Chaos Theory.

Disclaimer: The story is a work of fiction and is in no way related to any person dead or alive. The names characters and situations occurring in the story are imaginary and any resemblance to any person dead or alive is purely coincidental.

Chaos Theory.

"I don’t care if you have to put a gun on their head to make them wear our shoes, all I care about is our profits", the CEO of Prowear said to Ashutosh. "Did you understand that, now go and next time when you show me your face make sure you have better numbers with you.", he said.

It has been six months now that Ashutosh had taken over as the country head of the leading sportswear company Prowear, which was re-launched in the country recently. After a first bout of unsuccessful line of products and marketing campaigns, everything about Prowear was revamped; top executives were shown the door. The company had launched a new line of shoes to capture the market of sports shoes and now Ashutosh was under pressure from his boss to improve the bottom line.

They were about to launch basketball shoes in the country. Ashutosh now had to make it a cult product to reclaim the actual position that the company and its brands had in the world market.

“You know what a cult brand is, a brand for which people are ready to die.” He addressed his team the next morning in the conference room, “and that is what we want, let’s make our Prowear basketball shoes that kind of a cult product.” “Every teenager must be wearing our shoes, and those who are not must be willing to even die to get their feet into one of the pairs.” The team applauded.

The next week Prowear launched new basketball shoes with a big fanfare. They also started a campaign to select two basketball teams from amongst the colleges of the country, which will play against each other at a stadium in New York. The CEO was happy with the campaign. At the launch party he introduced his son Sumit to Ashutosh. “Sumit is studying in SRV College and also plays for the college basketball team.” The CEO told Ashutosh. Ashutosh understood what he was trying to say.

The next day Ashutosh personally arranged to have a couple of pair of shoes to be sent to Sumit. Sumit proudly wore the shoes to the college and showed them off to his friends. A team from Prowear visited Sumit’s college and declared that they will be selecting two students from the college who played basketball for the two teams that was being built to play in New York. They also had their own coach placed in the college for a week so that he may identify the best players and recruit them into the team. They said that they were running such campaign in over 20 colleges and also on the Internet.

In spite of being priced at Rs. 4000, the sales of Prowear basketball shoes shot through the roof within a couple of days. The CEO told Ashutosh that the process of team selection should be extended to one month, to boost further sales.

Arvind was the best basketball player SRV had seen in years. He had single handedly won many matches for the college. Sumit was also a good player and was the captain of the team but everybody knew Arvind to be the real star. And when in a week’s time the Prowear coach selected Sumit as the first player to represent SRV College in the Prowear basketball team, nobody believed it.

“I can’t believe it, how can Sumit be selected when I am the star player?” Arvind said to Sadiq. Both were best of friends since school and now in SRV. “I know the reason”, said Sadiq. “What’s it?”

“Ever noticed how the chocolate boy always wears Prowear shoes to the practice”, said Sadiq. “They didn’t spend so much of money just to get us to play in New York, their main motive is to sell their shoes, and that’s why chocolate boy has been selected, because he bought them.”

“But these shoes cost more than Rs. 4000, I will never be able to afford a pair”, said Arvind. “Why don’t you ask your father to sponsor you”, said Sadiq. “He would never agree, he is strictly against me playing basketball, he wants me to start preparing for MBA. And anyways after his retirement I don’t want to ask him for any money”, said Arvind. “Then you can say goodbye to your chances of playing in New York”, said Sadiq. “Can you lend me some money”, asked Arvind. “I don’t have money to take Sana to the movies and you want me to sponsor your fancy shoes”, said Sadiq. “We will have to do something, this is a dream opportunity for me and I just can’t see it going to waste.” Sadiq knew how much basketball meant to Arvind and this actually was an opportunity of a life time for him.

In the class next day Sadiq told Arvind that he had come up with a plan. Arvind was excited and couldn’t wait for the class to be over. They went to the cafeteria after the class was over.

“You know Sunil, the guy who lives in the next building to mine”, said Sadiq. “You mean the guy who drives that new sportsbike”, asked Arvind. “Yeah, that bike’s worth 75000 bucks, you know how he bought it?” said Sadiq. Arvind shook his head. “There’s this guy, his name is Rehman, he lives in Sion, he always has some petty job for people to do and for each finished job he pays 1000 bucks.” “What kind of job?” asked Arvind. “Running errands like delivering packets, mostly drugs, to the given address, but the problem is that he gives a job to a person only once a month, you will have to wait a month to get the job again.”

