Cleanliness - Why isn't it Godliness anymore??

                    A few days back,I had just reached my workplace,  when one of my friends called me up excitedly, " you won't believe what I just saw, Titas!  This Swachh Bharat campaign has transcended human beings and reached other creatures too !" I couldn't make anything of his statement, and I also had a few patients waiting already,  so,  I needed to hurry him on.  He went on, " just now, I was having my breakfast,  and was staring outside at the lane below our flat,  when I saw a woman carrying a packet full of waste come out from one of the neighbourhood houses. Then, to my utter dismay,  she looked left & right to make sure nobody's looking, before dumping the packet right on the footpath and heading back briskly.  Two pieces of stale bread also fell out of the packets.  At this precise moment,  one of the street dogs of our area came running towards the packet,  and I feared the worst...... That it will tear apart the packet and spread the garbage all over the lane. I had to rub my eyes to believe what happened next........... The dog picked up the relatively heavy packet in its mouth, carried it to a nearby vat & dropped it there !  Not only that, it came back to retrieve the two pieces of bread too!!  "
      I was stunned.  There was no way in the world that my miser friend would spend his phone's balance to tell me some made-up story early morning , just for the sake of telling it!  Even as I attended to my patients,  I pondered over it.  How did an animal inferior to us, realise the value of cleanliness,  when we as human beings have failed to educate ourselves!?  Is it a collective failure,  or just an aberrant individual,  who simply refused to abide by the basic rules that make a human being?
                 That evening,  after coming back home ,  I made it a point to mention this same event in our Whatsapp schoolmates Chat Group, where there are about 54 members,  spread across the country and abroad.  Since it was quite a large sample pool of educated individuals,  I wanted to see what the response was to my question regarding cleanliness and sanitation.... Have we indeed degraded as individuals to levels below that of animals,  or was it a one-off incident?!
     Most of my mates doffed their hats to the dog, but surprisingly,  a few said that this was a made up story,  to gain some undue attention!  I tried to reason with them, that this was not...... And a healthy debate was raised on the issue of Swachh Bharat!        Interestingly, this section of friends,who didn't believe my story, turned out to be the ones who declared they would eat a packet of chips and throw the empty packet by the roadside. They argued that there was nothing wrong with it,  and they even asked me,  if I carried all my empty packets with me in my pockets,  after finishing the food!!  In their opinion,  it was the duty of the municipal corporation to maintain proper bins at the roadside,  and if one was not visible on the roadside, then there was nothing wrong in throwing the packets wherever they wish!!  Fortunately enough,  the number of these blokes was less,  and the other group of friends maintained, that they indeed carried wrappers in pockets or bags until they found a proper bin to dispose them off!
       So, it appears that being raised in urban households haven't imparted the civic sense in many of us!!  We won't cringe at somebody urinating out in the open,  stating that he was only responding to nature's call, and also defending him by saying,  it is better off than ruining one's pants!  But, we've been given something called a urinary bladder,  that has a capacity to withstand urge for a fairly long time, and we can indeed train ourselves to hold our urge!  But since we've grown up believing that relieving ourselves out in the open, is a birthright, we don't think twice before pulling down our zippers to commit a public nuisance!  The problem isn't with our bladders,  it's with the brain,  that simply refuses to accept the need for sanitation!

       The same brain forgets to tell us to flush public toilets after use,  or to press the sprinklers,  because,  it's always like, 'why will I spare an extra second for the next person's convenience' ??  We,  as a nation,  won't look after the next person's comfort.......it is almost as if thinking about aiding the next person is a sacrilege!!

