MIRACLE MAN: short story

Monday, August 22, 2005, The Times of India Late city edition, Mumbai

“THE MIRACLE WORKER or THE GRIM REAPER?”

When Akhil Patni saw this caption above his photograph on the cover of Bombay Times he could not repress a dry chuckle. Not because the report was very pleasing but that it extended to four columns with the full blown photo meant that he was going to be a very recognized face; not that he was a very unknown till now.

May be you have never heard of him but the high and mighty of Bombay city swear by his name. A lot of celebrities in India in the past have been influenced by god’s men be it Osho or Asaram. But in the last two years more than a dozen hot shots have “surrendered” themselves to Akhil Patni. These include people from Bollywood, a couple of politicians and even a few very high ranking police officials. According to the man himself, “he has helped these people in making peace with themselves and get closer to the supreme power.” He also claims to have cured a thousand people of various incurable diseases. But what makes him more intriguing is the fate of his detractors. About six months back, Hemant Diwedi the renowned fashion designer had in a party accused Patni on his face of fooling people and fleecing money from them. Ten days later his body was found rotting in his Vile Parel Flat. The flat was locked from inside. The police is till date clueless about the cause of death. A month later Marthand Shivhare an additional professor at IIT Powai had mocked Patni and his antics when giving a lecture on Science and Miracles in a convention. Forty eight hours later his face was 70 percent burned due to a tragic explosion in the Institute Chemistry Lab where he was working alone. He is still recovering in a hospital. The investigation s have showed that it was an accident. And recently in the last week Ashok Contractor had charged Patni of using his political connections for securing a tract of land outside Mahim by influencing the bidding. Contractor passed away Saturday night in his sleep due to a cardiac arrest. According to sources, Patni wants this land to build his ashram.
On asking for his comments on these terrible incidents, the response of Patni was that everything happened according to the will of God and that some churning is necessary for securing a balance in the world. Whatever be the causes behind them, these incidents have made Patni not only a more respected figure but also much feared one. The police are investigating if there is connection linking Patni to these ‘misfortunes’. Though, many people claim that Patni has extraordinary powers which he uses for the benefit of his followers and teaching a lesson to the infidels, Patni himself refused to answer the question if he had any such powers.

Another man who was reading this report intensely was Inspector Madhav Godbole. Sipping a cutting of tea, sitting in a creaking chair in Bandra West Police Station, he was more revolted than amused by the story. “these fucking newspapers make a miracle out of that motherfucking, two cent bastard. I am telling you Nagre, this Patni is no more than a fucked up goon. I am going to put him in his place and when I whip that bastard in my lock-up I’ll see if he can show his magic tricks to me.”
Head Constable Siddarth Nagre silently nodded his head in approval. He was not sure if Godbole was really angry at Patni or generally taking out the frustration that he had with his life. The only reason why the file on Patni was lying on Godbole’s desk was because he was considered one of the most inefficient officials in the department and some people high up in the power ladder did not want much progress on this case. And what was worst was that Godbole knew it. What he also knew was that he was 48 years old, had two departmental inquires pending on him on the charges of corruption and was sitting in the same chair since last eight years. People took him for granted. He could not remember the last time anyone had talked with respect to him; even his wife took all the decisions regarding family matters without informing him. Last night she had told him that he should be at home on Sunday as some people will be coming for fixing the marriage of their daughter. His daughter- the only soul on earth that he really loved but that did not mean she treated him any different from others. She also believed that her father was good for nothing and which Godbole often reflected was not entirely untrue.

But this time it was going to be different. He was not going to let them make fun of him. He was going to earn respect. “I’ll show those motherfuckers….”thought Godbole. The zeal with which he jumped from his chair surprised everyone. “Nagre take two other constables and start the jeep. We are going to nail this Patni motherfucker down.”



Friday, September 2, 2005, The Mid Day After Noon Edition, Mumbai

GODMAN ARRESTED
The Mumbai police around 8 o’clock in the morning arrested the well known godman Akhil Patni. He was arrested on his alleged involvement in a series of tragic incidents including the mysterious death of fashion designer Hemant Diwedi. Further information is awaited regarding this matter.


“So mister Miracle you have no idea how Hemant Diwedi died, haan?”barked Godbole at Patni who was sitting in a chair surrounded by four constables, Godbole and Nagre.

“No sir, none at all”

“not even a little bit, a tiny, a slight vague idea?”

“no sir not even a tiny, slight vague idea”

“Well, then let me tell you. Diwedi died due to internal bleeding from his intestine. He suffered from a medical condition known as Hyperdomatcticillia which was not as threatening a disease as it sounds but apart from occasional surges of intense pain, it makes the intestine vulnerable to certain chemicals like *******. Now, if a patient is suffering from Hyperdomatcticillia and he takes a substantial amount of ******* then it may result in the rupture of intestine leading to internal bleeding and death within 10 to 15 minutes. But the point is if the amount was substantial then it must have shown in the postmortem report but it did not.”
“Do you know why?”

“I have no clue what you are talking about, Inspector.”

“The reason being that even a miniscule but regular intake of *******every day can aggravate the condition to such a state that one day it will snap but the amount would be too little to show in the post mortem.
Now, we come to the interesting part. You were aware of Diwedi’s medical condition as his doctor Rishab Shukla is a disciple of yours as was Diwedi when you assured him that you’ll cure him of his pains using your powers.”

“so you mean to say I administered him *******everyday. But how could I? He did not come to me after he insulted me in that party.” Patni ridiculed his logic.

“Well, Mr. Patni we have no doubts that you are quite resourceful. Do you know that that Diwedi used to get milk delivered at his door step every morning and two days after his body was found that delivery man disappeared” said Godbole matter of factly, lighting up a cigarette.

“These are all coincidences inspector. You cannot link me up to his death in anyway. I think whatever happened was the wish of the all mighty. He punishes those who deserve it.”

“Well, Mr. miracle he punished Marthand Shivhare also, didn’t he? That was also an act of god no doubt. And the fact that the lab assistant who was officially absent that day is the brother of your organizing man Deshmukh is again a mere irrelevant coincidence.” He blew the smoke of cigarette in Patni’s face.

“Can’t be anything more.” Neither the smoke nor Godbole’s tone bothered him.

“OK Mr. Patni, enough of your coincidences. I am going to beat the motherfucking shit out of you. So if you want to tell me anything or show some magic trick, now is the fucking time.”

“You have a beautiful daughter, Inspector.” an ominous smile flickered on his lips.

“All right then, since you want to get your ass whipped, here we go……” Godbole raised his hand to strike him but restrained himself when the phone rang.

Nagre picked it, what followed was a brief moment of silence. Cautiously he kept the receiver back.

“Who was it Nagre?” barked Godbole.

“it was……eh…….. from… your.. home……. sir” He seemed to be stopping after each word.
“….. There is a bad news…. Your daughter… she passed away…..”

After a brief moment of shock, Godbole leapt for his service revolver. “I am gonna kill this motherfucker……die you motherfucker…you deserve to die”

“it was only an accident sir…….pure accident”, the words were barely coming out of Nagre’s mouth.

Two constables tried to restrain Godbole as he lifted Patni by his collar. The third one not knowing what to do picked up his Rifle and alternately pointed it at Godbole and Diwedi.

“..she got an electric shock… unfortunate accident sir…” Nagre desperately tried to reason with him but by then Godbole was already pointing his revolver at Patni who remained unperturbed. And then the shot was fired…………