Chapter 10

Chapter 10

10 May

Midnight was past. Rishi and Hermit found a cheap room in a hotel. Hermit was telling Rishi a funny story about his life back in the time when he was with a tribe who specialized in poisonous plants. He used to make his own liquor and was always drunk. One day, tribe kids played a prank on him.
At a night three kids came running to him and shouted, “Snake! Snake! Snake!”
He was the only snake expert in the community. Snake PhD. So he ran after them to catch it. He followed them to a big basket, which was lying inverted under a tree. Hermit saw a moving tail, he told kids to move away and grabbed the tail and pulled it. It was a dog that kids trapped under the big basket.
Rishi doubled up with laugher.
Cobra sack was lying under their bed. Suddenly they heard a violent hissing, Rishi looked under the bed and sack was moving. Then they saw a big rat, it screeched and ran in frenzy. Hermit placed the sack on their bed, he was apprehensive that some rat may bite helpless cobra trapped in the sack.
“Rishi sahib, any wound on the snake’s body usually brings a painful death to it.”
Cell phone rang.
“Hello,” Rishi said.
“Who are you?”
“Your-in-laws.”
Roger had a hearty laughed and yelled, “Ree-s-heee.”
“Yes Roger.”
“Can you do me a favor, an urgent request.”
“Anything you name it but I am baby sitting a cobra.”
“Reach at the hospital and speak with Dr. Shah. I gave you all rights to finalize the deal or whatever.”
“What deal?”
“Reach hospital and ask Dr. Shah, and please do not call me. I am very busy.”
Rishi said, “Wait.”
Roger said, “Talk tough with Dr. Shah. If you need any amount of money or whatever you contact Jennifer, I will put her on stand by.” Call ended.

Rishi was in thought for few seconds.
“Gangagiri we must go to hospital, something has happened there.”
“Yes Rishi sahib, snake can’t stay in this room because I saw another big rat. I fear that other guests may hear its loud hissing and in panic they may call police etc.”
Rishi saw a small hole in the sack cobra was making an effort to come out of the bag. Yellow fluorescent liquid was already there. Cobra was spitting venom in a rage.
Rishi took off the white bed sheet and wrapped it around the sack.
At 12.30 AM, they checked out of hotel, paid the money for the bed sheet. It took them a while to find a taxi and arrived in the hospital at one 3am. Three media vans and some press reporters were still camping around there.

2

Dr. Shah was very nervous. He was sitting near the Bishambar’s body, was shaking his legs. Nobody was allowed to come in the room. He was guarding this secret that his patient is dead.
He repeated Roger’s words, “A person named Rishi will arrive here soon and I give him all rights to finalize the deal or whatever.”
So Roger’s man Rishi would be coming to finalize the deal and to make the arrangement for the money transfer.
He had five bank accounts in United States, one in England and once he went to Switzerland on a conducted tour, he was always fascinated with the Swiss numbered accounts so he opened a numbered account there too.
Money transfer must take place or I won’t release the body. First I will confirm the transfer on the Internet or I will call the banks. Wish I had some time to do my homework, I could have asked Roger to give me a controlling interest in one of his blue chip companies, but rather I will settle for hard cash.
Then another thought came to Dr. Shah’s mind.
I am dealing with a very Rich and aggressive man. He may pay the money now but later on hit me back like a cobra.
Dr. Shah was not scared of the people who just had the money or just landed upon it like Roger’s brother but he was scared of the rich who made their own money. People like Roger were extremely aggressive and dangerous people. He looked at the body of his patient Bishambar and said to himself.
Roger just needs to make a phone call and one day I may find myself lying on the same bed where his brother is lying dead.
Then Dr. Shah thought that he would be ruined if he won’t get the money because he was dead broke.
I will invest that money and later on return it to Roger with an apology, everything would be forgiven.

