Science fiction. He and his girl

 

Science fiction. He and his girl

There he was. Finally at the gateway to a new life and new beginnings. And he was still trying to understand how to cross the gateway; because he had never arrived at a juncture of life that in any way could be compared to this moment, and to its overflowing rush of strangeness. 

Everything felt awry, and more than anything else very awkward. It was as if life had been sucked out from every moment of time. 

He had come here before as well, and we had seen him wearing this expression of strangeness on several occasions, but today it was very different. He appeared different. Because his expression of strangeness had got frozen on his face and he was making no effort at all to replace it with a masquerading emotional layer of joy. And few of us knew he was doing this on purpose, because today he wanted to express his inner mind and challenge everyone who sought to impose their likings on him. Just because they thought they could, didn't mean they should find an easy subject and then make him their victim.

Today he wanted to pronounce this with authenticity and defiance. Those who did not understand this basic fact of life; he seemed fully prepared to explain it to them. Today he was different and this made the day very different. One could feel it.

Here is where and when it all began.

I was going to see my sister, and while I was on my way, I stopped to pick up a few things for her. Things of her choice. Things that a teenage girl usually likes.

I bought a few things and then I was moving into the next shop when I saw him coming from the opposite direction. We were not friends and we rarely spoke to each other. And I had no reason to think that it would be any different today.

So, I completed my shopping and started walking towards the bus stop. He bought a few things from a shop that was next to the bus stop and stood next to me. He was quiet and waiting for the bus that was due to arrive any moment.

The bus arrived, he waited for the passengers to get down so that he could then get on the bus. 

As the last passenger got down, there was a group of young boys. And one of the boys from the group called a few of his peers who had walked ahead of him by a few steps. On hearing him, they immediately ran to be beside this boy.

We all were about to get on the bus, when someone from this group of 8 boys said something to somebody. At whom was his comment directed, I had no idea, because it was unclear. The comment was not livid or disrespectful but it was one that could not go unnoticed.

Nothing special happened other than this comment and we occupied our seats. As the bus was about to leave, one of the boys from this group placed his foot between the automated door, and prevented it from closing. Then he forced it open and entered the bus.

Until now everything appeared to be normal because these incidents were common in this town. Then this boy looked at every passenger, and  walked upto a girl. When the boy got very close to her, he exchanged a few words with her; and then holding her arm he ushered her down from the bus. The girl did not show much resistance. Even if she would have, the boy from the group would not have cared. The boy was adamant on doing whatever he had in his mind. And the girl somehow did not protest much.

And this person to whom I had referred earlier; I recognised him as someone from the same town but I had never spoken to him. He was now sitting in the front seat of the bus. He got up, stepped down from the bus, went to the shop again; and as he was returning to the bus he noticed that the group of boys had left along with the girl. 

He smiled a bit. I believe he thought exactly what I was thinking too. 

“Young boys and girls settling their affairs of passion and love.” And it is normal because we too had gone through this phase. It could not be anything else because the girl walked with him willingly. Although it appeared he was pulling her arm. But from what I noticed, she was going with him willingly. Although, it could have been handled more decently and with more courtesy.

Maybe that is what young age is about. Learning how to be courteous in life and how to tackle episodes in real life with real decency!

The group of boys had left, and the moment he occupied his front seat the bus moved ahead. After half an hour he got down and I too got down along with a few other passengers. 

He entered an underground market. I too had some work there, so I too entered the market, not following him, but to finish some pending business. 

After walking a few steps I was shocked to see the same girl who had been pulled out by one of the boys from the group. She was speaking to him and their tone of conversation suggested they knew each other very well. And this made me slightly curious and I tried my best to listen to their conversation. I know that is uncivil, but here it was necessary for me. Because it was strange. In the bus they acted as complete strangers and in this market they met each other as true and inseparable lovers.

So, I hovered around them without making my presence too obvious and too annoying. This let them get busy with their conversation.

“Ah, it was easy! I convinced him about the event and all of them will be at the location defined by you. They certainly want to witness the event. What is it that you want to prove? I know you do not want them to know about your secret research but why bother? They are young, and sometimes few young boys and girls think it is their right to be disrespectful and pass comments at others. But does that matter at all? So why bother?”

He laughed and after a long pause spoke these words,

“They are young, just like we were once. I know what it feels like to be young. But they are unrestrained and exceptionally callous when it comes to recognising the individual space of others. I have come across many young people and they are unlike this group. Because this group does not believe in facts like: The Earth revolves around the sun. Without even taking a moment to think what a person has said, with utmost disregard for the person and that for the logical premise of the question or issue at hand. They keep repeating, it is so, because someone wants it so. The earth does not move around the sun. If this someone wishes that the sun should revolve around the earth, it will be so. 

Now, according to me that is being too heretic I guess.

Because I too believe in this someone more than they do! but I believe this someone manages everything logically and not magically. Thus the trouble my dear. I hope you understand that I do not wish to bring them any harm, I just want them to be more reasonable and truly youthful seekers of wisdom. Thank you for your help today. I really feel I owe you your favourite dessert for this.”

