Thursday, December 06, 2018

Raghuveer prided himself on always being calm, as being one who maintained his cool even under the direst circumstances. Yet, he was befuddled as to what to make out of the sight in front of him and decided that it was only rational to think that he was hallucinating. But he would have to admit it made a spectacular vision. Tall, with chiselled features, a bare upper body that displayed carved pectoral muscles, a silk ivory dhoti with elegant folds and flaming hair. It was indeed the embodiment of male perfection and Raghuveer could understand the phrase 'handsome as the Devil'

Though why the Devil had to appear as though he had stepped out of one of Kamakshi's calendars was beyond his mortal logic. He blinked a couple of times; the vision in front of him did not change, though the flames did flicker in weird shapes. And instead of answering its question, he burst out, "Why did you take this form?"

A flash of amusement crossed the handsome features of the self-confessed Devil, "Is that what you truly want? To know why I chose to look like this? I thought..."

"No," Raghuveer interrupted, desperation making him sound hoarse; he was not going to lose this chance to save his son, however unbelievable the Devil appearing could be, "My son's life for my soul."

The Devil cocked his head and smiled; the flames on his head crackling higher. Sweat beaded on Raghuveer's brow as the Devil replied, "I will answer your question first. I thought you might be more accepting if I appeared in a familiar form though your bewilderment says that it was a misconception on my part. Now as to what you want, you are only to ask, not assume the bargain. And as far as your battle-ridden, war mongering soul is concerned, it is already mine, so it is useless as a bargaining chip. However,—"

Raghuveer spluttered to indignant silence at the sight of the raised hand, years of obeying orders had ingrained the habit of following orders even if it went against everything he felt, and he swallowed his protests.

"—there is something you can do for me. Something, which you are an expert at."

Silence twirled around them and droplets of sweat threaded their way down, drenching his sweater. Raghuveer felt the air tighten around him, the heat ripple through his bones and he whispered, "I am an expert?"

"Modesty? I admire that. Or maybe it is forgetfulness, a natural phenomenon in testing times. Anyway, let us not waste much time, I will need you for your shooting skills."

So the Devil knew of his stint as a sniper, which should not have surprised him. Raghuveer had served for two years on a special assignment, as part of the RAW operation in the Kashmir region to infiltrate various ISI-backed Kashmiri separatist groups and restore peace in the Kashmir valley. Even in the Kargil war, his sniper skills had been called upon. But he could not fathom why the Devil would need a mere mortal's assistance to kill someone. That idea roiled in him though the next sentence chilled him to the core.

"Seven kills for the life of your son."

So there it was; he would have to kill seven people, to save his son. It was as he had feared, but what appalled him was that the shock at hearing it lasted a mere few seconds; it was as if he was ready to take up the job though he was not sure if it would be easy. Curiosity filled him; who were those whom the Devil wished dead? And why was he chosen? And what was the catch, there would always be one.

The Devil sighed and let his shoulders sag, "Puny humans and their inconvenient morals. Do not worry, I will give you a valid justification. And as to why you, desperation makes for a far more willing warrior. "

"You can read my mind?"

No, but however impassive you think you are, I have had aeons to watch you. The reactions are almost the same. Now to continue. The catch? The kills would have to be carried out quickly, over the next ten days. But the cure would be gradual; the tumour would reduce over, let us say, six months."

There it was, Raghuveer thought, and aloud he said, "I have to trust you."

"Yes, and take my words at faith. But since you seem to be needing some proof, as a gesture of goodwill I will grant a three per cent visible reduction upfront, a sort of signing bonus, in... maybe the next five days? Thirteen per cent for each kill and a final four per cent as a performance bonus. You can do the math."

Raghuveer struggled to breathe as hope flared, that was ninety-eight per cent, which meant an almost complete cure. He was not enthusiastic about what he had to do but the thought of seeing Tarun cured was an overwhelming incentive.

"And if you stop anytime, the percentage earned by you will remain. Think it over and let me know, soon."

The streetlamps flickered on and Raghuveer found himself alone. His eyes burned and he was drenched in sweat, which was unusual considering the chill air. His fingers, still ensconced in the kangaroo pocket brushed against an object and he pulled it out. He looked at the thick piece of crumpled paper in this hand, it was a visiting card. He blinked, wondering how it came to his pocket. He turned it over and received a jolt when he read the name on the card.

