Celestial Towers: The Series

Prelude/Overture

Sia, ethereally beautiful, magnanimous & charming,  was tiding up the home, as Ram would be coming any moment. It was a hectic day for Ram, as he had an all important meeting with Hari. Sia herself had been busy operating the Wish Fulfillment Console. She cursed Ram for leaving behind the console at home whenever he went out..

A tall, handsome man, with an unmatched aura around him, walked towards the elevator of the Celestial Towers. 

Ram entered the lift and pressed the button for the 108th floor. The lift stopped somewhere in between and entered a huge figure. " How are you Veer ? " Gymming and all, your never looked fitter than this". Said Ram. Veer smiled and shook hands with Ram. " Thank you Master, Just came back from Lanka. Stayed back after the India series, just to refresh the old memories." That's cool, I wish to go their someday day too. And did you transmit my wishes to Sachin ?"  Asked Ram. "Yup, I did, but Sad he did not notice it." Veer said and winked.

Ram reached his plush penthouse on the floor no. 108. Sia received her with a barrage of questions and complains.

" Take your stupid console with you whenever you go. I am tired of granting people their wishes." Sia Continued. " But I told you to hold on all the wishes, other than those concerning with kids' exams." Said Ram smilingly. " But still, There are so many kids out there." Retorted Sia. The Wish Fulfillment Console clearly had taken a toll on her. 

" And what's your obsession with Facebook, you have bookmarked it on the console. Every XYZ is going gaga over you these days. That stupid boy, what's his name, remembered you after ages and wrote up a pathetic note mentioning you." Sia was fuming with work overload.

"Sia, you are the First Lady. You got to bear these pressures. And you know this is crucial time". Ram said smilingly with supreme command and conviction. Sia cooled down and served Ram his favorite fruit India Plum (Ber). As he munched upon the fruit, Sia read out his schedule for rest of the day. " 2.00- Lecture by Gautam on how to liberate Tibet ?" " I have told Gautam so many times to let the Tibetans and Chinese decide their fates."  Said Ram. "Anyways next ?" 2.30 " Golf Practice with Mohan" 3.30 " India Program: Crucial Verdict".

" Haha, Sia you are impossible, I knew you would add that on your list." Said Ram. " Why not honey ? I would love to know where exactly were you born ?" Sia said smiling with a mystical romantic undertone in her voice. Ram looked at her adoringly. " You have come a long way sweetie, from Swami to Honey, but I like it."

" Now that you have added it, skip the other two events and fast forward me to 3.30 schedule. Connect me to India." Said Ram with a slight urgency in his voice. Sia switched on the world monitor and her fingers clicked on the India map. A courtroom appeared on the screen, with several people arguing with one another. " I hate Indian Courts, why do they delay things ? I should better ask you. Why do you do this. You know the verdict. Why can't you just make things happen the way you want ? Why don't you play GOD these days ? Sia said, with slight irritation in her voice.

Ram looked at Sia with his deep eyes. " Human Beings do not need shepherding anymore. The era of Avatars is gone and I firmly say I do not have plans to visit earth ever again."

Sia looked puzzled. " Why? You mean you are disowning them ?" Ram smiled and said. " Not at all. Few things separate man from monkey and wisdom happens to be one of them. I have faith in man's abilities and wisdom." Suddenly a huge figure appeared on the window of the lavish drawing room of penthoouse no. 108. " Did I hear monkey ?" Veer was hanging upside down and flaunting his new detachable tail that he had got from Lanka.

" You are an exception Veer." Ram said. " Will you please go and pick up Luv-Kush from college!" Thundered Sia as Veer kept hanging upside down. "Oops, yup sure!" "Ram Rocks!!" (Jai Shri Ram). Veer zoomed up in the sky.

" Sia, all Human beings including Indians are masters of their own fates. We have nurtured them for thousands of years and now its their turn to grow a tree from the sapling. You can see it on the screen, there is sense of urgency amongst the men in black. They mean business and I will let them deliver their own verdict." Ram Continued.

" This case concerns you. Where were you born, does the land belong to you ?" Said Sia with a bit of concern in her voice. " The universe belongs to me, leave alone Ayodhya. And I was born in my mama's laps." Ram quipped with a naughty smile on his face. " Oh, dont you try to be preachy and diplomatic with me." Sia said.

"No, I am serious. You ask me why don't I Play God. Well, I don't need to. The human beings have stopped bugging me for every problem of theirs. They are their own gods. I have little relevance in today's world. I am just the light, they make their own paths." Ram said in his deep husky voice.

