“Whoa! Where did you spring from? ” Swami nearly jumped. A devilish form had suddenly appeared beside him. And now Swami was irritated at the smart dressed man. The man in question could well have been a baddie in a typical south Indian flick. He had a thick flock of bushy hair, heavy eyebrows and a weird thick moustache stretching from ear to ear. He wore his aviators even in the dark-again just like the typical baddie. His entire effect seemed to have a dark undertone to it. He could have easily passed unnoticed in the dark had he not decided to sprinkle his entire body with gold ornaments. And a well built body it was!

“How gross!” Swami thought to himself.

“The man was staring at him incessantly and smiling. Swami hated it when someone did that. He felt naked. It was like he was able to read his thoughts. And the more irritated Swami got, the “rowdy” character’s smile extended half an inch. Finally Swami could take it no more and decided to stand on the footboard and enjoy the wind. But there was to be no respite. The man was still staring at him and smiling. The man had that fearful effect that ghosts have about the.

“How does it feel?" The man’s voice was mocking and loud, almost booming and it seemed to have a digital surround effect to it. It seemed to be coming from everywhere.

“Feel what? “ Swami wished the man was a bit smaller in size. He would definitely have picked up a fight.

“Can’t you feel the difference? Now that you are here? Is it so unbelievable to be true?”

Swami was sure he was trapped with a psycho. He simply peered out into the open and hoped the strange man would simply go away.

But he didn’t. He simply came forward and threw Swami out of the train!

Swami felt stripped. Everything seemed to happen once. His brain was running faster than ever, calculating any and every move which could keep him alive. His heart started pounding, pumping blood to his brain and his hand which was desperately trying to catch on to the handle of the train’s door. His mouth started to shout but then felt it was a waste of time. His eyes were desperately trying to find help. And in that one moment, a fraction of a second and Swami entire life flashed before him. His first walk, his parents, his friends, his foes, his conquests and his losses, everything. It was like a 3D movie where he fit right into as the lone spectator.

Thud!!

The last thing Swami saw was the wide smiling face with a huge moustache peering from the train. His mother was calling out to him from somewhere. It was over. It did not have to end this way.

“Who are you? What just happened? “Swami was afraid now. He felt like it was a bad dream but how could it be. Dreams don’t run for so long, only reality does.

“How did I come back here? You had thrown me out didn’t you?

The man started laughing. A booming laugh that froze Swami’s blood. He was really afraid now. Swami looked around. No one else seemed to notice; neither him nor the weird laughing man.

“How does it feel? How does it feel in my world? How does it feel to be dead? “The man boomed.

Swami could not believe what the man just said.

“Dead? Are you out of your mind, man? If I am dead, how am I standing here? How are you talking to me? Are you completely crazy or what? “Swami didn’t care. He would definitely hit the man if he opened his mouth again.

“Ooh you poor poor boy. You fail to recognize me. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Yama, the God of death. You don’t believe me? Is it because now I dress up like you mortals? Well, we all have to adapt I guess. But you people still imagine me decked up in gold and wearing archaic clothes don’t you? “

“But why did you take my life? And when did you do it? I did not feel anything!” Swami still found it hard to believe. These things happened only in the movies or some silly stories. He absolutely detested this kind of literature and then anyways he did not believe much in Godly mumbo jumbo.

“Hmm. Now that’s a very interesting question. But let me tell you a very interesting story for an answer. Have you heard of the famine in Malegaon? The place where hundreds have died due to sheer hunger? That is where I complete my quota every time. I was hoping to complete my quota this time too until something out of the way happened. Some journalist picked up the issue and wrote a fiery article about it. No one would have bothered as always but this time my luck had deserted me. It was that time of the year when you mortals have your elections. All of a sudden everyone was in Malegaon. Money started flowing in and within no time people had stopped dying.”