          I go back to the days of my third year in medical college,  where we had a much hated subject: Preventive and Social Medicine ( PSM). Among the myriad of things it required us to learn,  there were dimensions of septic tanks,  as well as hygienic latrines and toilets.  Naturally,  all of us young would-be  doctors despised the subject. Especially,  the field visits to villages were considered to be terrible ordeals,  as it required us to measure the distances of drinking water sources from that of community latrines.  However,  it was during one of these field visits that I came to realise that the dimensions mentioned in our textbooks were meant only for the printed pages,  and was a far cry from what we saw in reality. At places where getting a little bit of space to accommodate families was the main motive, nobody cared for hygiene .  So,  the only tubewell,  the source of drinking water was at a distance of only 12 feet from where the latrine water ran off!!  It was no longer unclear to me as to why diseases like Typhoid were endemic in our country. Values at which other countries consider a Widal Test ( test for Typhoid detection) as positive,  we let go of them as something called 'local titre',  ie, our cutoff is a little bit raised,  because some amount of Typhoid infection is prevalent in most of us due to the local prevalence of the disease!!
     The rooms in the village had a single window,  with only a single ray of light managing to make its way into the middle,  and so,  all provisions of natural  illumination in a room, that were there in our textbooks, were farcical!! Along with overcrowding, there was this surge of diseases like scabies,  ringworm, and certain viral disorders.
          Handwashing,  considered to be one of the best prophylactic measures to prevent enteric diseases,  was nearly a foreign concept at these places. So far were the villagers from reality,  that many of them didn't even have the knowledge that Handwashing with soap and water is a must , after defecation!!!! And to top it all, there was open defecation,that is a huge problem across most of rural India, even today.
         So,standing at this point of time, the Swachh Bharat campaign is a step in the correct direction, towards resurrection .  It's a pity that something that should be within us by default by virtue of our human birth,  is now something we need to all  learn over again!  The proverb " Cleanliness is next To Godliness"  needs to make its way into our minds once again  ,  from the textbooks of our childhood days.  It's not a huge thing that we are asking of ourselves, it's just that we,  as individuals,  have got to stay adamant,  that we won't litter our surroundings. Each of us needs to correct the other when someone is doing wrong...... Not take other's mistakes as the excuse for committing errors ourselves. Chewable Tobacco products, that people spit around, staining all our edifices and roads, need to be banned forever.  The priority should be on building sanitary latrines in all of rural India,  so that open defecation ceases to exist.
       These would surely ensure that Cleanliness and Godliness are put in the same bracket once again..... And it will surely ensure that India as a nation,  moves ahead!!
         

Hunger Free India

 "..... And this is incredible ", the commentator's voice boomed across India,  " we have three sprinters who've finished with a sub-10 second timing in the 100 metres!! Unbelievable!  And all of them are yet to finish their schooling! If the national trials are anything to go by, we're sure to be a force to reckon with, in the next Olympics "!!
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       The front page news of a leading daily reports," ……The pass percentage in India's school leaving examination has crossed a record 90% this year! Students from the small towns and districts have fared very well and in some places, have surpassed the students from the big cities and metros. We're probably seeing a new wave in Indian educational scenario, where the discrepancy in educational acumen is narrowing down! ……"

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        The new dawn in India's horizon was a direct consequence of a policy by the Indian government authorities to ensure that no child went hungry. Every people's representative made it his/her prerogative to give paramount importance to school child nutrition and look after quality control of the food being served.  Diarrhoeal diseases following school meals became almost non existent, and school dropout rates fell drastically. The whole country gradually marched ahead, to haul up the national literacy rate toward that achieved by Kerala!

       At the moment, this might appear to be a work of fiction, by someone who has deliberately turned a blind eye to the problems of protein energy malnutrition plaguing the country . Kwashiorkor and marasmus are almost like epidemics, rampant in the lesser known parts of the state.  But,  one word that can galvanise us is BELIEF !  Proper planning and implementation can really help root out this evil, and the strength of the young brigade of India would then be evident in all forums.  If children don't have to worry about their next meals, they can concentrate their energies to bring out the best in them, thereby collectively taking India forward.  Of course, the changes won't be evident overnight and it will require immense patience and goodwill, but in the long run, it will surely pay rich dividends!!

Child's Health : A story of Fragility

                Being a member of the medical fraternity has given me the opportunity to work very closely with human beings and their sufferings , and to try and alleviate their pains . Any illness is a cause for concern , as it affects the social and economic structure of a household, but nothing affects a family more than when the youngest member falls victim to some ailment. Even though the little one is the least likely to bring about any financial support to a family, he/she is the epicentre of happiness around which a family's aspirations evolve , and dreams are structured , so their illness causes great concern all around. 

               In my internship days, I had faced anxious patient parties in hospital wards , enquiring about the prognosis of their admitted patients , but never did the anxiousness appear more palpable , than when a little child was brought in the emergency , draped in cloth , with the parents in dishevelled appearance . Often , the mother would be crying inconsolably , while the father would be making frantic calls to other family members, trying to bolster their morale by acquiring some peer support. The paediatric ward would invariably have a host of visitors everyday, for each little one admitted , and as the days passed by, with the child improving gradually, the change in emotion among the relatives was more than evident . Family members who would previously tip toe into the wards and peep in apprehension at the little ones cradled in the cots , would walk in more relaxed , with broad smile on their faces . A smiling child returning home after a bout of illness, waving bye-bye to the health care providers, was the best gift that a parent could have , far surpassing the joy that any amount of bounty at workplace could afford . 

