Justice..........or..................injustice

...his hands were trembling when he kept the receiver down. His brother Ram had called to inform him that, Raju's mother was not feeling well. Raju at that time was in his small house in another corner of the city. He quickly found his jeans which was some where below the bed. Living in a one room kitchen, this struggling song writer had to still taste success. He was able to get a pay check thanks to a scrip he provided for one of the award functions. Living alone for the past 4 years he was still determined to achieve his dream.

His father never understood his dream and asked him to leave the house if he will not get on a good job. He followed his destiny and got out of the house. But he did meet his mother every week, he knew his mother missed him a lot. Over the last month his mother was suffering from flu which had got very serious.

Although he knew of all this, for Raju the call was a surprise. He was quickly near his bike, which he found to have enough petrol to ride him to the hospital. He kicked thrice when finally the bike came to life. He mentally got a map in his mind and started following it. Soon he was on the main road, he was still thinking the closest way to go to the hospital. He prayed he did not get into traffic. It seems his prayers were listened by God. He saw no traffic, only a few policeman at every corner. He was happy to see empty roads, he increased the speed of his mechanical horse.

Another two turns and Raju knew he was only 20 mins away. Just then he heard a siren, and it took him very less time to understand that a police car was following him. He saw behind and it was a batch of police vans following him. He had to stop aside. It was truly a batch of police vans, about 15 police vans, followed by 5 cars having red lights glowing on top of it. By the time the convoy had passed by, Raju had learnt that it was some minister that had come to visit the city. However he had some thing more to learn. As he got on to the bike, some one caught his collar. He turned around, and soon there was a slap on his face.

It was time for the evening news, the news reporter announced that she had a breaking news. She continued "We just got a breaking news, a person was caught who broke into the minister's security convoy. He is been detained, police is not reveling his name, however the question still remains that in a country where the President's security can be broken, the common man really is living with his heart in his mouth............"

Raju was crying now, he kept on telling himself that he shall not cry since he is not in fault. But after 6 hours being detained and all his belongings taken away, he could not contact his brother, he could not know about his mother.........and this is what made him cry. The chief police was briefing the press, who seemed to have a million questions. Raju watched as much as he could from the steel cage that he was in. He looked around and there was no one else in the cage.

He remembered the old parrot that his uncle had kept in his house. He remembered the parrot looking outside the cage, but Raju never knew what the parrot was trying to tell. Perhaps he knew it today. The chief police press conference went for another hour and finally the electronic and print media were convinced that it was not a serious thing.

It was now getting to 11 pm and Raju had no food the whole day. At that time, the chief officer got in, pulled Raju out of the jail and threw him out of the station. He then threw his belongings next to him in a bag. The chief had warned him up front to not give any interviews to any media and just go home directly. Raju walked towards his bike that was lying down, due to which all its oil had leaked out. Raju started walking with his bike pushing it. After going a fair distance away, Raju did what he wanted to do for the whole day.

He picked up his cell phone, called his brother. Raju did not speak and only listened. Ram was very angry and asked Raju to never show his face, Ram however did mention Raju that his mother was alright and will be discharged the next day. Raju disconnected the call. He decided to meet his brother the next day and explain him everything.

By the time he reached home, it was 3am in the morning, The stray dogs were interested in asking a lot more questions. Raju thought if the dogs had the same question that the police had. Even after going through hell he managed to smile and sleep.

When he woke up the next day, it was already noon. Raju picked up the paper which was dropped outside his door. The front page had the news of a young man breaking the President's convoy, but there was no photo. On the same page was the photo of a successful actor who was caught with illegal weapons at his home years back but was now given awards for his works in the movie. Another photo of a politician's son who was involved in drugs and was now running a matrimonial for his own wedding on the television. Also a cricketer who killed a person years back, but was leaving free thanks to money and was now ready to do commentary for the new cricket season.

After seeing all these ironies, Raju thought if his last day in the prison was really justice..................

NO BALL

.......................within 3 seconds was the ball out of the boundary and another 3 seconds it took for the umpire to declare it official as a boundary. The score said 112 for the loss of 7 wickets. The Mumbai team had to get another 78 runs. It seemed liked the number one team in the country will be defeated by this years surprise finalist the team of Gujarat. Having played the whole season very poorly it was a great effort for Gujarat to come to the final. While defending a total of 190 runs the bowlers had done a great job to get 5 Mumbai wickets within first 50 runs. The big hope was now, Ramesh Korgaonkar. He was the opening batsman and survived the opening bowling attack. He was playing on an individual score of 64. He was now in a partnership of 32 for the eight wicket. It seemed like Mumbai was slowly crawling back into the match. They needed a run rate of 5.