“Hey wait up. Wait up. Aren’t you supposed to have a list? Do you mean to tell me you go about taking lives randomly? ‘People had stopped dying’. Is that how you describe people who die? “

“Well you know what? I actually have a list but that list is prepared by me. I just get a quota from the higher authorities. After all a balance has to be maintained on this great experiment of God called Earth. But you earthlings are very smart. You come up with plans to outwit me each time. And the same happened this time around.”

“So what happened next? Where do I come in? “Rajesh had had enough of this. He was getting apprehensive now. What was his future as a ghost?

“Well I was trying to figure out how to achieve my quota when I met Narad Muni, the great devotee. He told me about this city where people always want to die. There are people here who pray to God to kill them. Sometimes it's for money or love, else for losses and insults. The list is endless. I had just landed into this vast city at the central Mumbai CST station when I heard you praying. I heard you actually telling God you wanted to die. Well I fulfilled your wish. But sadly as is always the case with humans, you don’t look satisfied or grateful.”

“Wha….I have been saying that since high school. How come you never heard me then? And now when I am young and rearing to go, you decide to heed to my prayer? How do I put it? I was not serious! Make me alive again please.”

“Well young man. Sadly that I can’t do. You should have thought about that before. I can only take peoples’ lives, restoring them is God’s responsibility. I have done my job; see if your prayer works again. But I am sure, God wouldn’t be interested. I think he left his failed experiment a long time ago. But anyways, don’t sulk. Why don’t you come along with me? It's boring anyways taking people’s lives. Come let’s have fun.”

“It might be fun for you. But thanks, I am doing well here.”

“Well. Don’t tell me later I didn’t warn you. There are also the gangs of ghosts wandering around looking for fresh recruits. You will have more fun with them. As a matter of fact, there’s one looking at you right now.”

Rajesh turned to see a pathetic looking old man glaring at him with utter interest. There was nothing about him that would indicate him being ghostly. And Rajesh was about to turn back and taunt Yama on his bluff when the man suddenly turned around. Rajesh almost screamed at the site. The man had his long dagger lodged in his back.

“Poor soul was stabbed by his wife. Now he refuses to go to hell until he's had revenge on her. He's been terrorizing h his wife for a month now. Won’t be long before she dies too. He’s the chief recruiter for the Bhootiya - the ghostly gang. They are on the lookout for ghosts who they can use to haunt humans whom they hate with all their heart. He’s all ready for you.”

“Where are we going next?" The last thing Swami wanted was to be a part of a gang. He just wanted to live again.

“I don’t want to die yet. There are a lot of things I want to do being alive. Please I will do anything to be come alive again.”

“Sorry son. Once dead you can’t be alive again.” Yama heard this every day.

“But you know what? I might just have a deal with you. Help me complete my quota and I might just let you go. No one has discovered your body yet. So you still have a change. The faster you make me a list, the earlier you may go. But since I don’t have a list, let’s start by creating one. I have a target of 100 for today. Whenever you see a needy soul begging for death, just close your eyes and say my name. The name will be added to my list. For now, I will just head that way there.”

“Ok.” And Swami started looking around. Suddenly he was hearing a lot of voices. Swami was surprised how this wonderful city held so many dark secrets. There was the conscience of a thief, guilt of an infidel, hatred of a communal hardliner, jealousy of a competitor and almost endless emotions in those voices. The one voice missing was the voice of happiness and love. The city was one vast cauldron boiling with vicious emotions with no room for love.

Swami now realized what Yama meant by God’s failed experiment. God had never meant his world to be this way. God had meant his people to be happy. But alas Man had always concentrated on what he did not have instead of everything that was his.

Back on the job, he could clearly hear one voice above the others as it was begging for death. There was the poor young mother desperate about feeding her child his next meal. And there was this wealthy businessman who was worrying about making more money in his next deal. If only he could read the thoughts of the young woman. If he could be less selfish and look around, he would maybe realize there are more important things than a business deal. But he was helpless now. He was dead. How could he help them? Swami had never felt so desperate all his life. He felt so tied and bound. If only he had been alive. He would have talked to the rich guy and got some help.

