GAME OF GOD - Chapter IV

"It was during the days of final semester of my post graduation, I was employed with a call center. With my bank balance showing Nil and my dad not prepared anymore to shell from his pocket, I was compelled to look out for opportunities. One of my friends had given bad show at the interview of a reputed call center and as usual I argued to exclude the HR of the call center from causes of his failure as I knew well about his super brain. As a consequence I was seated opposite to the HR the next day facing the questions that my friend had taken a day before. Of course the result was in favor of me.

I began my first day at the call center within a week from the day of my interview. We had an evaluation on the first day to judge the level of our soft skills and only two we were considered good. One was I and the other was she." 

"You mean Vidhya?" Nisha interrupted

"Yeah. You are right. That was when I met her for the first time. She always used to be in her own world. Never used to mingle with us.  At times she used to talk to her Priya - her only friend in the whole team. But once during an activity during our training we were clubbed together as a team. That’s when I spoke to her for the first time. My batch mates were making fun of me for being teamed up with 'dumb girl' ( that’s how she was named by others in the team').I got annoyed at one point of time and argued in favor of her. This is where the game took a turn. The bet between us was this: if I make her fall in love with me I get paid Three thousand"

"So it was all a game is it?”  Nisha was too quick in asking this 

"True. This was how it all started but as days went I realized a true love for her. I tried speaking to her and miserably failed in all my attempts. One day both of us had to leave the office little late. I still remember that day when we were waiting in the Bus stop for more than thirty minutes but in vain. It was half past ten at night. 

"Hey, any idea when is the last bus to my place? " she asked me

"Well, if you can tell where you are from then I might help you with the info you require" 

"Oh, sorry.... I live at Great lakes" she said

“Is it? One of my friends lives there... I used to visit that place very often in fact I know...”

"Sorry can you please tell me if in case you know the timings of last bus to my place" she interrupted sharply

Though I felt bad, I still continued”I guess there is one bus at eleven"

"Thanks" she ended the conversation bluntly.

I felt her disinterest to continue this talk. But not sure of the reason behind it. Normally nine out of ten girls I have met normally respond when you initiate the conversation. But she was different. Probably she is that 'tenth girl' I suppose. Her bus was there when these thoughts were running in my mind. The bus was neither destined to my place nor it passes through it, yet I got into it. She was not surprised may be because she had not known my locality.

"One ticket to great lakes" she presented a 500 rupee note to the conductor.

He stared at her for a minute and said “Please give me 7 rupees if you have or else you may get down in the nearest stopping" 

"Am sorry I don't have any other currency except for this note." she said in a tired note

"Two tickets to great lakes” I interrupted presenting the exact change of 14 rupees to him

Needless to say we sat in a seat and remained silent for next 10 minutes. Surprisingly she broke the silence,

"You too live in Great lakes? I have never seen you in that Area?"

"Yeah I have recently shifted, just a week back” I lied with least expressions to prove it

"Oh. Where exactly is your apartment?" she continued... In a way I was happy that the conversation is getting built up

"I live just near to that temple, just the roan next to the ATM point". Going by the logic that all areas have a temple and of course an ATM in the same road, but not sure if there is any road next to it. But before allowing me to think of more landmarks she spoke

"Oh is it the one next to the Indian bank ATM, I know there are few apartments there."

I thanked god and the GM of Indian bank for having set up an ATM there."Yeah the same lane, 4th house"

The bus stopped in great lakes after fifteen minutes. It was half past eleven by now. I was thinking of catching a taxi to my place which is around 10 km in exact opposite direction.

"Why are you walking along with me, I thought you are supposed take a right from that signal “she questioned. 

before I replied to her I stopped a taxi that passed my way ( as I was not sure of when I would get another ) .I told him the destination ,bargained and finally settled the fare and then came back to answer her question

"Vidhya, to be frank I don't live here. I reside at 'Gold nest' Colony. I just came along with you to ensure that you reach safely. I know you had traveled to this place alone, may be even at late nights. Still today you seemed very upset, dull confused.... am not getting the exact word. So I just felt that I can accompany you just to help in case you need..."I left a pause 

She stared at me silently. I continued "Vidhya can I tell you something? Your lips are smiling but there is sadness hidden under it. Your eyes show your mind which is right now confused and in search of something. I really don't want you to share it with me as am not your close friend .But do speak someone you know for a long time. I really feel bad to see you like this. Fine, let me take leave now...Bye" 

Without waiting for her response I jumped into the taxi and asked the driver to start it. I never failed to turn back and see. She was there standing in the same place, looking at the trails of my Taxi. Just five more minutes left for the arms of the clock to hug each other at twelve. 

