The Quantum War

The Quantum War

 “I am Vijay.”

Yup! That’s my name. Don’t imagine that I will be looking smart and stylish as Actor Vijay. In fact, I am a very plain looking young guy. At 28 years of age, I have grey hair cropping up and grow a beard, not having shaved for nearly 10 days. Right from the time I was a child, I wear huge glasses causing instant dislike for any girl. The irony is that even I don’t like myself, when I look at my reflection in a mirror.

Never mind! Let’s come to the story. It’s been a week since I have stepped out of this room. I am neck-deep in work involving a tedious research. When I think I am reaching completion, a new problem shows up and drags on forever.

I hear you asking what this research is all about. I will skip all unnecessary drama and come to the point.

I am a computer scientist. I work for IISC in Bangalore. I am currently designing a revolutionary computer that is going to create new history in this world. I will share more details about it later.

It is May now. My colleagues are enjoying life taking a vacation in some cool, happening place. But see my fate; I am tearing my hair out trying to get this job finished on time. I have not even been to my apartment for 10 days. And my diet is nothing but coke and chips from the vending machine, round the corner.

A small circuit is the source of all my troubles right now. If only I fixed it, the entire project will be over. After Bill Gates and Steve Jobs I would have made a name for myself in the history of computers.

I don’t know how much more time I spent on fixing it. Hunger pangs had started again. I feel dizzy. Suddenly I realize in my half fainted state that the circuit is functioning as expected. I lose my consciousness all together and fall down.

When I opened my eyes later, I found myself in a hospital. I tried to sit up on my bed when I heard a woman’s beautiful voice.

“Saline is being injected into your veins. Please don’t move for a while.”

When I glanced in the direction of the sweet voice, I knew who she was. It was Reena, working as lecturer in my department.

“The doctor said you fainted because of lack of sleep for many days, no proper food and over stress. Luckily the security guy found you at the right time. He tried to call the HOD and other professors. But to his dismay, as it was a holiday, people were not available. Accidentally, I picked up the phone at that time and rushed you to this hospital. What is bothering you so much, to cause such undue stress?” Reena narrated the events that had happened.

“Nothing like that. I just got too caught up in my work. I have not been acquainted with you, but still thank you very much for helping me in my distress.”

“But I have noticed you many times, when you had to walk past me. I have even greeted you ‘Hello’. Even though you would look at me, your thoughts will be somewhere else. You never returned any of my greetings.” Reena told this much to my embarrassment.

“Oh! Is it? I am sorry, I am such an eccentric guy, I guess.” I felt ashamed.

“That craziness is what makes you popular among college girls, I guess. Can you believe that you have steady fan base among them?” Reena told.

“Please don’t joke Reena.”

“I am not kidding. With a face covered in beard most of the time, dreams floating in eyes and not even noticing the smiles of beautiful girls going past you; it is a great mystery known only to girls as to why they fall for you, Vijay!” Reena smiled.

The look in her eyes when she told me this than the matter itself was having a profound effect on my heart. Unable to bear the intensity of her looks anymore, I averted my eyes.

“Take rest, we will catch up later.” Reena left the room leaving me alone.

But the few moments I spent with her were playing on a repeat loop in my mind.

The doctor said I was getting better enough to be discharged. I reached home that evening. I was already feeling bored. Then it struck me, what happened to the computer I was designing. Immediately I took an auto to IISC. I reached my office and found the door ajar. Inside, I found the computer lying exactly where I had left it. I took it with me on my way home. As soon as I reached home, the phone rang. It was Reena on the other end.

“Have they discharged you so soon? What are you going to do for food? Tomorrow I will come to your home to cook some meal. In the evening we can spend time watching a movie together.” Reena made plans.

I was surprised to see how much she cared for me. Was it due to pity or something more than that? Did she mean something by the words she spoke, the way she looked at me at the hospital? I felt a growing attraction towards her.

Watching television that night, I dozed off to sleep. Next day I woke up, showered and waited for Reena to show up.

Exactly at 5 o’clock that evening, Reena came to my home.

One look around my room was enough for her to start tidying it up “Why is your room in such a mess?” she said and spent the next one hour cleaning it.

She saw the computer in my bedroom and enquired “I saw this in your room in the institute. Are you conducting your research in this?”

“Yes. This is the product of four years of my relentless hard work. This machine is capable of flipping the world upside down.” I bragged about myself.

