THE END OF NETFLIX

It was the time when there existed numerous social media platforms in the market. Applications had to come up with new feature updates frequently to survive the competition. There was an application for everything you could think of. Shopping, gaming, dating, beauty, learning, eating, fitness, medicine, travelling, you name it. People were developing obsessions with their mobile phones. New medical conditions were popping out of nowhere and diagnosis read like “Unable to stay away from the mobile phone”. Kids were Blue-Whaling themselves. Teens were living their lives on Tik-Toks. Youngsters were taking major decisions- ‘to swipe right or left?’. Media was collecting viral videos for ‘Breaking News’ segment.

Among all these technological sensations, there lived an outdated, confused girl. She did not update any applications, afraid that she would no longer be able to understand the changes. She lagged behind in getting accustomed to internet thingies.  Before she could make up her mind to check what is Orkut (and how to eat it?), the platform was outdated. Public was getting bored of Facebook when she finally signed up. Twitter decided to not co-operate with such a technically low profile girl the only time she tried to understand it. Instagram was getting installed and uninstalled from her phone at annual gaps without being used ever. Any applications with whom she was on cordial terms with were still unused because she was unsocial to such extremes that she became defensive even at the sight of app notifications. Notifications scared her and were always kept turned off for all the applications.

Despite all difficulties, things were manageable so far. But then came NETFLIX. The Demon rose to popularity very fast. So far she was only struggling with her dumb mind and inability to cope up with social media. What other people did with the internet was not her problem, and vice versa. But not anymore. Netflix was not just an application. It came into this world with a purpose, with a huge ego, and with an unquenchable thirst for attention. Soon it became a sin to not devote some part of your daily schedule to Netflix. Every person she came in contact with was suddenly convincing her to watch some 'super-awesome' thing on the application.

“But I am genuinely not interested”

“That’s Okay. But you must watch ‘Bla-Bla’ on Netflix.”

“I said I don’t like watching series.”

“But each episode is only 25000 minutes long.”

“I would prefer doing something else in those 25000 minutes.”

“But this one is really good. You will thank me later for the suggestion.”

“I said I am not interested. Please..”

“Here , have my Login ID and Password. There are only 20 seasons of ‘Bla-Bla’. Make your weekends productive. You are welcome. ”

“Where is my Gun!!”

The Girl finally declared an open War on Netflix. The application did not give up either. There was a lot of bloodshed and loss of lives. Nuclear weapons got involved. Unfair means were adopted. It became dirty like hell. But one night, it all ended. The girl was under such fury against the application that the war ended with the end of Netflix and also the whole population of Earth.

P.S: Yes, this is a serious and final warning to all!

THE DOLPHIN THEORY

Once upon a time Dolphins ruled the world. This was long before the evolution of humans. Dolphins were the most intelligent animal. They had their own territories and knew many languages. They traveled across the water countries, went to Space for picnics, invented high tech automobiles, and studied the whole Universe. They were technologically so advanced that every manual work was replaced by gadgets. Moreover they got so ahead in Medical Science that when earlier they could cure all known and unknown diseases, later they found the formula of Immortality and stopped dying natural deaths. Overall, Dolphins were just so awesome at that time. But then the unexpected problems started, maybe because there has to be a way to cause deaths of Dolphins. So the Wars, Terrorism, Space accidents, and suicides because of love and breakups started.

Just in the middle of all this some Buddha Dolphins evolved. They had vision and they knew that the world is moving in the wrong direction. This technical advancement, Nuclear Weaponry, totally mind-blowing Space cars are all just a facade. The whole population has been disillusioned and has got their priorities in the wrong order. They are too busy with their gadgets when instead they should be moving towards enlightenment of the soul. When the highly advanced Dolphin population heard the word “Soul” for the first time they searched it on the internet and tried to order it online. When eventually they got the hang of it, they were completely swept by the idea. The ‘Soul and Peace’ concept sounded so new and original to them, that they left everything and started following the Buddha Dolphins. It became a huge sensation in the Dolphin World.

Buddha Dolphins asked “What do you get by travelling in Space?”

General fish public replied “ummm…just like that”

“What is so important in your mobile gadgets? Games? GPS location? Appointment reminders? Is all this really necessary?”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

“By taking the immortality syrup what are you actually doing? Only extending your ‘just-like-that’ Space travels and more appointment reminders. Isn’t it?”

“Actually…you are right.”

“Who should be immortal? Soul or Body?”