       We as junior doctors had to devote the maximum time at the bedside of these little kids , and we could sense the plethora of emotions that a mother of a sick child went through , as she lay curled in the small cots , with her child . So , when the children went away cured, we were thanked profusely , for our services ,and we felt as if one of our own family members had been cured! 

        However , long before I had become a doctor, it was an altogether different scenario in my household only. Being the first child of my parents, i was a source of great joy for them . But, from birth, I had been a sick child, getting admitted to hospital twice , within a lifespan of first 6 months . True , that I don't remember my infancy, but from the stories that I've heard from my parents , and other family members , with me, it was always a case of walking the tightrope for my parents ! If I was doing fine, our flat in the doctors' quarters, right in the midst of the North Bengal Medical college ( my dad is a doctor as well,from that college) ,  was a hub of happiness, songs , games . Dad's juniors would come over , and sing , play cards , and all the time , I would sit in their midst , soaking in the fun , staring wide-eyed at the proceedings. But if I was ill, the same flat would resemble a Silence Zone,as people came to pay courtesy visits , to check how I was doing! When those juniors of my Dad see me nowadays ( all of them are now senior doctors themselves), they are incredulous , that I've grown up so much , as they still remember how I regulated the usually jovial atmosphere at my home, long back!

     Hence, it is the health of a child, that determines how the environment within a house would remain ........so it is paramount to ensure that children stay safe , and happy ! 

My Diwali : A Trip down Memory Lane

A Rocket on its way up

               The earliest memories of my Diwali celebrations that I recall are after coming to Kolkata from Siliguri. It was our custom to troop to my grandparents' home for Diwali. For a elderly person , my grandma was an exceptionally agile personality , who took the lead on how to light the firecrackers . Dad had a penchant to bring home the finest crackers from the Baazi Baazar , being held at the Maidan in Esplanade area of Kolkata. We, the kids diligently spread out the Crackers in the sun a day before Diwali , so that they didn't get damp. Many of our cousins came over at the grandparents' house, and it became an epicentre of fervent activities. 

Diyas on sale in Kolkata

     From the very early stage, I had a dread in my mind about chocolate bombs, the crackers that went off with a large sound. The crackdown on sound crackers hadn't come into effect in the early 1990s , and those were still in rampant use. In order to shed my inhibitions about the bombs,once, my youngest uncle carried a wailing me in his arms to the roof on the afternoon of Diwali , and tried to burst a few , so that I grew out of the fear. But one of them burst so close to us, that my eardrums nearly went pop. It didn't help the cause at all, and due to my crying, the other elders gave a severe telling to , to my uncle! 

     The evenings of the Diwali were a time where busybodies scuttled through the house with urgency , as we prepared to light up the whole house with candles and diyas. Adorning the veranda that overlook the street was a matter of importance , as , decorating it in an eye-catchy manner would ensure more people looked up at our decorations in awe. It was an undeclared battle with our neighbours , as to who could put up the best show as darkness set in. We, the kids , were allowed to handle matchboxes only at this time of the year. Many a time, hot molten candle fell on our tender skins , but the burning sensation was drowned by the sense of purpose that surrounded the event.

 

A Tubri in full blaze

     As sunset occurred , and the last tinges of Orange faded from the sky , thus began the endeavours of our locality to simulate daylight once again, as every household dazzled with lights ,and crackers went off left, right and centre. We had our Rong-moshals, tubris, charkis, tarabattis, that were ignited simultaneously , putting up a spectacular show. The rockets that were sent up with great fanfare ,burst with dazzling colours . Some households in the neighbour brought specially customised rockets , that went up and burst into ignited messages . One such I remember was in 1996, when a huge rocket was sent up from one of the neighbouring buildings, which burst into the words , TITAN CUP CHAMPIONS INDIA , hailing the Titan cup victors , the Indian cricket team . Also sending us kids into a tizzy , were the parachute rockets , which , after bursting ,came down with a single twinkling light, attached to a small parachute. 

         


     After a mega spell of bursting crackers , we went in a huge group to visit the local KaliPuja pandals . Since the puja time was at late night, at most of the pandals, there were a lot of people , and we, the kids stared , wide eyed at the huge , angry figure of Goddess Kali . Our parents told us never to tread the wrong path , or else Goddess will get cross and punish us , and we believed them , fearing her wrath . Coming home after the visits , Diwali dinner was traditionally grand in Kolkata , with our favourite "luchi-mangsho" , served in huge amounts!