I saw the apprehensive look in her face and gave some more details.

“You must have known about super computers. They operate much faster than other ordinary computers. But they are very huge in size; literally they take up space more than this building. What you are seeing now is a computer which can compute at much higher speeds than those supercomputers. Its USP is that it is of the size of a laptop and comes in very handy. Anybody can operate this computer. I have designed this computer using a technology called quantum computing.”

“What is quantum computing?” She asked.

“In a computer, data is stored in a chip as a bit. A bit can be in either one of the 2 states namely 0 and 1. Hence, we are able to write either of these 2 numbers, 0 and 1 in a bit. Using 2 bits we can store a number from 0 to 3. Similarly, using 3 bits we can store a number from 0 to 7. But, in quantum computing, we use QBit instead of bit. QBit are minute than a bit. In fact, they are smaller than an atom particle. According to quantum computing theory, a QBit can be in both states 0, 1 at the same time. As a result, we are able to store two numbers 0, 1 in a QBit at any given time. Hence, at a time, we are able to store 4 numbers from 0 to 3 using 2 bits and 8 numbers from 0 to 7 using 3 bits.”

Reena was listening to my explanation totally amazed.

“This quantum computer I designed has a storage memory of 100 Giga QBit. This encompasses the memory of all ordinary computers in this world.”

Reena wore an unbelievable look in her face.

“Still you don’t believe what I say? You know a super computer can find whether a huge number is prime or not, right?”

“Yes I do know about that.”

“Come on! Go ahead and enter that number.” I instructed her.

Reena typed the number without any hesitation.

Within a fraction of second, the computer displayed the result that it was indeed a prime number.

Reena was thoroughly surprised “The super computer took 8 whole hours to arrive at this result. But this computer came out with the result in a blink of the eye!” She tested again with more numbers greater than the last number she tried. The computer gave her answers at lightning speed.

“Amazing! If you plan to manufacture this computer in collaboration with market players like Google, Microsoft and Apple, then it would benefit many people.” Reena suggested.

“Yes. That is what I am proposing to do. But before doing that, I have to write a few software programs to make sure that this computer will not be misused in any manner. Once I complete that, then I am thinking of contacting those big organizations as you mentioned.” I said.

“Do you think people can misuse its power?” Reena enquired.

“Chances are there. Advanced encryption techniques are in vogue at banks and stock market computer systems in order to prevent them from hacking. Those systems are tightly secured and breaking into them is not possible even in your wildest dreams. But with this computer, you can hack into them easily within half a second. My next project is to design an encryption methodology that not even quantum computing can decrypt. Only when I have that in place, I am planning to contact big companies to manufacture this computer and make it available to all the people.” I had lot of work to do further.

“Come let’s celebrate this happy event. Interstellar movie is running in PVR Cinemas. Let’s catch a show and then go for a dinner.” Reena was visibly happy.

I thought that wasn’t a bad idea. We both rode in Reena’s scooty to a nearby mall. I hesitated to sit behind her in the two-wheeler. She insisted and I gave in. I must say she drove it deftly. Her wonderfully fragrant hair was caressing against my face due to the wind. It felt like heaven.

We enjoyed watching the movie and had dinner at a nearby hotel. On the way back, her scooter was not working.

“Let’s catch an auto and go home. Tomorrow morning I will take your scooty to a mechanic shop.” I offered to help.

“Its 11 P.M now. I feel sought of afraid to ride an auto alone at this late hour.” Reena looked worried.

“Don’t worry! If you don’t mind it, you can stay in my home tonight.” I said.

Reena hesitated but finally agreed.

On reaching home, we sat reviewing for a long time the movie Interstellar that we saw. Then I told Reena to sleep in my bedroom, while I settled in the couch in my living room.

I was struggling to sleep, but it kept evading me. I thought whether Reena had slept in the other room. As soon as her thoughts appeared, I shut it down and tried more vigorously to fall asleep. Finally, I succeeded and slept well.

Next day morning I woke up, had breakfast of dosa and chutney, which Reena had prepared deliciously. I took the vehicle to a mechanic and it was not until 4 in the evening that I returned home. Some random idea made me buy a flower bouquet on my way home to give to Reena.

I was shocked to see the front door left open when I reached home. Where had Reena gone? I searched all around the house and she was nowhere to be seen.

