I WANT TO DIE

“I won’t spare him.  Sada has challenged me.  He cannot get away like this. I want to die.”

Mishra was shouting like mad.

Dr. Lele was calmly observing him as he steadied Mishra’s hand and injected him to sleep.

Mishra was the CEO of Bros International who had been admitted to J.K. Hospital as he was found to be acting very insanely over the past few days since Sada died in a tragic mishap.  The family of Mishra was deeply worried about his condition.

Dr. Lele was trying to allay their fears in vain as he was coming out of the ICU and strode towards his cabin.

A phone call interrupted Dr. Lele as he was studying the test results carried out on patient Mishra.

“Inspector Gaikwad has come to meet you Sir,” informed the nurse.

“Ok, let him in.”

In a few seconds, Inspector Gaikwad entered his cabin as he shook hands with the Doctor.  Both Lele and Gaikwad were thick friends.

“Is there any improvement in Mishra’s health,” asked the Inspector.

“No.   What happened to this Sada’s case?” asked Dr. Lele

“Well, it seems to be an unfortunate mishap, but Sada’s family is claiming that he has committed suicide.”  said Inspector Gaikwad.

“Well, interesting.  Sada’s other colleagues were busy telling that Mishra was so attached to Sada that he could not stand Sada’s death and hence, got mad” quipped Dr. Lele

“All are chamchas”  laughed Inspector Gaikwad.

Sada was the Personal Secretary to Mishra who was abusive and made Sada work for long hours.

Sada was getting increasingly frustrated by Mishra’s eccentric behavior.  These were days of recession, and he could not even afford to resign from the job as there were not much offers coming his way.

He had a five year old daughter to look after and his demanding wife, who was angry with Sada for not spending enough time with her.

The denial of even a week’s leave by his boss for going to Malppuram to perform ceremony “Vidyarambham” for his daughter proved to be the last straw for Sada.

A highly incensed Sada left his office in the afternoon itself complaining of chest pain.

Sada felt that Mishra had a pointless grudge towards him as if he and his boss were sparring partners since the last seven births.

Mishra always had his final say and was the last one to make amends with anyone.

He never would have thought that Sada could utter a word against him.

That night, when Mishra was fast asleep, his cellphone ringed continuously.  Mishra’s wife scowled at him, as he stumbled to pick the phone only to see that it was Sada on the line.

He looked at the time.

It was 1.00 am.

“What the hell are you doing talking to me at this hour?” Mishra barked.

“You bloody fool.  I am not your slave.  I will call you daily at this hour.  How can you deny my leave?” shouted Sada, in return.

Mishra was taken aback by Sada’s outburst.  Sada was never a rebellious type.  His voice was sharp and clear and he did not even appear to have been drunk.

Mishra gathered himself and shouted back, “I shall dismiss you from service, you bastard.”

Sada laughed loudly, “I challenge you that you can never take any action against me.” and disconnected.

Mishra was fuming as he tried to connect to Sada again and again.  But Sada did not respond.

“Where will he go?  I will see him tomorrow in the office.” murmured Mishra as he went back to sleep.

Next day, Sada did not turn up at office at the usual hour.  Sada was the most punctual and responsible one in the office.

Mishra had made his mind to issue dismissal orders for Sada.

There was a knock on the door of his cabin.

“Sir, there is a bad news.  Sada was run over by a train yesterday afternoon when he was crossing the tracks.” office attendant Kadam informed Mishra

“What, it cannot be possible.” shouted Mishra.

Mishra was stunned, when it was confirmed that Sada died by coming under a speeding train in the afternoon.

If Sada had died at noon time in the earlier day, how could Mishra receive phone call from Sada later at 1.00 am in the morning.

To add to his woes, Sada’s family lodged a police complaint accusing Mishra for the death of Sada, as they alleged that Sada committed suicide unable to bear the tyranny of his boss.

Meanwhile Inspector Gaikwad and Dr. Lele were discussing about Mishra’s mental condition.

Gaikwad said, “Well, I have recorded Sada’s death as a case of accident occurred while Sada was crossing the tracks.  I do not want to waste my time calling it suicide.”

“Thanks”, said Dr. Lele.

“Will Mishra recover from his state?”

“Well, I can’t say.  I have called the Psychiatrist also to examine Mishra.  I think Mishra will recover over a period of time.” said the Doctor.

“Why is Mishra swearing at the name of Sada and wishing to die”, asked the Inspector.

“Mishra is getting obsessed with the thought of punishing Sada for some reason.  Due to his mentally imbalanced state, he is wishing to die so that he can get back to Sada at heaven or hell.” said the Doctor.

Both the Doctor and the Inspector had a hearty laugh.

In the meantime, the cellphone of the Doctor accidentally kept near patient Mishra started ringing.

Mishra got awake by the noise of the cellphone and lifted the phone.  It was Sada on the line.

“What the hell are you doing talking to me at this hour?” Mishra barked.

“You bloody fool.  I am not your slave.  I will call you daily at this hour.  How can you deny my leave?” shouted Sada, in return.

Mishra gathered himself and shouted back, “I shall dismiss you from service, you bastard.”

Sada laughed loudly, “I challenge you that you can never take any action against me.” and again disconnected.

Meanwhile, Dr. Lele realized that he had forgotten to take his cellphone from the ICU and went in again to collect the same as well as check the state of health of Mishra.

To his dismay, he found Mishra’s pulse had already stopped.