Adventure story. 404. Getting older

                                                  Getting older
Vishal started watching his mirror image. He wanted to smile at it but something was wrong. He could see it in mirror. His smile was no longer pleasant one like old times. He sensed that it had rough touch in it. He tried so hard to feel happy and pleased. But he didn't feel it. Suddenly his son Rishi came from behind. He saw a young face. He could see it was perfect. He sensed that he was watching that face which he wanted to observe from heart. He didn't understand why did he needed to look like that when his son Rishi screamed " Dad let's play something!!" Rishi always wanted to play cricket with him. Rishi was fond of cricket. Vishal also liked to play cricket with him always. Vishal always loved his son. He smiled towards Rishi. Vishal " Sure let's go." Rishi brought cricket bat and ball. Rishi was so excited about it. He was dreaming this match for long time. Rishi never managed to defeat Vishal so today Rishi planned all. He wanted to take wicket of Vishal. He wanted to prove that he was getting better while Vishal was totally relaxed. Vishal knew that he would never win. Vishal knew that Rishi was so small. He was so confident that Rishi couldn't able to do those tricks. He smiled. Then they reached to garden. On that point Minal called from inside " Where are you going?" Vishal " Nowhere in particular we are just playing cricket." " Don't play it here. You will break glass of window?!!" Vishal smiled. He sensed that she was scared that Rishi threw ball in wrong way due to excitement of taking his wicket. Rishi always tried so hard but he never won. Vishal smiled. He knew that he was winner on each time. Few times he wanted to pretend that Rishi won but he never did. He always thought that he would do it next time. But on each time he started to pretend that he was losing. He began to feel guilty. He felt that he was doing crime. He needed to win on every situation. He must show his best performance. He didn't want to lose before his son. He went in garden. He chosed one corner in which no one was present. He didn't want anyone to see. Last time once another parent was there. That Dad started suggesting him that he must lose at least on few days to boost his son's confidence. But he didn't like it. That Dad kept telling him how selfish he was when he won again. He still remembered his lines. " You are not behaving like Dad!! A father must put his son before himself." He could see still anger in that man's eyes. His eyes were telling him that he was culprit. But Vishal hated to lose specially to small kids. He still remembered his worst playground days. He didn't want there repetition. He was so frustrated. He didn't want to lose before kid. After that he always played in lonely corner. Sometimes he wanted to stop playing this game since he didn't want to lose and Rishi kept feeling everytime hurt whenever he lost. But then next day once again Rishi was there before him with his bat. He couldn't stop admiring Rishi's patience. He didn't quit. Today once again they went in lonely corner. They set everything as they did everyday. It was all perfect. Then they started playing cricket. Vishal was so confident. Then suddenly Rishi threw a ball and it was twisted in strange way. Vishal began to start bating but it didn't come as it should move ahead. He suddenly noticed wicket was fallen. Rishi started jumping with joy. He was so happy. He wanted to be appreciated by Vishal. He saw in school all kids get appreciated by their fathers. He was expecting same thing from Vishal. But Vishal was shocked. He couldn't smile. He was not supposed to lose. He needed to smile even after losing but he wanted to cry like Rishi. But he knew that it was so wrong. He needed to smile. Vishal suddenly screamed loudly on him "Come on we are getting late!!" Rishi began to feel so shocked instead of appreciation he was receiving scolding. He was not getting what he deserved. Rishi asked with shock " What happened? I won. Isn't it great Dad?" " No you crossed that line so it can't be considered proper." Rishi looked at his leg. He looked confused. He didn't thought that he had crossed it but he saw one corner was touched by his leg so he crossed the line. He felt so upset and Vishal smiled. So Vishal was winning again. Vishal liked it when he won. This time he might have neglected little bit but next time he decided that he would be prepared. Then Vishal screamed " Come on let's go home." Rishi was shocked. Rishi " Dad so soon?!!" " Come on!! I need to go to office and you need to study too." Rishi started to feel so upset about entire issue. Every day they played at least for half an hour but  it was over just in five minutes. Rishi had completed his homework and even studied for examination which was still four months away. He deserved to play. Rishi " Dad I want to play." Vishal felt so upset and angry. He wanted Rishi to obey him without questioning. Vishal " I can't stay." Then Rishi looked around he saw few kids of his ages. He decided that he wanted to play cricket. Rishi " Can I play with those kids? You can go to office." Vishal felt confused then he felt that he needed to take rest. " Sure but come home soon." So Vishal went away. But his mind kept going back to game. He didn't want to remember it but he started to feel frustrated. He wanted to forget that game entirely. But it was becoming some symbol in his mind. He began to feel that his day was doomed. That he was getting too old and soon he was going to die. Then he got ready. He did all his best. He watched himself in mirror again and again. But he didn't feel that he was looking same way. Something was wrong in him. He kept watching himself with full attention. He started seeing every facial expressions of staff. He started to sense all members of staff were young than him. He wanted to look youthful like them. He began to feel so upset when he started to feel that he looked like them. He knew once he was use to look like them. He tried to pretend hard but he sensed one thing that he was upset. He was no longer that youth which he once was. He didn't understand what was so upset about it but he was so upset. He was so unhappy.

