1st December 2034
Such a pleasant spring morning. The breeze alone made every pedestrian's heart ecstatic. He was walking, on his way to work, refreshed by the environment. He saw her, the love of his life. When their eyes met, his heart, silent until then, started thumping on his chest wall. An invisible arrow, from the terrace of a 25 storeyed building, penetrated the now jumping heart. Someone whispered, "She's your life." He goes to her and proposes his heart out. She accepts it with a joyous smile. And hence started his life with a love to hold onto. It felt like that's just too poetic to be real.
All this was what Raghav had imagined and believed about romantic love. About his life partner. But that's not how hearts and minds work. Yeah, obviously, that's too poetic to be real.
A snowy day at the Heidelberg University. Germany had many tourist places to offer. But Raghav chose to stick to a professional trip. He was there to get real-time feedback from neurologists for his SAR. Everybody was stunned by his execution. A device in the size of your forehead that could replicate your head in a storage device. But even 'everybody' had an exception. An intern was more curious on this subject.
She introduced herself as Janu to Raghav. Raghav was delighted to find an Indian there too. Then they engaged in a half-day long conversation on SAR. Raghav could make the toughest of critiques intellectually infatuated with him. It seemed like he went all-in this time.
Though Janu was visibly impressed by Raghav's skills and SAR's execution, she was not happy with its concept. It was far from complete.
Janu said, "Everything's fine. But I don't find you core principle to be complete."
Raghav asked,"What?! Why would you say that?"
Janu replied, "I've got three valid reasons. But, right now, you're too confident to correct yourself. Tonight just go and examine your SAR as its biggest critique, keeping aside your negotiation and impression skills. Let's talk tomorrow."
Raghav felt it was right and complied.
2nd December 2034
Raghav couldn't wait for the workday to start. When the sun came out, he ran to her hostel with his SAR. Without actually knowing, he was banging at her door. She let him in.
Janu said, "Whoaa! Look who's here. Patience please!"
Raghav said, "I couldn't see what's wrong even after a sleepless night. Please tell me."
Raghav was looking for an error inside himself. Something that doesn't happen in an eternity. That's what proper psychological handling does.
Janu said, "Have you gone nuts? Sleeplessness is dangerous. If you asked, I'd just tell you na?"
Raghav screamed, "I can't wait anymore!"
Janu said,"Patience please!!"
She then went on with her monologue.
"First thing is that how do you expect a person to be sleep-deprived for 5 days straight. You're placing the device in the forehead, right? Why don't you hit the pineal gland to regulate the hormones that control sleep? Second, you've got your device as big as a forehead - meaning that your user's consent is required. But do you think any person in this universe will consent to record his thoughts or be without sleep for 5 days? Third and the most important thing. You said you're launching this on Christmas day. Have you gone completely crazy?! In a world of pro***tute leaders, we're electing a better pro***tute to lead us. Do you think this SAR would do anything good more than bad to us? Not in this lifetime, dude! You ought to keep it a secret and use it for good purposes on your own. Some inventions are not for fame."
When Janu finished, Raghav was completely awestruck. Janu waved her hand in front of his face, "Hellooo?" Raghav stammered, "Wha.. Wha.. Whatt?" Janu replied, "I'm done, dude."
Raghav said,"Nobody saw these things in my SAR."
Janu said, "That's Janu for you, dear."
Raghav asked, "That's actually because nobody cares about these things. Why do you care about me and my SAR?"
"Because....", Janu thought, "Leave that alone. Do you want my reasoning on your project or the reason of why I care?"
Raghav replied, "Obviously, your reasoning."
Janu smiled and said, "Then take that and start working, dude."
Raghav said, "But this time, you're gonna partner me. Will you?"
Janu hesitated and said, "Sure. But I've got a college to attend."
Raghav said, "Chill, girl. I'll talk to your principal."
Janu said, "Great! First, we're going to add an insomnia manufacturer. Let's rename SAR as 'Subconsciousness Altering Recorder and Night Guider' - SARaNG. See, SARaNG in Raghav's hands. Poetic as Valmiki."
Raghav said, "That's good. But I'm gonna attend my BFF's wedding just because of you. So you're gonna accompany me on Christmas Eve."
Janu said, "Sure. Let's meet on Saturday then."
Saying that, she went for a handshake. He quickly hugged her and said, "Get used to me, partner. Hugs are the new usual."