The Rattlesnake

‘Hey check this out Vishnu!’ Vikram said, pointing the window.

‘What happened?’ Dr. Vishnu said gruffly as he appeared from the shadows. He was in a bad mood with a pounding headache. He knew that the only cure could be a nice mind-boggling case.

‘I suppose here is your answer to all your prayers.’ Vikram said as he pointed a fat man who was waddling across the white streets on December.

The man glanced at the gate numbers as he waddled and stopped in front of their house.

‘Let’s wait for the man to sit beside us.’ Dr. Vishnu said as he and Vikram sat on their favourite armchairs.

Suddenly, without any warning, the door opened wide.

The man came in, mopping his forehead with his silk handkerchief.

‘I suppose you have a story to tell us.’ Dr. Vishnu said as the man sat heavily. ‘We can wait until you can catch your breath.’

The man nodded and helped himself with a glass of water.

After few minutes of heavy breathing the man started ‘I am not an athletic man. I avoid any type of exercise if I can help. But this made me run like a wind, Dr. Vishnu! You need to help me!’

Dr. Vishnu patted the man in a comforting manner and asked ‘May I know your name?’

‘It is Hardy Sarov.’

‘Can you tell your story now?’ Dr. Vishnu asked.

Hardy nodded and began.

‘It all began the previous day. I was working late in my office when someone started to bang the door. I was surprised because no one was present in that hour. When I opened the door, a man who was covered in black filled my vision and gripped my neck. The sudden firm hold on my neck made my breathing really difficult. Somehow I managed to muster some force and hit the man on his face. Blood began to ooze from his face and for a minute he was dazed. Taking this as a chance, I ran and made my escape by the door. Today, I was about to tell my night to the police when a brick came crashing. My instincts saved me and I jumped out by the neck of the time. As I went through the Paddington street, a single gunshot came. I dodged just in time as the bullet pass over my neck. Then I knew that I was in grave danger. I knew about you sir and you were just a few streets away. I decided to came over so that you can tell me why I am being targeted!’

Dr. Vishnu was listening intently with his eyes closed and as Hardy finished his tale, he slowly opened his eyes.

‘Was there any construction going on beside you when the brick tried to kill you?’ Dr. Vishnu asked.

Hardy thought for a moment and said ‘Yes sir. A construction of a house was going on. But I don’t think the brick which tried to hurt me was a loose brick from the building.’

Dr. Vishnu’s eyes sparkled when the man said that. Then he asked ‘How much time did you take to reach the Paddington street?’

‘About 10 minutes sir.’

Dr. Vishnu thought for a moment and said ‘Thank you sir. I think I have made significant progress in your case.’

Then Dr. Vishnu showed a photo of a rattlesnake and said to Mr. Sarov.

‘If you see this snake sir please inform me immediately.’ Dr. Vishnu said.

‘Okay.’ Hardy said, who was bit puzzled. ‘I suppose I take my leave.’

After Hardy left, Vikram spoke for the first time ‘I think you won’t find a rattlesnake in London.’

Vishnu smiled but did not speak.

When Vikram coaxed his level best to know what the doctor thought about the case, Vishnu went to his room and played his violin.

After few hours, the phone rang.

Vikram went for it but the doctor stopped him. Vishnu picked up the phone and spoke.

‘Dr. Vishnu residence.’ 

‘Yes sir. It is me Hardy! I was taking a stroll across the park when this snake, whom you showed, pounced me. It would have bitten me but somehow I managed to get my leg out of there. I suppose you know what is happening to me and I wish to know right now!’

Vishnu smiled and said ‘Meet me at the Angel’s Hospital.’ and rang off.

‘Hospital?’ Vikram asked.

The doctor smiled yet again but refused to tell what had actually happened.

They reached the hospital to meet Hardy.

When Hardy opened his mouth to speak, the doctor raised his hand for silence. Then they went to the doctor. Vishnu spoke few words secretly to the doctor to which the doctor nodded.

Then the doctor signalled Hardy to sit on a chair while Vishnu and Vikram silently left the room.

After 20 minutes, the doctor came and said ‘You are right Vishnu. It is an advanced case of Charles Bonnet Syndrome. It is bit difficult to treat it but we would get it at the last.’

‘Thank you Doctor.’ Vishnu said, pleased with himself.

‘Charles Bonnet Syndrome?’ Vikram asked.

‘It is disease in which the infected people hallucinate. When Hardy said that there was some construction going on nearby, I had my doubts on that. I very well know that no construction was going on like anywhere near. So, to confirm my suspicions, I asked Hardy to call me if he saw a rattlesnake. People hallucinate what they have seen or what they yearn for. That is why I showed him the picture of the rattlesnake. We know that they are no rattlesnakes in London. So when he said that he had seen a rattlesnake, I knew I had been right. That is why I called him to the hospital.’

Vikram saw Vishnu with a amazed expression. He could not digest that Vishnu had solved this case in such a quick manner. But after all, it was Dr. Vishnu we are talking about.....