   Vishal needed to smile and act normal since nothing was wrong in his life. Entire staff was shocked to see him so early. Normally he was late comer. He never gave much importance to time until now. He wasted his entire day in relaxing and sleeping. But he was always sincere when he started to work so he was admired by all. But today he came on time. Suddenly one of his staff asked " Sir you came early today?!!" " Is it crime?" That man looked confused and upset. He didn't like the way Vishal's answered him. That man went back. That man was clearly going to spread rumours about him. Vishal knew it. Since he knew that man. This fellow was gossip king of office which was known to all. Vishal never talked with him this way. Vishal sensed his mistake but it was too late to correct it. Vishal decided anyway he could try so he called Raju. Raju turned back. He was clearly angry. Vishal " Sorry I talked to you like that but my blood pressure is not normal." Vishal lied. He never checked his blood pressure but he always used it as excuse whenever he get angry. " But why did your blood pressure is increasing? Are you tense regarding anything?" Now Vishal didn't want to be truthful on this point so he decided to just smile. " It's about wife? She is too demanding?" Vishal immediately sensed that Raju was already building some story in his mind. He was so confused. He didn't understand what he truly wanted Raju to say. Vishal sensed that he must deny this or entire office would blame Minal for all. Vishal " No..no it is not about wife. She is happy with what she got. But I want some nice future for my son.." "Ohh you want to send him in abroad and money is less? But what is his age?" " He is  just in school." " So planning nice College in abroad?!! But it is not easy. I mean you need to invest big amount and if your kid  managed to get all what is guarantee that he will sent anything back to you?!! Imagine what if he spend all on himself or decided to save it for his future!! You can't just throw all your investment on your kid." Vishal was so happy. He finally found someone who agreed with his views that he must put himself first. He wanted something for his future instead of his son. Everyone called him selfish for it. But he knew that it was not wrong. He also had right to be happy. He worked so hard to get his situation and he had full right to use it for himself. Vishal nodded. Vishal " You are right. We can't spend everything on kid but then if we don't people talk. They will say we are acting selfish!!" " But these people didn't come in your need. Don't give all to son. Save it for yourself." Vishal was so happy. Finally he found person who understood him. Vishal invited Raju inside cabin. Raju came happily. Then Vishal started talking about his troubles. Vishal " Everyone want me to forget my life and just do all for son but I want my life too. Is it crime?" Raju " No..no you must not surrender them. You must fight." Vishal smiled happily. That day Vishal came home with smile. He knew that he didn't needed to lose every match. He decided that he would fight back. He would take back what was his right. He decided that next time he would win that match at any cost. During this entire time Rishi was happy while playing with other kids. He didn't even remember that he was supposed to go home for lunch and school. Minal waited for long time and finally she came to garden. She saw him totally dirty with dust and sweat. She screamed on him. " Are you planning to skip your school?" Rishi looked at her and sensed his mistake. He immediately said bye and ran towards her. Then he suddenly remembered his match with Dad. Rishi smiled and said " Mom today I managed to take wicket of Dad!!" Minal smiled happily. She felt that Vishal did it on purpose. She was requesting it for long time. She smiled happily and said " What did Dad said?" Rishi made small face and said " He said that I crossed line broke rule so it is useless." Minal was clearly shocked. She was not expecting this. Vishal was supposed to admire his son but it didn't happen and she didn't like it. She decided to discuss it with Vishal when he came back. She wanted to understand him. She needed to understand his change. She was watching him daily. He was acting strange on each day. She could see him standing before mirror for hours. She didn't understand his obsession with mirror. She began to feel that she might just change her dressing table. But she knew every dressing table had mirror. She knew that she couldn't threw away just new dressing table. She didn't have any reason to do it. She needed to find it. But she didn't have any reason. She just began to feel so upset about entire thing. She wanted to be happy but Vishal was destroying her house step by step. She wanted him to stop it. She was determined to talk on that night with Vishal. Rishi noticed her anger and thought it was due to his absence mindedness about school. Rishi " Sorry Mom I lost track of