by Abhishek Roy
“Possible... “ mused Vivek.
“The poem is probably for you, right?” Ram asked me and I nodded. “Then I don’t think that your parents would make it so cryptic. After all, Chad and Japan are thousands of miles away. I think I support the latter which, honestly, sounds cooler,” he grinned.
“I really don’t know what to believe about my parents, Ram.” I sighed.
“But the last line has a direct location mentioned,” suggested Vivek.
“What makes us believe that Mathias’s parents actually left the diary for him? That was Mrs. Dawson mumbling in her last moments. There could be complications here.” Ram said.
“So we go to Japan?” Vivek asked.
“Hoping for the best,” replied Ram.
Ram returned me my parchment and diary. Taking a deep breath, he declared, “Mathias, I want you to know that I am so grateful for your help the last few weeks. I know that you knew my father was no more and yet you believed in me.” Ram again sounded older than his years.
I tried not to blush and said, “What are friends for?”
“You have been more than a friend to me, Mathias. You have been a brother. Now, in order to pay you back, I will accompany you to Japan for the search of your parents.”
Kapittel 29
Mathias’s story
RISHIKESH, INDIA
March 11, 2017, Saturday, 1000 hours IST
I booked the tickets later that day. Of, course, I had resorted to hacking again for the shortage of funds. While blocking two favourable seats in the plane, Vivek came over. While I worked on my laptop, comfortably seated on his bed, Vivek stood beside me.
“Has Ram finished packing?” I asked him without moving my eyes from the screen.
“Yes. He is nearly done.” He checked out my laptop screen. “You are booking the seats?“
“Hmmm.”
“Do you have enough money?” he inquired.
“Nope.”
“Then how are you...”
I looked up at him. “The method I used for coming to India and obtaining your proof, really comes in handy.”
“But you shouldn’t do this, Mathias. It is after all, illegal.”
“For the greater good, one often resorts to evil,” I grinned. “We have to go Vivek, and we don’t have the money.“
“Alright. You are resorting to evil but whom are you doing the greater good?” His question hit me like an arrow.
I set aside my laptop and pondered over his question. “You are right, Vivek. It will of course not benefit anybody other than me but you must understand! I am...”
“I do, Mathias...I do. And I am not prohibiting you from doing it. It’s just that, it is not a good practice.” He took a seat next to me and changed the mood. “Anyway, I am curious to know how you do it.“
From the first day we had met to this day, our friendship had grown exponentially. Our interests did match but most of all, he looked over me like a bigger brother which I relished. When he was near me and we were having a conversation, I felt a warmth I had only felt rarely.
Picking up the laptop, I explained the process to him briefly. I also showed him a few of the programs I had built and sure enough, he was impressed. But all this while I felt that this was not the real reason for him sitting with me. However, when I switched back to the airline booking screen, he asked me a strange question.
“You are booking two tickets right?”
“Yeah.” I shrugged. “It’s me and Ram, no?“
“You are not counting me in?” He asked and I was taken aback.
“You... You want to come?” I asked him which surprisingly, offended him.
“Of course I want to come. You have helped me so much by sending the proof to my boss that I am eternally grateful to you, Mathias. Please allow me to repay the debt.”
“But I never knew. Besides, it wouldn’t be right for you to come. It is dangerous and you have to lead a life here. What would your parents think?”
“Look who’s giving me life lessons!” He scoffed and suddenly he sounded angry. “It is dangerous? Obviously it is. But you don’t understand. I want to come and you guys need me. Don’t worry about my parents. They are my parents and I know how to talk to them.“
“We can manage, Vivek,” I tried suppressing him.
“Manage? You wouldn’t even be able to navigate your way. Look what had happened here in India. You nearly escaped death by battering or abduction. You would never had got into the biosphere without me. You need an extra brain to ensure a good trip. “
I realized that Vivek was right. He had proved to be extremely helpful and we needed him.
“Tell me, Mathias. Do you have enough money?”
“I don’t think so. But I can surely hack and...”
“You cannot hack your way throughout the city! What if you want to buy a small phone in Japan-one of the most expensive countries in the world? Will you again hack?” He had me at a loss of words.
“Tell me... Can you navigate yourself through the city effectively, with the help of a map. People over there are not really proficient in English.”
I shook my head.
“Let me tell you, I have been to Tokyo and have stayed there for two and a half month. I had some work and had to attend a few lectures in the Tokyo University, one of the lectures being mine. I have a good knowledge about the streets and had caught a few helpful Japanese phrases too. Subsequently Japanese students have also come and worked as interns with me in ISRO and I picked up small things from them too.” After a pause, he continued. “You need me Mathias. By the look of it, your mission doesn’t appear to be a very easy one.“
Vivek had really got me thinking. He was absolutely right and we surely required an elder person like him who could guide us and show our way around. Ram and I had established a good rapport with him and communication wouldn’t be a problem. What worried me was the reaction of his parents. They would certainly be against his decision of accompanying me. After they got to know about the mail I had sent to Vivek’s boss, they would be even more unwilling to send him. We had been a compulsion for Vivek’s parents, especially his father and he would not hesitate a moment to get rid of me.
