chapter -5 - The Ripple

Though he had gone back in time to play the VR game 'Escape' from the day it began, Saachi found his knowledge about the game, during promotion period atleast, was deficient. Armed with invite code given to high end users, he decided to check the so called locked forum. The entry was only through invite codes given by gaming company or VR gear company (SIA works and I-NA respectively). One had to sign non disclosure agreement before surfing the forum.

From what he saw, this was less like forum, more like early teasers given by gaming company. Few posts were already made, explaining the difference of modes or models. The noobs did not get any bonus, any lists. The beginners had their own list but for bonus they had to rely on luck. The normal gamers could get into lists, get bonuses for first blood etc. The hard gamers would get super bonuses for achievements. The hell mode was only for uber type, extreme players. They would earn more and more EXP, experience points, level ups, skills ... basically everything after hardwork.

The noobs would fight with auto assist. It was default and they could not change it. The beginners had only 2 options - auto assist or semi- auto. The normal and above had option of manual control. Obviously, manual control gave max EXP and auto assist gave least. And here he was, believing that normal players could play only with semi - auto assist. The workshops in his previous life had apparently done all sorts of studies before and concluded that dregs would pay in that combo.

Now that he had paid for the gaming pod, he could cross it off from the list of things-to-do. Next, call home.

Home was few thousand miles away in a rural town. A small rented house in second floor of a building in serious need of maintenance. Home was father, mother and twin siblings (brother and sister). Home was loans and interests. Home was smiles and laugh. Home was groaning to wake up early in morning. Home was surprise meal just because someone felt like it. Home was both hope and harbour. Home was something which sheltered him and something he desperately wanted to shelter.

This time call to home was different. He did not wait for his family to speak in but said all the things that need to be said. Chances of him hearing their voices in between static due to storm was less , very less.

Whole family to get check up done every three to four months once. College heaping lots of work, so much he may or may not be available for calls. Scholarship money to be deposited in next few days so he would be depositing unused amount of last term to parents' account. Another reminder to be safe and healthy. End of the call.

----*----

The electricity was knocked out due to storm. Till repair was done, every thing would be running on generator or battery. But to save money, every one was sitting and doing their work in living room. Nara was still smoothing crumbled old paper. His wife, Saki dropped the phone after listening to the eldest son's call. Savi(the youngest daughter) and Shubh (the middle son) went back to their school assignments. They were running towards college entrance test, so they had more and more homework. They were feeling sad that their brother would not be coming home soon, also happy because he sent some money. There might be few meat pieces in the meal in the week. Their mindset was very simple.

Saki sighed. " He will be sending money tomorrow."

Nara nodded, "I heard." He was busy tracing few words in that old sheet. The words written in pencil were almost faded, but he didn't need to read them. He had memorized all the words long back. Now holding this sheet was like a habit.

" He won't be free for next few months," Saki continued. Nara didn't even speak,he just nodded.

" And he reminded again to go for health checkup." Nara's eyes turned cloudy. Both his wife and he had checkup done upon Sacchi's insistence, only to find that Saki had some sort of lump in her chest. The doctor had called after getting the report. He also advised surgery as soon as possible, as the chances of the lump being fast spreading cancer was very high.

Nara was still perturbed but Saki turned out to be rock midst the sea. He looked down the sheet.

There were not many sentences in it.

1st one said - make money, send money.

2nd sentence - check-ups!!!! Frequent. Surgery as soon as possible.

3rd sentence was incomplete. It just read - VR game Escape....