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India 2070
As usual I sat on my antique chair of the 80s and rested my stoop, relaxing on the comfortable leather. Every thing was just as perfect as my day was; and at this age it was all even, without much ups and downs, Yes, I had a steady life. My son was settled well at his Robotic management business in America. We were rich; with over-flowing facilities and busy servants catering to all my commands. My daughter-inlaw stays with us, with three of her daughters-named Anna (14), Tina (11) and Dimpy (10). They love me dearly. Most of my old days pass cuddling the kids in the afternoon with fascinating tales from my collections. Oh, I completely forgot to introduce myself-Amish Tartarus Dey (66). I am a retired civil servant and I now I writestories, poem, novels, anything. So every afternoon that I dont get lost in to my poems, I sit with three of my little angels; telling them Arabian nights, Aesops fables and their favorite-Peter Pan (the story I liked the most when I was of their age). I sat with my grandchildren now for the same purpose! I can see an extremely high-tech Kolkata as I look down from my flat window. India continues to westernize, and things have changed a lot since past. India has given the world the first super car. An Indian based American scientist is on the news for discovering an alternate source of oxygen, and is making billions. Citizens have taken to robot parts collection instead of philately and numismatics. Human police are replaced by robot guards, who prove to be a hundred times more efficient. A British-made flyer is quite popular now-a-days, which can take you to a skyscraper in matter of milliseconds. Did I say skyscrapers? Americans have made a building which reaches till the gravity field of the moon. Our satellite is being used as a highly industrialized area now. Truly, world has developed in leaps and bounds! But a poetic, emotional soul like me always criticizes change. The nature has been devastated drastically. Forests are wiped off; animals have been kept in virtual sanctuaries

and all birds have nearly become extinct. Novels have disappeared and e-books have come in the markets. People now type inspirational stories instead of imaginative fiction. Truly pitiable condition! I wanted to transfigure the world with my writings while I was young, serving my country. But I couldnt; maybe because imagination was not something an IAS should tame in their minds; or rather I had no time at all. But I do not regret my actions, after all one cannot gain everything in his life. My grandchildren were born UNIQUE! They liked old ways of doing things, listening to old, folk tales. They liked reading books, which was a rare practice now-a-days; Anna used to write poems, too. Little they knew that their life would soon take an unexpected U-turn, into the deep brines of the past But at the moment, as usual, I was engaged into my maiden combat of disclosure in my mind; one part giving their consent to reveal, and the other part simply frightening me of the fatal consequences. I wanted to tell my grandchildren the secret of my life, and as usual my second part failed my first. I wanted to acquaint them to the largest and greatest adventure of my life, which changed my life and the view about the world, forever! But how could I? Did they want to listen it instead of the Arabian story whose climax was going to end today? Will they get fascinated to the story of India 2012, which is a strong and only cause of their existence? Could I tell them the story that gets me shuddered every time it lingers in my mind? The story of my world, the secret that changes everything normal humans think about; the secret that will change the lives of these three children who still lives on chocolates, fantasies and lullabies, forever Thousands of thoughts gushed up inside my mind like a windy day in Jupiter. I eyed my grandkids, and they shot back. They eyes glimmered in the bulb light, and for I moment, I could feel that stupendous innocence in their hearts through their eyes. Their eyes were just like Roses The past was taking in control of me again, a very solid hold this time. I couldnt help excusing myself from them for a minute to go to the washroom.

I sat in the toilet seat with an avalanche in my head. I didnt want to tell them about that dreadful past of mine, my world; what they were and who they are. Sweat beads appeared on my forehead. My moustaches and hairs were drenched. Thank God, I chose human attributes!! I could relieve my tensions at least. The sudden honk of the truck made me jump on my feet, and then I smiled lightly at myself. I tried to deviate my mind to the present political scenario, but it drifted back to the same subject. The smile lost its color immediately. Someone in a high-tech city was freaking the hell out in a flat toilet! A faint light suddenly appeared before me. Without hesitating for a second, I could make out the stealthy figure of Gordon la Attic. Hey Gordon, I stiffened, I am sure there couldnt be a better time than this, when your incoming would please me. A sour acid filled my tongue, I swallowed it back. I am sorry, master, that I had to see you half-naked. But youre in problem and I am bound to help you, he added with a smile. Now, would you turn back, Mr. Gordon, while I put on my pajamas? Sure! he flinched back and turned immediately. I hurried into my brown pajamas. They smelt musty, but there was no option now! The Indian attires like pajamas have not disappeared even now. All right, I said, pounce back. Gordon turned back, like he was waiting for it since decades, I flushed and dropped the toilet lid and sat lightly. Gordon turned a bucket upside down and followed. Master, he hissed, as if he didnt want my family to overhear, its time! These words were harsh and unpleasing at this time to my ears. I am not sure yet, I snapped. Gordon pointed at the door. He meant to keep it low. Bam! Bam! Two successive knocks shook both of us. Ami, are you all right? Its been 15 minutes, I heard my wife on the door.