After that the girl walked away with him and now I had forgotten about my pending business. And I followed them. Without letting them realise that I was spying on them. 

Then they entered a cafe, and I waited outside because I was not carrying enough money to entertain myself in the cafe at the expense of a spying adventure that I had involved myself in, despite the fact that I would not gain anything from it. But there was a faint probability that I might as well, because I knew this person was involved in some secret research and there was a rumour that if he succeeds; it will be a landmark in many fields of science. And this made me curious about the person and the girl who met him in this underground market.

They came out of the cafe and then separated. 

And now I had no way to know where and at what time this secret event would take place. I did not know what to do. So, I decided to follow him everywhere.

Don't ask me please. I have been following him for nearly a week now and I still have no idea about the secret event. And having invested so much time in it, I do not intend to give up now, no matter what it takes. Even if the event is organised in the premises of hell, I intend to go there too.

It was the 2nd week and he got down from the bus, at the same bus stop where he had entered the underground market. The girl followed him from behind and they greeted each other at the entrance gate of the cafe. 

I pretended to be a customer in the next shop who was interested in the dress worn by the mannequin. Because the mannequin was very close to both of them, and through the mannequin I too had the chance to listen to what they were discussing.

“Yes, tomorrow at 11 midnight. At 7th avenue, Red street, near the plaza!”

Finally I had managed to get the information that I had been working so hard to find out somehow. So, I decided to go and sleep, because I had not slept for nearly 2 weeks. I had been religiously performing my duty of being the spy during the day and a vigilant watchman during the night, who stood guard along with the watchman who guarded this person’s locality.

Ah, finally!

I slept for a good 4 hours and then took a shower, and went out to do some shopping for the week.

And now I waited for tomorrow. Because I was going to witness the secret event at 11 midnight. At 7th avenue, Red street, near the plaza. And I could barely resist the temptation and thrill. I was already drowning in a rivulet that was overflowing with the sense of achievement. Half achievement to be exact!

I got busy doing what I usually did everyday and every night, and the next day, I began preparing for the secret event, as the uninvited secret guest. Sounds strange right! And I suppose in reality it is going to be a lot stranger and highly invigorating.

My clock struck 10:00 pm and I decided to leave for the venue and reach there 20 minutes earlier so that I could find myself a secret spot that would offer me a clear view of the event, without blowing off my cover.

But where the hell will they execute this event? Surely not near the Plaza, because there will be other people around.

I really needed to think this over and get it right anyhow. It was then I remembered there is an old warehouse near the plaza. It is an abandoned building with a huge area. And the compound is protected from all sides by a 7 feet high wall. However, this wall has parts which are weak, and the collapsed layers of bricks have left holes in these parts. Perfect for grown up men and women to sneak in. 

And this was my second problem. The wall had 3 such holes, and I had to guess which one would be ideal for their event. Given that it was going to be a secret event, the hole that was at the farthest end of the warehouse i.e. from the plaza, led into the area where the warehouse divided into two facilities. And this space where it divided into two facilities, should be the ideal spot to execute a secret exploit of this nature.

This was my estimate, and I had no choice but to believe that it is correct and the secret event will take place there.

As planned I reached there 20 minutes in advance. I made sure there was nobody at this location, and when I was sure, I somehow climbed to the roof of the section of the warehouse that was closer to the plaza. And being an old warehouse there were many holes in its ceiling and walls as well. So I easily found a place where I would be least noticeable, and made sure that the small hole was not blocked and it offered me a clear view of the entire space that divided the warehouse into two facilities.

It was time. And he appeared there first, followed by the girl. They greeted each other. Then he showed her something which looked like a high tech device. She saw it, held it in her hand and smiled, while he chuckled. And the girl proclaimed gently,

“They will really remember this forever! Haa haa!”

After 3 minutes the group of boys accompanied by a few girls walked into the space. 

My guess about the secret venue was correct. I am usually never so lucky, but in this case I was.

The group of boys and a few girls stood opposite to him and his girl; and one of the boys from the group could not restrain his restlessness.

“So what is up? Are we going to wait forever or you are going to say something. But we believe you are someone who likes displaying things rather than talking about them. Hey so what say? You got it or you got it not. You see we ain't going to wait here forever. Let us see what you got boy! Let us see and we ain't even a little bit scared. Come on, show us what you got? Hey!”

He looked at them and then at the girl. Then he asked them to walk closer to the line he had drawn on the surface. They all walked closer to it and stood there like statues trying very hard to look like the bravest and inanimate reflections of Alexander the great.

And there it was, his specimen of research.

He took out his device, and there was an intense screeching sound. It was so intense and sharp that it exceeded every recommended limit of decibels that human auditory nerves can withstand. He had already deployed many speakers as well. And when the screeching sound intensified, the speakers pointed it to the spot where these boys and girls were standing. The speakers had been so aligned that the sum total of their concentrated sound would be flowing into this spot. And when its concentration increased the boys and girls closed their ears and began running in all directions. Because when auditory filtration regions of the brain receive sounds of high concentration it tends to confuse the other regions of the brain. And when this happened they ran far away from the space that divided the warehouse into two facilities. 