“And how does this solve our problem, even if we both do one job we will have to wait two months to have 4000 Rupees and by that time the competition will be over.” said Arvind. “You know what Sunil did? He was given a packet to deliver to someone in Mahalakshmi, but he didn’t do it, he sold the packet to Yakub in Masjid for ten thousand Rupees and made a down payment for the bike”, said Sadiq. “How can he do that, didn’t Rahman say anything?” asked Arvind. “No, Sunil came back to Rehman, with a torn shirt and a black eye and told him that the package was stolen. Rehman thought he was telling the truth and let him go.” said Sadiq. “And this is your plan”, said Arvind. “Yes my dear Watson, we will stage this drama and walk off with cool ten thousand bucks enough for you to buy the shoes and for me to take Sana to the Multiplex and a nice dinner.”

“But this is very risky, what if Rahman comes to know, he will kill us both.” said Arvind. “No he won’t, I have spoken to Sunil. He will speak to Yakub tomorrow and then will take us to Rahman the day after. We will have to pay five thousand Rupees to Sunil, that’s his commission. See this is our only chance we will have to do it. You don’t have any other choice. You have to pursue your dream and this is the only way” said Sadiq. Arvind nodded reluctantly, a Prowear hoarding standing tall in front of him, inviting him to play for his dreams.

The next day they met Sunil in the evening after college. He gave them the directions to find Yakub and told them that Yakub would also give them a black eye along with the cash.

The third day they met Sunil again, this time in the afternoon, both Sadiq and Arvind didn’t go to the college and were very nervous the whole day. Sunil took them to Rahman’s small room in Sion and introduced them. After much interrogation Rahman agreed to give them an errand and asked Arvind to come back the next day alone at 3 in the afternoon.

The next day Arvind went to Rahman at 3 in the afternoon. This was the second day he had missed college and his basketball practice, but he knew that it was going to be worth. Rahman was not there in his room instead someone else gave him a packet and told him to deliver it to a person named Shirish in Byculla. The man also told him to come back to the room once the job was done to collect his money. Arvind left. He went to the railway station, and saw Sadiq standing at the far end. The train came, both entered separate coaches. After sometime the train reached Masjid, they both got off and Arvind headed in the direction of the place where he was supposed to meet Yakub. Sadiq followed him at a safe distance, always keeping an eye open for people around him to make sure that no one was following Arvind.

After walking for twenty minutes and asking a few people he located Yakub, and gave him the packet. Yakub gave Arvind a brown envelope in return. “Ten”, said Yakub. Arvind turned around and started to walk, but a man pulled him by his collar and landed a punch on his right eye. Arvind staggered and fell on the ground. The man who had punched him offered his hand. Arvind took it and stood up. This time the man tore Arvind’s shirt’s sleeve, and moved aside. Arvind started to walk towards the railway station again, covering his black eye with his handkerchief. Sadiq followed him keeping the same distance.

Rahman got very angry when he heard Arvind’s story. He didn’t belive it and slapped him so hard that his face turned red. After much pleading Rahman agreed to let him go. Arvind walked back home all bruised but he was happy, now he would now be able to afford a new pair of Prowear shoes.

The next evening after college, Sadiq and Arvind went to a mall. Arvind bought a pair of Prowear’s basketball shoes. He knew that now he had a chance to make his dream come true. At the railway station they met Sunil. He told them that Rahman was very angry and was looking for Arvind. Sadiq and Arvind immediately separated and they both started to walk in different directions.

Arvind was in a lonely alley when suddenly Rahman with two of his men appeared in front of him. “I didn’t do anything, Rahman bhai”, said Arvind, the packet of Prowear shoes in his hands. “Oh really, but I spoke to Yakub, he told me something else”, said Rahman, his gun pointed at Arvinds head. Sadiq watched in horror from the dark corner of the alley as Rahman pulled the trigger. Arvind’s limp body fell on the ground with a thud. Sadiq with much effort stopped himself from giving out a yell. One of the men bent down and took the packet from Arvind’s lifeless hands and opened it. “Look Rahman bhai nice pair of shoes, can I keep it”, he asked. “Yes, yes, why not, it’s a gift for you”, said Rahman without even bothering to look at the shoes.

It was a month now after the launch of Prowear’s basketball team campaign. Ashutosh was sitting with the CEO sipping coffee. The sales figures had tripled in just one month. “Soon we will have a cult brand for which people would be ready to lay their lives”, said the CEO. Both laughed, as a Prowear hoarding standing tall outside the glass window.

Hey is that you again. - III (Sequel)

Note: This story is the 3rd part of a 3 part story. Even though it can be read as a separate story, the author would recommend you to read the 2nd part Can I Hold Your Hand – II (Prequel)

Summer 2013:

“I thought you left smoking.” He heard a female voice say.

He turned around and saw her smiling at him.

“Times have changed”, he smiled back brightly, a pack of Marlboro Lights in his left hand.