" What about the Wish Fulfillment Console then ? Lets sell it off, right ? Said Sia sarcastically. " No honey, the one who buys it would be the unhappiest. Only you and me can handle this." Ram replied. "When was the last time you used the console ? I mean other than fulfilling childrens' wishes". Asked Sia. " I once granted Advani the wish to conduct the Yatra. It resulted in demolition of the mosque. Since, then I have put each of his wishes on hold. The poor guy can never be the Prime Minister of India." Ram replied.

"They have divided the land in three parts ! Is it the right decision ? " Said Sia with excitement. " Only time will tell." Ram answered diplomatically. "you are impossible, I must say. You kill my excitement. Anyways, I plan to wear Saree when we go for that Inter-religion harmony conference tomorrow" Asked Sia. Ram looked at her with bright smile " The good old days". Sia walked out of the room.

Ram's phone beeped. 1 message received.

Number- + 786

Name- Prophet

Message- howdy neighbor? :) Dinner tomorrow in Mecca ? :D

Chapter-1

The Question of Security

The silence and serenity surrounding the Celestial Towers was disturbed. “Why do you guys keep strolling in this area, when you know this is ‘no-fly zone’. I hate these automatic flying machines of yours. Now Buzz off!”  Lucky was furious. “but Sir, we were just practicing for any eventuality. It is a no flying zone for outsiders. I guess we don’t need to swear our allegiance to Him.” Indra tried to defend himself.

“Oh, let it be. When the demons attacked Celestial Towers few years backs, where were you guys? Bathing in beer or dancing with those chicks! And bro does not need any allegiance. He is a self made- self sufficient institution.”

“Cool down, Master Lucky, I guess you are over reacting.” Indra was his usual defiant self. “You have not seen me react then. Your friend 'Wind ' almost knocked me off my bike. I am telling you, don’t test my patience.” The famed aggression and short temperedness of Lucky was surely raising the mercury outside Celestial Towers.

“Ram Rocks!” Veer came up from the sky to Lucky’s rescue. “You Rock-Star, you also have to fly!” Lucky was in no mood to relent. “Master Lucky, Lord is waiting for you upstairs. Don’t waste time with these bunch of Devs. Celestial Towers is secured. My back for you, sir.” Veer got on his knees, presenting his shoulders for Lucky to climb over. “Should I load the bike on your shoulders as well!” “Well, err..We will take the elevator sir. Cool down.”

"We are here, Master Ram!" Veer declared enthusiastically. “Oh, lucky! How have you been? Long time.” Sia went to up to Lucky, completely ignoring Veer on his side, who passed a smirk. “I am good Bhabhi, just not satisfied with the security around here. These Devs are of no use.” Lucky said and touched Siia's feet. “Oh, don’t worry about us. Everything is fine here till your bro..Will you please get up and acknowledge Lucky’s presence.!” Thundered Sia.

“Hey bro, What’s up?” Ram hugged Lucky. “I am fine brother. By the way, is He coming?” Asked Lucky.

“You guys are missing me, already! And Here I am!” a voice as powerful as a mountain and as melodious as melody itself, filled penthouse no 108 of the Celestial Towers.

The voice was followed by a loud giggling session. A man with a unique dusky skin-tone, an enviable personality and pleasing smile was standing at the door. A bright pea-cock feather tattoo was easily visible on his right shoulder, despite of the girl crowd that almost hung to it.

“Security, for which you are worried about, Lucky, is a state of mind. Neither you, nor your anger or for that matter Devs can guarantee security. Because it is not the battle of Lanka or the Kurukhsetra, it’s a war against our own virtues and emotions.” Mohan was at his preaching best.

“Welcome, Mohan. You made it on time.” Ram said and shook hands with him. Sia passed on a quick smile to Mohan and rushed Ram to a corner. “ I have not cooked food for his bunch of girls, so many of them. I thought his leela was supposed to end right their on earth!” 

“Its ok, Sia. The lovely ladies will join me soon on the river bank, in the evening. Yes!” Mohan flaunted his female fan following, leaving Sia a bit embarrassed. The gang of Girls bid goodbye to him.

The lunch began. Veer's plate was fuller than others while Ram pretended to eat. "Will you please let me know, why have you been so upset off-late. What's the matter? and what's this war-cry?" Sia was concerned.

"I don't call it a war Sia. It's complex, almost cancerous. That's why I relied on Mohan, the ultimate strategist and ambassador of peace." Said Ram. "haha! Peace! I thought he masterminded Mahabharata!" Laughed Veer, stuffing a delicious pudding in his mouth. All except Mohan gave him a nasty look.