From my secret location I could see them running towards the plaza already. And none of them were turning their heads to look behind.

He then turned off his sound amplifier that he had enhanced; and worked on it to achieve ​​150 dBA.

“ Wow this was amazing and thank God we were away from the sound concentration zone. Thank God. But it calls for a big laugh. Haa haaa haa, what a night, under the sound effect that crossed 150 dBA and under the perfect moonlight. Haa haaa!”

Then he hugged her and she gave him a smile. A smile that one would only expect from the accomplice who believes in the partner without any doubt and would go to any extent for this mutually shared belief. That usually thrives on mutual respect and great feelings of love. They certainly appeared to share this mutual respect and love for each other.

Both of them made their way through the hole and walked towards the plaza. I came out from my hiding place after 6 minutes and I too walked in the direction of the plaza.

At the main and busy corner of the plaza, they stopped for some refreshments and I too ordered the same refreshments. Because now I wanted to know more about him and his girl as well. He certainly was someone who did what he said. And I respect such people.

There they had a laughter filled conversation which sounded like this,

“Do you know something?”

And the girl answered, 

“What?”

He continued candidly.

“I have found ways that will redefine and rewrite many scientific concepts. To the extent that they will cause a revolution. And they will break many long held conventionalities surrounding these scientific concepts. Because they will be original ideas that have not been contaminated by scientific routine and redundant applications. 

I want you to work with me and let us create history. Scientific history. Because scientific history is teeming with personalities like: Edison, Newton, Einstein, Ramanujan, but today it needs less of these personalities, and more of the Alexanders of science. Because unlike before, the battleground of science has visible posts of innovation, invention and discoveries, thanks to wide use of computers. And if one applies his/her mind and concentrates on a few topics, it is easier to conquer these new posts of science that are extending an open invention to the Alexanders of science who have the spirit to conquer them.”

The girl did not say anything, but after a while she couldn't hold her excitement and agreed with a yes that was louder than the ordinary decibel limit. But her yes was followed by one immediate sentence.

“Let us first work on gravity. I know you know something about it. Something that is new about gravity.”

He looked at her, at this point he did not say anything. He thought for a few moments and then expressed his mind as follows,

“Not a bad idea. We can do that. But let us ensure our common interests and individual interests are not jeopardised via this association. Let us delve into the new secrets of gravity. Maybe I already know what the world wants to know. Who knows, let us see!”

Then they left and went away.

I stood there with my refreshments and the faces of strangers on each table. And the moment they left, I only thought about his concluding paragraph,

“If you want to know how refreshing scientific ideas can be, and what I will do for you, because I love you. Then you must read the science fiction novel, They Loved in 2075. I have written it for all those who love science and logic, but more than anybody else, I have written it for you. And that is true! The girl that features in the scifi novel They Loved in 2075, is you. Infact any female character that appears in my writings is no one else but you!”

On hearing this the girl had a very unique expression on her face, because he had gifted her what no money could buy, he had gifted her his entire imagination. A part of his own self. And the girl realised its value. It was at this very moment she held his hand and asked him to leave the place with him.

But I chose to stay there, thinking about him, about her, and I knew, if I had to know him better, then I must read the scifi novel titled, They Loved in 2075. 

Two days have passed and I am still hooked to his scifi novel, and how passionate he is about her and what a thinking mind can achieve i.e. both in love and science.

I think he is the craziest man alive. Unbelievable and extremely crazy, who dares to think what others fear to think. Because he thinks original thoughts.

It was via the scifi novel, They Loved in 2075 that I realised something very important.

Science is not about inventions and discoveries. It is all about being original. If a husband loves his wife in his original ways, then he ought to be a husband who always discovers and invents new ways to keep her happy. A scientific husband. And it applies to everyone. Even to mothers, fathers, children, sons, daughters, sisters, wives, students and friends. Science and scientists are in all of us. It is upto us to realise this fact.

In the scifi novel, They loved in 2075, he has applied it more to the romantic side of his personality. And I must admit this makes him a scientific lover! 

When it comes to enemies and animosities, he recommends scientific latency. Haa haaa! He is a hell of a crazy individual. From a distance he influenced me so much that I am his fan, I wonder what would it have been like in his company. So, I guess the girl is lucky to be around him. And when it comes to him, he admits it boldly, that he is lucky to have her. Because she keeps the crazy side of his personality alive.

Because the day it dies, the scientist in the husband dies, the scientist in the mother, sister, son dies too. So be a little crazy, but please do not be weirdly crazy.

To know exactly how much craziness is recommended in human relationships, and what prevents human relationships from entering into their machine-like pace. You must read the scifi novel, They Loved in 2075.

Dedicated to him, whom I knew so less, but he knew us all so well. I guess even me!