timing while playing!!" She sensed that she was upsetting her innocent son. She said " It's okay. I am thinking about our budget!" She created this excuse long ago to hide her stress from son. Vishal was never husband with understanding. His ego always managed to hurt their family. She kept pointing it to him but it was useless. He always kept boosting his ego but she didn't want him to do it on cost of his son. He supposed to be nice father. She couldn't compromise on that point and she decided to make it clear to him on that night. It different thing when it happened regarding other people. But this was their son. Vishal needed to adjust all for him. He must learn to put Rishi before himself and she was going to force it on that day. She was not going to let Rishi suffer. She looked at her innocent son who didn't understand anything. He was busy in playing with some bottle thrown garbage by someone. He was kicking it. Minal began to feel she was just like that bottle. Vishal always pushed her as per his desire but from that day she was going to stop it. She started to plan all discussion.

       Vishal was getting more and more confident about his actions after discussion with Raju. He was feeling so hopeless and sad when everyone was telling him that he must support his son. They kept telling him that Rishi must get all and he should receive nothing. He had his life ahead too. He knew that he was not getting young but still even in his old days he needed life. He never enjoyed his life truly. He always ran after one thing or another. His parents forced him. Society forced him. In childhood he needed to study hard. He was not topper or anything. He played lots of games but still he needed to study hard. He needed to spend all hours with books. Then he needed to search for job. His parents insisted on getting job immediately but it was not easy. He needed to find job with meaningful salary. His parents insisted on job so he had to find one. It was so hard. But he even tried his best to get it. He used to try hard to reach on interview on time but he never managed. He began to get upset. He knew that he needed job and finally with his Dad influence he got one. Then he remained stuck to it. He worked hard since he wanted to show world that he was someone big. He wanted world to sense that he was not going to get defeated so easily. He had strength. But it didn't happen as he planned. He didn't got that much talent or he never liked to work hard. Then he did another trick. He used one Boss and helped him a lot. He did spying for him on other Bosses. He managed to get few documents from other Bosses which managed to show their mistake. He managed to give success to his Boss. But he knew very well that his Boss was not better than others. In fact he was worst but he wanted promotion without working hard and he got it. He did all to prove himself. Then he married to Minal. They were good couple but he didn't want Minal to dominate him at all. He kept track of it everytime. He decided everything. He decided colour of wall and tiles of floor. He chosed everything. He needed to do all with tricks on every point she felt that she was choosing but he always did it. He always decided everything by his choice. He felt so sad about entire thing. He didn't want to cheat her or trick her but then somewhere in his heart he was happy about it. He was enjoying it. Everything was moving in right way. No one interfered in their personal life. They went ahead then Rishi came in their life and suddenly everything was changed. Every one around them started interfering. They all started calling again and again for Rishi. They all wanted everything to be perfect and best for Rishi. They all kept hoping that Rishi would help them on each step. He didn't want their pressure but he couldn't say it. He needed to pretend. He wanted money and property from them. He wanted to keep his parents happy and same thing applied to Minal's parents. Both had property. Then his sister and her brother were also interested. He needed to pretend all. He needed money and for it he pretended. But he didn't like it at all. He wanted his house just under his control which was not happening. He kept telling himself that little Rishi was his son. But nothing was helping. But on each day he sensed one thing that Rishi was weak than him so he couldn't took his position. He felt so happy by this thought. He started liking him since Rishi began to boost his superiority complex. Everything was perfect for him. He was better than anyone. He kept showing little bit appreciation to Rishi who took it happily as big reward. Everything was fine and perfect. But today he sensed true threat from Rishi. Rishi played that ball and took his wicket. He began to sense that he was trying to dominate his house. He began to feel that Rishi was threat to his kingdom. He knew that he was his son but still he didn't like his attitude. He decided that he must not let him win. He went in