“But I see you are still a movie buff”, she said, noticing the latest Richard Linklater movie in his right hand.

“How have you been”, he asked. “I am good, what are you doing here”, she asked. “Well, I was in the city to lecture a bunch of college kids”, he said. “Lecture huh! And why didn’t you let me know?” she asked. “Well, I didn't have your number”, he said. “You and your lame excuses, you had my mail and chat id right”, she said. He gave a sheepish smile, lowered his eyes and scratched his head.

“You will be punished for this”, she said. “Do you have to punish me every time we meet”, he said in mock protest. “Yes”, she said. “Ok, what’s the punishment”, he asked. “I know a good French restaurant nearby, buy me lunch”, she said.

They went to the payment counter. He paid for the pack of cigarettes and the DVD. They came out. He turned to go towards the parking lot. “We have to go this way, come on”, she said. They walked.

They reached the restaurant took a table and ordered the food.

“How’s your hubby”, he asked. “Ubberbusy”, she answered. “And kids”, he asked. “I have a one year old daughter, she has started walking now.”

He smiled at her. She smiled back. She had the same smile he noticed, just a few fine lines beginning to appear near her eyes.

“And how’s your wife and kids”, she asked. “Don’t know”, he said. “We got divorced last year and haven’t heard from her since then” he said looking out of the window.

She looked into his eyes. He turned and smiled at her.

“And what happened to you hair”, she laughed. “Well, you win some you loose some”, he said.

They talked about old times and common friends. She never asked him about his life again.
The attendant appeared with the cheque. She reached for her wallet. He stopped her. “It’s my punishment, I will pay this time”, he said. “Ok”, she laughed. He paid.

They came out of the restaurant. “I have a car, should I drop you somewhere”, she asked. “No, I am fine”, he said. “Have dinner with us tonight”, she said. “Sorry, I have some engagement tonight.” She did not ask again, she knew he would never come.

“Ok then, bye and next time you are here let me know”, she said. “Yeah sure I will”, he said with a smile. She sat in the driver’s seat, started the engine and waved at him. He waved back turned around and started to walk.

He reached the parking lot and slumped into the back seat. He asked the driver to switch on the music system, and take him to the hotel. The car started to move he closed his eyes.

She reached the parking lot of her building, switched off the engine, heaved a long sigh and closed her eyes.

She was about to get out of the car when she noticed a magazine on the dashboard, left by her husband. The headline said “Top five Asian entrepreneurs of the year”. A familiar face smiled brightly at her from the cover page. She smiled back at him.

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person dead or living is purely coincidental.

Can I hold your hand - II (Prequel)

Note: This story is the 2nd part of a 3 part story. Even though it can be read as a separate story, the author would recommend you to read the 1st part I Will Miss Holding Your Hand - I

The moment he saw her entering the Internet café he knew there was something about her. She took the computer behind him. He turned around to see what she was doing and could clearly see her computer’s screen.

She didn't notice him. She opened the chat window and began chatting with her friends.

“Superguy: Hi! Wanna chat.” an IM popped on her screen. “412Gal: Who are you?” came the reply on his screen. “Superguy: Just a stranger” blinked the IM on her screen. “412Gal: I don’t talk to strangers.” came the reply.

“Superguy: but I am not a bad person pls chat with me”

“412Gal: no! don’t bother me.”

“Superguy: pls pls pls I promise I will behave myself”

“412Gal: no”

“Superguy: pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls L”

“412Gal: no”

“Superguy: pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls pls L”

“412Gal: ok ok!!!!”

That was summer of 2003, she was a second year B Com. student and he a second year engineering student. They both had come to their hometown for vacations.

2005:

“Superguy: hey, guess what I cleared the interview and got admission I am in ur city now. J”, popped up the IM window on her laptop screen. Her face lit up with a smile.

“412Gal: hey that’s gr8 congrats! J

I have a news too. I got the job. Yay!!!”

“Superguy: hey that’s great. Congrats!

Can I ask you something?”

“412Gal: yeah!”

“Superguy: now that I am here shall we meet up?”

“412Gal: ummm ok!!! J” , she replied with a big smile.

She waved at him when she saw him across the street, he waved back.

“Late at the first meet itself.” She said. “Sorry you know how the traffic is.” He said. “No sorry, you will be punished; you will have to buy me a beer now.” She said. “Beer! You drink beer?” He asked. “No, do you?” she asked. “No” he said. “Then lets do it, come on I know a pub here.” She pulled him towards the other side of the street.

As they entered the pub, Mark Knopfler began to sing “You get a shiver in the dark…”

After a couple of drinks and enjoying some great music, she paid the bill and they both came out of the pub, a bit high.