Raghuveer lost track of time as he continued to sit on the bench, staring into the distance and trying to make sense of what he had seen and heard. It would have been easy to dismiss everything as a dream but for the tangible piece of card in his hand. He jerked from the stupor that enveloped him when he heard Khaleed, "Great, you appear to be sleeping in the middle of the park while the rest of us were losing sleep over you. We could not find you anywhere, you left your mobile at home and Kamakshi is worried...what are you staring at?"

Khaleed pulled the paper from Raghuveer's unresistant grip and read the card. It was a few minutes later that he spoke, "I know that the first meeting did not go well, but then maybe you could visit him once again. After all, we have nothing to lose. It is a good thing that you did not destroy the card."

Raghuveer simply nodded, though he knew that Khaleed was wrong. The visiting card that the doctor had given them had been taken by Kamakshi, who had been so angry with the doctor's attitude that she had torn the card into pieces and thrown it at his face. But then Khaleed was right that they had nothing to lose. And if he agreed to the Devil's pact; they had everything to gain.

Friday, December 07, 2018

Dr Anand Reddy had not impressed Kamakshi the first time they had sought his advice. They had gone to him to seek a second opinion and a possible alternate to the treatments already suggested for Tarun. Despite his fame as a radiation oncologist, his dogmatic dismissal of her faith had miffed her; she had never forgiven him for stating that death and disease do not seek auspicious moments as a reply to her request that she would set an astrologically suitable date for the start of Tarun's radiation therapy.

Raghu expected stiff opposition to his suggestion that they meet Dr Anand, but was astonished that Kamakshi acquiesced with a listless nod though Tarun refused, adamant about not seeking any further medical advice. He had to plead with him and finally order him to accompany them. And when they were able to obtain an appointment at short notice, Raghuveer was suspicious that the Devil had a hand in the same.

Neither Kamakshi nor the doctor had forgotten their first meeting, though both seemed eager to put it behind them. Dr Anand went through all the files for quite some time before he spoke, looking at Tarun, "You are a brave young man. Months of treatment with no visible results can be painful and depressing. But then I have to agree with your doctor, radiation is no longer a viable option and surgery was never a viable alternative."

Tarun simply rolled his eyes and his shoulders went taut; Raghuveer could make out that all his son wanted was to walk out of the room. Kamakshi sagged and Raghu reached out to hold her hand, it was worse to have the hopelessness confirmed again. Yet, he wondered why the Devil would have suggested him to meet this doctor, there was no other way that visiting card could have reached him otherwise. He got his answers when Dr Anand spoke, "But there is another option, Brachytherapy radiation, which we can try. It is not a new technique though it not widely used in India but worldwide, it has been proven to be an effective method, especially in those cases when the traditional external radiation methods have proven ineffective or as in Tarun's case, the tumour is unresponsive."

Their eyes met and Raghu saw a faint flicker of hope in Kamakshi's eyes; a brief instant when the despair appeared to be beatable. His fear seemed to dull as he felt a similar hope, but then suspicions whirled about, it was too much of a coincidence that this therapy was now suggested, by a doctor who was recommended by the Devil himself. Before he could say anything, Kamakshi pounced in, "So why were we not advised this earlier?"

Dr Anand was gentle as he spoke, "It is quite expensive though that was not the primary reason. Brachytherapy is mostly recommended for cancers of prostate, eyes, neck and cervix. There have been lesser instances of its use for treatment in spinal tumours. Further, it is not preferred for children, though Tarun is not exactly a child. But considering that there are no other viable options, I would suggest you try this treatment. Even if it fails, it would not leave Tarun worse than he is now."

Kamakshi's grip on his arm tightened and he would not squash that rising hope, even if he strongly suspected the Devil to have a hand in this. But the doctor was a reputed oncologist and the therapy appeared to sound scientific. He could always check the net to read more though he decided to ask Dr Anand also for it would ease Kamakshi's doubts if she heard and understood what exactly the treatment would involve.

Their hopes continued to rise as Dr Anand outlined the entire process, Tarun would need to stay in the hospital for a maximum of two days only for the 'implantation', with periodic follow-up evaluation tests, the first time after a week and then at bi-monthly intervals over the next six months.

Kamakshi was beside herself with excitement though Raghuveer tried to caution her; they could do nothing till Tarun agreed. He looked at his son, who had eyes only for his mother, and giving in to her silent pleas, nodded his assent.

The moment Tarun agreed, Raghuveer made up his mind.

So that is what the Devil wanted from Raghuveer, who agreed to. Now to see if he can carry it out. What do you, my dear reader, think of his decision? Do you think it was wise of him to do so? Do let me know, I would love read your take.

Thanks for reading,
Nyna