The Encounter

Recently, I bumped into a childhood friend after years. After exchanging pleasantries, he updated me about his job with a Bank, which happened to be the one where I had my account. On the next visit to the bank, I searched for him but was unable to locate him. Made an enquiry, only to realize that he never worked there. Later learnt from common friends that he worked for the underworld. “The underworld!” I sighed, and found myself marveling at my maiden rendezvous with the underbelly of society, the world that inspires the likes of Coppola(Godfather) and the home grown Ram Gopal Verma. I saw this huge pyramid like mountain with Dawoods and Rajans at the helm and my friend at the bottom ranks and suddenly……. below, holding this pyramid like Lord Krishna effortlessly balancing the Govardhan Mountain, was this thin slimy creature.

Me: (Looking down in amazement): Who are you?

The Creature: They call me fear.

Me : Fear ! ..you ! ….. (Pause, then trying to sound intelligent) am not surprised to find you here but was unaware that you were so thin and malnourished

The Creature: My form helps me get into places with tiny openings

Me (trying to make conversation) : Hmmm Hmm. So how does it feel to run this huge industry?

The Creature (with a trace of arrogance): I run industries much bigger than this. (He sees my perplexed expression and continues), Take the defense industry, every year crores of money is pumped into this arena by countries across the planet because there is a fear of internal or external aggression. The fear of social status and loosing to your neighbors help drive financial loans, consumer goods and the automobile industry among others.
The fear of not ‘fitting in’ or rejection and social disregard due to physical attributes drive the beauty and cosmetic industry. Fear of ill-health drives the fitness industry. The fear of loosing out in the rat race drives the education industry. Malls thrive on women (even men) who regard shopping as a remedy against the fear of depression. Outsourcing and Software thrive on the fear of loosing out due to incompetence, as expansion thrive on the fear of risking all the eggs in the same basket. From contraceptives and coaching classes to e-security and insurance, every industry worth its salt regards my existence as a major contributor to their growth”

Me : You are scaring me!

The Creature: That’s my job, by the way not only does industry but even religion runs on my fuel. Religion for most is nothing but the fear of punishment. Even relationships run and break coz of me; fear of hurting or getting hurt, fear of not finding someone better, fear of loneliness, fear of what society will say etc etc.

Me (sarcastically): So is there no way to eliminate you?

The Creature: I never felt like an endangered specie so never bothered to figure out. (After a pause) By the way, I can’t be eliminated but can be replaced. Also, I can be of service if you acknowledge my presence but will run havoc if you let me dictate or ignore me.

Me: Hmmmm

The Creature: But since you have been a patient listener, I will share with you something that scares me. (Saying that he handed over a chit of paper. It read ‘What would you do if you didn’t fear?’
As I pondered at the magnitude of this simply worded question, my eyes suddenly opened with the switching on of the television to hear Shahrukh blurting. , “Kuch sawal zindagi badal dethe hain”)