GAME OF GOD - Chapter I

The hospital was busy except for the department where I was seated. The fragrance of lavender breezed through the place. The doctor seldom gets visitor I guess though there are lot of insane crowd. I sat there gazing at the board which read “Dr. Shaam MBBS MD (psychiatrist)”. “Well, eight years he has wasted in his life to live amidst insane crowd” I said to myself, losing all my patience. Well those words were uttered in a fit of anger, for having brought me here.  I just wanted out to shout out to this world “people, I myself is a psychologist and have counseled several stressed out dimwits and made them sense reality”. Time is not a medicine for wound but rather a device that drills more nails when you try to pluck out one. I am not a philosopher neither was it my subject during the university days. But you wouldn’t get a better professor than time to teach you the theories and am proud to introduce myself as his favorite student, for having taught me all the notes at the cost of my happiness.

Finding it hard to take my words? Yup and that’s the same feeling I would have when an unknown tries to load me with his troubles especially during the first meet. So I don’t wish to be an ‘unknown’ to my readers, for all reasons to take the story forward.

I am known to this world by the name ‘Vasanth’ though my friends call me ‘Vasu’ and for my best friend I am a ‘buffalo’ (though there is no resemblance). I am not sure if I have crossed so much in life to pen down my tales but definitely I have enough experiences to share, the experiences which have made me wait at the reception desk of a psychiatrist. Its half past three and I have waiting for more than an hour by now. Never had I made my patients wait for one reason that I hate to wait for others unnecessarily. Frustrated I approached the desk and a beauty in mid twenties answered my call with sweet tone, “how may I help you? “.

Pacified by now I said “you may help in several different ways for several things, but as of now let me know where is your darling doctor?”

She replied with slight smile “I guess he would be here in an hour”.  “

“An hour? What fuckin business he has?  Having given me the appointment at 2pm.”

Chuckling for my remarks she said “Vasanth, I am afraid if I would be able to give the right answer to your question but I believe from his message that he is struck in traffic. Well, in case you feel restless can I give you company? “.

 “Company….?  I would love to but not under this situation...” (She interrupts) “Excuse me  ... I meant for a cup of coffee “.

Needless t o say that we found a corner seat in the café, forcing others into perceptional errors. The conversation started in a simple way about variety of patients visiting the hospital, ways of handling them and shifted to clairvoyance. She did believe when I said I am good reading mindset of humans especially tuning my mind to theirs. When she asked me to prove,

I said “right now your thought is about me. You have a question in your mind and that too is about me.” “Well… then can you say what that is?”

“It’s just this, why is this impressive, smart chap is in here as a visitor to a psychiatrist? Am I right?”

“I agree with you on your talent”.

“Thanks for that but even are unaware of the reason until I get to understand it from your doctor who had sent a mail inviting me to his hospital for a discussion”. She stared at me for a minute till I broke in saying “do you mind me if I say that your current thought is a curiosity to know my story, isn’t it?”

“Well Mr. Clairvoyant, it’s time for us to leave. The doctor would be here any minute”.

True to her words the doctor came in next ten minutes with no apologies for his delay. ”fifteen years of experience and still people don’t learn basics” I murmured. After another fifteen minutes of wait I finally entered the doctor’s cabin. The very look of him showed me that he needs some treatment from my end and I felt like asking him

“Shaam do you need any help from me in finding a cure for some kind of mental illness that you suffer from?” But it was a surprise that I did really utter those words which I found from his response

“Nope. But rather I wanted to ask the same question to you”.

“What? Mental sickness for me? You mean to say you called me in for a treatment? If you had mistaken me for one among your insane crowd then it’s you who deserve the treatment” I blasted out.

Yet there was smile as response from him. “Well Vasanth, I had called you for a discussion based on the request from one of your friend, whose identity would remain confidential till our discussion is done”.