Accidentally I switched on the television. The news channel was broadcasting breaking news that “Today Indian stock market has witnessed a huge loss. On a single day, as there was a decline of 50%, trading was stopped immediately. The faults in the stock market computer systems are blamed for this uneventful happening today. The government is investigating the reason as to why it crashed.”

I froze in shock listening to this piece of news.

* * *

I rushed to my bedroom to make sure that my quantum computer is still there. I let out a sigh of relief when I found it in exactly the same place. I booted it and found that the last login was around 10 o’ clock that morning. That was approximately the time I left home to take care of the problematic vehicle. Who would have logged in? Reena was the only person in home that time. My mind drifted to the thought that it was around the exact same time that the stock market had crashed. I feared the possibility that my quantum computer is capable of hacking into stock market system and causing this devastating crash.

I failed in my many attempts to contact Reena on her mobile.

I had an intuition that I might be unknowingly caught in some danger.

I peeked out of my window to see few police men investigating the people in front of my apartment. My heart beat was racing out of fear. I wasted not even a second in leaving the house as quickly as possible, taking my computer along with me. I reached the road averting the police men by taking a different elevator.

I sat down to have a cup of tea at a shop and also to gather my thoughts. That’s when I noticed my picture being flashed in the television news. The anchor went on to say that I was a wanted criminal relating to the stock market crash. I silently made an escape from the shop before anyone could place a finger on me.

What should I do next? My mind was brainstorming a few ideas. Alas, I made a decision that leaving Bangalore for now would be the topmost priority. I felt it was risky to travel by car, train, bus or plane. Then I noticed men loading a big container truck with furniture items nearby. I heard them talking that it was destined to go to Delhi. When no one was around, I climbed inside the truck and remained huddled and hidden between the furniture items. Soon the truck began to roll.

It will take minimum 2 days to reach Delhi. I don’t know how I am going to survive this torturous journey. Anyway, what other options do I have to save myself?

Two days had passed. The truck came to its destination, in front of a big house. Again few guys came to unload the truck and placed everything inside the house. I heard one man giving instructions to others to place the items in that room, this room etc. He looked like a servant though. I was hidden inside an iron box. That box was kept in the master bedroom. A little later, that servant locked the house and went outside. I climbed out of the box and looked for a way out of the house, but couldn’t find any. Now I had to wait till the house owner or someone came, so that I can make a silent escape unnoticed by anyone.

My stomach was making weird noises out of hunger. I happily munched on two apples I picked from the fridge.

“Who are you? How did you get in?” A stern voice shouted.

I panicked and turned to see who it was. A beautiful woman was standing.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. How come she is here? I knew her. She was Kavya, the girl who studied with me in college.

“Kavya, I…” I faltered in my speech.

“Vijay, what are you doing in my house?” Kavya looked equally surprised on seeing me.

“Kavya, I am in a big trouble. I promise I will tell you everything.” I surrendered.

“Out! Get out of my house now! Or else I will call the police.” Kavya was enraged.

“Kavya, I did not come to cause you any harm. Don’t you know me well? Am I stranger to you? Please Kavya, listen to me. I have studied with you. You must have some good opinion about me. Do you believe that I would be involved in any wrongful activity? Please think for a while and trust me.” I pleaded sincerely.

“You are a geek. I don’t think you would have done something unlawful. Come on! Tell me what the matter is?” Kavya gave in to my pleas.

I narrated all that had happened.

“It’s really unbelievable. Do you have the computer with you?” Kavya still couldn’t digest what she heard.

I showed her the computer.

“You said many amazing things about this computer. I need some proof to believe you.” Kavya was still doubtful.

“I learnt my lesson from another girl when I did what you are asking me to do now.” I was in despair.

 Kavya started punching few numbers in her mobile phone.

“What are you doing Kavya?”

“I am calling the police.” Kavya replied coolly.

“Wait. Wait. I will show you the proof.” I hurriedly booted my computer.

I gave a demo of the same prime number example which I had shown Reena.

“Not bad! I thought you were just another show-off guy, always immersed in books, back in college. I am surprised that you have stuff too.” Kavya teased me.

I brushed that aside. “Can I stay with you for some time, Kavya?”

“I can offer you a better solution than that. I am a top official in SEBI, the regulatory body of Indian stock market. I have good contact with the finance minister. We will meet him tomorrow and explain to him everything.” Kavya chalked out her plans.

“Will they believe me?” I was still not sure how far it will work.

“They will believe 100% what I say.” Kavya seemed confident.

