On The Other Side

“It’s about time”, spoke Shakuntala Devi with a loud voice from inside the kitchen.

“Yess. I am on it. One button-click away”, replied Srinivas Rao energetically as his index finger pressed the power button.

Shakuntala sprinted to the living room as the machine came to life with the signature boot-up sound of Windows.

“Connect it quickly”, told Shakuntala as she sat down beside Srinivas and watched the blue screen that showed the Welcome text.

Meanwhile Shakuntala turned her eyes to the 2 clocks that were firmly fixed on the wall. One clock was ticking at 6.10 AM and the other showed 8.40 PM.

A beautifully framed photograph was present between the 2 clocks. Shakuntala heaved a sigh by looking at her son, daughter-in-law and grandson in the photograph.

Krishna and Keerthi have been married for 7 years and little Vaibhav is now 6 years old. In the last 7 years they have come home thrice.

The train of her thoughts derailed when Shakuntala heard the incoming call on the screen. Srinivas Rao gently clicked on the green button.

Shakuntala and Srinivas both were in high spirits to see the window loading slowly.

A square window popped up with the visuals of 3 vague figures slowly turning into definite faces – Krishna, Keerthi and Vaibhav in between.

“Hey grandpa and grandma ! what up. Gimme Five. ”, cheered Vaibhav slapping his right palm against the camera.

“Hello – Hai Vaibhav”, both the retired grandparents raised their hands giving high five.

“What’s new father? How is your BP? Took the tablets?”, questioned Krishna.

“Hmmm. I’m taking tablets. My blood pressure would be normal if you all are around us“, paused Srinivas Rao with  half-smile.

“I understand father. But our project is going to be released in the near future and my calendar is mostly packed up with meetings you know. I come home tired…...”, stopped Krishna as he saw Shakuntala signaling Srinivas not to upset the mood.

“So Vaibhav what are you doing this weekend?”, Shakuntala gently spoke looking at the camera.

“Well ! Dad is taking me to skateboarding class. And we might go out for a movie. Right Dad?”, Vaibhav answered enthusiastically as Krishna nodded.

“Aunty, Why don’t you both come here for some time.”, suggested Keerthi.

“We’re fine here Keerthi. Will plan some other time”, smiled Shakuntala gently rejecting the offer.

For some more time both the groups talked about so many things like Vaibhav’ s education, new neighbors, the weather, new recipes and what not.

Shakuntala and Srinivas thoroughly enjoyed and smiled all along the conversation though signs of monotony was felt on the other end of the camera.

“ Time for bed grandpa”, Vaibhav interrupted.  

“ Oh sorry child. Didn’t keep track of the time. Good Night. ”,  wished Srinivas.

“ Good day grandma and grandpa. Take care”, greeted Vaibhav and disappeared with Keerthi.

“ So. What else Krishna?”, asked Shakuntala.

“ Nothing ma. Take good care. We will connect again tomorrow.”, answered Krishna.

“ Yes. WE WILL WAIT FOR TOMORROW. Good Night Krishna. Take Care”, said Shakuntala as Srinivas nodded his head.

Krishna gently closed the Skype window and went back to his room with a tired look without having any idea what’s happening on the other end.

There was a beep sound and the window that was the reason for the smiles of Shakuntala and Srinivas vanished away from their sight .

Srinivas Rao turned off the computer joylessly. Again there appeared a blue screen. But this time saying Shutting down.

In about 11 seconds the 15.6 inch blue screen went totally black. The reflection of 2 dispirited faces could be seen on it.

One cannot know if the reflection of the faces on the screen were really pale or if it was because of the poor quality of the LCD.

-Ignore any grammatical mistakes

Conceived and Written By                                          

Jayanth Aluguri