“Shaam you know that I show no abnormality and am a psychologist as well.  Moreover the cause of this discussion is to be kept secret....do u think I have gone nuts to waste my time in fuckin you’re ……? Well I have other better jobs to look at and will never forgive you for taking 3 precious hours of my agenda. Good bye”.

There was no opposition from him and he just said “good bye. See you soon”.

“What comment was that? You think you are a beautiful whore to keep visiting you again and again? Enough of you wasting my time and I wish to end it with this” I stormed out of his cabin.

She shook up to ask me “do u need a vehicle to be arranged, how far is your residence?”

“No thanks my friend Raj would be here to pick me up and am going with him for a drink. Your insane doctor has spoiled my day and I need some peace at this moment which only my raj can give”.

 “Well, I really wonder why an appointment was fixed for a smart chap like you. It wouldn’t be nice to tell see you in next visit but…. “ 

“Lady…”I started but she interrupted saying “call me Nisha”. “Ya Nisha... Nice name as sweet as you. This is my card and you can call me anytime. But now I have to go as raj would be waiting for me“. I quickly left the place and came out.

I know about my best friend. As expected he was waiting outside for me in our bike. “So what did he have to discuss with you” was the first question from Raj. “Nothing man. He has become incurably insane after living amidst the crowd of similar people. He said that someone had requested him to counsel me to get me out of some sort of mental illness.” “What” he sighed,” I know you sometimes behave differently but had least intension recommending a treatment. Even otherwise I would send you to a vet and not to a psychiatrist, you buffalo”. “Raj, let’s move from here, my thirst is pushing me for a drink”. We just left the place with no trace behind.

Nisha felt lazy but had no other option to pick up the call.” Hello Dr. Shaam’s office “A husky voice responded “Did Vasanth meet the doctor today? “.

 “Yes he did and left just now”. “

 Well any clue on where he is going to?”

“I am not aware of the exact location, but he said he is going out with his friend Raj”

“Raj? Did he say Raj” the voice was filled with anxiety

“Yes… he said his friend would be waiting for him and they are planning to go for a drink. Anything wrong? Any problem for Vasanth? ”

“No... Well…. Yes........watever it may be. Connect the call to Mr.Shaam Please"

Nisha left with no other option connected the line to Shaam. The only thought in her mind was what wrong with Mr. Clairvoyant?

GAME OF GOD - Chapter III

“Hello ma’am, I guess the ring is from your mobile “he said to Vidhya. Back from utopia, she pressed the answer button to hear her friend priya’s voice.

“Hey Vidhya how are you? “, it was her close mate whom she knows from the days of high school.

“I am fine. I am travelling to Hyderabad on a personal trip”, the words came out in slow but firm voice.

“You have been travelling often these days. This needs to be thought about”

“What’s there to analyze in this? Normally I travel due to official reasons and this time its personal “Vidhya shot a quick response

“Dear, if you had not left your old job to seek a new one which involves travelling, I would mind my business. Your mom rang me up today to discuss on your wedding proposals “

“I apologize for her disturbance. She keeps repeating this mistake often “

“No dear. It’s for your good. I am aware of the reason for your negligence. But you can’t play the same tune every time”

“Priya, please stop it. I don’t want to hear from you on this again”

“How can I be so reluctant when the happiness of my best pal is at stake?  I can’t see you ruining your life. He is gone and now you need to look out for a better person”

“Who said he’s gone?  I still love him and I wish to remain like this, with fresh memories of those days, spent with him, “

“Please understand that it’s for your well bein…. “, Vidya cut the call with no more patience left to hear further. Whatever people say, her mind was made up. She decides only once and never gives it up for anybody. That has not only brought her success but also few enemies.

“Hi I am Vishal, May I know your Name? “The boy opposite to her opened his mouth after a gap of ten minutes

“Excuse me; I don’t have any reason to share my details with you. You mean nothing to me. First of all stop behaving like this to a stranger” she yelled at him for no reason

“I am sorry “he said in a slow voice. 

And turned to the side of the window trying to avoid the view of other people in the compartment. The train continued to run at its speed tearing the darkness till it stopped in Ongole station.Vishal looked at his watch; it showed 9.30 and indicated that it’s time for dinner.