Next day morning we met the finance minister Nitish at his residence. He must be around 50 years but still looked young and glowing due to meditation.

He listened carefully while I recounted all that had happened.

“Kavya, I find it hard to believe. Is Vijay telling the truth?” I could tell the minister found it difficult to believe what I said.

“I know him from college. You can definitely be sure of what he is saying.” Kavya reassured him.

“Vijay said that Reena must have hacked into the stock market systems and brought down the prices of shares. How will she benefit by doing such a thing?” He posed a question.

“There are few brokers in stock market who trade by a method called ‘Short Sale’. They used to make huge profits even when the price of a stock falls. We have to analyze who are those people who gained significantly that day when the stock prices fell. Then we will be able to tell whether they had any connection with Reena.” Kavya came out with a plausible answer.

“Brilliant Kavya! I will order the police to find where Reena is. You meet me tomorrow with details of the people who made huge profits with this stock market crash.” The minister swung into action.

Kavya went to work that day and returned quite late in the night. Next day morning, we again met the minister. Kavya stated her findings to both of us.

“Most of the people who invested in stock market faced losses due to the crash. However, a young businessman called Naresh Yadav had gained Rs 20,000 crores that day. The reason I doubt him is that just before the day of the crash he had bought all the stocks in short sale.” Kavya concluded.

“Then he must be the culprit behind this crash. Do you have any additional details about him?”

“He is just 27 years old. He is No 1 among young upcoming industrialists. He also holds American citizenship. He travels all around the globe. He lives a lavish life. I forgot to tell you, he is an engineer from IIT, Delhi.” Kavya added.

“What? Are you sure? Reena told me that she was from IIT, Delhi as well.” I interrupted her.

Both of them were taken aback by what I said.

“First we have to prove that this is a joint conspiracy involving Reena and Naresh. Then we have to redeem the money they swindled.” The minister made up his mind.

“How can we redeem the stolen money?” Kavya asked.

“The money would now be sleeping in some Swiss or Mauritius bank. Kavya, listen carefully to what I am about to say. You and Vijay immediately have to go to Switzerland. There you will meet Peter. He is the one who gives information about black money hidden by Indians in Swiss bank. With him along your side, you can easily find out the source of this conspiracy.” The minister made a decision.

“What is the use of Vijay coming along with me? At least if a person from CBI accompanies me, it would be helpful.” Kavya pointed out.

“In Switzerland, you can avail the services of their police only. There are talks going on for sending our police team to Switzerland. But that will take some time. I don’t want to waste any more time in this matter, so only I am asking you and Vijay to travel first, the rest of the team will join you eventually.” With that the minister ended our meeting.

We took our leave from the minister and were in a car on our way home. Kavya sat staring out the window, not talking a single word.

“Why did you tell the minister that I need not come with you? Do you think I am hindrance to you?” I couldn’t hold the question any longer.

“I thought within one or two days you will rectify your problems and leave me alone. Never did I imagine burdened with you for these many days. I couldn’t forget the humiliations you put me through and I don’t want it to be repeated.” Kavya retaliated.

“What did I do?” I was baffled by her answer.

“In college, we studied in the same class. You were a class topper while I was an average student. Whenever I approached you with some doubts, you never bothered. Once you told me to come to canteen to give an assignment paper, but never showed up. I felt like dying that day. You hurt my feelings so much.” Kavya recalled her bitter experiences.

“This happened some 8 years ago. How can you even remember all this?” I thought she was out of her mind.

“I don’t forget humiliations I have faced that easily.” Kavya said.

“I did not knowingly behave that bad to you, Kavya. While I was in college I did not know how to mingle with people especially girls. So my friends circle was very limited. The reason I did not turn up in the canteen that day was I must have forgotten it.” I spoke the truth.

“You keep telling something to pacify me.” Kavya chided.

“This is the truth. You have saved me from grave danger. I can never forget you ever. If I had done something to harm you at any point of time, I apologize profusely for that.” I said.

“Was that Reena very beautiful?” Kavya shot her next question out of the blue.

“Why are you asking me that now?” I couldn’t make a connection.

“I noticed you becoming very emotional yesterday when you mentioned her. So, you love her that much?” Kavya asked sarcastically.

“No. In fact, I know her for just one day.” I knew Kavya won’t believe what I said.

“Within a day, if she has had such a dramatic effect on you, then she must be very attractive indeed.” Kavya said as a matter of fact.