But the real reason for which the people or rather media was so glued into television was because they were watching Ramesh. Ramesh a former national player who had to pause his career after allegations of match fixing. It was about 8 years back now, Ramesh saw the interview of his colleague who confessed that money was involved in one of the matches played against Pakistan in Toronto. He had also confessed that Ramesh was involved in it. Ramesh was dropped in the following series as the cricket board did not want the media to blow the issue any further. Ramesh then went to the court and decided to fight on his own. The trial took another 8 months to start. As Indian judicial is famous for its slow process it continued for over two years. In two years time a lot changed around. The colleague who accused Ramesh was already retired. The national team was a new young team. But Ramesh was happy that the board had no evidence against him. However the board was humiliated something that was not part of Ramesh's plan but was very well in the scripts of the press and electronic media. Ramesh was asked to start from bottom again. Board declared that they want a young team in the world cup, Ramesh aged 25 did not seem to fit into that category. Also they believed that in the last two years there was enough bench strength to replace the likes of Ramesh.

Another over been bowled by the Gujarat bowler and now things looked more easy and Mumbai could see a very good chance to win. The score was now 135 and Mumbai needed another 55 runs in 66 balls. Mumbai had kept the wickets intact and the 31 year old Ramesh had inched his score to 76. Just then the first bowl was bowled and unfortunately the partnership of 55 runs came to a fatal end. Ramesh saw his partner utterly disappointed which most of the times turn into dressing room anger. Hence he quickly ran behind him and gave him a pat on his back. Ramesh whispered in his ears "Good job, don't worry one more good stand and we are home......"

While he returned back to the crease with the new batsman who had got in, Ramesh remembered his days at home. He had thoughts of leaving cricket and how so many of his friends gave him the confidence. Even some of his fans who followed him in his very short national career supported him. There was a sympathy around however after a good performance of the team in the 2003 world cup, all the sympathy dried up for Ramesh. Clearly the new team was been worshiped like gods. Ramesh dropped the idea of getting into the national team. He also had to support a wife and a year old son. He took to the local club and made enough to see a smile on his wife's face. It was after being in club cricket for another 4 years that Ramesh got into the Mumbai team. Many thought the main reason being that the national board had a new team too. The new team wanted to do things differently and there first main decision was to allow all those players back in the main stream who were kicked out of false allegation. Unfortunately many of them were now at their retirement age and settled for money, alternative jobs, public apologies, very few like Ramesh took on the challenge to get back into the main stream cricket. Ramesh was now in Mumbai team and took very less time for him to become a permanent member of it. Ramesh had come to terms with his conscious that Mumbai team is the farthest he can go at this age. He also realized that enjoying cricket is important and not the level at which he is playing.

Another wicket, and suddenly Gujarat needed just one more wicket to close business. Mumbai was struggling now at a score of 162 for 9 wickets. They needed another 28 to win the match, but one mistake and it was all over. Ramesh had decided to not depend on the player at the non striker end and was hitting any ball that seemed loose. He had increased his score now to 90 runs. Since the match was played on the home grounds, Ramesh had the support from people. He knew what was to come if he makes the next 28 runs. His photo on the leading paper's sports page. But Ramesh also had his attention on the next bowler. Gujarat had asked their opening bowler to return. Mumbai needed to do the score in 3 overs now. The last partnership was rather slow since the dismissed batsman played a lot of dot balls.The first 3 balls were beautifully bowled and Ramesh was beaten by pace and bounce. The next two however were hit hard and both managed to hit the advertisement boards outside the boundary. On the last ball Ramesh even managed to take a single. Ramesh was happy with the last over. However he did not realized that he had got himself on to 99 runs. One run away from the century. The new over begun, Mumbai needing 20 runs, Ramesh tapped it to mid wicket, where it was brilliantly fielded and was thrown at the strikers end. It hit the wickets and the third umpire was been called for. Ramesh with him the last man watched the replays and then heard the crowd response. The replay followed by the decision and the decision was followed by the Gujarat team players taking out the stumps. The bowling team had done something even they did not expected at the start of the season.

Ramesh remained on 99 runs and his team lost by 18 runs. During the presentation ceremony the opening bowler of Gujarat was given man of the match award for his 5 for 25. It was clear that he broke the Mumbai's batting back bone. Just before the presenter could give the winners award they called in Ramesh and awarded him for a good show. It was a small award that Ramesh held and rushed to the dressing room, he clearly needed a shower. After the shower Ramesh sat alone in the dressing room. He walked to his locker and took out the small gift he was awarded. Mumbai had lost the match, he opened the gift to see a gold plated watch, and check of 2 lacs. He pulled his mobile and called, "Hello, let me know next time when a match needs to be fixed..............."Ramesh winked looking at the mirror in front of him.