          One of the most hilarious incidents occurred in the 2000s, when veteran Tollywood actress Shatabdi Ray became a neighbour of my grandparents' . Her window opened directly in front of our roof , and so, my cousin , called her out , "Shatabdi Aunty, won't you come out and see us bursting crackers?"  She immediately agreed , and perched herself on her window . She was quite jovial , and didn't have the air of a celebrity , despite being a very popular face in the whole of Bengal . But as luck would have it, our rockets for the night were all from a rotten batch , and started 'misbehaving' from the onset. Instead of going up, they carved out zigzag paths rather horizontally , and their directions went awry . The first couple of rockets bamboozled us quite a bit , as they went just above our heads and died prematurely. But the third one was the naughtiest of the lot , as it went straight at Mrs Shatabdi Ray's window , and burst at her window grills . We were terrified , and Aunty got the shock of her life too, thereby shutting the window to go into the safety of her room . Afterwards, we all had embarrassed laughs about what had just happened!

         The celebrations continued for two nights , but then , with the immersion of the idols, they died down gradually . In Bengal , we have the Bhai-Fota, or the Bhai-dooj event that followed Diwali , but that really marked the end of the festive season for us . The cleaning up of the cracker remains , and scrubbing wax from the grills was a job that took a lot of time, but we did them , with a belief that the celebrations would be even more grand the next year. Our school holidays used to get over thereafter , and we went back to school , with a lot of stories to share! 

LED Lights Adorning a Neighbouring House

    Nowadays , Diwalis are much quieter , which i feel , is apt , as it is essentially a festival of lights, and not sounds. Although i agree that sound crackers are burst ocassionally,  the extent has come down, due to the restrictions in place. The onus is also on a much clean Diwali nowadays, with pollution being a major problem in the cities. LED light bulbs are in vogue as the principal decor in most homes, as they are cheap , and provide lots of variety, and are environment-friendly. These days, I derive pleasure in seeing happy children bursting crackers ....they remind me of my own childhood. The craze around having to ignite many crackers by myself has gone down  a little (am i getting old??) , and the pleasure on seeing others bursting is quite prominent. That is perhaps explainable, with the first strands of silverware making their presence felt on my scalp, but i still enjoy holding a tarabatti, or making luminous shapes with them , by waving them around!!

Let there be light ....more light !!
Happy Diwali everyone!!

Used Tubris lying post Diwali celebrations

Vicious Circles

Team Name: MAXIMUS DRAMATICUS

Read the previous part of the story here : Questions That Demand Answers

 Tara's search for the note in the room Shekhar was sleeping in with Roohi turned futile. She overturned every thing to see whether a gust of wind had blown a small handwritten note somewhere . 'Shekhar must have left some clue to me , before leaving', she told herself! 

    " Leave it, Tara, it was just a guess on my part", Aryan came and stood beside a panting Tara ....." If Shekhar didn't really want you to know where he was going, he might not have left a note at all!" , and looked directly at Tara.

      " am I fighting a lost battle with myself here?" , Tara pondered . The thought waves in her brain were not synchronising with each other at all, and diverse concerns were trying to make themselves heard simultaneously. She desperately tried to make herself understand that Shekhar could not have been more evil than she had already known , but Aryan's eyes were making it obvious , that with every shocking revelation , it was getting harder for her to defend Shekhar. "why? Oh why am I being made to suffer this ", Tara's conscience was crying out . " can't I run away from all of this , so that the stench of this murky affair doesn't reach me anymore ?" , Tara was losing her wish to fight . She didn't feel she could sustain her efforts to save her family . If life was all about getting to drag a chronic defaulter husband back every minute, this life was as good as over . Tara didn't wish to live this life any more. She lowered her eye from Aryan's gaze. 

    Roohi turned in her sleep. Hope knocked once again at the door of Tara's distressed mind . If anything was worth living this life for, it was Roohi . She was innocent , she was her pet . The child didn't deserve to lose her mother at such a tender age . The negative thoughts making their way into Tara's brain faced an abrupt halt . " I'm doing this for Roohi", Tara told herself . "I'll make sure the little child doesn't get singed by the fire of sin all around her !"

        "Tara! Tara!......", Aryan tried to gain the attention of Tara . She was taken out of her trance , and blinked twice before saying , " sorry Aryan , I had lost myself ....."!

 "That was evident ....  It was perhaps the seventh time I was calling your name from two feet away ", Aryan smiled , but only just . 

    " I'm sorry Tara , but you see Shekhar has dug a hole larger than he can fill , and I can't promise you that I will be able to save him from getting a lengthy sentence once this thing gets sorted . Without his active involvement in the dealings, this could not have gone so far .", Aryan went on in his business like way.