“You are jealous.” I snapped.

“Jealous? Me? Have you ever seen your face in mirror, mister? You look like a monkey. You think too highly of yourself.” Kavya laughed.

I couldn’t help but smile inwardly. Oh! A woman’s mind is such a convoluted thing! It thinks unimaginable things and hides light years away those very thoughts. I thought of making fun of her but stopped the words before leaving my mouth. If I rubbed her the wrong way, then my situation will become more pathetic. She behaved like a baby even now, just like she was in college.

I chose silence as my weapon and remained that way for the rest of our drive.

* * *

One week later I and Kavya were in Switzerland. We were awaiting Peter in a hotel.

“This Switzerland is just like heaven. If only I could become a Swiss citizen and stay here permanently!” Kavya wished.

While Kavya was praising the beauty of Switzerland, Peter arrived. He must be around my age. He looked smart; I guessed he must be working out regularly. He apologized for arriving late.

“How can I help you?” Peter came straight to the matter.

“You have helped our government by providing details of black money kept by Indians in Swiss banks. We want details of black money hoarded by 2 people, Reena and Naresh Yadav.” Kavya told him the purpose of our visit.

Kavya showed both their pictures to Peter.

Peter was not paying attention to what she said; instead he was admiring Kavya’s beautiful face.

“You are Kavya, right? I am unable to look straight into your face and talk. When your beautiful eyes flutter like a butterfly my heart plays like a symphony violin. I am even willing to marry you if not for my wife and children at home.” Peter flirted.

“Thanks for the compliment Peter. You are praising me too much.” Kavya blushed to a deep red.

I felt like my stomach was set on fire.

“We are forgetting the reason why we are here and talking some nonsense.” I had to intervene.

“Yes. When can we have the details I requested?” Kavya asked.

“Give me three days’ time. We will meet in this same hotel.” Saying this Peter left.

We ordered a pizza each and sat eating it silently.

“Why were you flirting big time with Peter? Are you thinking it will be a good idea to become a Swiss citizen by marrying Peter?” I condescended.

“Why do you say that? Kavya asked though nothing happened.

“He blabbers about butterfly, heart racing and other stupid stuff. And you also seem to enjoy it and patronize him.” I remarked.

“Don’t talk such bad things about Peter. It is Swiss people’s culture of praising a lady’s beauty and complimenting her. It should not be mistaken that they are in love with us.” Kavya clarified things a bit.

“I don’t know whether he loves you or not. But I can see for sure that you have fallen for him.” I expressed my dissatisfaction.

“No. If I have to marry, I will marry a Tamil guy only.” Kavya quipped.

“I don’t believe you.”

“Believe me or not, I am going to marry a Tamil guy and that too not just anyone but a guy who studied in our college.” Kavya added an interesting fact.

“What did you say?” I was not sure I heard her right.

“Hmmm... I told you are such an idiot.” Kavya replied.

We had reached the hotel by then. I started working on my quantum computer.

“Daily I see you working in this computer. What are you doing?” Kavya asked.

“I have not yet finished my work in this quantum computer. First I have to write complete specifications about its entire design. Then only I can attract big companies to have a look at it. Moreover, I have to write few more software programs to prevent this computer from hacking other systems like what Reena did. After that only, I can say for sure that my work has been completed.” I explained with great interest.

“I should have born a genius to understand what you are saying.” Kavya mocked me.

“You are brilliant Kavya.”

“Yeah! I am a really bright girl.” She laughed at me and then proceeded to her room.

After three days, we again went to the hotel where we met Peter earlier and waited for him.

A few hours had passed and Peter had still not turned up.

Kavya reached his mobile several times but got no answer.

“Kavya, do you have his home address? We can go directly and meet him.” I said.

We took a taxi and reached his home. We never anticipated what we were about to see.

There were police men surrounding his house.

Kavya approached a policeman and asked what happened.

“The guy who lives here called Peter has been murdered. Do you know him?” the policeman asked.

We froze in our positions as we heard that. I regained my composure soon and replied “No, we don’t know.”

“Then what are you doing here? Get out of this place immediately.” Barked the policeman.

We were now on our way back to the hotel.

Kavya broke the silence. “I feel frightened Vijay. I feel anxious whether our lives are in danger too.”

“Don’t worry Kavya. No such thing will happen. Who would have killed him?” I thought aloud.