There was a knock on the door. Dr. Shah removed wedged chair from the doorknob and opened it a little.
Visitor said, “My name is Rishi.”
“Come in.” Dr. Shah let him come in, he was going to shut it back but Rishi let enter Hermit.
So Tantric is here too.
Dr. Shah looked at the visitor from head to feet.
Is this a joke? Roger, the American billionaire has sent this dirty looking young man, wearing dirty clothes and the cheapest chapels.
Rishi was still wearing those cheap clothes he bought in Haridwar and Hermit had something wrapped in the white bed sheet. “Are you Rishi?”
“Yes and are you Dr. Shah?”
“Yes I am Dr. Shah.”
This Rishi is not even wearing ten dollars worth of clothes. Is he here to transfer me ten million dollars?
Dr. Shah wanted to double check.
He asked in English, “Has Mr. Roger contacted you?”
Rishi replied in English, “Consider you are talking to Roger.”
Is this a joke but the same Hermit is here too.
Rishi asked, “How is the patient?”
“Patient is dead.”
Rishi and Hermit were shocked to know it. There was a brief silence.
“Yes Dr. Shah I have all rights to finalize the deal.” Rishi said, “But what is the deal?”
“You must transfer ten million American dollars in my accounts, and I will release the body without an autopsy. We don’t have much time and we don’t have a morgue in the hospital.”
“Dr. Shah,” Rishi said, “tell me from the zero. I do not know the deal.”
“Roger made a deal, you are here to make the transfer. I have the account numbers ready.”
“Final determination lies in my hands and I do not know whole story.” Rishi said.
Ground slipped under Dr. Shah’s feet and his thought went dry.
This man is not what he looks like.
“My patient was showing the symptoms of recovery but Roger’s nephew or patient’s son asphyxiated him or chocked him to dead. It is in my hands to demand the autopsy. Roger agreed to pay me ten million dollars to keep his family name clean.”
“Huh! That is very interesting.”
Rishi smiled but Dr. Shah did not like his smile.
People do not transfer ten million dollars with a smile.
“Just a tradeoff, so both parties are happy,” Dr. Shah said.
“Dr. Shaw, please give me five minutes to think. Transferring ten million dollars takes some time.”
Doctor said, “It won’t take much time. I have accounts in USA, and I have Green card too.”
“Doctor, still we need some time."
“OK but we have little time. It is the peak of summer and body will start decomposing soon.”
“Dr. Shah please leaves us alone for five minutes.”
Doctor left the room his heart was beating fast, he needed something to sooth his heartbeat. Rishi closed the door.
“Gangagiri can you make this snake bites the dead body.”
Gangagiri smiled and took out the snake.
Rishi said, “Snake climbed to bed from the window and bit the patient.”
Hermit smiled.

Dr Shah first knocked the door and then pushed it open. Hermit left the room and walked to the hospital exit and disappeared with his bag.
Rishi was sitting on the chair with his both feet resting on the bed. He laughed.
“Dr. Shah you are in a deep trouble.”
Dr Shah was not in a mood to play games.
He said, “I am giving you a flat five minute ultimatum. Either you transfer ten million dollars in my accounts or I will demand autopsy and then call police.”
Rishi stared at the Doctor. “Do both,” he said, “in reverse order.”
Dr. Shah was mad with anger; he made a Herculean effort to not to shout.
“Dr. Shah I demand an autopsy on Roger’s behalf. Please make an arrangement for the transfer of the body to the appropriate facility.”
Rishi stood up and walked to the door.
“This trick won’t work Pal. I will really make the arrangements to transfer and you will regret but then it would be too late. Press is already standing outside.”
“Dr. Shah a snake bit your patient in your hospital. Roger will file the wrongful death lawsuit and your hospital will be shut down by tomorrow morning.”
Dr. Shah was stunned to hear this then he pulled himself together and said, “So you brought a snake. Autopsy will determine that snake bit after the patient died. In that case my rate is fifteen million dollars. You have no time.”
“Dr. Shah, your patient was recovering because we did the ancient experiment on him with cobra poison. Poison is still in patient’s blood. Autopsy may determine that snake bit patient twice, before as well after he died.”
“This is a lie, this is a fraud.” Dr. Shah screamed in hysteria.
“Dr. Shah it seems like you don’t know how cobra poison works,” Rishi said, “patient dies gasping for air.”
Nurses and other doctors came running.
Hermit also returned to the room that was now full with people and Dr. Shah screaming. Dr Shah was bathing in his own sweat.
Dr. Shah was repeatedly screaming, “Security.”
Three people in uniform came running.
Dr. Shah pointed to Hermit. “Catch this rogue Hermit, he has snake wrapped up in the white sheet.”
Hermit spread out the bed sheet and it only contained rags.
A crowd of doctors, nurses and security personals surrounded them.
Rishi said, “Dr. Shah, you tried to blackmail a US Citizen and you too are also a US subject as a Green Card holder. There are three eyewitnesses, Mr. Roger, a Hermit and I. India and America have an extradition treaty and charges will be filed tomorrow in India as well in USA.”

Dr. Shah pressed the left of his chest with both hands and crashed.
A doctor screamed, “Take him to emergency room, he had an acute myocardial infraction.”
Doctor Shah was transported to hospital. He was looking at Rishi’s smiling face but was unable to say a word.

A doctor stepped to Rishi, he was too confused and scared of Rishi and Hermit. He was the lead partner of the hospital.
“What can we do for you?”
“Mr. Bishambar has expired about an hour ago.”
“No kidding! Are you sure?”
“I demand an autopsy. It is a gross criminal negligence on the behalf of this hospital.”
Doctor stared at the smiling young man, wearing cheapest clothes and chapels. His clothes were dirty and beard was growing for three days.
Hospital staff was frozen in astonishment.
A doctor asked, “Who are you both?”
“I am a Rishi and he is a Hermit.”
Lead doctor knew about Dr. Shah’s character, he suspected Dr. Shah was involved in something very serious and something went wrong and he had a massive heart attack. He wanted to dispose off the situation without any more trouble.
“Rishi and Maharaj, please forgive us for our sins.”
“Forgiven,” Rishi said, “now either move the dead body to a morgue, or send it to the address on your file.”
“And the bill ….”
Rishi laughed.
Doctor said, “I was saying that the bill is written off.”