house determined. When he entered, he saw Rishi watching cartoons on TV like innocent child. He began to feel strange sympathy for Rishi. He began to doubt his judgement. He thought that Rishi might had won that match by luck. He smiled and sat with Rishi.Soon he began to enjoy the way Rishi was chatting. Rishi's childish innocence managed to win his heart suddenly all negativity regarding Rishi vanished. He just remembered that baby who took hold of his finger. His own son who came in his hand and became his most precious treasure. He started laughing and enjoying. When Minal came out, she saw father and son enjoying themselves. She saw them in happy mood. She began to doubt her judgement. She felt ashamed. She thought that she misjudged Vishal. A father couldn't feel like that about his own son. It was impossible. Vishal loved his son and he did it because he wanted Rishi to become tough. He wanted Rishi to become true cricketer. Minal smiled with hope. She started dreaming that one day her son became cricketer and won matches for their country. It would be best thing for her. She began to feel that Vishal might be dreaming same thing. She smiled regarding her useless doubts. She felt so sad. She sensed that she was getting possessive about her son. She read such a cases in books and papers. Mother get too possessive about their child and began to distrust everyone around them. She thought that she was developing problem. She didn't trust anyone. She took deep breath. She knew one thing that she must control her emotions now. She smiled towards happy son and father. She felt that nothing was wrong. Everything was just perfect.

      Vishal chatted with Rishi for long time. Then he went back in his room. He went to sleep. He knew that Minal was calling him for dinner but he didn't want to eat. He screamed " Sorry honey I forgot to call but I ate outside. So sorry. I can eat this food tomorrow." Minal " You will not. It is going to get wasted. Why don't you just make one call?!!" Vishal felt so angry. He cursed her loudly. Suddenly entire house fall silent. His voice always had that effect on his house. No one questioned him. He knew that Minal might cry little bit but he would gift her in suitable way next day. He knew how to win her heart. On that moment he needed just one thing that was sleep. He didn't understand why he was feeling so tired but he was feeling it. He took deep breath and started meditating. He needed to understand his thought. He needed to control his anger. He didn't understand why did he was feeling so angry. Rishi didn't need anything against his wishes. But he noticed that Rishi was growing up. He was getting strength and Rishi might harm him in future. He saw that strength in Rishi. He sensed that power when Rishi talked with him. Rishi was talking innocently but he was making his every point clear. Rishi had opinions and he couldn't compromise about them. He began to sense that he was creating his own path. He began to shiver with thought that one day Rishi would rule this house and he would be sitting in corner shivering. He began to feel scared at this thought. He ran to mirror again to see if he was getting older and weak. Mirror was showing fact. He was getting old day by day. He was getting weaker and Rishi was getting stronger. He knew that today Rishi just won against him in cricket but in few days he would even took his job. He began to feel so scared. Minal was sleeping peacefully but she suddenly sensed her bed was moving. She was so confused and shocked. She didn't understand what was happening at first but soon she sensed that Vishal was shivering in strange way. She felt that fear in soul. She began to sense that Vishal was shivering in horrible way. His entire body was sweating. He started to look as if someone was trying to kill him. She was so scared even to touch him. He was looking so strange but she built up her courage and touched him on shoulder. Minal asked " What happened?" Vishal looked around. He didn't understand what he supposed to say he was scared of his son. He couldn't tell it to his wife. Minal was avoiding discussions for long time but today finally she asked " You are eating outside regularly now a days." This was not first day when he cursed and said he was eating outside. She didn't mind it but he was losing his weight and he was not even ill. He was shivering so much. Normally Minal never questioned him. She always thought that he was brain of family but today he seemed like fallen tree. She began to feel so scared. He didn't reply. He controlled himself and said " I am fine." But it was not true. He was not fine for long time. He was getting worst nightmares every day. He didn't eat even at home. He didn't want to see his son. He was scared of him. He kept feeling that his son was going to destroy his future. He felt that his son was going to kill him. He didn't understand why. But today he was literally sick. He couldn't hide it from Minal. Minal