Unreal Reality

The Beginning of the End

Mumbai is a strange place. A desirable city for those who come here to seek fame and glamour. Filled with lights and colours. When viewed from an airplane, the city of Mumbai looks as beautiful as a newly wed bride. But like every person on this planet, the city has its own downside. Its own dark side. Beneath all that glamour and beauty lies an ugly and grey soul, lurking through every nook and corner, ready to pounce on anybody and engulf the person's soul in darkness, gloom, depression and hopelessness.

On the 29th of February, 1996 in the posh area of Bandra, in one of the most expensive hospitals, a beautiful boy was born who was later christened Sameer. Being the only child of Mr. & Mrs. Malhotra, he was pampered and loved a lot by his parents right from the beginning of his life. But sadly, nothing lasts forever. Sameer's father, 
Mr. Malhotra died when Sameer was only 3. Luckily, he had left behind a healthy bank account and family business for Sameer, which he was considered to be the heir of.

This is what Mr. Malhotra thought when he and his wife were blessed with Sameer. God forbid, if anything happens to me considering the number of enemies I have, at least my son and my wife would be able to lead a comfortable life. This was the wish of Mr. Malhotra but, unfortunately he never got to alter his will.
The couple had been married for 10 years before Mrs. Malhotra was conceived with Sameer. They had given up all hopes of having a child after many years of visiting various hospitals and consulting the best doctors, and trying so hard every night. Finally when everything failed, they turned towards the last resort: black magic and witchcraft.

In a dark, remote area of a small slum lived a lonely soul. Known for his dark deeds, he was rarely delighted with the feeling of having guests come over to his ugly, almost shattered hut. People in the slum feared him. Children were blackmailed, if you don't sleep, the magician will come and abduct you. Magician, yes, that's how he was known to everybody living in and around Mumbai. He chuckled to himself, how infamous he was among the inhabitants of Mumbai. His thoughts were interrupted when he saw two dark figures approaching his hut. Finally their faces could be seen, and surprisingly he was not surprised. He knew the purpose behind their visit and he even had the solution to their problem, but little did they know, they had to pay a heavy price, literally, for this solution.

So shabby and disgusting, thought Mrs. Malhotra the moment she laid her eyes on the man who was popularly known as The Magician. He was quite infamous and his deeds were well known to everybody. His deeds. This was precisely the reason why they chose to visit him, their last hope for a child.

   "So, do you wish for a boy or a girl?" asked the Magician. She was genuinely surprised and she had to admit, even impressed. But there was something very eerie about him. The way his eyes glinted with treachery and mischief sent a chill down her spine.
"Anything," replied Mrs. Malhotra carefully.
"Alright, take this medicine, apply on your stomach and have an intercourse. Your wish will be granted."
"Oh! Thank you so--", exclaimed Mrs Malhotra before she was interrupted by the Magician.
"But remember, you will have to pay a price."
"We're ready to pay any sum of money. Any sum, you name it."boasted Mr.Malhotra.
"Yes, you will have to pay a certain amount for the medicine, but the price I'm talking about is something else..."
"What kind of price are you talking about?" asked Mrs. Malhotra nervously.
"This child of yours, he'll be special. So special that you'll have to pay a heavy price for it."
"You're just blabbering, take the money and give us the medicine already!" said Mr. Malhotra impatiently.
"Very well, here you go," said The Magician as he handed them out a small black bottle containing a cream like substance in exchange for rupees two thousand.

Mr. & Mrs. Malhotra hurried and made their way out of the clumsy slum, careful to disguise their appearance so as to avoid being recognized. But something about that Magician irked Mrs. Malhotra. She glanced back at the Magician before exiting, noticing how smug he looked.

This child of yours, he'll be special. So special you'll have to pay a heavy price for it. She kept replaying those words of Magician in her head till she reached home. She started to get cold feet, did she do the right thing about consulting the Magician? That smug expression and the glint in his eyes, she felt scared. But now, there was no turning back. Her stomach felt knotted as she neared her home. Today, finally, she will be able to conceive.

That was the best night of her life. She had never enjoyed sex as much she was able to that night. She finally understood the pleasures of having an orgasm and wondered if it was because of that cream. If yes, then she secretly thanked the Magician. She felt beautiful that night and the morning that followed. After so many years, she finally felt happy, she felt euphoric.

A few weeks later her pregnancy test results were declared affirmative. Her joy knew no bounds. Her husband was the same. They were finally happy.
Nine months later, Sameer came into the world. Mrs. Malhotra had completely forgotten about the Magician and his words. The words suddenly came back hitting her hard. But then, she looked at the beautiful creation in front of her and felt blissfully happy. He was probably just trying to scare us, she told herself. She looked at her baby and fell asleep with a smile on her face.

Some miles away, in a shabby hut, the Magician laughed, his laughter echoing in the hut. Yes, he has come. Finally. I have foreseen everything. This child, he will mark the beginning of the end..he will..