Hospital quickly released the body and an ambulance transported it to Bishambar’s home. Suddenly media vehicles were in skirmish, they too left the hospital and chased the ambulance.
“Rishi sahib a taxi is waiting for us, snake is in the trunk.”
Rishi laughed. Hermit led Rishi to a waiting taxi.
Driver said, “You must pay me extra for the waiting and why did you put a live snake in my trunk?”
Hermit said, “Watch your tongue, it is not just an ordinary snake but a cobra.”
Rishi said, “So you would charge us for an extra passenger.”
They laughed.
They too arrived at Bishambar’s home. In ten minutes police sirens announced the arrival of Roger’s motorcade, including police escort vehicles and media vans.

Bishambar’s widow woke up Sonny. “Wake up your father is dead and his body has arrived.”
He rubbed his eyes with his left hand, and came out to use the bathroom and saw Rishi and Hermit talking. He jumped back in the bathroom, locked the door and sat in the bathtub and heard his heart beating.

Nobody was crying and Roger’s all other relatives were informed. Roger’s one sister was in Venezuela, her husband was running Roger’s South American Operations, his other sister was in South Africa, and her husband was heading Roger’s African operations, both were to arrive in Mumbai on chartered jets.

Hermit said to Roger, “Cremate the body as soon as you can.”
”What is the damage?”
“Hospital even waived the bill.”
Roger wanted to laugh but it was not an occasion to laugh.
He said, “I gift you that money. All ten million dollars.”
Rishi laughed, that evening he has checked his balance at an ATM. He was running low on cash and was planning to find work again.
Rishi smiled.
“What do we do with Sonny?” Roger asked.
“Leave him to me, there is more to tell you, he planted bomb in our boat.”
“What!”

It was still night and mourners started coming. Joshi the Pundit was to perform the cremation ritual that was supposed to take place at seven in the early morning at the electric crematorium. Roger’s Mumbai operation CEO took over all the arrangements.

Rishi came to Roger, “Ever seen a huge angry cobra.”
“No”
“Come and I will show you.” Rishi took Roger to the back lawn. Hermit opened the bag and tapped on the snake and its head jumped out with angry eyes. It was hissing. Roger was frightened and he jumped back.
“Put it back. Put it back.”
“We are going back to release it in Jungle of Konkan coast.”

Rishi assembled Sonny’s mother, Roger and Hermit in a room to discuss about Sonny. He told them about bomb incidence.
Sonny mother said, “I overheard him on the phone, he was hiring a contract killer to kill Roger in Uttarkashi. I took away the money and averted the disaster.”
Rishi pulled out a cell phone from his pocket, two wires were hanging out of it.
“This was the trigger to the bomb and probably they had another trigger because bomb went off in the water.”
“Where is Sonny,” Roger asked his mother.
“He was in bathroom.”
“Bring his cell phone.” Roger said.
Sonali went to Sonny’s room and came with his phone.
Rishi autodialed the only missed calls from the cell phone with two hanging wires and Sonny’s phone rang.
Roger said, “Oh my god.”
His mother started weeping. “Please save my son, either he will go to jail or get killed one day.”
Roger asked Rishi, “What do we do now.”
“Make sure he has no access to any money. This is the only way to save other’s life as well his own life,” Rishi said.
Sonali also nodded in agreement.
Roger said, “Bring him here.”
Sonny came dragging his feet; he was still under the influence of whisky.

“Is this your cell phone?” Roger showed him his cell phone.
Sonny nodded.
“And this phone.” Roger showed him the cell phone with two wires hanging from it.
Sonny’s felt chill in his spine.
“I asked if this phone is yours?” Roger said.
He was very scared now. He shook his head.
“You have two choices either you tell everything to police or to us. I want a decision now. Police is standing outside.”
He had no words to protest and was scared of his uncle.
Roger said, “You are stripped off everything. We are running an advertisement in the paper that we have nothing to do with you. You can go join Mafia.”
Sonny broke into sobs. “I will tell you everything.”
“Did you kill your father?” Roger asked.
Sonny nodded, this was new news to his mother. She was again shocked.
Rishi said, “Tell us everything.”
So Sonny told them everything.