“I suspect it must be either Naresh or Reena. I also feel they know that we are looking for them. Our only other aid in this case is now dead. How can we proceed any further? We have nothing else to do here?” Kavya laid out the facts.

“Don’t be in haste, Kavya. We will stay for one more week here. We will surely get some lead.”

By then we had reached our hotel. We parted ways to our respective rooms not uttering another word, deeply lost in thought.

It has been four days since Peter was killed. Yet we were clueless as to what to do next.

“Come on, Vijay! Let’s get back to India. Shall I book tickets for us? I think we have wasted enough time here.” Kavya insisted.

“Be patient for a few days, Kavya. Let’s see what happens in the next 1 or 2 days.” I said.

“You are talking as though within 2 days we will find Reena for sure.” Kavya was clearly disinterested.

“No. But Reena will come looking for us.” I knew that for sure.

“What are you saying?” Kavya was puzzled.

“Yes. Reena’s next target is my quantum computer. She will definitely make some advances to secure it.” I informed her.

“She could have done that in your house itself, right? I don’t think she would have got a better opportunity to take it, when you went outside to the mechanic shop.” Kavya reasoned.

“If she had stolen the computer at that time, then the police would be after her. I would not have been named a suspect. She made a clever plan of leaving the computer in my house to cause suspicion over me. She knows that stealing the computer from Switzerland is much easy.”

Kavya agreed with me. We went out to a restaurant for dinner. On returning back to my room, we were shocked to see that the door was open. Besides, the quantum computer was also missing.

“As you said, Reena must have stolen it Vijay” said Kavya after searching the entire room.

“It’s a good thing that the computer is stolen. Our work has now become easy.” I wore a smug look.

“What? Are you out of your mind? How can the stolen computer be helpful to you?” Kavya thought I was delirious.

“Yes, it can be useful. I have attached a GPS with the computer. It will send signals from the place where the computer is, to my mobile phone.” I had acted smart anticipating its theft someday.

Looking at my phone I told her “The people who stole my computer are now travelling in a car 20 miles away. I am going to follow them.”

“I am also coming with you.” Kavya chipped in.

“No. If you come with me, it is an additional risk.” I refused to let her come with me.

I hired a rental car and went in the direction of the GPS signal. I had reached a mountainous terrain. The car was travelling in circles round the mountain. I could see a house at a short distance from here. The thief must be there for sure.

As I neared the house, I parked my car a few yards away. I planned to break into the house after it was dark, late in the evening. I waited, sitting on a small rock and admiring the beauty of the mountain.

“I know that you will come to meet me, Vijay.” said a familiar voice.

I turned back and was shocked to see Reena standing behind.

I couldn’t recognize her first. She looked different. Her clothes, makeup, hairstyle everything was completely modified.

“How is your new girlfriend?” Reena went on further.

I was too stunned to reply anything.

“I wished for living a lavish life right from my childhood. I got introduced to Naresh during my college days. I thought my dreams will come true if I hang out with a rich person like him. I got money, luxury and more. However, the two days I spent with you, were altogether a different experience for me. To be honest with you, I began to fall in love with you. But, I am a practical person. I clearly knew that only Naresh can afford to give me the extravagant lifestyle I always wanted. And I used you for that, just like how Naresh planned.” Reena said this without any guilt.

“Did you conspire with him to bring down the stock market?” I did not let her go.

“You still don’t believe I did it?” Reena laughed.

“Give me back my computer. I will go my way.” I said.

“That will not happen as easily as you think, Vijay. Because you won’t be alive to get back your computer.” Reena wore a devilish look.

Reena took out a pistol and aimed at me.

I started taking a step backward slowly.

“You are a coward Vijay! You are useless even if you are alive!” Reena scowled.

She placed a finger on the trigger, getting ready to shoot me. I closed my eyes not able to withstand the thought of me dying in her hands. Images of Kavya flashed in my mind. Then when I thought I was dead, I heard the sound. A series of guns were firing. I opened my eyes with a jolt.

Reena was on the ground, covered in blood. Behind her stood Kavya and a lot of policemen!

* * *

“Kavya, how did you know I was here? How did you come here?” I was still astonished by the fact that I was alive.

“Am I fool to send you all alone? I know your life is in danger. So, I followed unnoticed by you with the help of these policemen.” Kavya said.

When policemen were looking at Reena’s dead body on the ground, Kavya had an idea.