Besides, Vivek would soon get mails from his former bosses and had to be at the right place. There would be court trials against Bajrangi for which he of all people had to present.
“You really want to come?” I asked him after thinking for a minute or two.
“Yes!” his face was beaming.
“Your parents would really be cross with you - and what about the trials held against Bajrangi? You need to be present, Vivek.”
“Don’t worry about those Mathias. Those are small problems that will be solved in the course of time but if I don’t go, I will miss out on the adventure that would be many times bigger than what I had in the biosphere with you guys. Over the years, I had gone through a mediocre and ordinary upbringing. I finally found some enjoyment in the work at ISRO. Yet, after some time, they would present me with the same kind of work I had done yesterday. I was after all working for money, wasn’t I?
“I never got the pleasure of learning something new, discovering something remarkable. I had got this feeling only twice - sometimes at ISRO, when the most brilliant Japanese student delegate Hikaru came to me with his discovery of a new source of mineral power and we had to research on that for nights before Hikaru left trying to find answers to discover the monopolar fuel cell; and once more only when I had gone for a trek with my friends in the Cauvery river area which is elephant infested and we got trapped. I had realised then that physics was only my secondary craving.. .adventure was primary.” Vivek’s gaze became distant. “The incident at the biosphere was unforgettable and I look forward to more such incidents. I would be delighted to join you in this journey of yours, Mathias.” He finished his soliloquy.
I shifted the laptop so that the screen was visible to him too. “Tell me, which seat you would prefer. Aisle, middle or wi
ndow seat?”
Vivek smiled like a Cheshire cat and hugged me tightly. “Book any seat for me, Mathias. I’ll go and quickly pack my suitcases.” With that, he was off.
“Wait!” I called out. Vivek stopped immediately and looked back at me.
“We carry British passports so we don’t need a visa. What about you?”
“Don’t worry about that. When is the flight?” He asked me.
“Today evening.”
“Oh, no worries!” He assured me, I still have a Multi-Entry Japanese visa from my last visit that should be valid for the next few months.”
“That sounds good.” I replied, relieved. Vivek gave me a final smile and went away to pack his bags.
***
Kapittel 30
Mathias’s story
RISHIKESH, INDIA
March 11, 2017, Saturday, 1230 hours IST
Our flight to Tokyo was from Delhi at night. So we decided to depart after an early lunch. Vivek had not yet told his parents about his decision of coming with us to Tokyo. He was meant to drop us to the Delhi International airport and then come back. Of course he could have driven his father’s truck to the airport without even informing his parents but he was a nice guy.
After loading our loading our luggage at the back of the taxi, Vivek came over with his medium sized suitcase and a big cloth bag and kept them alongside ours. He then walked over to his astonished parents, standing at the door.
“Ma, Babuji... I have, er..... decided to accompany them on their quest.” He blurted it out.
“But he has already sent the proof to your boss, no?”
“Yes,” answered Vivek.
“Then what have you got to do with them. Your job is over!”
“It is not all because of that, Babuji. They are my friends now. After what Mathias has done, it is my duty to repay the debt.”
“You have already done that, son!” erupted his father. “If you didn’t help them in the Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve, then what did you do?“
“I did help them but now... “ he turned to his mother. “Please Ma. I hope you understand me. Tell Babuji about my love for adventure! You know I had always wanted to do something like this.“
His quiet mother remained silent. From her face, it was discernible that she understood her son but the authoritative and dogmatic behaviour of her husband forced her to remain silent.
“Adventure my foot! From when did you start taking such idiotic decisions!” He shifted a little to make some space between himself and his wife.
“Go inside!” he ordered while pointing inside the house. “I will bring you your luggage.“
Vivek hung his head in shame and walked reluctantly inside. His father walked hurriedly to the taxi and as he was picking up Vivek’s travel bags, he gave us a fiery glare. He went into the house with Vivek’s bags while Ram and I sat inside the taxi. When we were about to leave, Vivek’s father walked briskly up to the taxi’s window. Ram rolled down the window.
“What have you both done to my son? He is acting really weird,” He interrogated us.
“I am sorry?” Ram questioned back.
“What did you tell him to make him act so strangely?” he asked us again, this time, gritting his teeth.
“Nothing at all. It’s just that we have now become friends, sir,” I replied.
“Friends you say?” he pursed his lips. “I can’t imagine how you could have become ‘friends’ after playing barter with us.“
“Sir, we are sorry if we have offended you but we are running late for the flight. You wouldn’t want us coming back, would you?” I tried not to lose my composure. The man was a really short tempered and crazy fellow. The years of dealing with school bullies had surely taught me a lesson or two.
The disgusted man turned his face away and Ram rolled the window back up.
“That man is getting on my nerves,” I whispered to Ram as we walked towards the tail of the truck.
“Just bear for a few more minutes, Mathias. Then we will again be on our own,” Ram suggested.
I had a last look at Vivek’s house, hoping that I would catch a glimpse of him bidding good bye. Instead, I saw his mother standing at the doorway. Her expression was sad, a tear rolling down her cheek. However, just before she disappeared inside the house, I could have sworn that she had a Mona Lisa like smile on her lips.