Roger said, “Oh my God, Mafia was only one step away to blackmail me.”
Rishi said, “Do you know Sonny why are they too eager to kill me and why did they give you the bomb?”
Sonny shook his head.
“They want to blackmail you and Roger. They want to strip off everything off from you. They gave you new phone to record your every call. That’s why Omar called you un-necessary. They made you leave the trail for the police to follow you.”
Sonny was stunned to listen this and he was shivering with fear.
“Today you have opened my eyes. I am ashamed of myself.” He started weeping.
“Police still can reach you, these days each cell phone calls can be accurately tracked to a specific place.” They can know that calls were made from this home.
Sonny sobbed, “I think they have destroyed that cell phone.”
Roger said, “It does not matter, still they can reach you because each call had an origin and a destination signature. Tomorrow I will like to give you a tour of my telecommunication facility, you can look at the system with your own eyes.”
“I ask for your forgiveness, please help me to get out of this mess, now I realized that they set me up,” said Sonny.
Rishi said, “After your father’s funeral you come to Alipore rental property and see me there tonight. We will see what to do next and how to save your life.”
Roger asked Rishi, “Do you think Mafia has enough ground to blackmail us?”
Hermit broke in, “Roger sahib, Ganga Mai is with us.”
Sonny was now very scared.
His cell phone rang. “It is Poppy from Mafia.”
Rishi said, “Just say hello to him and turn on the speaker.”
“Hello Poppy.”
“Sonny, we checked Mahadev’s boat. We did not find our bomb; I know that you hid it somewhere. Either we get it back or you have to pay for it.”
Rishi whispered in Sonny ears.
Sonny asked, “How much.”
“Ten boxes.”
“I don’t have ten boxes. You said it was two boxes.”
“It is free if you kill Rishi, with a bomb or without a bomb.”
Rishi disconnected the phone.
Everybody was very shocked to hear this.
Rishi said, “You call Poppy; tell him that you hid the bomb deep in your basement; you will do the job in two days. We must keep them busy for a while otherwise they may invent other plan.”
Sonny said, “But we don’t have any basement.”
Rishi laughed. “Tell them that you have a deep basement.”
Roger was shaking his head in sorrow, he budged, “Sonny either you are stupid or retarded.”
Sonny again started weeping.

Sonny autodialed last incoming phone call, he turned on the speaker.
“Sorry Poppy, I lost signal. What were you saying?”
“I was saying that either we get the device back or you have to pay for it.”
“I was joking with you. Remember you joked with me yesterday, you gave me congratulations for the Rishi job.”
“Yeah but that was misunderstanding.”
“Anyway I have the bomb.”
“Stupid! Where is it?”
“It is under our deep basement away from cell phone signals.”
“You idiot you will blow your self and your whole family.”
“Master switch is off.”
“Good, good.”
“My father has expired so I am busy today but I have planned rendezvous yesterday, unless you want it back.”
“Try to plan your rendezvous today.”
“OK.”
“Good boy, you are my Main Man, my best friend.”
“When do you want your money?”
“Don’t worry about money. We are friends.”
“But you said you want two boxes, just the cost of the device.”
“I was joking, we all joke. Remember you made us fool yesterday. You said the bomb is in the boat. We were really pissed off at you. Don’t make that kind of joke anymore.”
“Bye Poppy, guests are arriving at out home.”
“Of-course, sorry for your father.”
Sonny ended the call.
Rishi patted at Sonny’s shoulders. “Sonny you are not stupid.”
“Thanks uncle Rishi.”
“That’s why I want you to spend night with me in Alipore,” Rishi said.
“Another thing I forget to tell you that yesterday Poppy gave me ten thousand rupee.”
“Why is he doing you all these favors?”
“Now I realized that they are all set to push us in the hole.”
“Hand that money to your mother. She will make sure your pockets stay empty for a while.”
His mother nodded.

3

As Dr. Shah’s condition stabilized, hospital’s private rooms were all occupied with the patients. Bishambar’s room just got vacant so Dr. Shah was moved there on the same bed. He was sleeping under the effect of sedatives.

Two years ago, he hired a nurse Fatima Begum on one secret condition that she will pay thirty percent of her each paycheck to him. It was next to impossible to find another job, she had no choice but to deliver a chunk of her hard earned money to Dr. Shah’s home. She knew that he was type-2 diabetic patient. God delivered her the opportunity; she was waiting for two years. She slipped out to a twenty-four hour pharmacy shop and bought a wholesale pack of insulin. She pushed a massive overdose of Insulin in his IV line. Dr. Shah’s heart stopped.

Nobody questioned his death, partners were happy that they have one less crook to share the hefty profit. Dr. Shah’s widow was contacted and they dumped his body and a partnership liquidation notice to her in two hours.

4

Only men went to the crematorium. Joshi the Priest performed religious duties and handed the light to Sonny to light the funeral pier of his father. Police authorities had secure the place ahead of them. Roger’s engagement with Vinita was not public news yet so he stood away from her; many executives from his Mumbai operations were present around him. As they were done with the cremation another funeral was brought at the same electric oven.
A man wearing doctor’s coat came to Roger. “Mr. Roger, how are you.”
“Who are you?”
“I am the lead doctor of the hospital where your brother was admitted.”
“I see.”
“Sir, I am sorry for your loss. Dr. Shah too expired on the same bed your brother passed away last night. I am really sorry for any inconvenience we have caused you. It was the doing of Dr. Shah and he has passed away.”
Roger was very surprised,
“Dr. Shah passed away? Tell me about it doc.”
Doctor was very confused that Roger had no information but he told him about Rishi and Hermit and then Dr. Shah had a massive heart attack and he died on the same bed. Roger felt a chill in his spine.
Rishi killed Dr. Shah for a song. I only asked him to negotiate on my behalf but instead he killed him.
Then Roger laughed.
He killed a leech for a song.

They came home and had a family meeting presided by Joshi the Pundit from the mountains. It was decided that Bishambar’s final rituals will be done at the 15th of May, and they will pick up the ashes from the crematorium. Same day they will go to Haridwar, to submerse the ashes in the Holy River, and then they will go to Uttarkashi where Roger and Vinita will marry. Marriage will be simple family affair and there would be no reception because there is a death in the family.
At the end Priest said asked Roger that he wants to join Rishi and Gangagiri at Alipore. Roger gave him permission because house was full of guests and Priest’s presence was required after five days.

