Do You Believe in Humans?
-by Suresh Iyer
–Reading Time – 6 min Approx
Surya came across four of them looking around a Ouija Board in an abandoned house. One of them was looking crestfallen.
“I will help Krishnan speak to his father”, another young man was seen telling the other two.
All the four were looking at each other. 
Surya looked surprised at their activity.
“Do you still believe in this?”
Krishnan looked around and shot back, “Can I know who you are?”
“Does it matter? You are still sticking by your identities.”
“Don’t talk like a Saint; you must have had a name at least.”
“Ok, why get angry? I am Surya if that makes you happy.”
Surya also saw a girl sitting at a distance.
“Who is she, has she come with you?”
“No one comes with us or goes with us; she has come on her own.”
“No more preachy stuff please. I am myself wandering around and it was a pleasant surprise I came across you all”, Surya raised his voice.
There was laughter around.
The young girl smiled feebly.
“I am Asha.”
“Isn’t it strange, we stick to our names, identities and try to address ourselves?” Surya said, though he knew Krishnan may not like what he says.
He was interrupted by another person.
“Hey, I am Ajit. Look at that poor boy Krishnan, he desperately wants to speak to his dead father even now with the help of Parag.”
“Poor boy, he does not know whether his father is dead or alive”, said Parag.
“What do you say? Does it really matter now?” asked Surya.
“I have been here for some time listening to Krishnan. His father just did not return home one day leaving him and his mother alone. It has been five years since, and his mother presumed him to be dead. She was in affair with her office colleague and moved on leaving Krishnan distraught. Krishnan questioned his mother and met his fate.
But Krishnan is deeply attached to his father and wants to know whether his father is dead or not.”
I saw him near this Ouija board and desperately trying to make contact with his father even now.” Parag concluded.
“Oh! What a pity. What made you come here, Parag?”, sighed Surya!
“Well, I just happened to be around looking for company till I met Krishnan. I was coming out of my HSC exams, my parents had bigger dreams of me but I knew I could never fulfil their wishes. My exam did not go well, and I did not have the heart to face my parents after the results. I just went straight to the railway tracks and walked across the running train and here I am. I still do not want to even see my parents but was heartbroken to see this boy Krishnan looking out for his father even now.”
“Leave this Krishnan and Parag. They are mad and still stuck with this nonsense board. What made you come here?” asked Ajit.
Surya took a deep sigh, “My children are married and well settled, elder daughter was in Jaipur and younger one was in the US. They used to contact me as long as my wife was with me. It has been one year since my wife left me; I was left alone, aged and immobile. My children shifted to some other place and did not even bother to contact me and I had to suffer death. My last wish was to meet my children at least once but could not meet them. The innocence of that boy Krishnan reminded me of my own son in his younger days. Can you tell me, how come you are here?”
Ajit smiled at Surya and said, “I am a social activist and a rationalist. I thought people should serve humanity instead of believing in God. I knew only the language of humanity and did not even marry for I thought it would shift my priorities in life. It was evident that many did not like my ways. A bus stop in my locality was used for parking two wheeler and rickshaws. Some even pitched their huts permanently near the bus stop. I was surprised to see the commuters – children, women and men, patiently bearing these activities and trying to catch their overcrowded buses in meek resilience. I thought I should take it upon myself to fight for my brethren and stood on a hunger fast along with moun vrat (vow of silence) for three days to highlight this menace. No one cared for me and meekly saw the Police carry me away to the Police Station where I got beaten. The agony of the people around the bus stop continued. I kept working for many causes of people hopelessly till the day some ruffians took me by the scruff of my neck and dragged me away to darkness. I feel my mission for society is unaccomplished. I was roaming around aimlessly till I saw this abandoned house and these three sitting around a Ouija board.”
Surya held Ajit in his arms and looked at Asha. Her eyes were moist.
She said, “I am looking for my brother.”
“Why, what happened to him.” Surya asked.
“My father was working in Railways but was a drunkard; he always used to abuse my mother. My mother could not bear with his abuses and committed suicide at my young age. Since then, my brother took care of me. Two years ago, my father passed away and my brother got the job on sympathetic grounds. But life became more of a hell for me after that. My brother got married, and I was used like a maidservant in my house. My brother’s wife felt that I am a burden for them. So, once when we were traveling in a train, on her insistence my brother nudged me at the door and started screaming around faking accident.”
“So, why are you still searching for your brother?” asked Venkat.
“I want to kill him, this boy Krishnan looked like my brother”, said Asha.
”Can you do that Asha? We are actually nothing, and I don’t know for how long we are going to be around like this.” said Surya.
“But looking at this young boy Krishnan, I feel how I wish I had a brother like him!” cried Asha.
“I feel like having a son like Krishnan.” Cried Surya
“He is still a young boy with his innocence intact. God knows, what will happen to him tomorrow”, said Ajit.
“Come on, just give it a go.” Parag was saying to Krishnan pointing at the Ouija board.
“I don’t know. I am confused.” Krishnan said.
“This Ouija board is harmless” Parag was trying to make light of the situation.
Krishnan was, however, not amused.
“Okay, no messing about and faking when we know we are the devils out here.” Krishnan shouted.
Surya, Asha and Ajit hugged Krishnan together and tried to console him.
“Is my father alive or dead?” Krishnan asked slowly and continued.
“I do not believe in humans. My mother killed me to live happily with her lover.” Krishnan roared and exited the house.
“I do not believe in humans. My brother killed me at the orders of my sister-in-law.” Asha resounded as she followed him.
“I do not believe in humans either. My parents killed with my false expectations.” cried Parag as he too made an exit.
“Do I believe in humans anymore? They suppress each other and do not take a stand.” Ajit guffawed as he followed Parag.
Surya was left alone. He saw his son in Krishnan. He forgave his son and blessed his son wherever he was. He saw his daughter in Asha and blessed his daughter wherever she was. He sought salvation from all the sins and did not wish to be born again and end this chapter for ever. He did not trust humans anymore.
-by Suresh Iyer
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