“Soul. Soul. Soul.”

“So should we die?”

“Yes, of course!”

“Should we cause Wars or should we just swim peacefully?”

“Swim. Swim. Swim.”

“Let us today decide how we choose to live now.”

“Yes, please.”

The Buddha Dolphins set out a Constitution of reformed life for all. Most of the fishes pledged to abide by the Constitution. Those who didn’t also eventually did because the Constitution was so convincing and a total brain-washer. It appeared so simple and easy that no one could resist it. It read:

“The Dolphin population, from this day, knows no Science. It frees itself from all the gadgets, rockets, love triangles, ‘just-like-that’ Space travels, Immortality Syrup and all the discoveries and inventions. Anything that is not natural is not acceptable. The Dolphin population exists just to swim, smile, eat, be eaten, play cute games with the future human population, die and let the soul live.”

They have followed their constitution to this day. Humans are hopefully headed for the same. 

PS: It's not a story. This actually happened.

The Incident Vanished....Partially

"I am not going to sleep tonight" Alina said shakily.

"For the fear of nightmares?"

"You will not be forgiven, know this. I'm still getting goosebumps."

"Oye overacting! It was just a movie. Chill!"

"Why not. I actually am chilled and shivering right now."

Alina and Ria were moving out of the theatre. It was Ria's plan to watch the movie. No doubt she enjoyed watching something real scary after a long time, and that too the night show.

"Ria?" Alina slowed down her pace.

"What?"

"Those two guys are pointing at us. You know them?"

"Who? Where?"

They were out in the open by now. Then Ria saw two people standing near their Scooty. One of them was big and fat while the other was lean. They were continuously staring them with a straight face, but the deadly impression they gave could not be missed.

"Why are they staring like this?" Alina whispered.

"Don't know." Ria mused. "Might be something. Let's get home."

But Alina held her hand, "No, I don't feel right going there."

"But we have to take our Scooty. Are you going to walk back home?"

Suddenly, the guys started walking towards them. They seemed to have sensed the alert on girls' faces.

"Alina...Run" Ria gasped as soon as she got a glimpse of a sharp shining silver thing in the fat guy's hand.

They turned back and started running. Alina glanced back to see the guys running after them.

"Oh God....Oh God....they are coming after us."

Ria started shouting for help, but surprisingly no one seemed to hear them.

"What's happening? Nobody even looks at us."

"I'm scared." Alina said panting heavily.

"They are coming nearer Alina. We can't outrun them."

And saying this Ria decided to have the courage and question those people chasing them for no reason. She asked her friend to run as fast as she can and hide in some place.

Alina was about to ask why was she saying this, what was she going to do, when all of a sudden she saw Ria had stopped running.

"RIA?!" Alina shouted, shocked. What was she doing?

"RUN! GO!" Ria said with all the force.

Alina did run. Every part of her body was numb and still she could feel the panic running in every nerve.

She wanted to ask Ria not to do this, to come with her, but her voice failed her. Her body failed her. Her eyes welled with tears and when she took a last look back, she saw Ria's neck slit violently with the silver knife. Ria fell on the road, so did she, shaking badly.

"RUN! GO!" Voices echoed in her head. She stood up. Her legs trembled. She fell again. Murderers were coming nearer. Ria's dead body lay still on the road. People walked past not noticing anything. Alina stood again. Took two steps, fell. Her knee got injured. When she was pushing herself up again, the guys had reached her, holding the knife smeared with her best friend's blood. And, they ran past her.

She stood up watching their backs until they disappeared around a turn.

Then she felt a tap on her shoulder and she shrieked and screamed until she ran out of breath.

"Alina. Alina. What happened?" Ria held her by shoulders and gave her a few jolts.

People gathered around them watching the chaos.

"You died. You died! I saw them murder you. We were running. You stopped. They killed. I saw it."

Ria hugged Alina and rubbed her back. "It's alright. No one killed me. Calm down. We will go home. I am sorry that I made you watch that movie.

Alina pushed her back. "NO! It's not about the movie."

"I think you imagined things Alina."

"NO! Believe me, it happened. All these people, they did not help us when we were shouting. They did not even look at us."

Ria kept consoling her.

"Wait" Alina said, "If you don't believe me then tell me what are we doing here? We are about a mile away from the theatre. Why did we come here?"

Ria was now confused and looked around. They really were quite far away from where they should have been. 

"Yes we are...but..." She fell short of words, trying to recollect what happened and why were they standing there, but could not.