In a flash, he suddenly had a brainwave. If he was a ghost, he should be capable of ghostlike things. If he was a ghost, he would definitely be able to possess people. But how? How was he to go about it? He decided to keep calm and think. How did he first learn to program in C++? He tried. He recalled his first program which took him seven days to write. He could do it now in seven minutes flat. He decided to walk right into the man.

As he approached the man, he felt a strange wave surge through him. He knew he had the power. He felt the fight the man’s soul put up, but then he was the ghost. Ghosts always won, didn’t they? He checked his pocket. There was a wad of hundred rupee notes. He picked it all up and walked to the woman.

“Please sir, please help me. I need to feed the baby.” The poor woman looked so pathetic, but he knew 50% of it was made up. He knew how beggars worked. But there was 50% truth in it as well.

“Listen he said to her. I have money here for you. But it's a lot of money. You will be looted in no time. Where are you from and how did u land up here?”

“I am from a village in the state of Rajasthan - the land of thirst. My land was usurped by the landlord after my husband’s death. I had nowhere to go and I had to raise my son. So here I am.”

“Ok. I will put you in a train to Rajasthan. Go to your village and free your land. There is enough money here to get you there. Be very very careful. Come let’s get you a ticket.”

Before the poor woman knew what was happening, she was on a train to Jaipur-the capital of Rajasthan. Swami was doing something he was not supposed to do. He was supposed to make a list of the desperate people so Yama could get his quota complete. But somehow Swami felt happy now. He had never felt this satisfaction in his entire life. He came out of the body and let the original soul carry about his daily life. The man would be shocked for some time but would eventually get over it. He would have a good deed added to his deed book.

He had to get back to the list.

“Aah. Now that is a perfect candidate.” He was looking at a perfect gentleman who was constantly asking to be killed. He could be on the list.

“Yes Sir. I will fulfill your wish.” Swami began walking to the man. The man in question finally seemed to have won the conflict of minds and decided to call someone.

“Hello, Mr.Sethi. Sir, please. Please don’t do this. I have a family to look after sir. If you take my job, how will I feed them? I have put in years of service in your organization and now you want to cut costs? Please think about how I have been with you in your bad times. Please sir”

The conversation made everything obvious to Swami. If he was to put this poor guy in the list what would his family do? If only he could reach the old man’s boss, he would convince him not to sack the old man, albeit in his own special way. He peered over the old man’s shoulder and saw the exit letter that had been given to him. Now that he knew which company the man worked for, it was easy finding his bosses address. There was a telephone directory at hand.

That night a strange thing happened at Mr.Sethi’s home. Mr.Sethi had an unexpected visitor. And that visitor, though invisible managed to convince him that his greatest wealth were his employees. A call was immediately made which was picked up by a particular old man at the railway station, the news of his reinstatement conveyed and before long everyone was happy except for Swami. He had just messed up on another assignment.

It was 7 o'clock in the morning and Swamis list was yet to be created. Every single candidate had somehow been a victim and he had ended up helping them. He knew his fate was sealed now. He would roam the streets a living dead. He decided to face it. He somehow felt at peace tonight. He had not had time to complain about anything. He had thoroughly enjoyed helping others. It was the first time in his life that he had realized that there were others who had more problems than him. He could still help others being a ghost. It was time to face Yama-the fearful god of death.

There was a sharp whiff, the dust swirled and the hefty form of Yama materialized. But Yama completely ignored him and talked to the old man whom Swami had helped.

“So Holy Saint. What do you think? “

The old man stood up straight now. His hands folded and slowly a small Veena appeared in his hands, his clothes began to metamorphose into the meager clothing of a saint, his hair started appearing slowly, tied in a bun over the top of his head.

“Narayan Narayan.” The saint was constantly chanting the name of God.

Swami knew this persona. He had seen him innumerable times in mythological serials on TV. But this guy was not an actor; this was the real Narad Muni-The holiest of saints. Now swami was as confused as ever. Narad Muni was now old man, then the poor woman and every single person Swami had helped that night.

