A Story

He was a lunatic. This is what his medical card said. He wasn't supposed to go out to civilization ever. His world was limited to the four walls of a 10 by 10 room. He could not meet anyone. He could not talk to anyone. There was darkness in his room at night. There were no night lights. In the morning the room would light up due to the two holes in the eastern wall. He had a bed on which he could sit - or sleep - or draw. He had paper and pencil...

"Good morning Doctor! What is the progress?"

"Well… I think I am stuck in a very confusing situation. This man has not eaten anything for the last fifteen days. He has plugged the holes in his wall. Cameras show that he hasn't tried to sleep as well. Look at these videos…"

The video showed a man - in his mid forties - crouching in the corner of a very dark room. He had a pencil in his hand and he seemed to be drawing something on paper. He looked frightened - it at least looked like that.

White.

He did not know where he was. He could not see anything around him. He felt happy though. He was feeling relieved. It was as if he was floating on a cloud. He could not smell anything. He was sure there was no one else there - wherever he was. The white was pure. Serene. Calm. There was a sound of flowing water. It was surely very distant though. There was a breeze that kissed his skin as it flew past him. He hadn't felt happier in a very long time…

He was still holding them tight - his paper and pencil. They were very important to him right now - perhaps more important than his own life. They could help him prove to the people that he was not wrong, that he was not making up stories, that all he had ever experienced was indeed true!

The door to cell number 34C was opened. I walked in. He lay there in front of me on a single piece of white cloth - apparently sedated. He had a smile on his lips. The door closed behind me. We were alone now. I had instructed the Doctor to strictly monitor our meeting. I had a task to commit - and it was best that I carried it out as fast as possible. He was waking up…

"… so you are here. Why have you come this time? What do want to listen to? I am sure you will not believe me… I am sure you think I am a lunatic…" His voice was deep and husky. He looked tired. He hadn't eaten for sixteen days.

"Mr. Abba Rahim. I am here to offer you something."

The man was surprised. He quickly looked up! He thought it was the Doctor who had come to give him his dose of medicines. Instead he saw me.

"How do you know my name? Nobody over here knows me by that name! Everyone calls me Number 34C. I don't know who you are! Go away. I don't want to talk to you. Go away. Call the doctor. Don't come near me! Go away. Go away!" He was very disturbed. Maybe I could have started in a better way! But it was to be done anyway - and it was to be done now…