     " Aryan , you do your bit .......I only care for Roohi . I don't want her life to be rotten for what her father has done ! ", Tara wiped a solitary tear from her eyes.

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"Shekhar , I don't know why I've called you again after all this mess", Samantha looked visibly shaken ......." but I don't want to get you killed !" 

       Shekhar did not know how to react . Here was a beautiful , but evil lady, a past flame of his , breaking the news of his impending murder , but he took it as another passing comment. The path he had trodden for years was dark , but to be very honest , Shekhar himself had never really been a murderer . His brain worked like a machine, but he could never think of himself as being able to take someone's life in cold blood.      

              He thought , how Percival as his accomplice , used to call him , the softest crook in India . The killed dogs were the only things Shekhar plotted that ranged close to a murder . In their dealings, a few human casualties weren't much to be concerned about, but even then , Shekhar didn't like to get involved in the plans where these details were chalked out . He loved the money , he stayed on the wrong side of the law, but he dreaded the police , more than anyone in his business. Shekhar had thought about this vulnerability of his mind ,often , when he was actively involved with Percival , but at most times , this soft portion of his trait acted as a defence mechanism of his psyche , that told him that he was a human being after all, and there was at least some good sense remaining in himself . He knew he was a criminal , but he also wanted to repent . But the love for money was his constant scourge . 

  " Shekhar , go away to Mumbai , or do what never you wish ....but don't get killed ," Samantha tried to reason with him!

 " how can I run away now? I don't think I'd be allowed to flee in any case. Tara has come to know almost everything . I doubt she'll believe me . I doubt Cyrus will believe me ! And as for you , it's surprising that you're alerting me now. I thought you'd not lose the opportunity to kill me yourself !", Shekhar frowned . 

   " Listen Shekhar , I never planned to get you murdered . I needed your house , and there was a war with Percival over the acquisition . You'd know by now for sure , that Lallan double bluffed Percival , when I paid him higher to avail of his services , and rope him in my side . But he's very difficult to contain , and he's ruthless . Hiring him was my idea , but I didn't realise that he would usurp my authority , and try to dictate me !" , Samantha went on .

 " Shekhar , I would like to see you live !", said Samantha , and moved closer to him . Taking his face in her hands, she whispered , " i cannot see you killed Shekhar !This is for old times' sake"! Their eyes met , and Samantha intently asked," ..........can you love me again like you once used to Shekhar ?" 

     When an old flame re-ignites , it gets difficult to control. Human beings are inherently attracted to what is to be inhibited , and they are servants of their instincts . Shekhar did not wish to hold himself back from Samantha 's embrace . The past memories of their whirlwind romance came flooding back , and he wanted to drown in the shower of Samantha's seductive prowess. " Am I an infidel?," a question arose somewhere in his mind. Before some other part of his brain could answer that, he was lost in Samantha's body . Samantha was all over him , and he savoured every bit of the passion that drove them, after so many years. 

     "We can kill Lallan together , can't we Shekhar ?", asked Samantha , with her lips touching Shekhar's ears . "Yes.....yes, I think we can ....." , Shekhar didn't want to disrupt the proceedings . Samantha dug her nails into Shekhar's back . Shekhar couldn't think of the future , he was too engrossed in the present .......and he couldn't stop himself . 

                     

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        " Once Shekhar Dutta is done with , the old hag Samantha can be dealt with ....." , Lallan wondered aloud, as he poured some more wine into his glass. " but there should not be any mess up with this bitch . That wimp of a husband that she has certainly did not manage to do anything with such a trophy wife, but would certainly stir up the whole of New Delhi , and might also involve the Parliament into this. The bitch cannot be killed ......she needs to be silenced somehow .....", He swirled the amber liquid in its crystal clear glass.

     " ah ! Jenny ......one final assignment for her would be Samantha .", Lallan relished the prospect, " Then , she can be taken care of either way ! I can try to get her framed and make it look an accident while she flees the scene ! Dutta's wife can raise an issue , but my ........she has such a terrific body ! " , Lallan raised a toast to Tara! Savouring the lingering taste of scotch, he wished, " oh Shekhar Dutta, how I'd like to lay my hands on your lovely wife !! " 

                

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        " I feel you should surrender your fate to Aryan .....I do feel he'll understand your plight and arrange for something so that you're saved ", Cyrus lovingly stroked Jenny's hair off her face . 

    Jenny looked distraught ," Cy, I don't wanna spend the rest of my life in jail ", and buried her face in her hands.

