The Writer

This was one of the most unusual cases I had ever come across in my life.

The ‘Writer’s case was pretty vague. He lived alone and his close ones lived in different cities. I found a few ‘Work-In-Progress’ Projects, but they were not relevant to the case. I found just two envelopes. One on his table and one that was found at the death scene. The post-portem did not reveal anything. An instant heart failure! No, that did not sound convincing as the letter confused me. As seen from the courier boy's records, he seemed to have died seconds after receiving the letter from him. Strangely, he died before opening the letter, that was dated a few weeks earlier than the writer’s death and was empty. The second cover had a letter, a handwritten one,

‘Salam Writer,

    Thanks. I knew very well that you were capable of writing my destiny. The last line of your letter revealed the cost of my life.  I have a feeling that this letter might not reach you, but this is an attempt’

- Your reader

Cryptic, complicated and intriguing! I had to go to the reader’s house to investigate further. The address on the cover led me to an apartment named ‘Aradhana’ - C Block, House no 201. 

I was expecting a woman to open the door as only a woman could write so beautifully. My experience in Graphology!

‘Namaste, I am Detective Abhinav. I am investigating the Writer’s case. Did you write this letter?’ I asked as I showed the letter.

‘Ah umm, do come in’ she said

Yes, my guess was right. She might be in her early thirties.  As she let me in and asked me to sit, I looked at her. I could see something in her eyes. It had confidence. It seemed as if she had won a battle, but her eyes gave a hint of pain. There was something enduring about her personality. The fair complexion was adding to her charms. There was barely any make up visible. In one word – she looked beautiful.

‘Yes, I wrote that letter. I read what happened. It is sad, but this was probably inevitable’ she affirmed.

‘Can you show me his last letter?’ I asked. I was curious about the last line.

‘One moment’ she went to her desk and got the letter.       

‘Here’ she hands two letters. ‘He even sent back the letter I sent along with his reply’ she added.

‘Ah, okay. In order to understand, I will have to read your letter first’

‘Umm, why have you written a few words alone with a different pen?’ I enquired

‘to grab attention…  I will explain. The letter is the best piece I have ever written. It is a tribute to him’ there was a glow in her eyes as she said those words.

‘Why did you decide to send a hand-written letter in this modern-day era?’

‘Because, he knew graphology. He was a handwriting analyst too’ she smirked.

He too? So that was deliberate. I was not willing to stop her flow and simply nodded.

‘Every highlighted word refers to something. ’

‘Refers to what?’ I asked

‘His novels! Everything will become clear to you after you read his corresponding reply.

‘First read my letter to him:                                                                                                                                                                                       

‘I want you to co-author my story. Yes, God invites us all to co-author our stories with him. In my case, I have been a little unfortunate. Yet, fortunate because I am inviting you to write my destiny. Your stories have always excited me; they contain life, often embellished with unusual beginnings,fast tracked in -between and dazzling endings. Apologies for coming to the subject directly, but that is how you want everything to be – to the point. I’m fed up with the predictable days, normal routines and never-ending cycle of bizarre to do’s. Plot the dots for me so that I could connect them and make my life meaningful. Introduce me to a ‘disconnect’ option in life. I can always ‘connect’ later. But, this monotonous connection is burdening my soul.

 I cannot write my story because I cannot imagine. I have lost the power to imagine. Your stories tell me that the power lies within, but where is it? I am dying to know. My ‘within’ is so shallow. No, I am not scared. This den is pretty comfortable. Although, I must admit that tears often well up when they are least welcomed. Change the way this works. Please?

Distance is a deadly view. It only gives ideas about limitations and my soul cannot really focus on the positives. Probably, because I’m not an athlete to be comfortable with the distance between the starting line and the finishing line.  Bring him to me or take me to him. Yes, give it a fairy-tale flavor.

Complaints, too many complaints need attention. Get some zamzam (‘holy water or blessed water’) and pour it into the mouths of these people. No, I am not complaining. I am just bringing it to your notice. I know you are too strong to be sensitive and well equipped to play with your characters according to your whims and fancies. I choose you to write my story for a reason.

Karma, is sharing world-wide fame with a disguised title ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ that needs magical change. One cannot go back and change it, but the future remains to be told. I understand that you cannot change the story of Hazel and Gus but there has to be a change in the trend. Now, an opportunity to tell a happy tale to the world! Happy tale, okay? Because the world needs more stories that steer us towards happy endings. A doubt has cropped in and I cannot confront it openly. I have managed to suppress it, because that is the only way. I cannot afford to edit this letter. Quoting from your own book: ‘Firstvisuals, final visuals’ . I want this letter to look clean, beautiful and legible. The conflict was about who needs the happy tale. I instantly wrote that the world needs more stories, but that may not be true. So, let me rephrase it for you: Write a happy tale, because I need it. Lead me to a better destination. I know I am trying to convey the same thing in different ways. I hope you get the intensity.