“Vijay, Reena’s house is nearby. I will stay here. You go inside and look for your quantum computer. I am sure it must be inside the house.” She muttered.

I agreed and went inside the house.

The first thing I laid my eyes on inside the bedroom was a photograph of a painting which had Naresh and Reena’s hands together. I kept it safely with me. I rummaged through all the stuff and found my quantum computer. Near to it, there was a briefcase with many files. I took that too along with me and placed everything safely inside my car.

Then I silently walked to the place where policemen were investigating. They were still analyzing Reena’s dead body. Kavya was standing slightly far from that.

I went near Kavya and signaled thumbs up. She understood and nodded.

Then we took permission from police and came to our hotel in the car.

As soon as I came to my room, I studied the photograph containing Reena and Naresh’ hands.

“Are you feeling sad for the loss of your lover? You keep staring at her hands?” Kavya teased me.

“Don’t talk rubbish Kavya. This will help us.” I said.

“Can you elaborate, how is this of any use to us?” Kavya mocked me again.

“Wait for a while.”

I skimmed through a few documents in the briefcase I took from Reena’s house. Inside the briefcase I found a joint account cheque book that belonged to them both. I made a note of their account number.

“Kavya, I have an idea. I believe all the money that they swindled must be in this account. We will go that bank now itself and try to get that money back.” I hurried.

“Don’t you think the bank will have security precautions? They will give the money only to Naresh himself.” Kavya told.

“Let’s assume that Naresh goes to the bank to get the money. The bank’s software will ensure that it is indeed Naresh who is withdrawing the money by verifying his fingerprint.” I explained.

“In that case, we can make use of Naresh’s fingerprint in this photograph and wipe out his account. You are a genius Vijay! But how will we able to take that much money to India?” Kavya had her own doubts though she thought the plan was feasible.

“We need not carry it with us. This money has to go to our government. You contact minister Nitish and get Indian government’s account number. Then we can make a wire transfer from Naresh account to that account.” I found a solution to her problem.

Kavya agreed that was indeed a good plan. She contacted the minister and told him everything.

“The minister expressed his happiness. He promised to message us the details soon.” Kavya beamed with joy.

Within five minutes, we both received a message from the minister with the account details.

Kavya verified that it was indeed Indian government’s account.

I left Kavya in the hotel and reached the bank. I introduced myself as Naresh to the bank manager.

The manager took me to a room which had a computer. He demonstrated me on how to operate it and left the room.

The computer asked for the account number. I typed in Naresh’s account number.

Then the computer prompted me to record Naresh’s fingerprints.

I recorded the fingerprints of Naresh in the machine using the photograph I had.

The computer let me through. Within half an hour, I transferred 20,000 crore rupees to the Indian government account.

I came out of the bank still unable to believe the fact that everything went smoothly. I then drove to my hotel. Kavya called the minister once again and informed that the money has been transferred to Indian government.

Then we purchased tickets to fly to India, the next day.

“We acted heroic like Sherlock Holmes and solved this mystery, is it not?” Kavya was enthusiastic.

Next day a taxi came to pick us up at the hotel. We were having a lively conversation on the way to the airport.

Suddenly, the taxi driver turned back and sprayed something on our face.

We fainted immediately.

When I woke up after some time, I found that I was in a familiar place. Then it struck me that it was Reena’s home in the mountain.

A tall guy entered the room in a while.

“Welcome Vijay! You have to accept my apologies for meeting you in such a pitiful state. My name is Naresh. We have not met before in person, but I know everything about you.” Naresh talked.

“I know pretty well about you Naresh.” I replied.

“You have known me only for the past few weeks. However, I know you for a good five years. I read an article you had published about quantum computing research back then. It was very good. I started following you to know more about you and your work. I made my lover Reena work as lecturer in your office. You successfully completed your work. After that I made Reena execute my plans. I caused the stock market crash and earned 20000 crores. But you sabotaged my plans once again. You are responsible for Reena’s death. However, I don’t care much about her death. I know she did not love me truly. She was in love with my money. You made a brilliant plan of wiping my account clean and succeeded in it, bringing me to the street.” Naresh accused me.

“Even now it is not late for you to accept responsibility for what you have done and surrender to the police.” I cajoled him.

