4. Top View (Joseph...the colleague) and more...

(((Hang on....Have you read Chapters 1,2 and 3 below? If you haven't, please do....)))

"It was close to what is termed as 'Love at first sight'. This Hindu girl joined our company as a fresher. I was on my toes for that smile. Sadly, she was married.

She joined in a different team. A couple of months later, I shifted. The friendship grew. I cracked jokes just to see that dimple appear again. I knew that somewhere, I was doing it wrong. But I couldn't stop myself. She seemed to like my company as well.

Once, we had an office tour. Kanika drank for the first time. At about 1am, she called me to her room. We talked throughout the night. She told me the problem of her life. Her husband was impotent. I guess a lot more could have happened that night if I wanted. But I chose not to make use of the fact that she was drunk. I chose to stay a friend.

Days later, I met the guy. He was nice, but by no way deserved Kanika.

I wanted their divorce.I don't know whether it was my love or something else.The only thing I knew was that Kanika's life was getting ruined; and I didn't want that.

I started threatening the guy.In a changed voice, I made him feel that he was a burden on Kanika's life. I asked him to kill himself.

Weeks later, the I threatened to kill him.

Shekhar died in an accident after a few days.

Later that year, I married Kanika. We are happy now. But, there's something that worries me all the time.

Today, a salesman came and asked for Shekhar. I told him that he is dead. He looked at me in an unusual way.The look is worrying me.

It's been more than a year and I don't want anything to go wrong now."

P.S.:

5. Centre View (God....the creator):

 "..............." (God knows !)

6. Back View (ABC....the author):

 "Feel sad for Shekhar, but then, as they say,all's fair in love and war.Wish the new couple a good life ahead. Hope the salesman doesn't have a role to play.

Well Readers, what do think about this story?
What do you think will happen next?
 Please write back.Thank You"

3. Left-hand Side View...(Shekhar...the husband)

"Brother, I am dead. I love my wife. Look at her on the wall pic. Isn't she pretty?

It's my fault actually, or probably nature's. A few months after marriage, we visited the doctor regarding an issue. That's when I came to know the biggest truth of my life.I have a sexual problem. I can't reproduce. Ever since, my wife's been different. I was never allowed to come close after that.

I got my breakfast on time. I was talked to. We watched TV together.And probably,thats it. Months ago, I met this guy called Joseph, Kanika's colleague. I could read from the way they talked, that there was something between the two of them. I was right.

I have been getting calls since last week. The caller says thats I have ruined Kanika's life. I probably have,but I don't think I deserve to die because of that. The caller thinks I should. I know who the caller is. It's Joseph, with a changed voice; and I'm sure Kanika is involved. Isn't this wrong...brother?"

2. Right-hand Side View.... (Kanika...the wife)

"I was twenty-three.It was supposed to be the biggest day of my life. Thousands of people were invited.My dad had mixed emotions.Happy that I was going to a good family; and sad that I was...going away.

The next year saw me change, from a girl to a lady- a wife.He cared for me;taught me a lot of things. He loved me a lot. However, the feeling never seemed to come from my side. I tried all the while. I couldn't. His impotency was surely not his fault. But somehow, it wasn't and couldn't be a problem that wouldn't bother me.

We slept in the same bed, but never. I thought at times that I wasn't a good wife, that I never was able to forgive him for the disease.I was very close to Joseph in office. He often used to come to our place. I was not going around with him, but Shekhar thought otherwise. He always thought that I was in love with Joseph.

One day, I got a call. Shekhar died in an accident.

Months later, Joseph proposed. I went on to marry him. I am happier today.But sometimes I get reminded of that guy. He was nice. He was very submissive and polite. His death, however didn't seem to bother many. But yesterday, there was a young man who called up his number, which we hadn't discarded for various reasons. He didn't even know that Shekhar was dead.

He came home this morning. He looked concerned.He was an Insurance Salesman."

1. The Secret of a Stranger...Front View (the Salesman)

"I was selling insurance those days.(Well...I'm still doing that).I had just completed my MBA from RIMS, Bangalore. I hated that job, but hardly had a choice.
Koramangala Fourth Block was where I had to visit that Sunday. It was all usual, asking tens of people to guide me, going the wrong way, coming back having travelled 3 useless miles and then getting that 'Huh...You Salesman...!' look from the security guard, followed by an 'I am fed up look' from the customer. But that day, the customer was fed up because of something else.
He was a businessman, some 30 years of age, with 'one' wife and no children. He asked me to have a seat. I then had a chance to look at that picture on the wall, as he brought me a glass of Rasna . An extremely pretty lady hugged this semi-bald pale looking guy in the picture.'Lucky', I thought.
 "Brother...", he started. For the first time in three weeks, a customer had used this salutation. "I'll listen to your presentation. I understand your job. I know how difficult it is. But, before that, I want you to listen to my problem"...

" I know its unusual to share this with a stranger. I also know that you are probably not experienced enough to come up with a solution, but I want you to listen..."
I didn't have a choice really. "Sure" is what I said.
" It's so damn personal that I can't share it with anyone; and it's really eating me up from within and I feel that I've got to tell somebody about it...somebody who will never come back...somebody I'll never face again."
It had to do with his wife.He was stuck up in a bad marriage. He told me everything from how they met to what happened that morning. He didn't cry. He rather seemed to make fun of the situation.He was a strange stranger.
An hour later, I spoke my part and came out. It was awkward for me and he knew that. He thanked me, and asked me not to disclose his name to anyone.
He was a screwed up case. I stored his number.
Yesterday, some two years after that Sunday,some sixth sense struck me.I called that number asking for him. A man told me that he was no more.
Today, I confirmed it. He is dead. He died about a year and a half back.I know the reason. I know the culprit. But, I don't know what to do next."

(Coming up next: The Right-hand Side View)