"Ram, I trust your instincts and wisdom. But, what you conveyed to me last night was puzzling. The last time this tower was attacked, it was by the demons. We repelled them easily. But this time, if the Human Beings are planning to attack, it is indeed disturbing." Said Mohan

"What? How dare they? You did not tell me, bro! I will go and drown earth now!" Lucky threw his plate aside and rose in aggression, clinching his fists." Calm down, Lucky! It is not that simple. I told you this is not about muscle flexing, its a battle of virtues and emotions."

"The War Shall be Fought. But Let's first discuss it."

(Meanwhile, Veer was checking out Mohan's new Digital Flute (From Vishwakarma's), which had features like pre-loaded tunes & melodies)

Chapter 2

Infinity

"Remember, We are not fighting human beings directly. It's their dark emotions and so-called virtues of today's times that we have to tame. When the vice sends a tremor down the alley of traditional humane-ness, the repercussions are bound to be felt at the Celestial Towers." Mohan said in his rain-drop like voice.

"And I have heard that four of the principal emotions have grown stronger than ever before and their eyes are set on the Towers. And lucky, your beloved anger happens to be one of them." Ram added.

"what do you guys mean? I am confused. How can 'Emotions' attack us? I mean it has never happened before!" Lucky was perplexed.

" This is the Dark Age, my kid bro. Remember, what Mohan conveyed to Arjuna in Kurukhestra battlefield. I shall come back on earth and cleanse it whenever evil takes a toll." Ram said.

"Yeah, right. I know that. But how does his sermon come here in equation?"

"Do you mean there is some hidden meaning to what Mohan said ages ago, Master Ram?" Veer said excitedly.

"I don't know the meaning of all this. But this conversation, seriously, is testing my patience. why don't you guys go up to floor infinity and discuss your queries. Anyways, I am done with what I had to offer for lunch." Sia was never interested in guessing game.

Veer and Lucky made faces. Ram' and Mohan's eyes met, a sparkle filled the room.

************

The elevator screeched to a halt at Floor Infinity. The 'Famous Five' were now standing in front of a huge flat as the mercury suddenly seemed to be hitting abyss.

"Huh, Check that out for work experience." Veer pointed out to the bright yellow name plate.

"Hari Om Tatsat. Serving Mankind Since 00-00-00." Sia read it aloud for others.

"Wow. That's cool. Hari Om Tatsat. Sounds like Shah Rukh Khan. Does not it?" Veer Joked. "Yeah, I love his hair. and of course the movies." Sia agreed to Veer for the first time Since Treta Yug.

'Please Prove your credentials, before entering Infinity." A voice echoed.

Chapter 3

The Giant Hurdle

"What is this? Prove your credentials! This has not happened before." Veer wondered."This must be a part of the tightened security blanket around the Towers and Infinity. Why don't we start introducing ourselves. May be that will help." Sia Opined.

"I am Mohan. The king of Dwarka and Mathura. One of the 10 Great Avatars of Hari. The Victor of the Mahabharata." Said Mohan with a sense of pride in his voice.

"I am Ram. The King of Ayodhya. The best among all men- The Purshottama. The Conqueror of Ravana." Ram followed Mohan.

"Oh, Shut that crap! you guys boast like someone from Boston.Hahahaha!" A voice roared from behind. A towering figure with a baby like face was standing with hand on his waist. "Who are you? and How dare you talk to my brother like that?" Lucky pulled out his bow from back-pocket.

"Listen, keep that toy of yours inside. You don't show attitude to Giant the Gatekeeper right! You fellas creating ruckus out here. Five of you! No one goes inside." The Giant was angry.

Ram looked towards Lucky who put his bow inside. Now, he turned towards the Giant and smiled. "I am sorry for his behavior Giant The Gatekeeper. He is my younger brother Lucky, a bit short tempered." Ram quickly apologized to the Giant, sensing this hurdle needed to be tackled wisely.

"Umm, Its ok." Giant said in his muffled voice.

"I was wondering since when are you Guarding Infinity? Earlier, no one used to be here. I must say you are doing a wonderful job" Mohan jumped on the opportunity to flatter the Gatekeeper.

"Hmm, yeah. You two seem to be sensible. Master Hari called me to guard the Infinity some time back. You know, I have guarded universes' most prominent places and made them secure. I was there on earth for sometime too, guarded Indian Parliament till 2001."

"That's a great track record Giant. Infinity is definitely safe under your aegis. Now, we all need to meet Hari right now. It's urgent.Will you please let us in?" Mohan requested.

"Yeah, now you talking business. The door rejected your credentials because you guys chose to boast. Haha! Get a life people. Why So self-obsessed? Hahah!" Giant started laughing as Floor Infinity shook a bit. Ram's world wrist watch indicated a cyclone off Bay of Bengal on earth.

