The Leader

By Arvind Pavithran R

Leader’s conscience: “Today a new sun will rise that will never set. This was the day I have longed for and this is the day I would die for. My feet have walked a thousand miles to reach here. I never cared if I had to step on mud, thorns, nails or dead bodies, I kept moving. Strangers became enemies and friends became betrayers, but nothing stopped my journey. I don’t regret any of the decisions I have made. This day is going to change many lives forever.

I see tens of thousands of people gathering for my swearing-in ceremony as if I am their family. There are my party workers who have set up the stage for me. Women are almost equal in number to men. This is not just a victory. This is going to rewrite the history of this highly potential democratic nation. When it is re-written I will ensure it is done based only on my ideology.

These people will have no choice other than to follow my path or rot to death. They have no idea what is cooking for them. Such an ideology deserves to be painted into the minds of all the younger ones in this generation and further generations to come by, isn’t it? This is the day for which I have killed my own parents, betrayed my wife and shot her. Sometimes I feel, hell is a bit lenient for me.

Oh is the President yet to conclude his speech? I wish I could impeach this guy once I have sworn in but, nevermind, I dont think he will matter once I am appointed as the Prime minister. So for now let me just sit back and enjoy the sight of my wonderful political journey rising.“

President: “....and I wish him all the very best in leading and guiding this country in to the righteous path and set an example for the world leaders. I request you to swear in on our constitution and take the oath as the Prime Minister. Thank you!“

Leader walks to the dias

Leader: “I, ........“

BANG! BANG!!

Time Freezes

The voice: How are you feeling?

Leader slowly opens the eyes and sees a blurred vision. It is too bright. He breathes heavily.

The voice: Take it slowly.

Leader: Where am I?

The voice: In the right place.

Leader looks around and sees nothing but darkness.

Leader: Am I dead?

The voice: Yes.

Leader: Are you god?

The voice: Yes.

Leader: How long are we here for?

God: Time doesn’t flow here. Not like in your world.

Leader: What do you mean?

God took a sand clock and inverted it and gave it to the leader. But the sands didn’t drop down.

God: We are outside the Space-Time continuum. Here time doesn’t flow. Its only you and me.

Leader: But my country, my people.

God: What about them?

Leader: I am their leader. I had the best plan for them and generations to come.

God: No, it wasn’t.

Leader: Hmm, so what happens now? Do I go to hell? I dont think I deserve any better.

God: No. You will be incarnated into your body again. But this time as a changed person. Not with the ideology you had.

Leader: I would rather be dead.

God: You wouldn’t be happy even if things go as you planned.

Leader: But I have given all my life into it. I dont think that could change.

God: For the greater good it has to.

Leader: I even killed my parents and shot my wife to achieve this day in my life and you say I dont have a future in it?

God: You didn’t kill your parents. You neither shot your wife.

Leader: I burnt them alive to potray an attack on my family.

God: I know, but you burnt yourself.

Leader: What?

God: Yes, neither you shot your wife. You shot yourself.

Leader: I dont understand. Is it all me?

God: Yes, different incarnations of you.

Leader: so, everyone is me?

God: Yes, so everytime you are being kind to someone, you are being kind to yourself. Everytime you hurt someone, you hurt yourself.

You are the inspiring cricketer and the millions of people who were his fans. You were the terrorist and the people he threw bombs at. You were your parents and the son who burnt them alive and shot his wife. Everyone is you.

So you have the knowledge and experiences of all the lives that you have lived. But you don’t know. Maybe if you are here for a little while you will remember. But it doesnt make any sense to do it everytime you die.

Leader: So what is the point?

God: Hmm, You are one of me. But not fully grown. Once you have all the experiences of all the people that have ever lived, you will become like me. But the plans you have are a threat to it.

From the future that you are planning, I see one of the greatest threats that has ever happened to humanity. Your political agenda leads to disastrous wars that will end up human life for ever.

Leader: Strange, I thought I am the saviour of human race.

God: Which is exactly what you are going to become. I have created the entire universe just for you to grow. You are my foetus, my child.

Leader: So now I have to take this experience and change my plans for the future.

God smiles gently and slowly disappears into darkness.

Leader slowly opens up his eyes to see that he is on the ceremony stage. The President was delivering his speech. Leader looked around the people gathered. He felt something in his hands. He opened it to find the sand clock and the sands were dropping. He held it tight.

President: “....and I wish him all the very best in leading and guiding this country in to the righteous path and set an example for the world leaders. I request you to swear in on our constitution and take the oath as the Prime Minister. Thank you!“

Leader walks to the dias

By Arvind Pavithran R