“Don’t be so confused son.”Narad walked up to him and patted his shoulder.

“You have passed with flying colors. Don’t you see the look of defeat on Yama’s face?” Peals of laughter.

“Ok Ok. You win but one person cannot represent billions.” Yama somehow lacked conviction.

“That’s a never ending argument my friend. But let’s help our little human first.” Narad’s hand felt soothing on Swamis back

“My son. God created the Earth on the basis of heaven and humans on the basis of his own self. The initial thousands of centuries saw peace and harmony. Every now and then when something wrong happened, the Lord would come down to earth and calm things down. There was Ramayana and Mahabharata where the good won over the evil. Everything was under control. But God had never imagined that the humans-his best creation would someday go so out of control. There were industrial developments and capitalism was born. There were fierce battles, nuclear bombs and now lately terrorists. The world had descended into chaos. Humans soon discovered computers and stem cells. They could create life now. Humans were comparable to God now. Or so they thought. But there were also side effects to these great strides in technology. Humans were soon feeling the spirit of competition. The industrial czars were using techniques not ethical to rule the industrial kingdoms. Corruption was just a byproduct of this great urge to win. This competition spread to the employees. Have you ever noticed how people scramble to board even empty trains? It is just the competitive spirit that has been injected into their veins, poisoning them, corrupting them.

Humans were meant to be earths hope. They were meant to keep everyone and everything in harmony. But competition made you forget that there are some who are not capable of running in this rat race. So what happens to them? They are ignored, beaten and left as losers. No one has time for such miserable creatures. Everyone has their own race to win.

It pained God to see that his most beautiful creation was now his worst nightmare (Yes, Gods have nightmares too).It was then that god decided to end it all. He decided to finish earth and the God of death would have one final job. Mass killings and then the end. Everything would be done with.

Everyone loved the idea except me. I still had faith in humans. And hence came the subsequent bet. Now we had to find a subject. Among the people we scrutinized, we zeroed upon you. You still had a good heart. Even though you listen to devilish music and show that you hate people, there was this strain with you that was good. You know the rest of the story”

“So you kill me. You kill me for your experiment!!!” Swami could not believe his ears. This was going from bad to worse.

“Death is not irreversible son. But promise me. You will continue to do what you did today. And you will live. I will help you in your endeavor to make this earth a better place. Promise me son.”

“I promise.”

And then there was the swirl of dust. Everything began shaking. Yama and Narad were smiling as they disappeared. Swami waited. Nothing. He was still a ghost. Did Narad Muni mean he would live like a ghost forever? He felt a chill run down his spine.

“SWAMIIII…..” The groveling voice made him shiver. It was the gang and they were coming for him. The last thing he ever wanted to do was to go around possessing people. They were coming from all sides, surrounding him. He had been tricked by the Gods. He could feel their hands all over his soul now, tearing it apart, converting him into one of them.

“He is one of us now.” He heard the voice saying

“One of us. One of us.” Many voices

Darkness……..

Swami opened his eyes to a familiar room. His mother and sister had a nice flow of tears going between them. His father tough not crying was looking worried enough.

“Thank God you are alright. You had stopped breathing there for almost 15 minutes. The doctor is already on his way. It's only Gods grace that you are ok. What’s wrong? Why are you looking at us like that? I have told you not to worry too much about your career and life. Now you know what worrying does to your health? At this young age you have suffered a stroke. Promise me you will live a better life.”

“Where are Yama and Narad? What happened to the gang? “Swami could still felt like throwing up. The hundreds of hands had just torn his soul apart.

His mother started crying harder.

“You mean you saw the God of Death? I am sure you must be dreaming.” His sister had regained her posture now.

“My son. What is this all about? “His father looked old somehow.

“Don’t worry dad. It was just a bad dream. I am a changed man now. Almost reborn.” The gods had not fooled him after all. He had learnt his lesson. He had better things to worry about now.

Somewhere far away, God smiled. He had started the process of change. Earth still had a chance.