Tele Phony

'Hello, is it Mrs.Vinobha's  residence?'

'Yes,who is this?'

'Madam we are calling from Shakti Detective Agency'

'Oh'

'We wanted to let you know that your suspicion was right - your husband is with another woman right now, and we have proof of photographs.

'I knew it - that bastard'

'Madam where can you make our balance payment?'

'You will get it sent tomorrow ,I'll send the driver with the check'

'Ok Madam'

-----------

'Hello is it Mr.Vinobha?'

'Ah is that Geetanjali?'

'Yes sir'

'Oh call me Jayant - you know me in an out by now'

'We have just received a new set of Solitaires from South Africa, just the design you were looking for'

'Oh I guess it was worth the wait for so many days afterall'

'When can we expect you?'

'I am on my way'

--------------

'Hello, this is Mrs.Shantala Vinobha... mmm this is Ms.Shantala Chinoy from Versova Angel apartments'

'Details?'

'Blue shirt,Black trouser, rimless frame,5 feet 11 inches,90kilos,Blue BMW number 7376'

'Will be done'

'Sure?'

'Our bullets haven't missed the previous 22 targets,make sure money is ready'

'First proof then money'

'We can even present a part of the body, but that would cost you more'

'Just shoot'

'Ok'

------------

'Hello'

'Hello'

'Hello'

'Hello - she's alone at home now'

'Ok, address?'

'1401 Versova Angel Apartments'.

'Where's the money?

'Ah I ve got a special South African Solitaire'

'We need cash not diamonds'

'Listen this stone is worth a INR1.2 cr -besides no one will suspect me either'

'Thank you Mr.Vinobha'

The phone disconnected.

Gyanban Thoughts -  This short story was written with a twist which focused on misdirection.The story is entirely over a telephone call,hence aptly titled Tele-phony.It primarily revolves around insecurities that arise in people over time,without actually knowing about it.And sometimes these lead to twisted endings.

Freedom

Still another 20 mins, to go.

The pulse was fast.He could hear the heart beat distinctively.It was not thudding anymore...it was pounding.A distinct sense of uneasiness had crept in. His senses are heightened. The scratch on the table with his finger nails in tense nervousness ,the noise is too loud , the ball point pen was piercing into his sweaty palm.

Yet he had to maintain calm.The look on his face needed to be non-descriptive.The pocket handkerchief was the only comfort.A fear of a massive failure grips him.There was no turning back now.He had to do it. After all the stakes were so high. He oscillated role playing from what he'd do if he screwed up to what he'd do if he succeeded. The mind was at a complete unrest.As he muttered under his breath he saw some people frowning at him from a distance as they passed by and some looked at him suspiciously.He thought if ever they knew what he was going through they'd probably crack up by now..His mind could explode any moment.

The clock was ticking and now there was just 10mins. to go.

He tried to regulate his breathing, trying to calm himself down,but palpitation took the better of him.His fingers were shaking. He clenched his fist trying to steady the vibration. The jacket was tight,he felt suffocated. He felt claustrophobic.He wanted to break free and breathe easy.But he could not.He had to sit there quietly.He had to wait for the right time.The right moment.He thought of his family back home.He thought about their lives.How they had struggled in his childhood. The pain was behind and glory lay ahead...but it would not be easy..he would have to walk through fire.Suddenly he snapped back to consciousness.The gatekeeper was making him uneasy.He kept a constant vigil ,should anything come in his way and his mission,he would have to engage in a confrontation.

5 minutes to go.

His patience gave up- he got up and slowly looked around - still no sign. He was cautious, not to attract any undue attention.He walked a few paces back and forth to ease the tension.One part of him thought why was he doing this? He could just run out of it all.But he had come too far to go back now.And they would hunt him down wherever he would go.They were everywhere tracking him.He could literally feel their eyes on him.

After all he was the chosen one.Chosen from so many others who volunteered.He could run but not hide.He needed the money.It was good, it was big, it was something he had not seen before. His life, as he knew it so far, would change ...forever.

30 seconds to go.

It was time. As he looked up to the door - he realized he was walking to fulfill his destiny.It was time to walk through that door....for that final interview...and possibly his path to freedom from his past struggling life.

Gyan Ban Thoughts - This short story may sound a tad humorous in the end, but is dedicated to all those people who suffer paranoia or nervousness.They are trapped in a state of mind and find it increasingly difficult to break free. Their mental freedom comes only after the incident is over.Sometimes people falter under pressure and excel when left alone to do their thing.Unfortunately, our system is designed to put us under pressure and we glorify those who excel under pressure.Spare a thought and be sensitive to some people who are not so naturally gifted with resilience or flamboyance yet are no less talented in their work.

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