    Cyrus consoled her , " no Jenny , you'll not ....the law will definitely take everything into account . "

 
           Jenny suddenly sat up straight . She did not look frightened . It was as if she had been infused with a renewed vigour.
 " Cyrus??", she asked!
"Yes, sweetheart?",Cyrus was inquisitive.
Jenny asked, "can I do one last crime ?" 

Cyrus looked up aghast , " Jennifer ......?? Are you mad ?? What are you talking about ??" 

Jenny's eyes had a glint , " what if I get rid of Lallan ?? Won't everything end once and for all?? " 

   Cyrus' jaw fell open ! 

     

          

Read the next part of the story here: 

Connections ....and more!!

Team Name: MAXIMUS DRAMATICUS

Read the previous part of the story here : A Good News To Share

"You knew Lallan?!!" , the spontaneity of Tara and Cyrus' enquiries made it look as if it was a dialogue , well rehearsed in advance! 

Jennifer bit her tongue . She had played safe till now, avoiding every bit of shady affair that she had been a witness to/ or had been a part of , till now. She didn't want to cook up any fresh controversies , least of all, divulging her ill advised fling with Lallan. But she knew she had given it away . She now had no options but to open up.

" Jennifer, answer me", Tara was looking steadfastly at her ! 

Cyrus wasn't one to speak in that same tone of voice to her, but he too wanted to know the detail of this latest piece of sensational information .

" yes, I knew him ....but you can be absolutely certain that I didn't have any connection to any of his misdeeds. Hate to admit this, but being in a two week relationship with the guy is something  that I wish I could have erased from my past", Jennifer looked genuinely shameful. 

Cyrus felt a sharp pang of pain somewhere deep inside . 

" I was high flying , you see.....bagging the photo assignment for a particularly glam event some time back, when this crook introduced himself as a Fashion Photographer and bonded with me", Jennifer was earnest ...." I fell for his looks, and his suave manners . But my love bubble had burst , in the very first week , when Lallan's motives appeared somewhat strange to me. Besides the many rave parties where I had to accompany him , I quickly got to see that he had a way with girls. I realised the trap I had fallen into . I suffered a lot....mentally ....as well as ......",Jennifer's eyes welled up with tears," ....he was a sadist ! "

Tara allowed Jennifer to continue without interruptions .

  "Before long, my camera saved me in the most unexpected of manners. At all the parties I went to , I was designated as the freelancer. It was when one of my photos , that had a Delhi-Haryana honcho snorting cocaine, inadvertently surfaced at places where it was unintended,that landed Lallan in an uncomfortable position and I believe, some of his businesses got hampered . He was troubled by his business partners , in which he got agitated and in the time when Lallan got busy clearing the controversy , I could escape  and rush back to Kochi. But Lallan never lost track of me. He could've disposed of me if he wanted,  his tentacles are long enough.  But Lallan wanted his revenge as it was due to my actions, that he had suffered some losses.  He would send me reminders often , that my punishment was pending and he had made it clear that I had to make it up to him . I had promised that I would , lest I also suffer the same fate that many of the other girls whom he beds , meet ......", Jenny's cheeks were deluged by torrential downpours from her eyes..

Tara listened with rapt attention to what Jenny said. Cyrus' initial bits of bitterness had long evaporated , and he was now edging closer to Jenny to cast an arm round her. He could understand the difficulties Jennifer had to face, given the grave mistake she had committed. 

" where did you get to know Aryan , then?", Tara hadn't lost the plot in spite of being drawn into a totally different revelation .

" oh, it was in one of those Page 3 parties I attended. There was this gentleman Mr Aryan Ahuja, a master artist, who was gifted with a skill to sketch portraits in 2 minutes ! He was obliging all the socialites in that Delhi party , drawing them magically in a flash! In fact the design of my tattoo here on my wrist, had been from Aryan's sketch only , that he had drawn around my cartoon when I had requested him to draw mine !  Aryan had put in this butterfly by a few swift sketches beside my portrait , as an emblem of my carefree attitude! I was so smitten by it , that when I got back to Kochi, I had got this design on my wrist " , and Jenny showed them her wrist .

Cyrus began to think how the world had become smaller.

"Connections ", he muttered to himself , and sighed.

Aryan Ahuja looked like a feasible option to fall back onto, since all three of them had some positive opinion about him!!

                         **************************************

"You understand Lallan there's little hope of you leaving the country now?", said Madam S.

Lallan nodded.

" Does Shekhar Dutta have an eye for your products?", Madam S's words slithered out of her tongue. Women , with all body , and no brains , were her merchandise.

Lallan frowned, "How do I know that?"

Madam S smirked , "Why not give it a try ?? Where's this special product of yours that you said , would be your trumpcard in case the need arises?"

