Night was bright as it often used to be in New York City. The city was sleeping under the supervision of the moonlight. It was looking quite peaceful and placid, though for certain persons, it was troublesome.

A phone bell broke the peaceful sleep of from Dr. Joseph Nicholson. He woke up rubbing his eyes and attended the call,

                           “ Hello, Dr. Nicholson here. Well, O.K., I will be there in a few minutes.”- saying so he kept the receiver back and started dressing up. Till now his wife too, who was wrapped in the next half of the blanket, had waken up.

                           “ Where are you going ? It’s twelve O’ clock.”

                           “ I know honey, but there is an emergency. A patient is waiting for me. He is serious.”

                           “ But still,… leaving at this time?”- said Sarina in an anxious voice.

                           “ See, that’s a part of our job. We have to attend our job with utmost devotion.”

                           “ And what about your married life ?”

                           “ There is nothing of that sort. I am a doctor first of all. I must comply with my duties first. Unless my patients are satisfied I don’t deserve a peaceful night.”- saying so he went away leaving her wife anxious and,……..suspicious, “ Has he really gone to……..?”

The sun came up and the city took a shower under sunlight with a slightly warm day. New York City was looking gorgeous and everyone was preparing for a good start of the day. Sparrows had left their nests to collect the twigs. Bees were off their hives to gather the nectars and people were on their jobs under a hope for success. But at last it is the satisfaction that counts. And the similar thing is more precisely applicable on the relationships. Otherwise it doesn’t hold good.

                           “ But why son ? If you have any problem then you must talk to me about it . After all I am your father.”

                           “ Father, it is not anything of that sort. But you must now leave me alone. I am not a kid anymore. Let me live my way.”

                           “ That’s what I am doing since past three years. Being a mayor is not an easy job. And you are not cooperating either. Why don’t you talk to me son ?”

                                 But he didn’t give any reply to this and went away. And somewhere else a fight was going on.

                           “ Then what must I do to get your love ? I don’t find any reason for which you don’t want me to accompany you in the night.”

                           “ It sucks when you create big issues out of simple things. Haven’t I explained you before that…….”

                           “ That you are a doctor. But I think that first of all you need a check up.”

                           “ I am right now not in a mood to argue with you. Leave the matter.”

                           “ But it’s not yet over.”

                           “ For me it is.”- and Dr. Nicholson left for his clinic.

Somewhere else a psycho- analysis was in the middle of its course……..

                           “ So according to you, your son doesn’t talk to you. do you blame him for this ?”

                           “ No doctor, it’s actually my fault. When he was of three years his mother passed away. I was so busy with government stuff that I couldn’t take proper care of him. He was being looked after by the nannies. Though I also spent time with him but not upto that extent to which I should have. Later on when I was realized of the fact it was too late for me. He had already been too far from me. Now not even a single hour he spends with me. Today I have everything, but still a feeling of discomfort surrounds me. I may have got a thousand followers, but I have lost a son. And this is not all what I feel afraid about.”

                           “ Really, what else ?”

                           “ Since he doesn’t interact with me, I am afraid if he gets addicted to some bad habit….or bad people.”

                           “ Well, it can be possible. However it can be solved. If you can’t talk to him then let someone else do it on your part.”

                           “ What do you mean ?”

                           “ What’s his age now ?”

                           “ He is sixteen years old.”

                           “ Well, at this age normally teenagers don’t feel like talking to their parents. However they can disclose even the biggest secret of their life to their friends. and……”

                           “ And what ?”

                           “ And they feel more comfortable with a friend who is of opposite sex. Teenager boys feel better sense of friendship with girls and vice versa. This hasn’t got any wrong intention but they feel a kind of passion in it.”

                           “ But I still don’t get your point.”

                           “ I would advice you to introduce him to a girl of his age. She will be able to provide better company and satisfaction to him.”

                           “ You want me to create a virtual friendship for him ?”

                           “ Why don’t you look things from the other aspect ? It might be a start of a good relation. It will motivate him to come close to you.”

                           “ But I don’t know any such girl. Since he doesn’t talk to me, he doesn’t talk to the daughters of my friends either.”

                           “ I have one such girl in my mind. I will send her to you.”

                          And somewhere else a cocktail time was going on in a country bar when a person, all of a sudden entered inside and seated near the bar counter. Bar man came to him,

                           “ Anything you want sir ?”

                           “ Yes, get me a dry Martini.”