“You want to eat something?” he asked. “No I don’t feel like.” she replied. “Me neither.” He said.

“Let’s go to the beach.” She said.

“Now, it’s almost eleven!” “Come on, it’s never late here.” She said laughing and pulled at his arms again.

They could see the dim yellow light coming from the buoys as they bounced in a semi circle far in the dark sea. The breeze was cool. He could see her black hair, brown eyes and dusky skin in the light coming from the vendor’s shops nearby. He liked the way she laughed and the way she smiled as she gazed at the black horizon.

She turned to look at him. His eyes wandered towards the sea. She looked at his brown eyes. Not exactly the way she had wanted him to be, but still she could tell her friends that he was tall dark and handsome, made her laugh and listened to her.

"So what do you want to do when you are out of college?", she asked. "Well, may be I will work for some company for a couple of years and then start my own venture.", he said.

"Venture, you mean you want to start your own company.", she said. "Yeah thats the idea.", he said. "And you think you can impress a girl by saying such things in the first meet.", she teased. "No, I am serious, one day I will feature on the cover page of worlds best business magazine.", he said. "Oh yeah, we will see. Now come back to reality.", she said, pinched his arm and laughed.

“Hey I want to tell you something”, he said. “What?” She said. “You remember the first day I IMed you on chat” he said. “Not exactly but kinda yeah, why?” she said. “I had actually seen you at the internet café and stole your id from your screen.”

“What”, she yelled. “Yes, I am sorry, I never told you”, he said. “Why would you do that and why didn’t you tell me that before?” she screamed. “Well I thought you would be angry and wont chat with me, look I am really sorry”, he said.

"Of course I am angry", she said and kicked him in the shin in mock anger. He grimaced in mock pain.

“You will be punished for this”, she said.

“What, more punishment? You already kicked me”.

“Yes and your punishment is that you will have to buy me an ice candy”, she laughed.

“Ok!” he laughed.

They bought an ice candy. She paid. They shared the ice candy.

“You know we are virtually kissing right now”, he said. “Ha Ha Ha! I know you watch a lot of Friends, but don’t crack these PJs”, she teased him, threw the ice at him and ran. He chased.

They talked, laughed and walked on the sand till the cops started to ask people to leave the beach.

“Hey but tell me how much do I owe for the drinks and everything, lets split it”, he said. “Let it be my treat this time you can pay next time”, she said. “Ok”, he said with a smile, not knowing she won’t let him pay for all the times that they would meet for the next two years.

“I live nearby, will you walk me home?” she asked. “Yeah sure” he said.

They walked towards the street.

“Next time, you mean you want to meet me again”, he asked. “Yeah why not, don’t you want to meet me again”, she asked with a smile looking into his eyes. “Yeah”, he smiled back into her eyes.

He held her hand softly. She clasped her fingers around his. They walked.

Note: Click for the 3rd part of this three part story Hey is that you again. - III (Sequel)

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person dead or living is purely coincidental.

I will miss holding your hand. - I

"How much more time do you need?" She asked.

"May be three more years." He said.

"I am sure you will get a good job once you are out of college." She said.

The waves kissed their feet lightly, and they could feel the wet sand.

"You very well know that I dont want to be stuck to 9 to 5 job. I want to start something of my own." He said.

"But what? Everyday you have a new plan. I feel you are very confused. You really dont know what you want to do."

"I know what I want to do."

"You know that my parents have been after me ever since I took up this job." She said. He could sense the tension in her voice. He took her hand in his hand. "Just three years more, thats all I ask for." He said.

She looked far into the sea. He followed her gaze to the dim yellow light coming from the buoy near the dark horizon.

"My sister wants me to spend the weekend with her so I am going to her place tomorrow." She said. "I will miss holding your hand." He said. "I will just be gone for two days will be back on Monday morning." She said this time with a smile. He smiled back.

He didn't sleep for those two days, thought a lot and made up his mind.

His cell phone lights up on Monday morning. "Hey am back in town." The text message said. "Hey dats gr8 lets meetup in the evening, I want to tell u sumthing." He replied. "Yeah sure our usual place 8ish." came the reply.

He found her sitting at the bench on the beach, gave her a apologetic smile and said "got stuck in the traffic." "Not a problem." She said. Their hands touched lightly.

"I thought a lot and I want to tell you something." He said. She looked into his eyes as if she knew what he was about to tell her. Before he could say anything she said, "Back at my sister's place, I met someone." She looked away far into the dark horizon.

"I will miss holding your hand." He said softly.

Note: Click for the 2nd part of this three part story Can I Hold Your Hand - II (Prequel)

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person dead or living is purely coincidental.