“I am going to buy dinner for me, if you don’t mind can I buy one for you as well?”  He asked Vidhya.

Pacified by now, she said” thank you”. 

She really felt bad for having yelled at him like that. She never had behaved that way with the strangers. She wanted to apologize to him. She got down for buying a bottle of water. She saw Vishal arguing with the vendor .and sensed something wrong. She intervened and explained vishal’s words in local language. But by the time they sorted out the issue, the train had gone.

Vidhya felt bad for she has never expected this kind of situation in her life. Her aunt would wait in the station tomorrow and she can’t pass the information of being with a guy all night alone in the station. Before she could decide on anything Vishal spoke,

“Vidhya, I think you would be wondering about how to convey this situation to your house. Probably someone could wait for you at Hyderabad station tomorrow “

She was stunned by these words. Only her boyfriend used to read minds of people like this. Now she is meeting another person like him

“You are absolutely right. But how did you know my name?” she asked, puzzled.

“Well, you refused to tell your name, in fact you yelled at me for asking the most confidential information on earth. But I was unable to resist myself travelling without knowing the co-passenger name. So...”

“So you looked into the traveler’s chart and found out the secret. Right? ”

“Wow!!! You are so brilliant” he appreciated.

“In fact you deserve that appreciation for reading my mind correctly. You just said the snapshot of the thoughts running in my mind just moments ago. So you are brilliant” saying so, she smiled at him

“Vidhya can I tell you something? Your lips are smiling but there is sadness hidden under it. Your eyes show your mind which is right now confused and in search of something or may be someone?  He said looking straight into her eyes.

She was completely taken aback “who are you? Please tell the truth. Do you know by any chance? “

He smiled as a response. Then after a minute he said “No. I don’t know you. I just told what I read from your eyes”

She was into her own world of emotions for these were the exact words her boyfriend had spoken during their first meet. These were the words with which he had left an impression in her heart. She could not control her tears.

“I am sorry if I had hurt you “Vishal could not figure out the reason behind her action.

“No, please leave me alone for sometime “, but when he was about keep a step ahead she spoke “No  ... Don’t go. I need someone with me now.”

“Alright, if you feel comfortable tell me your story. By the way what’s his name? He said after drenching his throat with water from the nearby pipe.

“Well I was in relation with my one of my close friend. We had plans to get married. He was the one who made me understand the meaning of love and affection. Before meeting him I never thought that I had the least interest on my life. But fate had different plans for us”

“May I know his name?” Vishal asked in a low but tone.

“His Name is Vasanth” Vidya said in such a melodious voice and that showed how much she loved telling that name. Silence prevailed for few minutes till Vishal broke it.

“Please continue… “He said. Then she began he story.

“Those days are unforgettable. I liked her because we had a wonderful chemistry between us. We both were just like mirror images in terms of our taste and thought process. Her name is Vidhya.” Vasanth was telling this to Nisha walking along the shoreline of a beach. The sun had begun to set in the horizon marking the beginning of twilight period. 

GAME OF GOD - Chapter II

Bindiya sat in her terrace watching the red ball of fire gets diminishing in the horizon. She was haunted by thoughts of her beloved. “Where could have he gone” she kept asking herself again and again. She sat unmoved though her thoughts had already travelled 4 years back. It was a fine morning of May 2007; she had met Vasanth when he had visited her organization for an interview. You never analyze the reasons for things done out of foolishness and she was not an exception for having liked him since their first meeting. Bindiya was working in the Human Resources department in a well known software development firm and the best news she heard for that day was her new boyfriend would also be joining the same department. Bindiya was in her early twenties maintaining a thin line of difference between beauty and it’s opposite. People would definitely stand for a minute to gaze and most of them do consider befriending her for her simplicity and sense of humor.

“You look different today “said Neha, one of good companions of Bindiya.

“Yeah I feel excited... he has joined today the guy whom I told you about couple of weeks back”

“Oh that sounds interesting. Hope you don’t mind taking me to him” –Neha

“No. Not at this point of time. First let me speak to him. Once we are friends then I will take you to him”

“Alright!! That makes sense” said Neha closing the door as she left the room.

