Memory Intrigues- Chapter 22

Note: This is the Twenty-second chapter of 'Memory Intrigues', a collaborative novel being etched out by a group of ten bloggers.

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Read the previous part of the story here or check out all chapters on our FB page here.

The story so far: 

“What’s the matter Shekhar?  Who was it?”

Shekhar stares as if he’s seen a ghost.  Tara repeats her question.

“They have kidnapped Roohi.  They want the memory card.”

Tara’s jaw drops and her eyes go round with fright.

“Give it to them. I want Roohi back safe and sound.  Damn that memory card.  It has been the cause of so much trouble in this house.”

Shekhar listens and remains silent for a while. He is deep in thought.

“And what if they take the card and don’t return Roohi?” he thinks out aloud.

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Chapter 22 

“Can we risk it?” Tara asks.

He just stands there staring vacantly into the emptiness. He knows the answer as well as Tara. Until now, Shekhar never really understood why people gave in to ransom demands.

An hour later, they receive the next call with information about where they need to come, in order to hand over the memory card.

“How do I know she’s...” Shekhar could not complete the sentence; Tara covers his mouth with her hand.

Memory Intrigues - Chapter 20

 

Note: This is the Twentieth chapter of 'Memory Intrigues', a collaborative novel being etched out by a group of ten bloggers. 

Join our team, the 'DynamicWord Weavers' as we #CelebrateBlogging with BlogAdda's 'Game of Blogs'

Team logo designed by Ruchita

Read the previous part of the story here or check out all chapters on our FB page here.

The story so far:

The phone rings a couple of times more.  This time Cyrus decides to pick it up, assuming it could be some urgent call.  He hits the accept button but before he could even say “Hello”:

“Why are you not picking my call??  It’s you who has done a mistake.  It’s you who has leaked the news about Jen and the memory card and now you show me attitude and refuse to pick up my calls!  Tara. you are just impossible!!”

Beep..beep..beep… the call gets cut. Cyrus stands there cogitating about what he has just heard.

Agitated, Shekhar decides to pick Roohi up from school.

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Chapter 20

Back home with Roohi, all his attention is on the clock, anticipating Tara’s return. After many unsuccessful calls to Tara, he calls his friend to cancel their meeting. He can’t leave Roohi alone at home.

Shekhar is fed up of Tara’s annoying behaviour. Every time they quarrel, she either rants, or sulks and ignores him. He has to apologise though he may not be wrong. This time, he knows Tara has crossed the line. If she expects him to back off, she is in for a surprise. Shekhar starts up and shuts down his laptop four times before abandoning it. He finds it hard to concentrate. After pacing up and down the balcony for half an hour he eventually manages to settle down a bit and get down to some writing.

“She pushed the door open, and saw him glaring at her. She should have been afraid but she had no idea what awaited her. She ignored him and went inside. He followed her into the kitchen, the best place for what he wanted to do. She faced him when she turned to take out the rice container. He blocked her path, she must have sensed something because she moved back a few steps. Without any warning, he gripped her delicate neck with his hands and started squeezing it.”

Bharat and his Youth Campaign

 

The turning point for Mr. Bharat

“All they can do is chat, chat and chat. If they can use their fingers to chat, then why can't they use the same finger to vote?”Mr. Bharat went on and on about today’s generation and youth. He threw his morning newspaper on the front table.
“What’s the use of talking to me?” Mrs. Bharat continued her dusting. She concentrated on a tricky corner of the wall. “I’m no longer young.”
“No one would believe that looking at you.” He leaned back in his chair.
“Flatterer...” Mrs. Bharat blushed. She looked up at her husband and said, “I am serious. It is no use of talking, if we can’t do something about it. You should try reaching out to the youth, persuade them the importance of vote. I know you can do it.”

This vote of confidence instead of boasting his ego annoyed him.“I’ll go out for a walk.”

A better way of living

I hate tablets, the white ones, the pink ones, small round ones and even the sugar coated ones. However, since the advent of the newer meaning of the word, an electronic tablet, I can’t live without it.

From getting up in the morning and chatting to reading in the car or cab, even in train or bus, till I fall asleep at night, I need the tablet with me. It has become an extra appendage. I use it for reading , writing, and even talking. One click and you can find anything you need, it’s like a miracle.