Toasted Bread

.................when Arun got home, he was thinking something he rather never did in his whole life. At a very confused stage of life, known as teenage, Arun had many debates in his head. However never in world did he thought that he would have ever have the question that he was having today. After talking to his friends he was not able to think of anything else. Arun and his friends would all walk together after school. The 14 years boys discussed everything from studies, movies, career, politics and a lot on girls. But today the conversation took a very different course. His friend talked about the sacrifices done by their mother for them. Some talked about how there mother sold her ornaments at one point just for there education. Some other talked about the resignation that there mother had to give just so that she could take care of him. One boy talked about an incident where his mother walked two kms just to buy a gas balloon which he wanted. Another example was about a boy's mother being awake all night so that her son could be awake during exams.

Arun scratched his brain but just could not find any such example. Apart from Mithun, who lost his mother, even before he could open his eyes all others had a story. Arun just had none. He kept on asking himself, "Really never, there should be something great my mother did for me.............." but all efforts of thinking were in vain. That night, Arun had little else to think. He kept his book aside and just stared at the fan hanging from the ceiling. He watched the fan rotating slowly, he turned his attention towards the open window, he could see the stars twinkling. Remembering the first poem he learnt, "Twinkle, twinke......." he smiled but still no story that explains how great his mother is, or then is she?

A thought that also made him guilty as if his conscious was stopping his heart from asking this question and now he finally did. Arun stood and went out to drink another glass of water something he was doing just because he had no sleep. He stood in the kitchen slowly sipping the water from the bottle. He had now drunk the whole bottle normally kept for the whole night. He kept the empty bottle away and turned around. Thats when he saw a man 4 inches taller than him. He was smiling looking at him. In his right hand he was carring a laptop.......he walked towards Arun and said "Son............"

Arun knew his father very well, and he knew his father would not let him go back to his bedroom unless he does not get his answers. "Son, three times you have stepped in the kitchen in just a matter of 15 mins. You are sleeping most of the time before I feel sleepy. I come to your bedroom after you sleep and give you a kiss on your forehead." Arun frowned, his father continued "At the age of 11 you said Dad, don't kiss me I am a big boy so I do it when you sleep, and I know you know that and thanks for not stopping me from doing it." Arun and his father walked out into Arun's bedroom where both sat on his bed keeping a distance enough for his father to keep his lap top. Arun looked again towards the fan, he was sweating and perhaps thought of increasing the speed of the rotating machine.

"I am your father, you can tell me anything and everything........go on dude..." Dude a word Arun's father started using for him. He just thought that it got him close to his generation. "Dad not sure how you will feel about me...........when I tell you............I think.............see Dad she is your wife.......but understand...." Arun's father was trying to find clues to understand where his son was heading. "I don't think I have a great mother..........I think she is just ordinary.............I mean all my other friends talk about how great there mother is and frankly speaking I have no such story............if you all deserve to have a great son, why can't a son expect............"

Any father would have got angry on his son in this situation, but not Arun's father, he only smiled, he got up and then movved towards the doors. He was now carrying his lap top in his left hand. He turned around and looked at his son who seemed had no expression on his face, his father broke his silent "Education is in asking question, and if you have a question or a concern or even a doubt that I am expected being your parent to answer I will, but not now, tomorrow is Sunday lets discuss this tomorrow.Arun felt bad the moment he spoke but then there was one part that felt good. Also seeing his father not having any answer to the question made him sure that he was right in what he was thinking.

Next day when Arun woke up it was 8am, and even being a Sunday morning he decided to get out of bed instead of giving another try at sleeping. He entered the kitchen and found an unfamiliar sight. His father was cooking instead of his mother. "Dude.....whats happening.." Arun smiled seeing his father in good mood. He was a bit worried if he had hurt his father somewhere. "Arun, can you do a favor please, I forgot to tell you something, I had a fight with your mother, and ended up challenging her, I lost the challenge as all husbands do when they challenge there wives. The punishment was to make the Sunday morning breakfast.