"No, please be serious. We need to go in. There must be some way." asked Mohan.

"Yes, there is a way. Actually the only way left. (hmph) I will make it easier for you guys. I am going to ask one question each to you two, the sensible ones." Giant said pointing towards Ram and Mohan. "Answer them correctly, truthfully and all five get a ticket inside. Simple!"

"KBC in the Towers, that's super cool." Veer giggled. Lucky passed him a nasty look.

Mohan stood in front of Giant the Gatekeeper, his eyes fixed on him. His mind was working very swiftly. The picture was becoming crystal clear to him. "I will answer your first question." He declared.

"Yeah! You brave-heart. Aren't you scared? Huh! Remember, one wrong  answer, one lie and you all go back to your respective homes. and you become ineligible to enter Infinity forever!" Giant mocked Mohan.

"What do you think of yourself? How can you set all the conditions? Who are you to decide we go in or not? We are no ordinary people. We need to meet Hari now!" Lucky was furious.

"Calm down Lucky, Giant, you please ask the question." Mohan said with an ultimate poise in his voice.

"Ok, So Mr Mohan, you are ready for the question? hmmm, I am surprised." The giant uttered the last few words on a lower pitch." No, listen. Another Condition. Lucky are you listening? You can't volunteer like this for the question. I have already given you enough leverage by asking just you two to answer. I am sure, this loud-mouth would have goofed up big time on any question of mine. Hahah!" Giant pointed sarcastically towards Lucky.

"My first question, hence, is for Ram-The King of Ayodhya, as he likes to be called." Giant lowered his upper part of the body and came closer to Ram's face. "Are you ready?"

Mohan was suddenly disturbed. He quickly sprang himself between Giant and Ram. "What's your problem man?" The giant smirked.

"Nothing. Just came to wish Ram." Mohan smiled. "All the best!" Mohan hugged Ram. For a moment, the time Stopped.

Ram, now, had a stone liked expression on his face. "I am ready. Shoot!" He held Sia's hand.

"Hmmm.Okay! Here I Go!" Floor Infinity was pregnant with darkness and optimism at the same time.

"Ram, Have you ever cheated on your wife, Sia?"

The Floor Infinity shook heavily as Lucky's anger reached its peak. He clinched his fist as Mohan held him with both of his hands. Sia was in a state of shock, looking at the Giant and her husband. "what the hell...?" Sia tried to speak as Ram shook his head, asking her not to.

"Hmmm, all of you are emitting interesting emotions. This is funny! Haha! Ram, Hurry up, man. Your volunteer friend is waiting excitedly for his turn." Giant looked towards Mohan, who in-turn looked towards Ram. Their eyes met.

"Yes, I have." Declared Ram. A tiny drop of tear trickled down Sia's cheek.

Chapter 4

The Confession

"To doubt your better half, your soul-mate amounts to cheating. More so because, my doubt was misplaced & outlandish. I acted on impulse and questioned Sia's chastity. It's like, if the law-enforcer arrests an innocent, he himself becomes a criminal. I am the pioneer of concept of infidelity amongst human beings. Mistrust did not exist in love relationship, till I changed it all. In that sense, I have not just cheated my wife, I have cheated mankind." Ram admitted unhesitatingly.

"Err..Mankind! Womenfolk would be more precise, Master?" Veer Wondered. "That would be a potentially dangerous confession to make, Veer. I will just say I am not the best amongst all men. Flaws are just a little less in me." Ram continued.

Sia was sobbing inconsolably as Ram held her in his arms. "Hmmm. That's an interesting confession and analysis, Ram." Giant whispered. " And if you guys are through with your romantic break, shall we move on to Mohan, only after he answers my question, I shall show you both your report cards." Giant winked.

Mohan was now visibly relaxed and spreading his usual infectious smile. "Come what may, the world would always acknowledge you as the best among all men. It's your humility, humbleness and ability to admit your own flaws, which sets you apart."

"Enough of the admiration. Now, it's your turn to face the music." Thundered the giant. "How did you win the Mahabharata, the greatest of all battles?"

"Of course, by sheer bravery, valor and diplomacy. Is that a thing to ask?" Lucky said frustratingly.

"I will answer him, Lucky. My victory in Kurukshetra is an outcome of backstabbing, deceit and relentless endeavor to go past the finishing line. I regret not stopping the battle, my attempts towards the same were superficial and half-hearted. Rules of war would never be the same again, brothers will never hesitate to slaughter each other.  In fact, I have taught the world, how to fight , and survive, and fight another day. I used every trick, forbidden in the war book, to win the battle. Hence, I Confess, I am the pioneer of the phrase, "Everything is fair in War". Love is just an addition by some hopeless romantic." Mohan said.

