Mediocre Perspectives

I could not remember when I entered the network but I have certainly lost track of time. There is a reason watches are not allowed in here. Time is relative, it has always been and going by the fact that it has been a long time I have begun my search, I feel time is moving slowly. I rested my back on the steam tainted walls of the current room I am in. The fact that I was wearing a bark textured shirt did not help ventilation. I chose it as I expected to reach the desired room in comfortable time. The room I am in currently is relatively large. Its deconstruction shows that it is not something visited regularly. The room is dying a slow death, the blinking table lamp, the teary scraps on the walls, the melting table and the slimy armchair indicate that it comes from ages beyond. Its silence is what I needed to regroup my thought process. The desired room has the information which is absolutely necessary for combat. It has the tools to organize the next move without which ther...

The last twenty minutes were not easy for him. He knew he was to make the most important decision of his life. But never did he realize that it will be this difficult. He fixed his eyes on the biometric microphone lying beside his bed. He will have to say three words – “Yes, I agree”, if he is ready for the procedure which he is to undergo in fifteen minutes. The room was equipped with biotech sensors which have been monitoring him since he entered. While David was immersed in deep thought, his doctor Krishnan entered the room. “So, it seems your mind is still in dilemma Mr. David”. David gave him a wry smile. “Well, when I gave my nod for the procedure, I was excited. But now, the thought of losing my memories is preventing me from going ahead”. Krishnan smiled calmly. “Everyone who signed up for this procedure goes through such mental conflicts Mr. David. You will lose your memories for the last fifteen years but it will also make you fifteen years younger. We are fortu...

4:30 PM Global Standard Time, November 25, 2070, Somewhere on Earth Richard’s legs picked up pace. It was raining heavily but slowing down could be detrimental to his life. He was being chased for the last two hours. His knowledge of this patch of forest has made evasion possible. If he could reach the highway which was a few miles away he could live to die another day. The forests were one of the dense patches which were left on earth. He paused near a mahogany and crouched. The sound of the rain was deafening. He could not see his chasers. Making sure that he had lost them, he slipped his hands into his trousers and picked up his phone. To his dismay, it has been battered thoroughly. He recalled that it should have damaged when he fell before a few minutes. His right leg was severely bruised from the fall. Not knowing what to do, when he rested his head on the bark to contemplate, a bullet pierced his thigh. 06:15 PM Mars Standard Time, Saganom 48, 2557, Somewhere o...

He never liked to work on Saturdays. But now it was the only way to tide over the tough financial condition in the last two months. He knew that things will be normal in one more month. After slipping his one-sided bag over his shoulders he walked out of his office. The time on his mobile phone was 7:10. “It is late already. Let us go”, said his friend. Parallel to the pavement they fast along the road. Murthy looked over his shoulder to the pavement. Apart from walking, he could recall every other activity, the pavement was used. His mind returned to reality when an auto blazed past them with a screeching horn.  One more supermarket was being constructed on that road. “There will be more traffic when this comes up. Who asked for another one?” asked his friend. “Move along, it doesn’t matter for us. It is not on our bus route”. When they reached the main road, his friend handed him a Rajeshkumar novel. “Here, it was good. This was definitely better than the last one you gave ...

Their opponents were standing on the other side of the ground. The score line of their last match reverberated in his mind. His team had lost that match 0-1. But lot has changed in the last two years. When he packed his uniform in his bag, he knew that his team would beat them today. His participation in next year’s zonal was not assured since he will be in his 10 th standard and his parents will definitely ask him to stop playing. The team which had made the final on other part of the draw was not formidable. The zonal title was assured for them if they manage to beat their opponents today – ‘Government boys higher secondary school’. Only one of his team mates had a full grown moustache while for the others it was just blossoming. His team was through their warm up when his coach called him. “Sathya, give these sheets to the referee and call the boys along”. “Yes sir”. He loved his coach. Kindness is a rare trait in football coaches. Coaches call their student...

Today Though he had a lengthy discussion last night, Vignesh was still finding it difficult to do it. It was in his hands, with the underside facing him. He could see the delicate stream of hooks all along the border. The mask had openings for sight, smell and taste. It was so delicate and he wondered once again how it could perform something which his friend has guaranteed him. He closed his eyes and slapped it on his face to avoid anymore second thoughts. He felt a slight tinge of pain on contact but then it felt normal. He looked at himself in the mirror. He didn’t find any difference in his face. He headed out to know for himself whether this invention really does what his friend meant. On reaching his office, he again made sure that there aren’t any signs on his face that he is wearing the mask. A sense of hate usually pricks him when he enters the cabin. Because on his way, he has to cross two of his team mates cabins that he has always detested. Nevertheless, a false...

The door was opened on the third knock. He entered as soon as possible and the door was shut behind. It was important that the air doesn’t get in. His dad was relieved to see him. He tried to smile, but he couldn’t. He has been finding it difficult to smile at the elders since his teenage, since the days he realized what the elders done to his world. Removing the mask from his face he stepped in into the house. He walked straight to the bedroom where his mother was lying, under medical support. She was asleep. He dropped the kit of medicines which he has brought for her on the table beside him. She has been under medical support for nearly six months now. Years of inhaling polluted air has terribly weakened her lungs. He realized that he was at least lucky enough to at least earn much to buy sophisticated masks which could reduce the effects of pollutants. His dad brought him a glass of recycled water. He took a sip. He knew that his mother can’t survive longer and his d...