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TELEPATHIC TELEPHONY

That winter night in December Pradeep was in his house,

dinner over, he was feeling cosy in the heated bedroom. His
mind was wandering. His thoughts gradually dwelt on his
unusual abilities which many said was telepathic. Or was it
psychic! Nobody could explain it.
It is very difficult to understand whether my ability is good or
not may be good? Pradeep was thinking with a tinge of
self adulation.
The other day, he remembered, he was going to the bank with
a cheque of Rs 50,000/- for encashment. It was from his
mother. Being an old lady many times she forgot her signature.
Mostly it never matched!
That day the money was urgently required. With a bit of
uncertainty compounded by the fact that his mother had gone
away to Mumbai, he had entered the bank.
At the withdrawal counter he presented the cheque and
hopefully looked at the cashier. That gentleman, looking quite
harassed, there was a long queue, just picked up the cheque
and peered at the computer screen.
The man frowned and flung the cheque aside. He looked up at
Pradeep. It was clear to him that he was about to raise some
objection, probably of signature.
Closing his eyes for a moment Pradeep intently willed that
there should be no objection. The cashier continued looking at

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him frowning, met his eyes for a few seconds, suddenly smiled
and pulling the cheque back towards him stamped his approval.
The payment was through!
Pradeep could sense his telepathic powers. It was a relief to get
through without any quandary.
There had been quite a few such incidents which made Pradeep
sanguine about his special ability.
That winter night he was about to change. He wanted to go to
bed early.
Then he heard his mobile ring.
From the other side he heard a faint cough, heavy breathing
and a deep thick voice. Is that Pradeep?
Yes his eyes searched for his night shirt.
You come and meet me in the corner coffee shop after half an
hour? You can recognise me by my French beard! Oddly it
was a barking order from a stranger requesting to meet him.
Who are you? What do you want? Pradeep was slightly
annoyed by the tone. And why should I meet you at this time
of the night?
If you love your life.you should meet me alone the line went
dead.

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Pradeep was dumfounded. He couldnt guess the advent of this

sudden threatening call.
But he was not weak hearted. Lets see? This is not jungle
raj.. thinking Pradeep got ready & went out.
The coffee shop was barely twenty minutes walk and by the
time he reached it, almost half an hour had gone.
Pushing open the glass door he entered and was greeted by
warm heated environment but very few customers.
He looked around but saw no one with a French beard,
shrugged and went to a corner empty table for two and sat
down.
His sixth sense was giving faint warning that something wrong
was about to happen. He closed his eyes but could not pin pint
that!
He sat there for long! He ordered coffee, sipped it slowly, killed
time but nobody came, nothing happened.
About one hour later, thoroughly mystified, he paid his bills and
stepped out in the dark night.
Contemplating what he should do he decided to return home.
Must be some mischief monger he thought. But he was also
surprised that he got no hint through his psychic powers.

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When he reached home he saw with surprise that a police car

was waiting outside. Alarmed, he ran in and found Richa his
sister in the drawing room crying profusely.
What happened Richa? He swiftly came forward and took
her hand.
My Twinkle has been kidnapped Rich said in a strangulated
voice, tears dropping, dont know how? ..Why?
She stopped and looked at him accusingly, where have you
been? If you had been there perhaps you could have stopped
them. She again started weeping hysterically.
A lone policeman was standing taking note in his note book.
It was about 10.45 pm, the darkness of the night and swirling
fog were becoming overbearing. There were very few cars and
people on the road.
Pradeep understood the situation too well. That day there was
nobody else in the house except him, his sister and her five
years old daughter, Twinkle. His brother in law had gone to
Kolkata.
By giving a call the kidnappers had enticed him out of the
house for more than an hour, sufficient to do their crime. A
clever ploy they had thought!
His stomach turned into a tight knot but he felt a sense of fury
rising within him. Dont panic, Richa..

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He made her sit on the sofa and gave her a glass of water. I
will take care of this. You will get back Twinkle very soon.
Her face was sad.
He turned towards the policeman, Sir, what do you say we
should do now?
The policeman closed his note book. I will go to the station
house for briefing my seniors. You have to come with me. In
the meantime I am arranging a police guard. Please call your
relative to be near you sister.
Soon Pradeep was on his way to the Police station in their car.
Then his mobile started ringing again, an unknown number. His
sixth sense also started tingling!
He turned towards the driver and requested him to stop the
police car.
Getting down he took the call. The same heavy voice came to
the line, the girl is with us.. you have to come to a place with
the money which we will tell you later.. If you take help of
police .. The voice went on.
Pradeep was deeply concentrating, the voice was sufficient for
him.
Then with a choking voice he said ..of course as you say
The line went dead.

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He walked back deep in thought. This was the ultimate test of

his powers. Will he succeed or not?
Failure would be
disastrous. He began sweating in that cold.
The police car reached the station house. They walked in.
Pradeep sat on a bench awaiting call from higher ups.
When suddenly there was a screech of car tyres. Slamming of
doors- someone walked in.
Twinkle was there with a tall well built man with a French
beard!
Her eyes lit up seeing him and she ran towards him.
The other man walked towards Pradeep slowly.
With the same heavy voice but imploring, I have been wrong
I am a criminal.. I have kidnapped this small innocent girl..
so God help me.. I am surrendering. Here is the girl!!
He knelt down with folded hands. Police moved in swiftly.
Pradeep smiled. His powers didnt let him down! He held
Twinkle tightly.
AMITAV GANGULY
28th August 2015