Neelkantha

“Hey what are you doing?”

“Looking at you baby.”

“The hunter is carefully watching his prey before hunting.”

“What?”

“Don't you know? Really?”

“What nonsense?”

“Nonsense! I can't speak nonsense and you know it better than anyone.”

“Are you kidding?”

“Today, probably each and every sentence of mine will make you laugh but speak honestly dear, do you really think I'm wrong?”

“Right and wrong! When have you started to be bothered about these things?”

“Since you have your new girlfriend.”

“New girlfriend!?”

“Why? Did you really think that I would never be able to know about her? Your dear doctor girlfriend… 

Now I have turned into only a need of your life. Is not it?”

“Baby, why are you saying all this? What happen?”

“You know it better. Speak honestly, are not you planning to finish me?”

“Ree…”

“Don't shout. Your expressions are telling everything.

By the way, you can do whatever you want. I'm not going to stop you, after all I'm all yours. I'm living only for your sake. So now if you don't want me then…”

“Please, for God's sake shut up.”

“Ha ha… Ya… I know my voice is going to be choked soon. I know my days are already being counted. You're going to kill me soon. In fact, if you yourself don't want to, she will make you because now she has her absolute control over your senses.”

“Shut up…”

“Hmm… I'll. But Hritesh have you ever thought who'll be your Neelkantha when I'm gone? Who'll drink all the poison of your criticism?”

“I can take responsibility of my own creation. I don't need you anymore.” 

“Oh wow! Suddenly you've become so bold. I'm sure it's also because of the charm of your new girlfriend. 

But Hritesh, Do you really know yourself? Does your girlfriend know that You're a coward, an absolute coward? You’re always so much afraid of criticism that you need me. The voice of protest within you makes you write but the coward self of yours drags you behind. You can kill me Mr. Hritesh Deshai but you can never kill the coward self of yours.”

“Hey enough. Now you please shut up otherwise…”

“No, today I not going to remain silent. I know I've not enough time left so I have to speak my mind. 

  Baby, I love you so much and I know you can't bear criticism. Don't do any harm to yourself because of that girl.”

“You're right Ree.”

“Oh what a relief, you've understood ultimately.”

“Ridhima, you're absolutely right, you've to die.”

“What!”

“I'm not going to spare you dear, since last two years you have been using my writings under your name.”

“I'm using? Wow…great! Mr. Deshai I was not using your writings, you were using me for the sake of your writing. You were using me to avoid criticism of your creations. You coward… Kill me… Come on kill me… what are you waiting for?”

                   **********

“Hello, aunty have you seen the new facebook post of Hritesh?”

“No. what is it?”

“The famous writer Ridhima Deshai is finally dead.”

“Really?”

“Yes aunty. Congratulations.”

“No no Srijata congratulations to you. You've saved my son. You're not only a psychologist; for me, you're an angel. Thank you so much child.”

  While talking with Dr. Srijata, Mrs. Deshai doesn't even notice that silently another Neelkantha has been created in her house, Writer Ritwika Deshai. 

  No matter how much mom and Srijata try, but only Ridhima was able to recognize the true Hritesh, he can never drink the poison of criticism… never.