5

Omar took Air Lanka flight to Bangkok. He made a night stop over in Colombo.
He could not resist his temptation to call Danny.
“Danny! Da-nny! D-a-nn-ie.”
“Who are you? Who gave you this phone number?”
“Da-aa-nn-y! Dain-neee. Remember Afghanistan!”
Danny asked, “Mulchand?”
“Mulchand is partying in Malaysia.” Omar said, “He is dressed to kill.”
“Who are you?”
“Your ex-excess baggage, but now your five o-clock shadow.”
“Who are you?”
“Dai-nee! D-an-nee! Danniee! Remember I took training from a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan. You sent me there on a scholarship. Remember you were proud of me because I secured the highest grade.”
Danny was white with fear.
Omar is alive.
Cell phone fell down from his hand.
In half hour, in Dubai, another cell phone fell down from Don’s hands.

6

Rishi, Hermit and Priest reached at Alipore property in the evening.
Mahadev was again their boat driver and this time he yelled first, “Hur-Hur-Gangae, Jai-Ganga-Mai.”
They shouted back, “Jai-Mahadev, Jai-Bhole-Nath. Jai-Shiva.”

The place where they had to release the cobra was far away so they decided to go there in the morning. Shiva was horrified to see the sack again.
Hermit hugged him and shouted, “Jai-Ganga-Mai, Jai Shiva, Thanks for opening up the sack and saving our life.”
Shiva was in great shame and said, “I am sorry, I just wanted to see what’s in the sack and cobra tried to bite me, after you left I prayed God for your safety and forgiveness for whole night.”
“Thanks Shiva, you saved our life.”
“How I saved your life, I actually tried to kill you by my folly.”
Hermit told him the whole story and Shiva was scared.
Shiva said, “Sonny fooled me and set us up. I never knew that I was used as an accessory to murder three people including a Saint.”
“Tell us everything so we could cut the damage, otherwise you too can go to jail.” Rishi said.

7

Roger was very desperate and he had to attend to ten thousand things. His mind was not designed to deal with family problems. Initially he planned that he will attend the mourners but now he was feeling like a caged bird. He woke up his executive secretary in New York and ordered her to make preparations for a board meeting in Bangkok. In the evening he was on the way to Airport with police and press chasing after him.

8

Freddie was watching TV in the morning and Eddie was still sleeping.
Freddie said to Eddie, “Boss’s brother died, are not we suppose to go there and say hello boss, that we are sorry, that your brother died, that everything is in the almighty God’s hand, that man dies one day, that body is just dust and ashes? You know what I mean, all that crap.”
“I guess so. Freddie, I don’t know what would I do without you? When my Uncle passed away you did a very good job Freddie that was very impressive. All the things you said there.”
Eddie and Freddie fell in deep thoughts.
“What if boss wants to use his bus again?” Eddie said.
“That could be a problem. But I think we got a free day today. I am working on the receptionist who comes at evening. I already told her that I own a plane and have a pilot. You must help me Eddie.”
“How I must help you Freddy?”
“I will wear your suite and you wear your pilot’s dress and cap, and we will give here a tour to the boss’s tempo.”
“What if she wants to have a ride?”
“Then we will pretend that other one pilot got sick so flight is cancelled.”
“OK”
“Thanks for your cooperation. Eddie you are a great help.”
Phone in their room rang and Freddie took the call.
After talking he said, “Shit happened Eddie. We got to haul out boss to Bangkok.”

9

It was evening and air was still warm Rishi, Joshi and Hermit had a cup of tea and came to the beach. Sun was about to set. Priest was very happy to be in the open area. He sent his whole life in the mountains and he never liked big cities. Three sat cross-legged.

Rishi’s mind submersed in the smell of water, salt and moisture breeze was cool on the beach. High tide was coming so waves were huge, dangerous and full of crashing noise. Sea was rising with each moment and they had to move again to stay away from the water. There were few people and fishermen were installing their nets. Sun was a huge pink ball fading and disappearing in the Arabian Sea. Birds were chasing the crabs but they were too smart, they dig an instant hole.

There was a silence and Joshi Ji saw Rishi was totally absorbed in the birds he tried to do the same but his mind drifted.
Joshi asked, “how come you pay attention and we can’t?”
Rishi asked to clarify. “How come I pay attention and you can’t?”
Joshi said, “Yes, I tried to do what you were doing but I was not able to do it, suddenly I found my mind in Uttarkashi.”
Rishi said, “Because you tried.”
Joshi and Hermit both stared at Rishi, they wanted to assimilate what he has just said.
Sun was already set and sky was still pink, suddenly Joshi was sucked into the beauty of it, and then he found that his mind was comparing the sunset here with the sunset in the mountains of Uttarkashi.
“I saw it, attention or timelessness happened but then thought came and everything was finished.”
“Because mind is a thought,” Rishi said, “I am going to have a walk.”