"Is this the Big Boss Confession room? I mean why you two are being so honest. I mean, what you two just said aint completely true. You guys are Gods. My masters!" Veer was perplexed.

"Let me explain it to you, Veer. To admit one's own mistake, to make a confession is perhaps the toughest task. Specially, if You are famous and have that God tag attached to you. One who knows how to tame his inner demons, shall be victor against enemy of any kind." Giant was in a preachy mode.

"I know the purpose for which you guys are here. My job was only to make you all humble enough to face further music. Because, battling emotions is all about self awareness and control. And I must say, you two are the most appropriate men to enter the battlefield." Giant said in his unusual muffled voice.

"And yes, I am honored to have you all here as my guests. The door will open now. Master Hari is waiting inside." To everyone's surprise the Giant touched Ram's and Mohan's feet.

"Hmph. Getting up from that low is quite a task." He said standing up.

"You are the greatest Giant, I have ever met." Veer was beaming as Lucky muttered "Well, I disagree". "And, you are the coolest monkey, I have come across". Giant returned the compliment.

"And before you all go in, let me tell you, Mohan, I just ignored when you cautioned Ram about truthfulness when you hugged him. Because, I know everything is fair in war." Giant winked.

"Ram Rocks! So Does Mohan!" He disappeared before anyone could realize.

******************

The door at Infinity opened automatically as the yellow name plate beamed like Gold.

"Goodness me! why is this place flooded?" shouted Sia. "It's not flooded. We are entering the Sea of Tranquility, the residence of world's most powerful man." Ram answered.

Chapter 5

The Sea of Tranquility

The Sea of Tranquility was not just enormous, it defied all the calculations of geography. "How on heaven, are we supposed to cross it?" Veer wondered. "The Indian Ocean that we crossed seems like a rivulet in-front of it!"

"You need not do much, Veer. Just walk over the water, and await the glimpse of Hari." Ram said. "Oh really! The very idea of walking on water is quite unusual. Can I, like, fly over the sea?" "If you fly over the sea, you wont be able to spot Hari. Remember, he resides inside the sea, on the top of the Great Python." Ram answered.

The Famous Five were now walking on the sea of tranquility. The water was in absolute contrast of the chilly surroundings. "No need to fold your jeans, Veer. The water won't wet you." Ram winked.

*************************

Hari sat on the top of the Four-headed Great python. A mysterious smile resided on his face as his dear-like eyes made a perfect oval after closure. He was meditating while a clock hanging mid air denoted 00:00. The time stood still, quite literally.

Ram and Mohan went towards Hari as rest waited at a distance. Python's four pair of eyes were fixed on the duo as they bent down to touch Hari's feet. Suddenly, there was a loud hiss, the Great Python lurched violently towards Ram and Mohan. They backed off just in time as Lucky and Veer reached for their weapons.

"Relax, Python. They are my friends. My Souls." Hari's meditation was interrupted. The Great Python backed off, dropping a few kilos of saliva in the seawater, which caught fire immediately.

"Welcome, Gods and (pause) the Goddess. I was anticipating you all. Our divine re-union needed this big a reason to fructify. I welcome you all to the Sea of Tranquility." Hari addressed all the guests at the sea as a fine melody filled the atmosphere. Masters of the Universe were now in conversation.

***************

"Veer, as you asked, Mohan's prophecy about his re-incarnation on earth, each time evil takes toll, holds relevance even in the current crisis. We live in the Dark Age, the Kalyuga, all the deeds, beliefs and prophecies revert themselves in this era. That's why, you often see evil triumphing over good, money winning over emotions and so on.

"The time has arrived when Evil will reincarnate itself in Heaven and try to tame us. It can come in any form, any shape, any size. It could be you, me or him. Evil is stronger than ever before."

"But how come this is a war waged by Humans or how we have to fight against them? How do they fit in this Evil philosophy?"

"Do you know anything more evil than Human Emotions?" Hari gave a wry smile. "Let me tell you straightaway, Evil Human Emotions will try and overcome us. To make us vulnerable. To make us ordinary. Just like one of them. Just like Humans."

If Silence is sea's jewel, the Sea of Tranquility was lavishly ornamented. Waves kissed Sia's feet now and then, only to transform themselves into white pearls. She was thrilled. Ram looked around the serene abode of Hari, the Nurturer of Universe.

His gaze fell on the Great Python. He imagined a smile on Python's face. Or did he? He looked in his eyes, all eight of them, which twinkled simultaneously.

To Be Continued