The bar man went away. The guy was sitting very quietly when all of a sudden a girl came to the counter and sat near him. She ordered for a French Champagne. Then she turned towards the guy,

                           “ Hi there. Alone ?”

He didn’t say anything but shook his head in affirmation.

                           “ Well, me too. I have come here for the first time. I am new to this city. We have come here a week ago from California.”

Now the guy started to speak, “ So you are new here. Your dad is good enough to have allowed you for being out of home for so late at night ?”

                           “ I don’t care what he says. He is so busy businessman that he doesn’t get enough time to spend with his daughter.”

                           “ I think that we share something common. I am Richard Fredrick, son of the mayor of the city.”

                           “ Wow, that’s great.”- the girl said.

                           “ Well, it should be.”- said Richard taking a deep breath. 

                              And the talk continued for a long while. Somewhere else a talk was going between two persons in a clinic.

                           “ I know that the whole fault was not of her. But you tell me what am I supposed to do now.”- said Dr. Nicholson to his friend.

                           “ Well, why don’t you understand that you must create balance between your professional life and your personal life? If you won’t do it, it may cost you hard.”

                           “ I know you are right. But you know what is the life of a doctor. First of all his patients have a right on him, then his family.”

                           “ But you can’t neglect your wife over this excuse.”

                           “ I know this is unfair but how can I neglect my patients ?”

And far away from this argument, a door opened and two people entered inside a castle-like house.

                           “ Wow, what a lovely house ! Richard you have got great comforts.”

                           “ This is no comfort. This is just like a prison made up of gold where I am locked.”

                           “ Hey, don’t be so desperate. Everything would be alright.”

                           “ Anyway, come with me. I show you my home.”

And a fight was going on in another home,

                           “ So, what do you want from me ?”

                           “ I don’t want anything from you. But what I must have should be given to me. I want your love.”

                           “ I love you. but the problem with you is that you want me to exhibit you my love. Love is not a thing to be exhibited.”

                           “ And neither is negligence. I can’t bear it anymore. Lengthy days and lonely nights.”

                           “ Then why don’t you die, bitch.”- saying so Dr. Nicholson went away.

                           “ I am not going to leave you at any cost.”- Sarina followed him silently.

And somewhere else,

                           “ …….and this is my bedroom.”

                           “ It is nice. Very nice.”- said the girl with Richard, she was little hesitated.

All of a sudden, the bell rang.

                           “ Oh, may be it’s my father. I don’t want him to see you here. You wait for me here. I will be back.”

Leaving the girl there, he rushed to the door and opened it. The person standing at the doorstep was familiar to him.

                           “ You ? Why have you come here today ?”

                           “ Well, I,…….”

                           “ Listen, you will have to go right now. Somebody is inside.”

                           “ Who is the one ?”- asked the person.

And during this time something else was going on in Richard’s bedroom. The girl was inspecting the room just like a secret agent. She fished inside the cupboard, then inside the other drawers and finally discovered a card from one of them. On the card was written an address. She read it – “ Dr. Joseph Nicholson, #45\A, Paam Drive, Morning Glory Circle.”

Then she started to search for any other clue to what which she was investigating. All of a sudden a very significant fact was striped out when she happened to notice the bed sheet. There was a strain on it.

“ Oh my god.”- she immediately took off the bed sheet and escaped from the backside of the house.

On the other hand, there was a knock on the door. Richard answered it. it was Sarina. She rushed inside the room as she saw Joseph.

                           “ Sarina, what are you doing here ?”

                           “ What are you doing here ?”

                           “ Well,….he is my patient. I am here to check him.”

                           “ And I am here to check you out. Was it he for whom you used to leave home at nights ? I don’t find him in such a severe condition that would require urgent help.”

                           “ Well, that is technical matter. You better be away from it.”

                           “ Who is this lady ?”- asked Richard.

Before Joseph would answer to this, Sarina shouted angrily, “ Listen young man, I am his wife and you are the one who has stolen him from me.”

                           “ Sarina, enough. Behave yourself.”- shouted Joseph.

All of a sudden Richard was recalled of something –

                           “ Oh no, Christina. She is still in the bedroom.”- and he rushed to the bedroom.

Sarina looked at Joseph suspiciously, “ Who is this Christina ?”

                           “ She is his guest. How would I know her ?”

After sometime Richard came downstairs –

                           “ She is not there.”

                           “ And would you like go home now or want to stay here for more drama ?”- asked Sarina in a way of taunt.