Hermit lay in the sand and closed his eyes and Joshi also did the same. Both felt gently cool water was now touching their feet, heard the noises of the waves and seagulls, felt the moisture and grains of sand under their body.
If I am a thought then I is not real. Thought realized that it is not real so it ceased, and attention came but for very short time. Though came back but it laughed on itself. Though said, now I am not going to fall in my own trick. Thought returned because brain was conditioned and had no other occupation. It must to do some thing. It is always doing some thing even if a person is sleeping. Thought forms the dreams. So it returns but lost its vanity and structure.
Both realized and felt the transformation.

As Rishi returned they walked back to the property. By the ferry terminal Rishi bought a three cheap whisky bottles and by the time they arrived it was dark.

10

Sonny was happy that Roger is gone. He had no money to take the ferry ride and his cell phone was also taken off, his mother just gave him enough to make a round trip journey to Alipore on public transportation. She also packed his clothes for the overnight stay. He left in the evening and was lucky to catch the last boat and arrived at the Alipore property. Only Shiva was there.
“I can’t allow you inside, you are criminal. You even used me as an accessory to murder people.”
“I am here to say sorry to all of you. I must see Rishi.”
“Go away.” Shiva slammed the door on his face.
Sonny waited at the door, he had now nowhere else to turn.
In about forty minutes Rishi, Hermit and Joshi arrived there.
“Shiva is not letting me in.”
Rishi pressed the bell and Shiva opened the door.
“You still want him to enter in the property.” Shiva asked Rishi.
“Yes, I have to talk to him.”
Property had a wood deck in the backyard, facing the sea; they sat there on the chairs around a table.
Rishi gave a bottle to Shiva. “It is for you and Mahadev. Please bring us ice and water and then you can enjoy.”
Shiva left happily.

Shiva and Mahadev got drunk. Shiva told him the story behind the bomb and told that criminal is sitting on the deck then Mahadev told him about the bomb in the boat and how it exploded.
Mahadev came to deck and pointed to the Sonny and screamed.
“I am going to hand you to the police. You tried to kill three people yesterday. I have a wife, three small kids, parents and grandparents, they all depend upon me.”
Ground slipped under Sonny’s feet.
Rishi took Mahadev to aside and whispered in his ears, “Mafia made him do that. Stay away from this matter. I am here resolving this issue.”
Mahadev instantly cooled down. He was scared of Mumbai Mafia.
Sonny relaxed a bit and started liking Rishi.
“Have a drink, I know you drink like fish.” Rishi made him a double drink and Sonny drank it up in a single shot.
Slowly alcohol went into his veins and soothed his anxiety.
“Sonny, I think now is the time to discuss some serious matters.”
Priest didn’t want to involve in this drama he said, “I will go to my room, I want to watch TV.”
“Joshi Ji, please take this bottle with you.”

Rishi made three light drinks. “Cheers! Gangagiri and Sonny.”
“Jai-Ganga-Mai.”
Rishi said to Sonny, “Now tell me how we can save you from the criminals?”
Sonny told them everything in details.
“Now tell us everything about Poppy, each and everything.”
Sonny told them each and everything about Poppy, he also mentioned that he picks his nose very often because he has some allergy with the stench from the sewage water lake, next to their hide out near the slum. Recently he is training to a man named Tony and his nose is always running.
Rishi said, “So Tony is his apprentice.”
“Yes.”
“When is your surgery due?”
“Doctors say that it could be done anytime now?”
Rishi gave him Vinita’s cell phone. “Put me thought with your mother.”
Sonny dialed his home number; a servant put him thought with his mother.
“Mom, talk with Uncle Rishi.”
“Sonny can have his hand operated tomorrow. I want to see him in hospital for a couple of days.”
She agreed instantly.

“Call Poppy and tell him that your rich future brother-in-law would be coming to see him regarding a job. Make an appointment for tomorrow night at 10pm.”
“What kind of job?”
“Tell him that he became your drinking buddy and wants to eliminate some one.” Rishi continued, “And you referred him to them.”
“Would you settle my bill with them?”
“I want to see them first.”
“They are very dangerous people. They will kill you.”
“Make the call or we are through, in that case you are on your own.”
“They may ask me for you name.”
“The name is Rishi.”
Sonny shivered. “They are after you? They volunteered to kill you in Uttarkashi.”
Rishi said, “Tell them that Rishi is a popular name, I love confusions.”

Wish Sonny had a choice. He dialed Poppy’s number and gave him the message. Poppy was really confused and Sonny repeatedly told him that this is other Rishi and Rishi is a popular name.
Rishi said, “So Poppy is happy to have a new client.”
Sonny nodded. “He will see you tomorrow at 10pm. If you blow it up I am dead. Poppy said not to delay because yesterday night he is going to Dubai for four days.”
Sonny tried to make himself a drink; Rishi made him a light drink.
“Sonny, you can park yourself in any empty room of your choice,” Rishi said, “or you can tell us jokes.”
Sonny knew the whole property, he rose and left.

