Real and Reel: At The extreme

It was the time of the second wave of Covid and the strict lockdown was announced by the government. Raju was crazily walking on the streets of the market for his mobile to recharge as he does not use online banking. The very few people on the street,off-course wearing the mask, walking in their personal zone, rushing to do their work and return to their homes as soon as possible. As mobile recharge does not come in the list of basic necessities so all the shops pf it was closed. 

Raju was a writer by profession and had to give the final draft of his novel to the publication house in a day or two and the publisher was putting so much pressure on him that it should be done soon. Raju, out of desperation started asking the people there on the street at that time if there was a mobile shop nearby. Out of many failed attempts, one kind person stopped and listened to his problem and replied that in this sensitive time, no shop would be open but if you are truly in need, you can go to one shopkeeper's house who lives very near here. and then he told him the path to reach the shopkeeper's home.

As our Mr. writer was in true need, he somehow managed to reach society.

He has to go to the first floor of it. but as soon as he enters the society, and writes all his details into the society's guests register provided by the watchman, one old age uncle with an annoying face came and out of nowhere started screaming at him "we don't want anybody in our society, and if we need something we will go out to the supermarket and bring ourselves, the watchman told the uncle politely that he is here for a service but uncle interrupted him and continue shouting, we do not want any service also, go from here, Raju kept his cool there, keeping in mind his age and answered very patiently and politely that he just want to recharge his phone from the first floor resident of this society and he will leave afterwards. The uncle before letting him complete his sentence again started shouting at him "no no don't come here, no one of this name lives here".

After this, he took the pass from the watchman and start moving towards the lift but the watchman interrupt him and told him that the service of the lift is closed as a covid precautionary measure and you just have to go to the first floor, it won't be difficult for you to take stairs. hearing this he smiled at him and went to the first floor by stairs, The society was not at all cleaned or hygienic to a normal level, so the matter of even thinking about the covid clean does not come into the picture and was too far to even think for it. he sarcastically laughed at that old uncle that he was talking so much about the precautions and hygiene and security of the society for the matter and this is the actual condition. Thinking about all this he reached the main door of the shopkeeper's house, There was no bell so he knocked on the door. one person wearing the mask came and asked from the half-opened door what he wanted, Raju told him his desperation story, first, the owner refused but when Raju pleaded with his words of magic, he agreed and allowed him into his house. As he was entering the house, the owner scolded him to take the necessary precautions against Covid and told him to take off his shoes, then gave him the sanitiser and then sanitize the chair and then told him to sit on it. raju was thinking that the words and actions are not at all match with the bad situation of this society and even this flat. but then he thought that that was not his problem or concern, he just have to recharge his phone and then will leave from there.

The owner first greeted him and ask if he want some water. Raju respectfully refused and said "no need of formality sir" and carelessly offered his hand to shake with him but the owner folded his hands and did namaste with a smile and said "covid precautions". Raju felt shame and also did namaste and then told his name and a brief introduction about himself. The owner also told him his name "kuku". Kuku was a in his late 20's Kuku took his own mobile from the drawer of the table and asked his number to recharge the phone. and then write down the details in the register. While doing all these he was humming old fun songs. the voice of kuku was so pure and nice , that made the visitor very comfortable .After 10-12 minutesraju , out of curiosity asked him that he sings so gracefully and beautifully that he should try in some of the reality shows and in this world of internet and technology, it's the best time to be in any creative field............................ Kuku smiled at him and ignoring his inspirational words, and interrupted him in between, asked whether he got the message of recharge or not. Raju , first surprised by this type of reaction from him because as a writer this was his field of playing and no one in many years had interrupted him in between while he was spreading his magical trap of words around them but then he thought that may be he is a No-nonsense guy and showing off his professionalism.So, he looked at his mobile ans nodded his head in agreement.then kuku gave him his contact number for the future emergencies like these. But as the saying goes" a writer can sense the story and smell it's source" .He sensed that he can get an interesting and a refreshing story from this person and the way he changed the topic about his singing and exhibiting his talent, he could smell a story of a underdog making attempts in search of a platform to showcase his talent and the restrictions, obligations he had came across and the villains in this journey of keep on trying and , his writer mind was so excited to hear all these and was all ears to him. Now his writer mind took the driver seat and start praising the voice of his but again became the prey of kuku's smartness and sarcasm as he said to the writer that your words and actions are not going hand to hand. Raju looked at him with surprise , kuku said:you himself are not using the basic online banking and speaking about the perks of technology and internet but writer did not loose hope and in greed of a nice story, he continued praising him after some time, kuku surrenders before his trap of magical words and agreed to tell his story.