                           “ Well, let’s go home.”- said Joseph.

And they went away. Richard couldn’t understand what was going on between them.

Next day was rising with slightly suspicious weather. It seemed like it was going to rain heavily accompanied with thunder. On who was the thunder about to fall was behind anyone’s foresight.

Christina met Prof. Jack Diner, the head incharge of the forensic lab where the bed sheet was submitted.

                           “ Well Christina, you were right. That was nothing else then semen. And you know ? There is something more to it.”

                           “ What is it ?”

                           “ The semen was of two persons,…….. there were two male persons.”

                           “ What ? But,…but what does that mean ?”

                           “ You know very well what I mean.”

                           “ Does he know that,….I mean does he know that he is being used ?”

                           “ May or may not. In these cases, it is often seen that the person too, unknowingly enjoys in such act without being aware of that he is used. There is absolutely nothing illegal or illegitimate in having any kind of sexual relationship with mutual consent. Except when one of the two people happens to be a minor, it becomes an illegal activity, rather a crime.”

                           “ But what should be done to stop this ?”- asked Christina.

                           “ You can’t stop it willingly. We can just encourage him to get away from it.”

                           “ Would it be alright if I would declare this ?”

                           “ Absolutely not. This will cause embarrassment on the part of both. And as I stated before that a psycho can harm himself seriously, this may cause danger to the life of either or both of them.”

                           “ Then what must I do ?”

                           “ You know who can give you better answer to this. It’s your father.”

                           “ I think you are right.”- and Christina went to him, “ Father, on your request I had gone to Richard and what I found is really disgusting. You tell me whether it would be alright to tell this to the mayor ?”

                           “ Well, this is a very serious decision that we have to take. But don’t change your behavior with Richard. He would, otherwise suffer from embarrassment and could commit something very injurious to himself.”

                           “ But how can I now interact with him father ? It would be awkward for me.”

                           “ How could you say such a thing ? You are my daughter and like me you too, are a psychologist. You should know how to deal with people. He needs your help. You must give it to him.”

                           “ Well, O.K. father, I would try my best.”

                           “ Thanks dear.”

And the next day, like every other day. New York City witnessed a bright morning. But it was getting full of dark secrets to someone.

Richard met Christina in a same country bar where they had met the first time.

                           “ Hi, I was waiting for you.”- said Richard.

                           “ Well, I was caught in traffic.”- said Christina desperately. Richard slowly kept his hand over her shoulders,

                           “ What happened ?”

                           “ Well, nothing. I am just not feeling well.”

                           “ Oh, well in that case I must drop you home.”

                           “ Thanks, but I shall go by myself.”- and Christina went away. Richard didn’t get it. Though it was clear that something was happening between Christina and him. Was it love ? Who could tell….

Christina met mayor……

                           “ I am sorry sir, for your sake I agreed to support him. But now I think that I would not be able to sustain him for long.”

                           “ But what happened ? Has he misbehaved with you ?”

                           “ No, but…….”

                           “ See, if you are unable to handle him, then I would not force you to do it. But he needs you.”

And somewhere else…………

                           “ What has happened to you. You haven’t changed. Still you ignore me.”

                           “ I just don’t feel any such desire.”

                           “ Then you must check yourself. May be there is some sort of physical problem with you.”

                           “ Just stop this non-sense. I am alright.”

                           “ But you know that we don’t have any child. Are you going to do anything about it or you have dropped the idea ?”

                           “ Just leave me alone.”

There are certain circumstances when person can’t control the situation but situation controls the person. There is a law that if anything is destined to happen, that is bound to happen. And may be that is written for these people.

One night when the desire crossed the limit, Dr. Nicholson silently left home and proceeded towards mayor’s house. Soon he was there. Mayor invited him inside –

                           “ What happened doctor, what has brought you so late at night ?”- asked mayor.

                           “ Well Mr. Fredrick, I have come to check your son. He was not feeling well when I came here last time. I am afraid it might get severe.”

                           “ That’s so generous of you doc. But right now he is sleeping.”

                           “ That would really make my job easy. Usually teenagers at this stage hate to be examined.”

                           “ Thank you. This way please.”- mayor guided him to the room of Richard.

All of a sudden the doorbell rang again. Mayor attended to it. This time it was Christina.

                           “ Well, Christina, what are you doing here at night ?”

                           “ Well, I have come to ask whether Richard is fine or not.”

