Foresight

Chapter XXIII

"Did you finish the level-10 coding Neeraj. I am almost done with my level 9 one. You better finish fast" Tarun was screaming at the top of his lungs through the office. "I am almost done a*****e. Stop screaming." Neeraj replies back with a scream. "And your scream is a baby's laughter right' Tarun mocks back. "Come on guys. Let's concentrate on our workload as if that is less harrowing" Rajesh tries to silence his two comrades.

Eight months has passed on since they started their venture with a small software firm, mostly busy but with some dry spells. And now they are neck deep in programming their first game, heavily understaffed. They have been permanent back-up technical team for 'Sun softwares', their first client. Though they were seeing good revenue from them, having literally no work from the last week, the boys decided to program their first game and release it on the internet for free, hoping it will give them some needed cachet for springing individually, if 'Sun softwares' were to cut them off.

"Dude once we release this game, we have to hire at least one more programmer. It's too much work" Tarun voices his concern, lighting up his cigarette.

"We have to see our revenue flow dude. Last month was not good remember. We had to borrow some money from your mom to settle our electricity bill." Neeraj voices up, as he makes his way to their planning board to have a look at their game's flow chart.

"Bhaiya chai (brother tea)" and a small boy of ten makes his way into their office as he bring three hot cups of tea for the guys. "Thanks yaar, shyam." Says Tarun as he picks up a cup and proceeds to take a drag from his cancer stick.

"Shyam is here means its almost six in the morning. We better wrap after we finish the coding, take some rest and come back after lunch for compiling. Have been coding the whole night." Neeraj as he makes way to their main server for testing.

"That's correct. Don't want to code the final tweaks wrong and break heads" Tarun adds up as he gets up from his desk and joins Neeraj at the main server. They both discuss some stuff as Neeraj tweaks some more codes and after twenty minutes they switch. Tarun takes the reins to attach the programs together. Ten minutes later, they high five each other to completion of their work for the day. They head for the door, calling it a day, planning to make it back by 4'o clock in the evening for final tweaks, and launching it on the internet.

Just as they make their way back to the parking garage, Rajesh receives a phone call from his neighbor, Mrs. Mehra. 'Why is she calling me?' Goes through his mind as he picks up the call.

"Hello Mrs. Mehra how are you?"

"I am fine beta. Are you busy now?"

"No. I am heading home actually. Is something there to worry about?' Rajesh asks, sensing some concern in Mrs.Mehra's voice.

"Nothing to worry beta. Your mother kind of fainted when I was talking with her through my window. I came as fast as I could for some help. Turns out she has been fasting from yesterday night that's why. Just bring something sweet to eat when you come home. Will help your mother to recover faster." Mrs. Mehra replies with a calming tone.

"Oh my god aunty. Is she alright now? I will come as fast as I can" Rajesh replies as he hangs up.

"Is everything alright dude?"Tarun asks as he finds Rajesh bit flushed from the call.

"Mom fainted from fasting through the night. Luckily Mrs. Mehra noticed and came to help. She is ok for now. Just need to grab something sweet eatery on the way back." Rajesh replies, trying to calm himself down, but in vain.

"Nothing to worry man. we will head to your home, make sure aunty is fine and then make our way to our homes. Right Tarun?" Neeraj comforts Rajesh a little, putting his hand over Rajesh's shoulder.

"Obviously dude. Come one. Get your a***s in the car and get to Rajesh's home" Tarun orders as he gets in.

15 minutes later they arrive at Rajesh's home. Rajesh bolts for the door, as soon as the car comes to a stop.

"Ma" he shouts as he kicks the door open with some ferocity, only to find his mom sitting on the living room couch with a glass of glucose water and some biscuits in her hand, with Mrs. Mehra sitting by her side.

"Rajesh you are back. Nothing to worry my son." Mrs. Khanna replies as she gets up from the couch and makes her way to Rajesh. "Why are you fasting? You know the doctor prescribed you not to do any kind of fasting because of your fluctuating blood sugar and thyroid problems." Rajesh commands a little, though concern for his mother's health is clear from his voice.

"Beta I did for your business. You only said last month was little tough with less projects. On top of that to gain popularity, you are also venturing a project on your own. So for your success, I did fasting. It's all ok now.' Mrs. Khuranna replies as she hugs her son to comfort him.

"But you shouldn't be fasting. Just because of your fasting, nothing is going to hap" Before even Rajesh could finish his sentence, Mrs. Khuranna shoves Rajesh away from her arms and glares at him.

"Rajesh. Don't ever talk badly about my spirituality. You know very well that because of my regular prayers and fastings we have come up to our present level. So don't ever mock it. Otherwise bad things will happen to you and your company" Mrs. Khuranna warns him sternly.

'God, She might as well have given me a death sentence and I would have taken it gladly' contemplates Rajesh, as he begins to tip toe towards his mother, who is looking away, with her hands crossed. As Rajesh inches closer, she scruff's away with an audible 'humph'. Rajesh captures her in a warm hug and rests his head on her shoulders. This action will melt any mother's heart, Mrs. Khuranna is no different and she returns his hug.

"I am sorry ma. Just spoke in the heat of the moment." Rajesh sounds genuinely apologetic.

"It's ok beta"

As they separate from their hug, Mrs. Khuranna notices Tarun and Neeraj standing by the door, with a cover in their hands and a small smile in their faces amidst the puffy eyes.

"Welcome boys. When did you come? Sorry I didn't notice you two in the drama caused by my idiot son' Mrs. Khuranna explains, as she gives Rajesh a tap on his head.

"Good morning Aunty. We came with him only." Tarun answers as he hands over the cover to Mrs. Khuranna.

"We just didn't want to spoil the mother-son drama" Neeraj jokes on, trying to lighten the situation. Tarun nudges him on the elbow, giving him a glare, suggesting that this is not the right time.

"Come inside and have some milk boys. You must be famished." Mrs. Khuranna invites them inside.

"You are right aunty. We are famished. But if I drink milk now, I will fall asleep while driving and..." Tarun trails off.

"Yes aunty. Some other time we will have your popular panner butter masala. For now we will head to our homes and get some sleep." Neeraj adds on, sheepishly.

"Ok dear. Drive carefully." Mrs. Khuranna waves them goodbye as Tarun and Neeraj make their way to the car.

"We will pick you up at 5'o clock in the evening." Tarun shouts to Rajesh as he gets in the car.

"Sure man." and Rajesh bids them adieu.

"You are going again in the evening? Why? You worked yesterday whole night" Mrs. Khuranna voices her concern.

"Ma it's our new independent project. It's a game actually. We finished it today morning and are going to launch it in the internet for free. I will explain it to you later ma. I am going to sleep now" Rajesh explains, his voice trailing off as he enters his room and shuts the door.

Once in his rooms, Rajesh sheds of his Sweaty t-shirt and Heavy jeans and throws them in the hamper. Not expecting to get his aim right owing to his tiredness, he is just about to turn and hit the bed, as he notices through the corner of his eye, his aim was correct.

'That has got to be a good sign' flashes through Rajesh's mind as he lets himself fall lifelessly on his bed and lets his sleep take over him...flying into his dream world.