Future shocks

“Guys let’s call it a toast for the nigger gang” I raised the glass and looked for others to join. “Let’s celebrate this much awaited moment” Senthil said and all raised their glass to begin the party. Despite being close to each other both in terms of distance and to the hearts, we are meeting after a decade. Life has become so busy, despite the solar jets and wind cruisers. It’s year 2025, and we all are able to make it for the alumni meet. We are in our early 40s. It is the age to take a small break from the routine and seriously work out for an eight-pack abs. It's the right age for men to look out for an alternate career and love. All of us looked wise with gray steaks of hair. “The early 40s have brought us more of a manly and matured looks” I turned to Tatri and added, “In some cases the maturity confined only to looks”. Every one laughed while Tatri was busy digging his teeth in the turkey.

We had dropped our kids at an amusement park, wives to beauty saloons and sat in a pub to catch up with old memories and few cold beers. Every one of us is quite settled with high paying jobs that promised frequent trips abroad. Iyyer and Tifosi are running their own businesses profitably. Senthil is working out options on quitting his job and joining Tifosi’s venture. After my blog became popular, I started getting offers to work on the scripts of some sex comedies. Vidhun, Santa and Larry are senior managers in reputed Indian MNCs. Tatri and Sid together are running an advertising firm. Last week their firm was on news for doing some controversial ad on a concept called “Brand slut”.

We talked about our college days, careers and then jumped to family matters. As we started talking about our kids, Senthil said firmly “Let’s not talk about this and spoil the party". “What’s wrong with them man?” I asked abit surprised. “Don’t tell me that every thing is right with your kid!” said Larry. “My Son is ok Larry” I said and turned to all “He is disciplined and well mannered”. “Wow” Senthil said gulping his beer “You know my spoiled brat and Tifosi’s kid are doing all sorts of nonsense at school”. Tifosi added “Last month my Son was dismissed from the school for the third time. Luckily his maths teacher was my ex girl friend so you know I had to manage by…” his lips curved in an effort to hide the smile. “Screw you Tify” said Larry “Don’t put the blame on your kid. It’ you who wanted to make use of the situation”. “Why don’t you kick his butt and put him in the right path Tify?” I asked him ignoring his evil smile. “No. I can’t do that” Tify took a puff and said looking at our puzzled faces “He’s got some videos of me in his 3G phone. So I better listen to him”. Before I could recover from the shock, others started narrating about the troubles they are having with their offspring. Vidhun said, “My Son had organized a beach party and almost got arrested". “My son got suspended from school” Santa added, “His classmate fainted after drinking water from his bottle”. “He drinks raw liquor and sells porn magazines at school”

“My kid is little ahead” Iyyer said “I cut his pocket money and he sold 20% of my company shares to my competitors”. “My Son has become such a drunkard that we had to take him to a therapist” said Tatri. “Is he fine now?” I asked. “Who” asked Tatri “The therapist?”. “No you idiot. I am asking about your Son” I smiled. “He didn't change Man” he said warily. “Then?” I asked confused. “The Therapist” he said giving a pause “Became such a big drunkard that his wife and kids deserted him”. Every one laughed.

Sid and Larry iterated similar kind of stories about their spoilt brats. Every one looked at me to speak about my son. “I guess Vardhan’s Son must be managing quite well,” some one said. “No believe me. My Son is really nice, he is very soft natured" a proud father in me said. "He might score less in studies, but when it comes to character" I said standing "He stands tall". "I have heard enough from you guys” I told firmly “Now you all listen to me. Leave your kids in my home this summer. My son and I will take up the responsibility of putting them on the right track". Every one nodded approving of my suggestion. I called for the bill and sat back.

“Sir” the bar tender said and politely handed the bill. “Rs 1.5 Lakhs” I shouted on him “Are you high on Cocaine?” “Calm down Vardhan” Senthil patted on my shoulder “There are two bills” he separated them. There was one bill for Rs 50, 000, which we anticipated, and another for Rs1, 00, 000. “What the hell is this” I took the other bill and questioned furiously while the others were trying to calm me down. The Manager came running and informed all of us “Sir, this is the bill made by a few kids who claim to be your children”. "Oh my God" Iyyer panicked "It's our kids". “What is this???” I looked at the paper “It's a bill from the striptease club, right?” I questioned seeing the heading of the bill. “Right Sir” he said warily. Of every one, Tifosi looked really worried. “What do you mean right” I shot a warning look “Why the heck have you allowed a group of young kids to get into a strip tease bar?” “Oh no” Tatri held his head “I told that ass to be in the amusement park till I pick him up”. The Manager spoke terrified “Sorry Sir. I was forced to allow as one of the kid was having a licensed revolver”. “Oh my God” shouted Tifosi for being confident on his Son’s capabilities. “Sir I swear to God, I have never seen such an ill tempered kid in my entire life” he stopped to catach a breath and continued“He almost shot our stripper when she refused to….”. “You know that kid’s name?” I asked cutting him. “No Sir” he said, “But the revolver’s license is in the name of his Father”. I looked puzzled, as none of us owned a revolver. "Who is that" I said in a harsh tone. “Sir" he said quickly "It's in the name of Mr.Vardhan”. Suddenly my eyesight blurred and I could hear some one shouting to call 911.