Journalstone's 2010 Warped Words for Twisted Minds by Compiled by Christopher C. Payne Page B

papers.”
    Rakesh once again faced the walls, ignoring the fact that Ashok was scribbling away on his note pad.
    “Well, allow me to fill in the missing details. Lata, my older sister, was my parents’ pride and joy. She was also the closest thing I had to a parent. We weren’t from a wealthy home, Dr. Virani, so both my parents worked hard to provide us with a decent life. My mother was a nurse, and my father managed a factory floor. They both worked long hours, well into the night. They left me home alone with my sister on most occasions”
    “Dr., it’s your son on line one,” the intercom buzzed.
    “Monica, you know not to disturb me when I’m with a patient.”
    “Yes sir, but your son said it’s important.”
    “Monica, he’s six for God’s sake! You should…….”
    “Sir, he’s bawling on the phone,” she interrupted.
    “Dr., please take the call, I’m sure it’s important to your son.”
    “I’m sorry, Rakesh, I won’t be a moment.”
    “Of course.”
    “Hello? Jai? What’s the matter?”
    “Papa, it’s in my room again and won’t leave me alone. It’s troubling me,” he sobbed.
    “What is, beta?”
    “The monster, Papa. Papa, please, please come home. Please Papa, please!”
    Ashok could barely understand what his son was saying through all the wailing.
    “Jai, let me speak to mummy.”
    “Papa, please! The monster’s here! It said it won’t leave me! It’s sitting on the bed now, Papa! It’s coming closer and closer!”
    “Jai, beta, calm down. Stop crying. Let me speak with your mummy. Jai? Hello? Jai?”
    Realizing his son had hung up, he called his wife’s mobile phone.
    “Hello?”
    “Sonia, can you please check on Jai, he’s in hysterics! Please, handle this! I’m in the middle of a session.”
    “What happened?” Sonia was alarmed.
    “Nothing, he’s just talking about the monsters again. Please just go upstairs, and get a handle on this!” he hung up, frustrated.
    “I’m terribly sorry about that, Rakesh,” he said, regaining his composure.
    “It’s quite alright. Is everything ok?” Mehta asked, sounding genuinely concerned.
    “Yes, yes. You know children and their wild imaginations. My son insists there is a monster in his room that has been bothering him for the past few days.”
    “I think every child has a healthy fear of the monster in their room,” he smiled.
    Ashok was confused with that response, but paid it no heed. Instead, he picked up his note pad and asked Rakesh to continue.
    “As I was saying, my parents worked late into the night, and it was Lata who raised me. I was always asleep by the time my parents got home and only saw them briefly at the breakfast table. Close to my 7th birthday, my father passed away in a fire at the factory. It was a tragic scene, numerous employees died that night. I’m sure you’re aware that India isn’t well known for its safety standards.”
    Ashok instinctively wanted to say something but knew better, and allowed Rakesh to continue expressing himself.
    “We received some compensation, but it wasn’t enough. My mother began working double shifts at the hospital and began to run herself into the ground. I saw her even less. Lata became my mother.”
    Rakesh stopped walking around and sat down across from Ashok. He took a sip from his water cup and smiled at the doctor.
    “I understand you live near the Rajni Estates in Parelle.”
    “Yes,” Ashok was surprised, “Yes I do, but how did you…how did you know?” he stammered.
    “It’s my business to know, Dr. Virani. Information and knowledge are important commodities. Acquiring it and containing it is what controls the business world.”
    Ashok sat silently, unsure about how to respond.
    “Don’t be alarmed Dr. Virani, I own a great deal of property in that area, so I’m bound to know,” Rakesh smiled.
    “Oh I see, ok,” Ashok said, reassured once again.
    “Are you aware of how my property empire came to be?”
    “Well, I understand