KARIKALAN AND THE TIME MACHINE

   Manikkam was one of the menial staff of the Atomic Centre at Kalpakkam. But sivanesan had no problem in mingling with all the staff, and he was noted for this streak. But Manikkam himself was something of an enigma: his education and the job he was at had nothing in common. He was highly educated. He lived in the area with single bedroom housing units.

   “Sir, I have been watching you for quite some time now. You’re standing at the same spot staring at the ground for some twenty minutes! If there is something troubling you, sir please feel free to open your heart to me. Because I have had a crisis in my life, and my beloved wife ran out without leaving a note. Of course, I was very shocked, and could not go through life. At the time I was working in a private firm and earned much, but then as I needed a change of scene I came here. Come and join me, sir if you wish not to spend this night all alone; my crisis lead up to some great achievement, and your crisis could also end up like that. So crises are a new opening the gods give us! It is for us to use them or wallow in them as though end of the world was announced!”

   Sivanesan was much impressed by Manikkam’s little speech, and consented to spend the night with him.

   When they went into Manikkam’s flat, the TV was on and apart from that, from somewhere a welcoming sound as though from an older person came out.

   “I welcome you, my boy!”

   “What is this Manikkam?” asked Sivanesan,” you said you were living alone, but there seems to be someone living with you! But someone seems to be speaking to me!”

   “That is none other than my grand father, sir!” said Manikkam. ”He is a prankster and if you allow him, he will trouble you much. Just ignore him!”

   “Don’t you dare talk like that in my presence!” the mysterious voice came, “Sivanesan is a good chap unlike you. You never pay attention to me. I want to return back to Mamallar’s world, and you have been detaining me here for your own sake; Sivanesan isn’t like you!”

   “Hey!” ejaculated Sivanesan, “What’s all this? Have you been detaining some spirits here? I want to leave this place immediately!” With those words, Sivanesan tried to leave the small flat with small hall or living room, but the framed photo of an old man attracted his attention.

  Sivanesan stopped as though pulled up short by someone.

  Atop the doorway was a framed photograph featuring some mobile old man, who looked like an old Manikkam.

  “Hey!” Sivanesan shouted now, “That old man is talking to me. He looks like you! What’s all this...m..?”

   There was a rustling sound, and Sivanesan looked up, and before his eyes, the out of the photo frames, the old man descended as though descending a stair case! Presently he came down to stand by Sivanesan! And he looked up at the frames of the photograph atop the doorway, and it was empty!