he started the story: That from his childhood only, he had a passion of singing, and to polish up his skills in it, hiding from his parents he took the classes also from nearby village's folk singers for many years.After completing his schooling, out of pressure from his parents, he started doing graduation in science but when he was in the 2nd year of his graduation, His passion took over everything taught to him in the name of principles and sacraments by the family and society . So, finally he listened to his heart for the first time in his life and decided to leave his city and took the train to the "city of dreams" to follow his passion. He took some money which he had saved from performing in the events in nearby villages and some clothes in a bag and sat in the train.  After reaching the city of dreams, the reality slapped him very hard and he understood the meaning of home but it was nothing before the dreams and passion in those bright eyes and that could not blurred of a single inch  He did not knew anybody there so on the very first day he decided to sleep at the railway station only for some days. He was very tired both physically and mentally that he just wanted to sleep but the eyes and staring of one person was continously troubling him, he could sense something bad and wrong through just one glimpse that person who was sitting 50 metres away from him in a torn tshirt and pyjamas. As the saying goes , "an artist has the best sense of other human being's true picture of heart and it's intentions". He can, t sleep with that person continuously staring at him and his bag. but he has nowhere to go. So, with no other option he had, he just waited that person to sleep and after that he could sleep with a peaceful mind.As soon as he saw that person making his bed, he took a sigh of relief and start making his bed and out of fatigue he slept the very next second. After three-four hours,at around 3 am , when in his sleep he moved his hands to check his bag, and after felt it ,again went into the lap of deep sleep but after some five-seven minutes he sensed something on his body, he walk up in shock and out of fear of some crawling animal, he started shrugging his whole body with his hands. but after some seconds when he come to his full senses from sleep he found that the same man sitting right before him. KuKu , out of fear and frustration asked him what happened, what is his problem?, he didn't reply instantly andafter a minute or two he introduces himself as Kabir singh and told him that he is a magician by profession and came from the northern part of the country to fulfill his dreams in this maayanagri(city of dreams)and asked him if he is new to this city,kuku nodded his head in agreement, Kabir said that he sensed that fear in his eyes that he had a couple of months ago that if somebody steals his bag, The same fear and innocence.The magician became successful in playing with the mind and emotions of the innocent and naive kuku's heart with the his words of magic . he believed him inside out . The magician through his words and body gestures made him so comfortable in 15-20 minutes that kuku felt guilty , that he was suspecting such a nice and kind guy.  he was thinking all these and kabir interrupted his thoughts and offered him tea and water. Kuku with this unexpected love and affection in this new city where no one was for him , took the water bottle and had a sip or two . and then asked him to sanitize his hands.

Kuku gave raju the sanitizer and ask him if he had sanitize his hands before and then sanitize around him. raju: ohh, i thought that kabir asked for the sanitizer. kuku laughed: no!no! kabir asked me for tea and water, butabout the sanitizer i asked you.no one should indulge in a story to that level that he could not say the difference between reality and virtuality. raju nodded his ahead and smiled. Kuku:Anyways, let's continue the story........ after asking for tea and water and gave me assurance that he would take care of my belongings and he told me to rest without any worries.He said this and placed his hand on my shoulder with so much love and affection that I was fully convinced about his goodness and then he told me to sleep. He advised me that I should start trusting other people and the people of this city are very good and etcetera... .After hearing such kind words from him, I went to sleep. At around 5am, again I felt some movements on my body that broke my sleep and this time I clearly felt a hand on my head , and the primary concern for me at that time was my bag so, to check my bag, I tried to move my hand there but did not find it. Instantly I wake up, saw that kabir was running with my bag on his shoulder.I quickly collected my senses and started running, following him. But after two minutes only there was darkness came before all over me , and the next moment I fell on the road.