" But this product was not meant to be utilised on this Shekhar Dutta , Ma'am....this was.....", Lallan's argument was cut short curtly by the lady, "Shut up!! If i know Shekhar Dutta well enough, and your product's one tough cookie,the job should be done !" 

Lallan had no clue as to how Madam S knew so much . 

Samantha knew,that Shekhar Dutta loved to be with strong women ......from personal experience!

Read the next part of the story here: In Pursuit of Happiness 

A Few Clouds Cleared

    

Team Name: MAXIMUS DRAMATICUS

Read the previous part of the story here : Lets Play, Hide and Seek the 'Riddle'

Roohi became aware that the situation was too grim at the moment , so she kept quiet. Shekhar was furious at the involvement of Police ,by Cyrus . A deep sense of fright surged within him..... Tara had found out about the locked rooms , the dead bitches, the toy dog that Roohi had got at their home ......Shekhar began to dread the connections . Now,this girl Jennifer had been kidnapped . Were they all headed back to his wild 90s years? 

As Cyrus' phone rang , he answered in a  choked voice . A vaguely familiar voice responded,  "This call is for Shekhar Dutta . Give him the phone . As for you Cyrus, I know you're intelligent enough to  divert the police , if you have alerted them already ! The pretty lady needs to be safe , doesn't she ? "

Cyrus almost cried into the phone,"NOOOOOOOO,she should be fine , who are you ?? "
The caller was adamant, " just give the phone to Shekhar Dutta and shut up idiot !"
Trembling , Cyrus gave his phone to Shekhar , who responded, " yes , Shekhar Dutta here! "
" Cool, Dutta ......be a good guy now and come over to our old deck at Pahargunj , will you ? And don't tell me you don't know who's this . Keep this conversation a secret from your wife & that idiot Cyrus .....I know you will! " Shekhar clenched his teeth , and disconnected the phone. 

" who was it ? You know him ? What did he want ? " , demanded Tara .
Shekhar stared on ahead, "I need to handle this myself , sorry dear....can't tell anything now . It's for the well being of the girl ! "
" But just a little while ago, you weren't interested at all in the well being of Jenny ? " , Cyrus was suspicious ! 

Shekhar was agitated, " Listen , we don't have much time . If we have to save our backs , I must go now . And Tara, for Roohi's sake, don't leave her alone and come looking for me . You have seen how dangerous it has become ! "
And he left without another word .

Percival Batra !! After so many years !! That he had become powerful yet again wasn't unknown to Shekhar , but he did not have the slightest idea that he would get embroiled in these things yet again!  His head was spinning , as he entered that much trodden alley in the fringe of Pahargunj . This was the hub of his dealings of the past , but he had tried to steer clear of it carefully , but now , he had found out that he needed to get back again . 

As Shekhar pushed open the door to the inn, he got that familiar musty smell , yet again . On a stool was seated a man Shekhar knew well , from his past , an old acquaintance . He had a frown on his face , which made way for a smile on seeing Shekhar! A couple of other men sat alongside .

" What do you want now Percival ? Why are you doing this to me ?? Why have you dragged me here? " , Shekhar demanded.

 The man responded, " Dutta, have a Seat | so again, we do meet | 

          but, pleasantries first| would you like something to eat?"

Shekhar shouted, " I have no time for this rhyming nonsense of yours Percival , you've already caused enough harm to Cyrus ......all those short messages on Mondays , I've just come to know about them! "

Percival looked bemused, " Ah , but my dear | your mind still isn't clear | as to why I called you here!!"

Shekhar had had enough : " PERCIVAL !!!!! Stop this shit and ..........".

" Relax Dutta , there's no Percival!
Ah , to my name , I haven't been loyal !
Nowadays, I'm Prof Paresh Borah to all ! "

Shekhar slumped on his seat on a heap . His mouth remained half open, and he gulped twice , before finally managing to force it shut ! It was his old drug trafficking accomplice , who was now Cyrus' professor! He was not at all prepared for this !!

" surprised , Dutta?? Well , as they say, old habits die hard ....and I have found it extremely difficult to let go of my love for poems & haikus ! Besides, I realised , I had to utilise my education to make a living, so .....you understand , naa?? "

" why am I here ? What do you want from me and Cyrus ? "

" first of all, I'd like to congratulate you for reciprocating the old saying , "great minds think alike ' ....you were clever in sending across Cyrus as a tenant at your house right ? A law student , preoccupied with studies, was exactly what was required by you so that the police never suspected anything, right? I saw it too! I realised Cyrus was the perfect shield ! "

Shekhar shifted uncomfortably in his seat !