Now can you help me in completing the task.........." Arun was already standing next to his father with a knife waiting for his father to order. "Dad you just let me know what I need to do, I will help you....at least with the easy stuff........" "I understand", his Dad said, its just the bread toast that remains, I will call your mother you get them ready............." Arun's Dad appeared in some time, Arun had inserted two breads in the toaster, when his mother came to the kitchen and took the place on the dining room. "Arun you know how your mother serves the toast bread to you right, do the same way, we want to show her that we can do what she does and there is nothing........" Arun's father took a pause and then continued "..............great in it."

Arun recalled the every day proceedings when Arun would be late on the table in morning. Just when the school bus would arrive his mother quickly pulled the toasted bread apply butter and serve him. It was Arun's turn to do the same, he pulled the bread out of the toaster and then the next moment threw it away with a cry "Oh god......" thats hot. I think I burnt my fingers, his mother was quick to react and applied some cold water to his fingers. Arun's father watched it from a distant. Arun was pleased to see his finger had no injuries. He sat on the chair, while his mother said "I am sorry I should have warned you, but don't worry I can do it for myself, you two done a lot to prove that you are as capable as I am to take care of the kitchen, while she smiled looking at her husband who seemed to have his eyes fixed on his son.

Now Arun's mother also turned his attention to his son. He was having tears in his eyes "Son, its hurting a lot......", his mother inquired. Arun looked up and hugged his mother...."yes it is hurting a lot, but not in my fingers in my heart..............mom everyday you apply butter to the toast, I have seen it so many times but never thought that when you get the bread out it is so hot. Probably every time when you do that your fingers might also feel the heat that I did, I had a question in my mind if my mother was great or not, and I am proud to say that I have the best mother in this very world................."

Arun's mother could not understand how to react, "Son, but I cannot be the best mother in the world if I would not have got the best son...........you make my world the best......................after another two minutes of hugging his mother, Arun walked towards his Dad and kissed him........"

Connecting Flight

When Bhupinder walked on to the hong kong airport it was not the first time he saw the airport. However it was not a great feeling either leaving India and getting

into a connecting flight to States. One thing that Bhupinder hated for sure was to go to California. But it seems there was no choice something he told himself every time.

When he walked to the center of the transit section he saw the big time table displaying various flight departures times with the gate at which the passenger is suppose to board.

Bhupinder read it carefully and soon found he had to walk to gate 23. He dragged his wheel equipped bag, having another bag on his back carrying a lap top. He was amazed to see the swine flue effect still seen on the airport with people wearing masks. When he was moving to the gate he saw a Starbucks opening and decided to divert there.

There were a few chairs lying there and most of them seemed empty. He watched a woman who was busy, playing a popular car racing game on her lap top. He placed his bag besides her chair and then collapsed on to the chair. The sudden movement towards her right distracted Rajinder who was very focussed on the game by that time. She frowned at the man besides her, who returned a wide smile. She looked back on her lap top and restarted the game.

Bhupinder observed her play the game. He opened his mouth twice and then again shut it up without saying anything. Then he looked at her ticket which was poking out of the carry bag, he read the flight number CX685 and destination BOM which meant Mumbai India.

Rajinder, paused the game and gave a very cold look to the man besides her. It seemed she was not much happy with the neighbor. Bhupinder finally said "Wondering if you would like to have a cup of coffee...........I was going to the counter...may be a caffè latte.....hello......I thought......on me................................"

Rajinder was not happy with the offer, she wanted to say something in anger, but she quietly said "No, I don't want it......and it would be good if you don't disturb me......"

Bhupinder adjusted his bag and as if he did not hear the earlier comment asked the same question again, this time Rajiner only nodded and agreed perhaps she thought

it was the only way to stop her troublesome neighbor.

When Bhupinder walked towards the counter, Rajinder quickly turned around to see him, she had a cunning smile. On his return with the two cups, she sipped one and frowned, "Thats bad very bad........." Bhupinder gave a worried look, He kept his cup down near his bag, "Really, wait I will go again and get a new one......." Bhupinder took more time than before however the end result was the same, Rajinder rejecting it. His own cup was now cold, and so he got an ice coffee for himself again. After an exercise of 20 mins, and shelling 30 dollars an exhausted Bhupinder sat down on the ground, almost about to cry and then he said

"Rajinder I am sorry, but it was not planned, an emergency, I know its bad that you are going to Mumbai and same time I am going back to States, but its just part of our job and I know I did promise to be with you when you return............" Rajinder had tears in her eyes, she touched his cheeks as Bhupinder got into his chair. Rajinder moved towards him, rested her head on his shoulder.Bhupinder pulled the passport that was in her sweater. He read it, just out of habit, he looked at the passport photo he had accompanied his wife when she had gone to take that photo....................