Bindiya moved out with her thoughts filled with love from unknown source. Vasanth was waiting in her cabin 

to have a discussion unaware of what’s in her mind.

“Hey I was waiting for you for a long time.” He initiated the conversation.

“I am sorry buddy; I had gone to meet my friend. I am really sorry” with her heart full of pleasant emotions

“Never mind. I can wait and I like waiting if people are worth it”

“Oh Am I one among them?  Thanks!! “

“Yup it’s not only you, but any beauty in your place. “

There were no comments from her as she put a lock to her lips and as her eyes had taken the job. After couple of formalities Vasanth left the place. But Bindiya sat there her mind overwhelming on his thoughts, 

some mild and some wild ….. She dialed to Neha.

“What’s wrong silly? You have been calling me very frequently today “a surprised tone from Neha

“Hey would you believe if I say that he called me a beauty or that he was waiting for me in my cabin and scribbled his signatures all over my notepad”

“Oh God!! Calling you beautiful is just the usual way a guy would begin his conversation with an unknown girl. Don’t tell me you got mesmerized by that you Moron!! “

“Oh come on Neha, you will never understand this until you meet your man. Then you will go crazy trust me, I say out of my experience.”

“So you like him don’t you? “

“That’s what I am trying to tell you dimwit” Bindiya was overjoyed to say this.

“Then why don’t you express this to him?”

“Are you mad? It’s too early... I want to be like this, experience this feeling for some time and finally when I feel the apt circumstance I would let him know “Neha was unaware of blush on Bindiya’s face.

Bindiya turned to see her mother standing next to her. The sun had set completely by now “.  I don’t understand how you girls of these days find time to dream when there are lots of work left undone”, the voice of her mother brought Bindiya to reality.

Her mother continued, “I know what people of your age dream about. But Still I can’t figure out why you keep rejecting all the wedding proposals. We would finalize your husband if you continue to do this”

It was painful but she was unable to reveal it. Words ran in her mind ‘ma, I love him so much. But I may not be lucky to share the life with him but I at least want to see him happy before I decide on my happiness’. She just gave a smile as response to her mom and ran down the stairs.

Nisha was lost in thoughts till a woman of her age banged the front desk, “yes Ma’am how I may help you? “

“Hey I am Soundarya, I have an appointment with the doctor now “said she in a softy voice

“What can I enter as the name of the patient?

 “Vasanth” she said and went on to enter the doctor’s cabin

Nisha stood silent, trying to recollect the voice which she heard over the phone. Thoughts ran at its speed in her mind “is she talking about the same person who had coffee with her couple of hours back? She hesitated 

for minute but then decided to hear the conversation going on inside the doctor’s room.

“Hello doctor, I am Soundarya, close associate of Vasanth and it was I who fixed the appointment for him

”

“ That’s fine young lady, in my opinion,  there can be only two options , one is that he is normal, except for his temper which he loses very often and the other is he is not ready to open up what’s stored in his heart. In simple words he does not want other’s interference”

“I may agree with your last option, but I believe you can make him speak. Probably try out some techniques of hypnotism sort”

Shaam chuckles,” no dear, I don’t think he needs a treatment of that level. Probably you can make him speak. He may share things with you as a friend”

“That may not be possible Shaam, for some special reasons. I have an overall idea of his distress, which I will be glad to share with you “

“Please go ahead. Let’s start from this point “Shaam spoke in a deep voice lifting his glasses from the table.

He listened for the next one hour without interrupting her, with Nisha making a written record. There was a silence for few seconds which he himself broke. “Alright I get to understand his current crisis but we need we need to understand the origin of the invisible web spun around him. We need quite a lot of information probably to dig it out from his sub conscious mind”

After a minute he continued, “I need his cooperation in solving it, mostly his willingness to visit here in first place”

“I will try my best Mr. Shaam, but incase I don’t succeed? “

“Well then try to get me information of his past life probably the recent pages of his life dating back to five years from now.”

“I would certainly try both these options doctor. Thanks for your time. Will meet you soon with the required data. Bye”

Saying so she vacated the place immediately. Nisha’s mind was working fast on a plan. The stern thoughtful look on her face proved a strong decision running in her mind which the doctor never failed to watch