife?”
“Apparently it was lying beside the body”
“Exactly! To trick us! The murderer used another knife, killed her and kept the kitchen knife beside her after covering it with her blood and walked away with the murder weapon! Oh my! We first have to find the murder weapon!”
“For what purpose sir?” Rabu was probably inquisitive. New to the trade, I thought.
“To get finger prints my dear boy!” I patted on his right shoulder.

9.49 pm:
We were staring at the entrance of the flat with the tape saying “Do not cross: Police”. As we were about to cross it, I suddenly remembered that all liquor shops close at 10 and I had no stock for the weekend. So we went down to buy some beer. I had 2 pints.

10.27 pm:
We were staring at the entrance of the flat with the tape saying “Do not cross: Police”. Wait a minute! The tape was missing from the entrance!
“Someone’s in there!” I panicked. Scary I say!
“Sir I think it was me who cut that tape half hour back”
“I didn't see you doing it. If I didn't see it, it didn't happen. Believe me”
“Sir, but I know!”
“Don't argue Rabu! This is serious stuff. Our life's at stake. Follow me!” I entered the flat with one hand on the pistol I got (yeah. FIL’s grace) and the other holding Rabu. Got to take care of the kid, right?
We switched on the light and Alas!
“Rabu! The body is missing! Somebody stole the body! I wonder why that somebody drew a white mark depicting the body though”
“Sir it must have been the police. I have seen this in movies”
“Don't let the movies and your imagination get to you Rabu. This is serious, I say!” I looked around and noted a few things down in my sticky notes. Body missing. Knife missing. Blood is washed off.

Suddenly the lights went off. It was pitch dark. I caught hold of Rabu even more strongly. A man of fortitude never panics. I switched on my mobile torch as we entered the victim’s washroom to inspect. Suddenly there was a noise emanating from the kitchen. Someone was in there! I grabbed Rabu and ran towards the exit. I closed the door and shouted “Ghost! Run Rabu run!”
As we ran, the flat door opened and Rabu saw a man come out of it. I instantly knew that it was not a ghost. Never seen any ghost change genders in movies. So I shouted “Murderer! Run Rabu run!”
“Sir, its the watchman!” Rabu stopped.
It was indeed the watchman.
“What were you doing inside?” I enquired.
“Sorry sir, I wanted to take the gas cylinder of madam. She had promised to give me last week. I thought I could fulfill her last wish. Please don't mistake me. I know I shouldn’t have got inside”
“You may go” I told him. After he left, we both entered again and using the torch we looked for any missed evidence.

“Fingerprints!” I shouted from the kitchen. “Rabu! Get these checked. The police did good to call me. This must be that of the murderer!”
“Sir, but the watchman..”
“No buts” I stopped him short again. “We have a case solved!”

A MONTH LATER:
The verdict was going to be announced that day. I asked the Inspector to inform me of the verdict day. I wanted to present my independent analysis sensationally on the last day. Adds to my reputation, I say. As we walked in, rather late intentionally, the judge was going to announce the verdict.

“Your Honor” I barged in. “I have investigated this case thoroughly and have singled out the murderer! The only fingerprints at the scene of crime, a person who should not have entered the flat, a person who has killed the lady for a gas cylinder, the watchman of the house!” I pointed towards the guy who was seated in the audience. The police missed him, I thought.
Silence. Complete silence. And then oddity followed. Everyone started laughing. Including the watchman himself. Did my sensational attack drive people mad?

The judge spoke “Mr.Govind. The lady’s son here has accepted being guilty of murdering his mother due to differences over her will. In fact, he was caught running with blood stains on by the watchman who is quite a hero in that sense. Your case denounced”

I stood there shocked, aghast, appalled, dismayed and other adjectives you can think of. I took my mobile and called my FIL to fill my account asap. It was going to be one hell of a tip to keep these people quiet this time around! Especially Rabu...

How to kill a romantic bird? : The end of a dream

Continued from How to kill a romantic bird? : The suppression of the warrior

The doctor asked him “What is love?”
He gave a jerk suddenly. His head was spinning. He heard the screech on his head. He felt he was dying. The brain mapper showed an intense negative response. The doctor smiled…

He was released. He was trying to walk stably. His mind was blank. He couldn’t recollect where he had to go. He was just walking…He moved towards a bus stop. He heard someone talking over the phone. He heard “I love you darling”. His hands started shaking. He knew he had to respond or face death. He slapped the guy who was over the phone.