My money, clothes all were gone, and I was at that time, in that sensitive and tender age and was in so vulnerable&fragile state that I was just one punch away from breaking down completely, both financially and emotionally and being new to this big city , kabir not only took my bag but also all my hopes with that bag.By saying so Kuku ended his story, Raju felt so bad for kuku after hearing this and while he was showing empathy for what happened to him, he started feeling dizziness in his eyes and in the next moment he fell off from the chair and fainted.

After three-four hours when he got his senses. he could not understand what happened to him, He was desperately looking in the room for some clues ,and he found that sanitiser bottle which Kuku used on him and he notices the label of sanitiser on that bottle, the glue of it was loosing it's grip and when he scratch that he saw the actual label which was of chloroform. He found a note there on which his name was written. He opened it and read "all of you arethe same, he wanted my bag & money and you wanted a story from me. you all are selfish and you all deserve this". he quickly checked his pant, his phone and wallet were missing.

Still, in a state of dizziness and shock, he came out of the society and saw there was no watchman or that old uncle. Now, he had no option but to move his not hundred per cent fully sensed body dragging to his home. On the way, still not in his hundred cents and shock, he realized some red and blue lights, dancing all over him, as was in a state of shock, he thought that how on earth he reached a DJ party. But then a loud voice gave him a check of reality and helped him to come back to his senses. Actuall,y that was the PCR van going on the walking speed, the witty writer inside him thought that may that is the reason they can't reach any crime scene on time, but then one of the police inspector, stopped him and showed him a photo if he has seen this person somewhere, It was Kuku's photo. the police told him that he is a vicious and very smart robber and he defrauds people in these covid times in an isolated building where no one lives because of the haunted rumours. Now the picture started getting clear in Raju's mind and he told everything to the police that happened in that society. The police told him that he is the 21st victim of that robber's viciousness. . But like every other criminal, he also has one weakness he is hungry for being remembered for his smartness and uniqueness and if our intelligence and analyst team are right in their path of research then according to the pattern of his crime he would definitely follow this clear set of procedure and then again contact him the one last time. The police gave him one device, through which, just pressing one button, will activate and alert them whenever Kuku tries to contact him. After getting the assurance from the police, he reached his home and when he was changing his clothes, to be in his comfortable home clothes. one slip fell down from his pant. he suddenly remembered that Kuku gave him his contact number in case he wanted to have this same emergency of recharge. Raju the very next moment pressed that button on the device which the police gave to him to alert them. The chief of the police immediately contact him, Raju told him about the slip, and the chief instructed him to make the robber indulge in the talk and just talk to him for a minimum of 233 seconds and we will track him down and arrest him.

Raju dialled the number

In one ring Kuku pick up the call.

Kuk: How are you Mr. writer, I knew you would call me

Raju: how dare you, give me back my mobile and wallet. and meanwhile, the police hackers were on their work to track him down.

Kuku: Looks like there is much noise here Naaser Saahab , Our Mr.writer is saying thank you to us on the phone and I just got to hear angry and abusive words from the other side. Raju overheard some words from familiar voices and laughing voices on the phone, he remembered the voice was of that society's watchman.

Raju(in frustration): what? thankyou to a thief, my foot, do you even know the meaning of gratefulness, you rascal?

This time Raju got the reply in some serious tone from Kuku: I think the thing I gave you in exchange for these materialistic things is quite precious and rather priceless to youAnd again changed the tone in sarcasm and Kuku continued his talk: so now cut the phone as I have to throw this sim because that will be the most rookie and the most cliche mistake I could do in this scene. And my history and other evidence of not being a rookie I hope has already been shown and explained to you by our respected police chief and doing something so silly is not my cup of tea. Right Inspector Mahesh? so ohh Mahesh sir, you can relax now and wait for some more time to catch me. Better Luck next time sir. till then ...............SAYONARAthe police chief threw the headphone in anger and frustration and disconnected the call.

After five minutes Raju again got a call from a private number . This was Kuku again.

Kuku: Oh! , I forgot to mention one thing

Raju: What do you mean?Kuku: It was nice meeting you, and a true artist can sense and smell another true artist, so, I hope you will do the right justice to the story I gave you and our personal relations will not come in between as a restriction between your art, And lastly this strictly between two artists, One last and only truth from my side

My name is Singh... Kabir Singh. raju disconnected the call and these words automatically came from his mouth:

IF YOU WEREN'T A THIEF, WE WOULD DEFINITELY BE FRIENDS.