Rishi went to see Shiva but he was drunk.
Rishi said, “Gangagiri let’s cook food.”
They went to kitchen, chopped vegetables, and cooked mix-vegetable fried rice.
Rishi called Shiva and Mahadev and served them first then they ate. Rishi underestimated their appetite, they were drunk and they ate most of the food. Hermit served food to Joshi and Sonny in their room and luckily they ate little.

No food was left for Rishi and Hermit.
They laughed.
“What do you think Gangagiri, Can we use cobra at Poppy & Company or what?”
Hermit was smiling.

Rishi called in New York and Jennifer was in the office, it was morning in New York.
Jennifer said, “Hello Elvis what can I do for you?”
“I want Roger’s jet in Mumbai, tomorrow at 10am exactly.”
“But it is in Bangkok.”
“Tell him to send it back to Mumbai or buy me another one.”
“That could be a problem.”
“Tell Roger that I need full cooperation from his Mumbai CEO. I don’t have his phone number. I want him to call me at Vinita’s cell phone.”
“I will see what I can do.”

Roger’s Mumbai CEO called after twenty minutes.
“Mr. CEO. I need six hundred thousand rupee in large denominations, tomorrow at airport at 9.30am.”
“Anything else?”

Jennifer called Rishi, “Hello Elvis, you are great.”
“Yes I know.”
”Our ship is yours.”
“Yes I know.”

Roger’s Mumbai CEO called Rishi again.
Hey Rishi, “As per Vinita’s rough guess her father was accessed in the jungles of Madhya Pradesh near Jabalpur. The person who found him in an ashram gave him his cell phone and requested him to talk with his only daughter but her father said he would only talk with God and God is his only relative.”
“Thanks Mr. CEO.”
“You can call me Sanjay.”
“Thanks Sanjay.”
“I gave this new to Roger but he has no time to call Vinita. He is very busy, I have no guts to give this news to that poor girl.”
“Leave this matter to me,” said Rishi.

Hermit said to Rishi, “Let’s go to sleep, we didn’t sleep last night and we have to release the snake early in the morning and tomorrow is again a very long day.”
“First we must wash our clothes.”
“Rishi Sahib you need shoes.”
“When Mafia wants to kill you, who time to buy shoes?”
They laughed.
They wore the towels and washed their clothes at a water tap in the back yard and then fell to sleep.

11

Mumbai God Father was pacing nervous in his sea facing verandah in his unclasps neighborhood in Dubai. It was a windless hot night. His heart was like a recently trapped pigeon. During the whole day good and bad news arrived alternately. His poor heart went through a pendulum ride that swung from sudden sheer joy to suddenly sheer misery, sheer hunger to shear anorexia, happiness to sadness, hopefulness to hopelessness, laughter to tears and anger to peace.

First Sunny said bomb was defective then he said he still has the bomb and planning for the rendezvous. Danny gave him the news that Omar is haunting them like a ghost and then Danny mentioned that most of the diamonds were ready. Then Poppy said that Sonny cannot be trusted then his wife called him from Canada, her Canadian Business Visa Petition is accepted. Then Danny called again because he forgot to inform him that Mulchand was in Malaysia where Don’s biggest archrival and mortal enemy was hiding then he got the news that he got real police clearance from Panama. Then Poppy said that Sonny has asked him to meet his rich future brother-in-law then he mentioned that his name too was Rishi.

Abdul just answered the doorbell.
“Sir a servant came from the big green house. They asked me to fix their AC.”
“Can you fix air Conditioners?”
“Yes Sir! I was an AC mechanic in Pakistan. You know it very well.”
“Yes, Yes, Yes, but you cannot go.”
“OK Sir I will make some excuse.” Abdul turned.
Don wondered, “I think an American doctor lives in that house.”
“Yes Sir, a white man, he is some Heart Doctor or Heart Professor.”
“Consider me your helper, pick up my medical records and let’s go.”
Abdul picked up his tool pouch and Don’s medical records.
They walked to the big green house and servant took them in the backyard to a central AC condenser unit.
Doctor appeared with a flashlight.
He said in Arabic, “This compressor is not kicking in. Mr. what?”
“You can call me Abdul.”
“It is very nice to meet you Abdul. Thanks for coming here.”
Doctor shook hands with them.
Abdul opened the shell and inspected the hermetic compressor. He manually pressed the relay knob and compressor started humming.”
Doctor jumped in joy.
Abdul touched the compressor it was running hot.
“Sir your compressor is damaged.”
“But it is running.”
And compressor stopped.
Doctor was disappointed.
“So Abdul I must spend this god dam night without the air conditioner.”
Abdul touched the wires feeding the compressor, wires were hot.
“Sir I can make this compressor work for one night. Let’s see the circuit breaker box because I suspect a bad fuse has damaged this compressor.”
“Is that so?” Doctor said.
They went to an electrical Panel all breakers were unmarked. Abdul opened the cover, he touched all breakers and one was very hot. He pointed to that breaker.”
“Sir, this breaker is bad.”
Doctor said with wide eyes, “No kidding!”
Abdul removed four screws and removed the cover. He pointed to a burned wire in the panel.
“Sir this screw was loose, Compressor was getting power but then contact was getting hot so voltage was dropping. This short cycling or voltage fluctuations damaged the compressor.”
“No kidding, short cycling. I like this word.” Doctor said.
Abdul tightened the setscrew but breaker was damaged. It fell down in many charred pieces. Abdul directly connected both wires to the main terminals. They walked to the compressor and removed a capacitor from the condenser motor and rewired the compressor relay to accommodate the capacitor. Compressor ran but with half the power.
“Sir this compressor may last one day or forever but I guarantee it for one night.” Abdul said, “On half load.”
“Thank you Abdul, you are a genius. How much do I owe you?”
Abdul grinned, “No Sir. Nothing.”
Don jumped forward.
“I am a heart patient, please check me. I have my medical records with me.”
Doctor ordered, “Get in side.”