“Do you know what cartoon I used to like the most when I was a child? The cat and mouse characters which are shown in the ‘Tom and Jerry show’ are my favorite. The plans which the cat devises to catch the mouse and the actions which the mouse takes to counteract are simply a masterpiece! I compare my life to be similar to that cartoon show. I have made quite a lot of enemies in my business. When I defeat each one of them, every time, I get such a high. I feel this to be more intoxicating than earning huge sums of money or having sex. For the first time in my life, you have proved to be a worthy competition. That’s why I have to send you and your lover to heaven, for me to remain the undisputed king of this world!” Naresh finished his crazy speech.

“What are you going to gain by killing me? If you let me live, I will help you get back the money you lost.” I made an offer.

“How will you do that?” Naresh wanted to find out.

“Give me my quantum computer. I will transfer the money from government account to yours.” I described my next course of action.

“You are making a nice deal that I cannot refuse. But don’t even try to fool me.” Naresh warned me.

Naresh handed over the computer to me. I transferred 20,000 crores rupees from Indian government account to Naresh’s account.

“Now you have to release me” I demanded.

“Don’t even think about it in your wildest dreams. I will make sure that the money is available in my account tomorrow morning and then kill you both. Good night!” Naresh left with this threat.

We were kept tied inside a dark room. Kavya’s face showed signs of fear. Although, I remained calm and composed.

A little later, we heard a knocking on the front door. Following it, footsteps of people rushing into the house was heard.

The Indian CBI along with Swiss police had broken into the house. A CBI officer untied us. Naresh was also arrested.

“Naresh, when I transferred the money yesterday to your account, I made arrangements for the bank to send an email alert to the finance minister and CBI officer. I created a suspicion in their minds as to why such a huge amount was getting debited from government account. I also included your name and account details in the email alert they received. Immediately, Indian government contacted Swiss officials to arrest you. In all the crimes that you have committed so far, you left no traces. But what you did yesterday was a criminal activity punishable by law. Swindling of government’s money with clear proof of your involvement. Good bye, Naresh.” I left Naresh with these parting words.

The policemen took Naresh in their car and rode away.

I and Kavya came to India the next day.

I made a presentation about my quantum computer to Google Corporation. They were impressed. I negotiated an agreement with them to have VP post, 20 million dollar salary and company stocks worth several hundred millions.

Kavya came to know about this happy news and paid a visit to my house. My happiness knew no bounds. I hugged her tight and kissed her on the cheek.

“Vijay, what are you doing? I don’t like this at all.” Kavya frowned. She did not expect this.

“Sorry. I became quite emotional.”

“I don’t like you joining Google Corporation.” Kavya said.

“Why are you telling me this? I thought you would be equally happy like me for getting a good start to my career.” I was unclear as to what she meant.

“You have a better option to kick start your career than joining Google.” Kavya spoke what was in her mind.

“What is it?” I asked completely perplexed.

“Why don’t you start a new company like Google? Why should we pledge all our resourceful knowledge to a foreign organization? Your invention is an extraordinary piece of work. But if you start a company with this, your fame along with our nation’s fame will reach new heights.” Kavya encouraged me.

 I moved closer to her, held her in my arms and planted a kiss when she least anticipated. But this time, on her sweet lips.

“Vijay, what are you doing? Let go off me.” But Kavya did not mean what her lips uttered. She stopped resisting my hug after a few seconds.

“I love you Kavya. Do you love me too?” I asked her even though I knew what she would say.

“I have been in love with you for the past 8 years.” Kavya said fondly.

“Is it? So you were in love with me since our college days. Why did you not tell me back then?”

“Then why should I ask you to clarify my doubts, get assignment papers from you and all other stuffs I tried. You were such a tube light. You couldn’t understand my moves.” Kavya ridiculed me.

“Ok leave those things behind. When can we marry?” I proposed.

“First start your own company. Then we can see. For now, we made plans to see ‘The Mockingjay’ movie. Go, get dressed.” Kavya nudged me away.

I changed my outfit and stood in front of the mirror to comb my messy hair. I felt something different today when I saw my reflection. The stray gray hair, the unshaven beard and my glasses (I must wear contact lens from now on) were making me look attractive. I don’t bother whether other girls fall for me, when I have a beautiful angel named Kavya by my side. I feel blessed to know that she loves me with all her heart.

“I feel like a hero.” Excitedly I whistled a bit.

“Vijay, what are you doing inside? Does it take this much time for you to get dressed?” Kavya called out. She must have heard me whistle.

“I am ready Kavya.”

The End

Reference

The Path to the Quantum Computer – George Johnson