Just then a car passed on the road and the headlights flashed on Ria's confused face and......her neck. Just for a split second Alina saw a deep slit menacingly imprinted there.

I am a Star

I rub my eyes as a feeble ray of darkness fell upon me. Dusk is closing in. It  is time to wake up and soon I will have to start twinkling for the whole night. As usual people are going home from offices and children are playing in parks.

I search for that particular boy on the roof of his house. Since a week I have been watching him come to the roof every evening. He sits there for a long while. Often he sighs and looks at the sky as if to search for some strength in the vastness. And I always wait for those moments when he would look up so that I can see his face. Its pretty boring to look at heads full of hair all the time. I want to see faces...different features...different emotions on them. Seldom does that happen.

Although this boy's face makes me feel sad for him. His eyes narrate a miserable tale, an unspoken wish. He is young, in his twenties, and is in a way handsome. So far I have never seen him smile and everyday I wish that I would, for he must be having a beautiful smile. Everyday the desire to see him happy grows in me. But everyday he looks a little more tired of something, maybe tired of himself for wanting a wish to come true. Whatever it is, I know he deserves what he wants. But I also know that people there on surface do not always get what they deserve. There is injustice and suffering imposed on innocent people.

He looks up. I gather my attention and as soon as I look at his face my heart breaks a little. His lips are trembling and he is blinking furiously to shove back the tears. Despite his efforts a diamond escapes from the corner of his eye.

No don't, you are a strong boy! I want to say.

He is looking at me, filled with disappointment....
"Please....." A whisper escapes his mouth.

Suddenly I know what is to be done. I crash open my heart and with this I start falling down. All my light escaping fast.

For the last time I look at the boy and to my amazement, see magic on that same face. His eyes closed, hands clasped in wonder, lips making a silent wish, which now no force can stop from coming true. And then came the smile....more beautiful than what I had imagined....brighter than a thousand starts put together.

"Thanks bro, for making my wish come true. Keep smiling." Is all I manage before dissolving in the night sky.

Touch

Once upon a time a girl was born with magical powers. When God was creating her as the most innocent child, he felt that it would be otherwise hard for her to survive in this cruel world. So he gave her the power to change anyone's thoughts by simply touching them. If someone tries to harm her, she could touch her/him and change the harmful thoughts so as to pacify the person. The power was meant to grow as she herself grew, since she would be facing more challenges in her life as the years pass by.

As God made her, she was born the most innocent child on earth. So innocent that it took her 10 years to realize that she was extraordinary. Slowly she came to know of her own power. She had already started facing the evils of the world. Her own friends took advantage of her and she was left crying when she asked for any help from them. She could never understand the politics being played by everyone in their daily lives. Now when she knew that her touch can change everything, she felt jubilant and dreamed of a world where all were as simple as her and devoid of ill mannered, selfish, untruthful people.

She started with her own family; made her parents innocent, then her friends and everyone else she came in 'touch' with. But things did not turn out the way she had planned. Her father was thrown out of his job for showing immature attitude, her friends started suffering from other people as she did earlier. She realized she had done wrong, so she tried to change these people back to what they used to be. But she could not! All she could do was to think of innocent thoughts to instill into anyone. She could make a person cunning again until she herself could think cunning.

Slowly and slowly she got tired of facing the consequences of her own doing. So she gave up, grew indifferent to everything. She now did what was in her own interest and left bothering about the world. Any hurdle that came in between her and what she wanted, she touched anyone she could to get the job done. She fell in love with a boy who rejected her; she touched him and then he loved her more than was possible. She was rejected for a job; she touched the recruiter. When she was not getting promotion; she touched the CEO. But see, she was still innocent. She could not think of touching the Prime Minister until someone said that people are suffering because of his ignorance. She took the Country's responsibility on herself and finally caused havoc in every countryman's life. The world grew miserable.

"Oh See! What is happening on Earth. She was supposed to be the most innocent child I guess." God's secretary said sarcastically.

"Yes she is. I never knew she could do this." God said scratching his head.

"Take back her powers." The Secretary suggested.

God came to Earth and stood before the girl.

"You are not supposed to ruin innocent people's lives." God said.

"I did not mean to do this. Its all happening by itself." The girl argued.

"I am sorry, I will have to take back your powers."

The girl thought for a few seconds. 'will it work?' and decided to give it a try.
She took a step forward and touched God.

It Worked......!!