The observer, who was checking his every move, called his leader and said “Mission accomplished!”

THREE MONTHS LATER:

The Superintendent of Police was staring at a report. He suddenly exclaimed “14?!”
The Inspector whispered ‘yes’ with a puzzled face.
“You mean there were 14 unexplained murders in your area in the past 3 months?”
“Yes sir. 8 women and 6 men.”
“And you have no lead on anything?”
“All have come during the night. They were all unmarried but they were in a relationship. There is no similarity in the way they were murdered. It mostly looked like the attacker/attackers used things found in the vicinity like stones, bars to murder the victim. We can deduce that it was unplanned. We have retrieved some of the weapons. No fingerprints”
“This is baffling! Have you mobilized a night patrol in your area? I am getting concerns from the women groups. This has been brought to notice of the Home Ministry too”
“Sir I am personally overseeing the patrol every night. In spite of that, we had a murder 2 days back. This is frightening sir”
“I will allocate 20 more constables to you. Get the murderers and bring them to justice!”
“Thank you sir. I will try my best”
The inspector walked out the room as a thought struck him. He called the famous industrialist.
“Sir, I am afraid we have an issue here which can possibly implicate you.”
“Tell me more” said a calm, stern voice.
“Sir, remember the guy who loved your daughter and we put him for treatment 3 months back?”
“What about him? He is probably dead”
“No sir. I think he is out there killing people!”
------
The cold was shivering. With a torn black jacket on, he hid himself on the side wall as he saw his soon-to-be-victim walk into the ATM. He waited for four minutes and saw him coming out counting some cash. The ATM’s watchman was seated outside it facing the road which was partially lit near the place. He watched as his victim signaled bye to the watchman and head walking into the darkness of the road ahead. He put his gloves on and swiftly, he moved towards him without making any sound. He maintained pace with his victim whose mobile rung suddenly crushing the silence. He walked patiently behind till he heard his victim utter “I love you”. The victim heard a loud scream coming from behind and as he turned back, he felt an impulse of forceful hands over his neck.

The watchman heard a continued scream for help. He immediately locked the door of the ATM and ran towards the darkness with his torch. When he reached there, he saw a still body with tongue out. The phone lay on the ground next to the body with some lady crying “What happened to you? Are you there?”
------
He settled into the comfortable blanket that lay inside the tent he made along with other destitute souls. They all looked at this seemingly learned and sophisticated being who spoke no word and wondered why he was with them. Over time, they didn’t seem to bother. With his lifeless eyes, he looked at the stars through the entrance hole and slowly went into hibernation.

He woke up with a start. Someone was trying to hold his hands. And then he realized, it was more than one involved. They caught his hands, legs and bound him up with the blanket. He tried to resist but he realized he was being overpowered. His mouth was gagged and he was transported in an Omni to a guarded room with “ENTRY RESERVED” label. He knew that they had come for him again. He couldn’t guess why…
------
“What to do with him sir?” the doctor asked the Industrialist over phone.
“Reverse it” came a quick reply.
“I am not sure if that’s possible sir. The first impact is too deep. We have never tried the reverse methodology”
“Then try now! First confirm it’s him. And then reverse it. I should have killed him long back. If it’s not reversible, kill him with no remorse”
“I will try my best sir”
------
He was seated in front of the projector with his hands clasped to the chair. There was a prick in his hand indicating the injection. A video clip showing the murder of a lover was aired. The brain mapper showed a positive response.
“It’s him alright” quipped the doctor to his assistant.
Many more clips were aired and a screeching sound was played whenever there was a murder. He showed no discomfort. The puzzled doctor immediately aired a love scene and the effect was violent. He was screaming as he tried to pull his hands out free. He was bleeding at the clasp joint but he was still trying violently to break free. The video was changed immediately to show a murder as he calmed down…
-------
She was walking with him. She suddenly held his hand and said “Be with me forever!” He froze at the touch.
She was looking into his eyes and gave a beautiful smile that melted him instantly.
She was singing his favorite song as he swam into the sea of her melodious voice.
She was with him all the time, doing all the things he liked and he liked her company.
He kissed her hand when the ambiance had a romantic song being played which translated to
“An angel of love strode the Earth once...
She handed me the love epic she brought along…
in the midst of the lustful morning time…”

He jumped up from his bed. He was fuming. Something was wrong with him. The treatment must have done something to him. He remembered his dreams. There was a girl. She was in love. He couldn’t recollect whom. He looked around and saw that he was locked up by those men who tortured him that same day.