" besides, I got a double whammy with Cyrus ! I set him on a case to work with which involved a few murders that happened in and around Delhi a couple of years back . You see, it involved my business , and I was lucky to have wiped out evidences. But I needed to double check whether there were any loose ends, and sure enough , the idiot found them out ! Good for him that he always maintained the files, and after his investigations, I  always got the files removed from him . I thought he would give up on the case, but the guy was so bull-headed that he clung on! Boy, the extents to which interns would go these days to get those foreign scholarships !! That's when I decided to frighten him with those coke-smuggling bitches of ours! I could've removed Cyrus if I wanted, but you see , I didn't want to attract police interest in my beloved Chuna Mandi! "

Shekhar was too perplexed to talk , but he too had his own doubts ! Percival opened up even more.

" Scaring Cyrus was a motive , but I also wanted to let you know about my activities here at Chuna Mandi ! Hence the Dead Doggy Monday shows! But,when nearly two months went by , and you still didn't react, I realised the silly boy must be keeping it all to himself, trying to cope with the ghastly sights himself ! I had confirmed news that Cyrus was troubled every Monday night , but at the same time , I needed to cleanse his room rapidly , so that even if he complained to anybody , nobody would believe him , apart from you ! And , Dutta it was your ingenious brain that hatched this ploy to smuggle coke in dogs' bodies , right? You've indeed saved me a lot of hassles and costs ! Who'd miss some stray bitch on the road , huh? "

Shekhar cursed himself and his dark past. He had made a lot of money indeed, but he also had moved away from this life when he started a family . Money still lured him, and so he wanted a percentage from the proceedings that were going on at his home ! 

Percival went on," I wanted you to contact me on your own , but there was no communication . I was also facing a new problem that needed to be dealt with. So yesterday , I had even gone to Mumbai , to supply that dog to your daughter ! The way she looked at me , I felt she might have seen me somewhere before . I was  sure that this could at least get you alerted . I needed you.
     This gets me to Lallan and this new wretched bitch ....this one is a lady ,by the way, called Madam S ...who's this new trafficking queen ! This lady had an interest in your house too , but since it was already mine, she couldn't get a foothold . Lallan was working for me for some years , but this lady recruited him too. I didn't realise that Lallan was double bluffing me , and also working for her till very lately . And, in my efforts to put some blame  elsewhere and misguide Cyrus, I subtly mentioned 'her' , as a pointer towards some Lady's involvement in the Monday night notes . And you too were clever , weren't you, Dutta? You knew there were these dealings on at your house , but you wanted to avoid the direct contact, and got the commission from Lallan , didn't you ?? "

Shekhar was aghast , " how'd you know that ?? "

" you see , I didnt suspect it at first, but one of my men was intelligent enough to pluck that phone out of your pocket when that girl was taken away this morning ! And it shows a fair amount of call history between you and Lallan ! "

Shekhar suddenly remembered," where's the girl ? "

Percival bluntly replied," I've no clue about that! "

" Percival , why did you say she was here ?"

" would you have come , if I hadn't laid her as the bait ?"

" I'll kill you Percival "

" relax Dutta, sit down . There's another mess that needs to be cleared . And this involves that asshole Lallan who has double faulted . He has kidnapped the girl and possibly taken her to Madam S's . In all probability , there has already been a call from her side to Cyrus by now , asking your house in ransom ! Lallan's got to pay for this breach of terms. "

Shekhar felt he was sinking . He was afraid of the police as he had spent a good amount of time in the past , evading the lawmakers . He was furious with Cyrus just a while ago for contacting the police because he didn't want the police to be involved in the proceedings at all.

" Dutta, I know what you're thinking of. You're fearing the same thing that caused you to leave this line! You dread the police , you dont want to get into trouble. But I want to overpower this Madam S without making too much of an uproar, you have to join forces with me to deal with her . Take it from me,she's quite a slippery customer ! "

***********************
    Cyrus' phone rang , and he clumsily picked it up , " Hello , who's this?"
A harsh female voice barked , " give the phone to Shekhar Dutta "!
A vein appeared to split in Cyrus' temple , " GODDDAMNNN ! Why do all of you keep asking for Shekhar? Where is Jennifer?"
" shut up F**ker, if you don't want her throat slit immediately ! "
Cyrus fell silent," Shekhar is not here ! Please don't harm Jenny! Please !" 

Tara snatched the phone from him , "Hello, hello, this is Shekhar's wife, who's this ?"



Read the next part of the story here: Reconciliation for a New Beginning

sketch by teammate : Arvind Passey