A Fool's Diary

      It's been 15 years now. New place, new language and a new name. One of many I had, since the past years. I hardly know who am I now. I keep reminding myself every day. Wait! Who's that guy across the street looking at me? Is he one of them? Have they finally found me? It can't be! I've been very careful. I know they are close. They have always been, like a shadow. I've not seen them, but I know they are there. Every time they get closer, a new place, new language and a new name. Even a new look. I've even got myself a face lift and a new nose. It's not easy to fool them though, but who is that guy across the street?

      He reminds me of someone. Someone from my past. I know, John Peters. Yeah, he looks like Johnny but Johnny was clean. Johnny had no beard, he had a smart hair cut. I remember Johnny, a smart and successful guy from my past. He worked at a consultant agency. He was honest, intelligent and hard working. Everyone liked Johnny. Every day after work, he and his colleagues would have Beer together. Even his boss Mr. Gupta would be there. They would go to the pub across the street, from where they worked. Sometimes, he would have dinner there. Usually, Johnny would try to get home early after 1 or 2 beers. His wife Sheila and his little girl Patricia, would wait for him until 8pm before they had dinner. Johnny had a simple yet happy life.

      Hmmm! Who is that guy across the street sitting on that bench for so long now? I know he's been watching me. I've been writing, and pretending that I have not noticed him. I'm afraid if I run, he would follow me and surely catch me. I'm not strong and fast anymore. Deprived from everything I had, I'm not what I used to be. I need to wait for the right moment to escape his sight. A passing vehicle probably. It's going to get dark soon. I'm hungry and I need to get back home, but I can't let him follow me there. It's not much of a home, but it's all I have. I'm used to it now, probable been in worst places before. He surely looks a lot like Johnny. It can't be him. It's impossible for him to be here.

      Johnny had everything. He had a car, house and a family. He loved his Job a lot. He was a consultant. He advised his clients on how to invest their money. He gave them advice on what share to buy or sell and when to do it. The company and Johnny would gain some incentives if everything goes well. Of cause, the client has to lose some money before making some. But that was not transparent to the client. Whatever the game was, all his clients liked him. Everyone liked Johnny. However, Johnny like every other human being had certain dreams. Johnny used to tell everyone after a few beers, that one day he would have plenty of money. He wanted to build a bigger house and drive a sports car. He wanted to have enough money, so he could go on a holiday for a whole year. Johnny had a good taste for life.

      I've been writing for so long, it has gotten dark. There are no lights in this street. The guy in front of me isn't there anymore. Probably he was just another guy. Probably he moved away to watch me from a distance or to follow me back home. I've got to make my move now, but I need to be careful. I'm going to get up and start walking, but at the same time keep a look-out.

      I've just reached home. Started to write again. I don’t know what else to do. It was a long walk from the street earlier, but I am sure no one has followed me here. Am I really sure? I was distracted. I kept thinking of Johnny all the way here. I couldn't help it, I liked him. Everyone liked Johnny.

      One day, Johnny was called over to his boss's room. He was told that a client is coming in today. The client had 500 million to invest. The company never had such a big client before. MR. Gupta wanted to assign this client to Johnny. Johnny was happy. He said that he would do his best to make both parties happy. He was working very closely with this client and did all he could to make the client happy. After a couple months playing with that amount of money, finally he struck a big hit. His hard work has paid off. Total returns were double, and Johnny's incentive was 1 million. Johnny has never earned such big bucks before. The client too was very happy with what he has made. He wanted to withdraw all his investments. Mr. Gupta was initially sad that the client wanted to withdraw all the investments, but he was still happy because the company has never made such large amount of money at any one time. Since all this was because of Johnny's hard work, he was given the privilege to see through the whole process until the last transaction.

      It was a Friday afternoon. Johnny was given the power of attorney to withdraw the funds on behalf of the company and bring it over. Johnny was supposed to hand over three checks later that evening. One was to be paid to him and the rest was for the company and the client. That evening Johnny never returned from the bank. Nobody knew what happen to Johnny. The money was transferred to an anonymous account.  Johnny was never to be seen again. I personally think that Johnny is dead. Someone knew about the money and got to him. Johnny is dead.

      Wait! It's that guy again. He's staring at me from my window. Wait a minute! As I am moving my head slowly to my left, and then to my right, I noticed that it is my own reflection. My eyes are moving so fast now. To my left and to my right repeatedly, and then it becomes clear to me. The guy that was sitting on the bench opposite me at that street, was my own reflection from the building's glass window.

      It's been 15 years now. I can't be too careful. There is a bounty on me. They are still looking. At times I forget who am I, I even forget that I have the money. But No! I can't spend the money yet. They are close and on the watch. As long as I have the money, I'm! I'm alright.