One of them saw that he was up and informed the doctor. They dragged him to the treatment room and clasped his hands again.
The doctor, who was walking towards him, received a call “Yes sir. We are trying our best sir. But you must also give us some credit. Our first treatment was so good that he has completely forgotten Radha madam”
The name hit him hard. Radha. The song started playing in his mind again “An angel of love strode the Earth…”
She was the one in his dreams. She was in love. Anger started overwhelming him. He was forcing to break free. More fiercely this time. He remembered the beautiful face. An angel of love strode the Earth… He broke free...
-------
He was looking at the second floor of the moon lit house. His hands were soaked with blood. His eyes emanated a hungry murderer who just finished seven in the treatment room. He jumped over the wall and climbed the plumbing onto the second floor. The door, which was unlocked, had the message “Abode of Mrs. Radha Prakash”. He knew he had reached the right place. He rushed in as the light was switched on. He saw her. She stood motionless seeing the bloody yester lover.

He ran towards her, grabbed her head and banged it against the wall. The impact was heavy on her head. She slowly started descending towards the ground without a push. Her eyes were fixed on his as she whispered “I love you” and fell down…

The words hit him hard. He was transported into the past when everything was happy. Suddenly he remembered every specific detail of their love. The song began to haunt him again “An angel of love strode the Earth…” He glanced at her body and a tear dropped of his right eye. His lips and tongue moved in sync to voice “I love you too”. And then it came back to him. Anger. He knew he was in love. And he knew the only destination of all lovers. He jumped off the window and crashed into the concrete ground…

How to kill a romantic bird? : The suppression of the warrior

“Kill him”, the coldness in his voice choked the assistant.
He waited for a second and asked “Sir, are you sure? We can think of other ways…” he stopped short looking into the diabolic eyes that confronted him.
“That sonofabitch had the guts to play with my daughter! Doesn’t he deserve to die?”
“But sir…”
“But what?”
“Our madam was involved too” he bent down his head to avoid confronting the eyes again.
“Hmmm. Driving sense into me eh kid? Fine! Suggest the other ways” he stressed on his last two words.
“We just make him forget our madam sir. I know a guy who can handle this. May I?”
“I give you a fortnight. Do what you can. Else I’ll have it my way. Fine?”
“Fine sir” he said as he moved away.

THE FIRST DAY:
They brought the gagged up guy into the dark room. They tied his hands and legs to the chair he was seated in and pulled the gag away from his mouth.
“Who are you guys? Why have you brought me here?” he asked them with a burst of anger.
“Shut up!” the leader punched him on his nose. “We are here to help you” he continued. “Tell us that you’ll forget her and we shall set you free!”
“Not till I die!” he proclaimed as he wiped the oozing blood from his nose; only to be punched again.
“Take care of him” the leader pointed his right index finger towards him while addressing the gang.

THE NEXT DAY:
The leader enquired to one of his gang men what the progress was.
“He is not responding. We hit him badly, exposed him to hot water, ice, hunger, thirst, suffocation nothing worked. He is quite stubborn”
The leader contemplated for a while and declared “We call in the doc”. The gang members observed complete silence on hearing their leader.

AFTER ONE HOUR:
He was taken to the clinic and was first administered medicines to set him right. The doctor insisted that he took half a day of rest before the procedure started.
After the resting period, he was taken into a guarded room which was labelled “ENTRY RESERVED”. There was a long passage with dimmed lights which lead to another room at the end. The inner room was partially lit with an orange blub in one side of the room. There was a projector and a screen which faced the sophisticated chair kept inside the room. He was pushed into the chair and immediately his hands and legs got clasped by the buckle strap attached to the chair. A unique padding system held his head in place while two mechanical arms, operated by the doctor, held and stretched his eyelids and kept them open. He was facing the screen and his eyes, whatever it did, had only the screen to see.

