DR: Abhi's Life-1

(After reading the comments on writing a short story in serial form post, I decided to try my hand at posting another short novella in serial form on this blog.  Since I have written only three chapters till now, I am thinking that this story could evolve in a new direction with the reader’s involvement.  So, if you like, you could tell me what you think should happen next after reading each post. To stay updated with the story, you could subscribe to the blog via email)

As Abhi walked home that day he did not know that soon his life was going to change forever. There was no way he could have known what was waiting for him at home. Even if he had known about the email in his inbox, he had no reason to think too much about it.

Abhi had got introduced to computers not long ago, and he had fallen in love with computers on the very first day.

At first, it was the simple pleasure of sitting at the computer, typing out his assignments and papers. Sometimes, he just sat there drawing something random on a software that had come pre-installed on his computer. The results of his efforts were always childish, but he derived immense pleasure from them.

Then, he had graduated to playing games. Starting from simple ones like Solitaire, he had become a full-blown games addict. At 21, sometimes, he felt that he had missed out on a lot in his earlier years and now it was a bit too late for him to be playing computer games, but then he would tell himself, ”Age is just a number.”

Soon, he had found out that his computer was not fully equipped to deal with the latest games that were available in the market. So, one day, he took a screwdriver and opened up his computer. He read a few books, consulted a few friends and soon he had learnt enough to build himself a fast computer, up to date, with the latest motherboard. He had successfully assembled for himself a lean thin, gaming machine. He had begun to spend more and more time on his computer and other things had begun to get neglected.

But, it had only been the tip of the iceberg. The real harm was still to be done.

One day in a coffee shop he was having a conversation with a friend, a bigger computer geek than him. As was not unusual, the conversation turned to things technical and computer related.

“Hey, I was trying to set up this new card on my computer, but I think I am not doing something right, because it doesn’t work?” Abhi said.

“Huh?” the other guy looked up from his laptop.

“Did you even listen to what I said?” Abhi said a bit irritated.

“Of course, but you have to tell me more before I can suggest anything.”

“Oh!” Abhi said, and explained his problem in detail.

“I think the problem is with the driver of your card, try to find one that is more suitable for your card. Maybe you can find one on the Internet.”

“Ok! Will do,” Abhi said.

The Internet. Abhi was no stranger to Internet but he had not got any Internet service at home. For some time now, he had been thinking of getting it, but his parents, whom he lived with, were dead set against the idea. They thought that the only thing the Internet was good for was Pornography, and Abhi did not want to start a fight with his parents. As it is, he was almost always at loggerheads with them. And being the guy he was, Abhi did not like to hurt their feelings. At least not more than what was absolutely necessary.

But now, living without the Internet was not an option and he had to find a way to get Internet at home, and if he had to do it behind his parents back, he decided he would do it. After making a careful study of what his options were, Abhi decided to get a wireless connection and not tell hi parents about it. There was no way they could ever find out, so there was no question of their objecting to it.

…Continued.