checked his temperature. She didn't find his head hot but still she took thermometer and checked temperature. Her guess was right. He didn't had temperature. She asked him with joke. " What happened? I don't understand why you are shivering like that? May be it is something related to heart?!!" " No..no it is not about heart." Vishal screamed but he suddenly began to feel unsure. He didn't know much about medical conditions. Vishal " I will go to Doctor tomorrow!!" Minal " You must something is wrong with you. Each day I noticed that change you need to go to Doctor." Vishal felt so confused. He understood all. He had heart problem so he lost in cricket suddenly. He began to feel so nice. He knew that he just needed to take treatment from Doctor and he could win cricket. He knew that if he won all would fine. Then he went to sleep. But during entire sleep he kept getting nightmares which were giving shiver in his life. He kept getting insulted in every dream but he couldn't answer. He woke early morning. He called office and took vacation of day. Then he kept watching time after getting dress up. He kept waiting for time when he could go to Doctor. Finally he managed to reach to Doctor. He told all to Doctor. Doctor " So did you got breathless during cricket?" " No..no I just can't move fast enough to hit ball." Doctor laughed. Doctor " It might be muscle pain due to old age. You are getting younger day by day except it. Now Rishi will start winning and you will start losing." He felt so scared. He started to shiver before Doctor. He had same symptoms that he had in night. Doctor was shocked. He checked his blood pressure. Doctor" It is high as I expected." Vishal looked confused. Doctor " I feel you need psychiatrist. You are getting tense." Vishal screamed " I am not mad." Doctor looked angry. Doctor " If you are denying your visit after getting so much education you are clearly mad. Educated person at least supposed to know what is psychiatrist? So do you want number?" Vishal felt so confused. He needed something to stop this. He needed to accept his life as it was. He knew that he would never win cricket against Rishi again. He needed to accept it. He took card of psychiatrist. He read address and number. He was scared to visit but he needed to visit. He said to Doctor " I will visit him but will you hide it?" Doctor smiled and said " As Doctor I have rules so I never share one patient's details with another." Vishal nodded and went away.

   That day Vishal decided to go to psychiatrist since he didn't want to take more vacation in office. He knew that he was not mad but still he thought just one visit couldn't do harm. He went there. He watched that clinic. It didn't seem like clinic he saw in movies. It was like a clinic of any other normal doctor. He went to receiptionist and took appointment. He sensed that he got appointment after three hours. He was so shocked. He thought that he could get appointment easily. It was frustrating. He needed to return home. When he returned to home, he lied to Minal. He told her that he was going to movie with his friend. Minal didn't inquire much. It seemed either she trusted him or she didn't care. He decided to assume positive. He waited with patience for timing of Psychiatrist. Finally it came. He went there. Psychiatrist welcomed him with smile. He told him every thing about his troubles. Psychiatrist " Can I ask you one question?" " Sure!!" "What was your relationship with your parents?" " Okay." " And what was your parents relationship with your grandparents?" " Well.." He didn't want to discuss this now. But he watched Doctor's face and sensed that he must tell. " My parents were not affectionate towards my grandparents. In fact they tortured them for property." Psychiatrist " And somewhere in your heart you feel that Rishi would do same to you." Vishal nodded. Psychiatrist " I feel that true cause of your fear. But you don't need to feel scared. You can always make arrangements for your old age." " Really?" Psychiatrist " Surely I will show you." Then Vishal talked with psychiatrist for long time. When he went home, he was fresh. After some days Minal noticed change in him. He was giving her freedom and admiring her. She truly fall in love with him. Vishal started losing every match against Rishi and he came home laughing. But Rishi began to feel upset since he didn't like it so he stopped playing cricket with Vishal. All started to move in perfect way finally Minal asked " How did you change so much?" Vishal smiled and said " I went to psychiatrist." Minal was shocked. But then she got curious. She started asking question. He explained all. Minal smiled and said " We must invite him as friend on Diwali." Vishal started laughing. Vishal " He don't have so much time. But you can call him on Diwali." Minal agreed and laughed too. She knew that psychiatrist couldn't visit all patients.

                                                                        The End