“Mister” the image of the doctor was projected on the screen. “The earlier you respond to our treatment, the earlier we let you free. Please cooperate. All the best”
Immediately there was a pinch of pain in his right hand and he realized he was being injected with something. His mind was wavering instantly as he started having hallucinations. A short video was aired on the screen. The video of a man was struggling to hold his own in the pool of water, trying not to drown. His eyes assimilated the image of someone struggling and suddenly there was a deep screeching noise in the room that pained his head. He was hallucinating. He was sure he was drowning. He tried to move his hands and push his legs against the water. He was unable to move them. The buckle was strong. He was drowning. He tried to shout for help. He gasped for breadth. He tried to look up to the skies. All he saw was the image of water that was being projected onto the screen. He knew he was drowning. He fainted with his eyes open…

THE NEXT DAY:
He saw a well-known Hindi movie running on the screen. He felt the pinch on his right hand again. Shahrukh Khan was playing basketball with Kajol. He recognised the scene. Immediately thoughts of her flooded his mind. There was a faint smile in his face and suddenly the deep screech happened. He shouted aloud in discomfort and acute pain. Shahrukh Khan was holding Kajol’s hand in the rains. The screech continued. He was hallucinating. He was holding her hand in the rains. He felt sharp pain in his hands. Something was burning them. He held on to her hand. He held on to the arm rest…

A man was tied to the railway track. A train was approaching fast to crush him under the wheels. The screech happened. He was hallucinating. He saw the train coming towards him. He tried to break free. He tried to run away. He couldn’t. His eyes were watering. The pain was intense. The noise of the train approaching deepened by the second. So did the screech. The train was almost there. He fainted…

Emraan Hashmi was on top of Malika. He was seducing her. They were gearing up to lock lips and at that point the screech happened. He felt his lips touch hers but his lips were burning. He tried to move away but she wouldn’t let him. He couldn’t stand it anymore. The lips wouldn’t part…

The doctor put him under hypnotism and asked him “Whom do you love the most?”
He smiled. The brain mapper showed that the question evoked a positive response. Seeing the same, the doctor walked away and slammed the door on his way to his room.

“This is unbelievable!” he exclaimed to the leader who assigned him this task. “The Ludovico technique never fails! This guy is strong”
“Bull shit!” the leader was angry. “We have only a week more to make this work. I trusted you doc! I trusted you!”
“But I myself can’t fathom how he survived this! I am lost for ideas” the doctor began scratching his head trying to pull out something.
“Maybe you are doing it wrong” the leader said. “That he still sees hope means the technique allows him to still see hope?” he looked askance.
“That’s it!” exclaimed the doctor. “Give me another chance. I’ll have him done!”
“Sure” the leader walked out of the room.

The man on the screen was drowning, struggling for this breadth. He looked at the screen and half expected the screech to happen. It didn’t. The man on the screen was trying his best to move his hands and legs to stay afloat. Still no screeching sound. Time was passing. The man on the screen was getting tired. Still no screeching sound. The man on the screen gave up and let his nostrils fill completely with water. At this moment, the screech happened. He was inside water. He couldn’t breathe. His nostrils were filled with water. He saw his own death. He saw his dead body…

SRK was holding Kajol’s hand. The screech happened. His hands were burning. He tried to hold on to her. There was a sudden force that thumped his hand. The pain was enormous. He let her go…

The train was approaching the man on the screen who was trying to break free. The train was approaching fast. The sound of the train was getting louder. It was just about to hit the man on the screen and the screech happened. He saw the train crushing him. He saw the crushed body of his on the screen. He saw his own death…

Emraan was seducing Malika. They locked lips. The screech happened. His lips were burning. He couldn’t move away. She was killing him. His mouth tasted something bitter. He deduced it must be poison. She was killing him…

The doctor asked him “What is love?”
He gave a jerk suddenly. His head was spinning. He heard the screech on his head. He felt he was dying. The brain mapper showed an intense negative response. The doctor smiled…

He was released. He was trying to walk stably. His mind was blank. He couldn’t recollect where he had to go. He was just walking…
He moved towards a bus stop. He heard someone talking over the phone. He heard “I love you darling”. His hands started shaking. He knew he had to respond or face death. He slapped the guy who was over the phone.

The observer, who was checking his every move, called his leader and said “Mission accomplished!”
(to be continued...)