Kapittel 31
Mathias’s story
DELHI, INDIA
March 11, 2017, Saturday, 1315 hours IST
The taxi drove along the snaking roads that were clinging to the mountainous landscape. Just before we left the city of Rishikesh, a group of rocks and boulders came rolling down the hill, headed straight for our car. The driver noticed the rumbling sound and looked up at the rocks rolling down. His eyes became wide in horror and instinctively, he turned the wheel to dodge the first one. Meanwhile, Ram and I were thrown from one side to the other.
The driver turned the wheel again and just avoided driving off the road and tumbling down the hill while a heavy boulder nicked the back of the car and went downhill.
“We are going to die! It must be the Jargantaans again!” Ram was shouting when both of us were thrown to the left. The driver dodged another big boulder and sped off before the stones could strike us.
“Whoa! What was that?” I straightened my tousled hair.
“Could be a landslide, sir. It’ll be better if we cross this area as soon as possible,” replied the chauffer.
“Wait! Look! I think that’s Vivek.” Ram pointed through the rear windshield excitedly. I followed his direction and saw a person running behind our car with a suitcase and a cloth bag. He had just got up, probably after rolling down the hill and sprinted desperately, waving at us to stop the car. I narrowed my eyes and could just make out Vivek’s face.
“Stop! Stop! It’s him!” I instructed the driver and smiled at Ram. The driver stopped the car and Vivek came running with his two bags. After keeping his luggage in the boot, he sat in the front seat, panting.
“Hey guys! How are you doing?” Vivek looked at us.
“Vivek! How come?”
Both of us hugged him, overjoyed to see him again. We had given up the thought of meeting him ever again.
“You were the one who sent the boulders downhill, weren’t you?” Ram asked him.
“I am sorry for the trouble guys. You see, this area is riddled by mountains and pathways. I actually knew this shortcut to reach the highway, not very far from my house.” He grinned at us like a mischievous young boy.
When Vivek went inside his house, I felt a wave of sadness flow through me. He was really eager to come and had to stay back because of his narrow minded father. Now that he was standing beside me, ready to travel with us sent another wave through me, this time of confidence.
All of a sudden, the smile on Vivek’s mother’s face had started making sense. Instead of going inside and comforting Vivek, she was standing on the threshold and smiling because she knew what he was doing.
“So! What did you do once you went into the house?” Ram leaned forward.
“It was simple. I did go inside the house, following my father’s command but 26 years of constant tyranny had taken its toll. I do respect him but this time, I couldn’t miss the opportunity. I am old enough to do things on my own but it is only my mother who understands the fact.
“Anyway, I did go inside the house. Then Babuji came and plonked my bags outside my door and went away to the truck. I kept scanning you guys from my window and no sooner did your conversation start than I ran to my travel bags, picked them up and made my way towards the truck. Surely, my mother saw me but I just told her that I really needed a good old break. She hugged me tightly. I wiped away the tears on her cheek and went out through the back door. That’s when I jogged along the shortcut and arrived at the highway. However, I lost my footing and tumbled down the hillside,” he showed us his bruises on his elbow. “I seem to have brought a few boulders with me.“
/>
“I didn’t know you were so naughty, Vivek!” Ram mocked him playfully and they both had a laugh.
“What about your mother. Your father won’t be happy with her once he reaches home.” I asked him the question which had been bothering me for a while.
“I know, Mathias. He will definitely scold her but I cannot do anything about it now.” His jolly face became ashen.
“Let us not think about the sad things now. We need to plan for Tokyo,” Ram intervened, trying to veer our minds away from the grim facts.
“We will do that at the airport. Let’s enjoy the ride for now.” Vivek leaned back into his seat after switching his phone off and the three of us admired the beautiful landscape with rolling hills and beautiful gorges.
***
We reached the airport at around 5.45 pm. We had faced negligible traffic on the National Highway but the amount of cars on the road had started to thicken up as we entered Delhi. After the loud honking and the bumper to bumper traffic, we had finally reached the Delhi International Airport.
The sun had set and the sky had turned black. From the elevated departure terminals, the bright parking lot and the shining airport made the garden below look dark, although it was illuminated by dozens of lamps.
Ram and I got down from the truck and stretched our arms and legs. “An impressive airport, no?” Ram asked me.
“True. Looks really beautiful.”
“Come on people. Giddy up. We do not want to miss the flight.” Vivek reminded us and paid off the taxi driver.
I nodded but turned my attention to the surroundings. The airport was surely massive and glittering. The terminal itself stretched for nearly 400 metres and the entire facade was made of dark tinted glass which was still penetrated by the intense glow inside and reinforcing steel rods. The gates were guarded by police officers, checking the passports and tickets of all the people pouring out from the hundreds of cars on the macadamised road.
We hauled down our luggage. Ram helped me keep our bags on two trolleys and we were all set to go.
Vivek walked off towards the gate and we followed suit. I fished out the tickets from my bag and checked them. They were real and I had not messed with them. I had simply hacked into the airline system, deselected three booked seats and reserved them for us.