Meditate, Enter your inner sanctum, pray, write, do whatever possible and create my destiny. You have the power to create my destiny, you truly do. Battle with this uncertainty. Unleash your potential. Your win will make things certain. May the right letters form the necessary words to make amazing sentences to enlighten the readers!

Embrace yourself, I don’t mind. Thank your stars.  I am not bothered about the possible conflicts you might have with God with respect to my story. My faithis on you, because God has not impressed me yet. You have. Unlike other writers that I have read, stories run your life and not the money that jogs with it. If you are wondering about the returns, then I have already gifted you something so precious. My Time, an existing but ever-slippery treasure.  You love your readers, don’t you? You enjoy playing God’s role in deciding the roles of your characters. Here is a chance. Decide mine. Book a date with God and co-author my story. This is not a request, but a demand. I read that you are willing to do anything for the sake of your readers. Thank me for giving you anopportunity to make a beautiful soul’s life purposeful. Don’t forget xx

- Your reader

Read his reply slowly and I will explain the relevance wherever necessary.

Dear Skilful reader,

I am answering you the way you wanted me to answer…

The protagonists of my first novel deserved happy ending. The inspiration for that story came to me while I was going through a tough period. The period had some influence over the fate of my heroes. Some stories are beautiful because they are incomplete…

‘Stop. Let me explain now. The first novel was about the two lovers who never meet. Their telephonic conversations are impressive. In the first paragraph, I managed to touch upon his novel and convey my message. Continue now’

There are times when everything seems blur. The monk in the story wants you to find your answers independently. Do not deal every problem emotionally. Use logic when necessary.  Now, you have the key to change!

‘The second was a short novel about a confused teenager. She is too scared to admit that she is depressed. A part of story provides answers to the seekers, but it is way too complex. I wanted him to explain it in simple terms and he did.’

Crazy people, profound writing! What has this got to do with his death? I wondered. Patience, Patience. It is all connected. I thought it is better if I leave it to time to reveal the connections.

You will have to wait for your story to turn into a fairy tale. Patience, the basic ingredient. You know the ingredient, buy it and use it.

‘Here, the message was clear. I wanted a solution to the problem of distance. The first few lines were from his novel again’

Focus on doing your bit, focus on the solutions. If you focus on complaints, more will follow. You be the change and don’t fret. Mere complaining won’t solve issues. ‘Zamzam’ is a metaphor in my novel. Your good deed could be ‘Zamzam’ to the society.

‘It might sound weird, but all the novels are close to my heart. The fourth novel is about a social issue. I conveyed my weariness through these lines. It is daunting to hear complaints and people complaining all the time. Here, he mildly attempted to answer me’

Gita has all the answers. Past is deeply connected to your present. Leaping ahead, let me remind you that God has installed a wall. Even, he knows that the memories of previous birth contain venom. In the end, we all are happy stories. If not, then wait.. End will begin soon.

‘there are certain portions in his fifth novel ‘Karma’ that are deep, too deep. I have highlighted those words and he managed to understand the connection and clear my doubts’

‘Oh wait’ I stopped her.. ‘What happy tale are you talking about?’ I asked

‘Umm, I wanted him to help me. He promised to fulfill the demands of his readers. His words had magic. It transformed lives’ she replied humbly

‘Ok’ I replied. And I continued to read

‘Thank you! Your words have pushed me further. I will see to it that everybody is a winner. You, Me and God’

‘The next lines are personal. I am wishing him best in his next endeavor which happened to be his final work’ she said.

The puzzle lacks the final piece, I thought.

I had a conversation with God. He was kind enough to play the visuals of future in my dreams. Everything is supposed to fit well. I am grateful to you for having come to me with this proposal. I accept the proposal.

There is very little ink left now. Don’t worry! This is a Win-Win Game. My moments are numbered for a reason. Fortunately, your letter came to me at the right time. Co-incidence? Yes and No. I will be merging with him so that your story is written. It is up to you to act.

I hope that the answers in this letter will serve you the dots and directions you needed. I was just awaiting your letter. My time has come.Time to fly!

‘And I hope that clears it all. He was suffering from something that had no cure. In one of his stories, he writes about scheduling death. The change in my handwriting in the second letter and the relief that his letter had reached me allowed him to fly’ she completes..

I pat her back and leave…

The Writer recognized positive changes in The Reader’s handwriting that was visible on the cover. He was holding on to his life and he left when his purpose was served. According to her, The Writer has now agreed to write her story. In fact – this very moment is being scribbled. She believes that life is changing for good. Some beliefs make our lives. What about the truth?

 Leaving the truth to you.  I am now off to a coffee shop to get some coffee. Time to think! I cannot explain this case. It is simply, way too different.