Doctor was a patient man. He thoroughly examined Don. Then he examined his medical records.
He exclaimed, “Ditto!”
Don asked, “What is the problem.”
“The exact problem is same that my hermetic compressor had. Your heart short cycled.”
Don said, “Holy cow.”
“Ditto!”
Don said, “Now what!”
Doctor tapped on Don’t heart region, “This compressor may last one day or forever but I guarantee it for one night.” Doctor said, “On half load.”
Don was sad.
Doctor said, “Heart is a pump, it circulate blood in the vessels. Any anxiety brings tension in the blood vessels so it adds load to the heart. Short cycling or fluctuation has damaged your heart beyond repairs.”
Abdul budged it, “Sir it means actually he has plumbing problem. Tension shrinks his pipes and it overloads his compressor and now it is damaged.”
Doctor looked at Abdul in admiration but Don looked at him with venom in his eyes.
Doctor said, “You are quite genius Abdul, you should be Cardiologist.”
Don asked, “Now what do I do?”
“If you want to survive you must change your life style.”
Don said, “That is exa-ctly I am working for.”
“By the way what do you do?”
Don said, “First I was in movie financier, now I am in diamonds, in three days I will own paper pulp factories in Canada.”
“Make sure your plumbing runs good. This Abdul is genius, as good as a heart specialist.”
Abdul said to Don, “Didn’t I tell you this.”
Don was grinding his teeth. He whispered to Abdul, “Yes now you are certified.”
Doctor’s servant or Abdul’s friend appeared. “Sir you have a call from the hospital.”
Doctor went to phone and returned to them after two minutes.
“Guys please excuse me. I have to run. I have to replace a valve in the hospital.”
Abdul said, “You are a heart doctor, how come they called you to replace a valve in the hospital, this is a mechanic’s job.”
“My friend Abdul, I am going to replace a heart valve.”
Abdul stared at Cardiologist in astonishment. “Heart has valves!”
Doctor, “Yes.”
“Then it is just like a hermetic compressor.”
“Ditto!”
Abdul now started speaking his first English, “Yeas! Yeaas! Ditt-too! Bitt-oo! Kitt-oo!”
Don murmured, “One day I will roll you up in a carpet and then beat you up with a cane.”
Now Don’s Cell phone rang.
“Thanks Doctor. Bye.”
To talk in privacy they raced out to the street. It was Danny from Mumbai.
Don said, “Yes, Danny, you better give me good news.”
“Yes big brother, I have very good news.”
“Yes, I am listening.”
“Our little girl Aiysha got engaged to a boy in Canada. She found him on the Internet. Boy is coming to India in two days.”
“Thank Almighty Danny. This is the best news I ever heard in years. Don’t let the boy know our real names or he will run away.”
“Am I a fool? We will take him to Pune in our other property. We will give him lots of dowry in advance.”
They laughed.
Don said, “Did you talk with Kareem for your new passport. As I get Pulp factories, I will apply for your Canadian work visa immediately.”
”Yes brother, I will get the passport. You know my new name.”
“Ha ha ha.”
Danny said, “Poppy will be bringing our stones to Dubai. Take a good care of him. In my absence he is our number one.”
“Don’t worry, Danny. He takes care of us and we will take care of him.”
Don ended the call.

Abdul I am hungry, let’s eat in the restaurant. They walked to the market. Don was singing a Sufi song and Abdul was deep in thoughts, he was linking his Plumbing and AC knowledge to Cardiology.

They were eating falafels at Sheikh’s Falafel Restaurant.
Chef came to their table, “Salaam Walakum, how did you like falafels.”
Don said, “Best food I ever ate in my life.”
His cell phone rang again.
Danny said, “Big brother, I have a very bad news.”
“What!”
“Now Mulchand called from Kendy in Sri Lanka. It seems like he has ganged up with Omar. Both are in Sri Lanka. I am worried about our families and diamonds.”
Don was very shocked. He stammered, “They know too much … everything. Dddd diamonds.”
“Yes brother.”
“Ooooo Omar is ggg guerrilla-war cccccc champion, very dddd dangerous. Don’t touch Mmmmmm Mulchand’s family because he knows our homes and our fffff families.”
“I already called back my men.”
Mumbai God Father felt grit in his falafel he spat the food in the plate and walked out of the restaurant.
Abdul picked up his own falafel and rushed after him.
His compressor short cycled again.



End of Chapter 10