                           “ That’s so kind of you. Your father has obliged me sending you. He is fine. In fact Dr. Nicholson is checking him.”

                           “ Well, I just,…..what ? Who is checking him ?”

                           “ Dr. Nicholson.”      

                           “ Right now ?”

                           “ Yes, but what does that make you worried about ?”

                           “ You will come to know it. Come with me.”- and Christina, along with mayor, rushed to Richard’s bedroom. As she opened the door, a dramatic sight came into view. Richard was constantly trying to release himself of Dr. Nicholson’s seize whereas Dr. Nicholson was continuously trying to hold him. They both were improperly dressed. But by this time Richard had realized what was Dr. Nicholson actually doing with him. He didn’t want to let him do it anymore. Christina rushed towards them and separated them,

                           “ Stop it.”

                           “ What the hell is going on here ?”- asked mayor.

                           “ Well,”- Dr. Nicholson tried to explain, “ He is not ready for his check up.”

                           “ No dad, he is not checking me up but is trying to touh me in an inappropriate manner. He did it earlier too. But I didn’t tell you out of embarrassment.”

                           “ Didn’t tell me what ?”- asked mayor.

                           “ Well,”- said Christina – “ I will clear it to you later. First of all you take Richard into another room.”

After he went away………

                           “ Well, so Dr. Nicholson, I know all about you. but if you want then I can help you out. You will be O.K. I know that you have been attending the psycho sessions with Prof. Irwin Bruce, my father.”

                           “ I don’t need anyone’s help. You better be out of my way.”

                           “ Never, I shall never let you exploit Richard.”

                           “ Well, you can’t stop me. You,……you can’t.” – Dr. Nicholson’s’ voice was now shivering due to awkwardness.

                           On the other hand a conference was going on between Richard and his father,

                           “ That’s why I always wanted you to talk to me.”

                           “ I am sorry dad.”

                           “ That’s O.K. son. It’s good that you have now understood it.”- said mayor and then he hugged Richard.

The door bell rang for the third time. To this Richard answered. This time it was Sarina.

                           “ Well, has my husband come to see you again ?”

                           “ Aaaaaaa,…Well, won’t you please come inside ?”- Richard brought her inside the living room and asked her to wait there. Then he came upstairs to his room where Christina and Dr. Nicholson were arguing.

                           “ Christina, his wife is here.”- said Richard.

                           “ Well, well, well. So now what do you think would she do if she gets this news ?”- asked Christina.

Joseph didn’t say anything. On the other hand when mayor came down he found a lady sitting in the living room.        

                           “ Yes miss, may I help you ?”

                           “ Well, my husband, I am waiting for him. That guy said that he is here.”

                           “ Well, if I am not mistaken, you are Mrs. Nicholson. Right ?”

                           “ Absolutely.”

                           “ Then I must tell you something about your husband.”

And somewhere else……..

                           “ Well, I wouldn’t tell your wife about it provided you would not repeat it in the future.”

                           “ But,…..”

                           “ I know that habits are difficult to leave. But you can try. Where there is a will there is a way.”

                           “ Well, O.K., I will try it.”

All of a sudden there was a roaring sound of gunfire. All of them rushed out. As they came downstairs, another astonishing sight came into view. Sarina’s body was lying on the floor and the floor was getting red with blood.

                           “ She, out of her anger, came here to kill her husband. She had brought a service revolver with her. I think the fault is mine. As soon as I told her about Dr. Nicholson’s problem, she targeted herself with this loaded revolver and shot herself to death. I think she couldn’t bear the embarrassment.”

                           “ The fault was not yours.”- said Dr. Nicholson, “ But was mine that I engaged in such embarrassing act. I am responsible for her death.”- said Dr. Nicholson. He was crying.

                           “ Listen,”- said Christina – “ Nobody is responsible for it. You are not a criminal. But you are in a problem and you require help.”

                           “ No, I still not require any help.”- said Dr. Nicholson, and before anyone could understand it he rushed to the corps, taking the revolver out of her hands. Till now mayor, Richard and Christina too had understood his intentions, “ Hey stop, don’t do it.”

But it was too late. With a bang Dr. Nicholson had slept forever.

                           “ It didn’t happen good.”- said Richard.

                           “ See, everything is not expected to happen good. This is life. But the good is that you are now alright.”- said Christina.

                           “ And I owe it to you, Christina.”- to this Christina smiled softly.