Come out, she called, children are going to the book fair, and we are running short. Already on it! I called back. I could hear her retreating footsteps the next moment. Maybe we can meet any other time, Mr. Gordon? I eyed him questioningly. Not at problem, sire! he muttered. But we heard another knock, Anna this time Come on grandpa, were late. I signaled him to leave. Sir, they are special! he hissed through his clenched teeth before he vanished like a chemical in vaporization process. I opened the door. I saw Anna staring at me. There was a mixture of curiosity and suspicion in her eyes, as restless as someone I met years ago Ah.I..I am down in 5 minutes. Go! I told her like a 7-year-old trying to hide his lie from his mother. Anna went away, humming softly to herself. Not wanting another angry eye on me, I quickly went to my room and got into my polymer sweats and white pajamas made of chromatinate (a substance that never needs to get washed). These smelt good, and I hurried downstairs to find five women (my wife, daughter-in-law and my three grandchildren) and my brother waiting for me at the parking space. We got into our beloved steel and raced through the main highway to Woodlox school-where all three of my grand children used to read. They had organized a book fair to celebrate their founders day. We reached there in five minutes. Well, book fairs has also changed a lot since past. We had real books sold in fairs. But fairs now a day hold audio and video books. The sweet scent of the ink and paperback is long gone. Why dont they just call it CD fairs then? Hah, Stupid human mind! But none of these thoughts could help me stop thinking the last words of Gordon, They are special. This echoed through my mind every now and then, until I met the flaring eyes of Sneha, who stood demandingly on the gift shelf.

Sneha is my wife by the way. She is a very practical and strong woman, and is quite beautiful even at this age. There arent many similarities between us, except profound love our grand children and for antiques. Never the less, she knew the secret of my life and understood me in every way. She had coped up with me in all difficult and inevitable times-like a real partner. Whats the matter, Ami? she asked calmly. I am not sure, I hurried nervously, I cant understand. I want to tell them about it. But I dont want to give them the responsibility which might seem as a burden for them at this stage. I sighed. Cant we wait? She questioned. For what, Sneha, tell me? Our son did not take the responsibility because he was not one of us. He was born normal, a playful human; but our grand children arent. Do you expect me to hide the fact from them that they are.Special? I threw at her like a whirlwind. Sneha looked back, her gaze looked amazed, horrified. She looked back through my shoulders. I met her gaze and turned, and the scene horrified me as well. For there stood Anna, her arms crossed over her chest. Special, how? she asked, in very suspicious tone, raising a brow. Aherr, Sneha babbled nervously, you are all very special for us! She didnt follow her; instead, her gaze was fixed on me. I was blank. The fair ended quickly for us. My eyes were refusing to meet of any of their questioning eyes. No one spoke in the car. The silence now began to dread me. I got into my room; leaving them on the parking lot and scurrying away hurriedly. Images of Anna flashed in my eyes, those lovely chocolatebrown eyes, and that playful face. How could I tell her she was the descendant of the most important responsibility of the universe? And Tina and Dimpy; How could I? I remembered Gordons last sentence, again... Sneha came into my room after a while, with slow, measured steps. She separated her lips to speak, but I asked her to stay quiet. She ignored and spoke-Ami, I agree with

you. We should make them known, who they are. See, I am a human, but I never regretted life; became life gave me you! They will do it, I know, she put her cold hand on mine and smiled. They are braver than you, she added. The familiar light appeared again; I didnt look in that direction. It was Gordon. Master Tartarus, he bowed, May be your highness is correct. I feel the same too. I flinched a little to the word he addressed me with. Sneha grumbled! She didnt like that word at all! Well, I made my decision after a quite prolonged haggling. I will tell them, who they are; what they were! I had to tell them, after all, that they were special and anyhow they had to confront the hard truth of their future! They could not run away from their duties, and one day, they have to be told the truth; well that day was today. I was done reasoning with myself. Now was the difficult part- to reason with them. I looked back at my wife. She nodded slowly at my decision to mean yes! Gordon bowed and left. I went to the drawing room, slowly, dragging my every step. All three children looked up at me in unison, still furious at me. I sat down in my chair. Well children, I addressed as if addressing in an election campaign, you might be very furious on me but, I tell you, all your queries will find an answer after this. I want to tell you a story. A story? Tina asked cynically, but you were telling us how Abdullah saved the princess! This is serious, my child, and also a lot more interesting than Abdullah! I told her. She looked half-satisfied. Well, this is a story, a story of my life. But I will only start if you promise that youll not interrupt in the middle. Will you? All three of them nodded in succession. Listen to me.from the beginning, very carefully! All three pairs of eyes steadied in my direction. I took a deep breath and started my tale, slightly hesitating, but not afraid of dreadful consequences anymore.