ALPHA AND BETA

 

ALPHA AND BETA

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

05/IV/2022

 

Two musketeers Alpha and Beta (A&B) were sitting on the table looking helpless & stranded, as if they had been abandoned and left high and dry. Their destitute looks made me a little uncomfortable. A&Bs condition was like orphaned children waiting for someone to adopt them to get back to their normal lives as soon as possible.

 

A&B were not pushed aside on purpose but it was circumstantial. There was a riot and then there was that eerie silence. How hard one tried to hold on to them, per force they had to be silenced and sidelined.

 

At times they would blink to give you a flying kiss. At times they would shake violently to remind us they existed but alas our hands were tied, we could not help. They used to frolic around, from one room to the other following us like puppies. Sometimes they went hiding under pillows or crept under bed sheets. Naughty as naughty could be.

 

I would request my wife to call them. Then only would they reveal their hiding place. One had to carry the musketeers as they were dainty and fragile. Yes, at times they used to slip off. A cut here and a bruise there but no major damage. Scratches & cuts on the face could be treated & would heal till they took a tumble once again.

 

A&B would be wrapped in special clothing as they were prone to accidents. One could not afford to lose your sweethearts. Even lending them to someone was unthinkable.

 

We always kept them well fed, especially before leaving home. Moment, they started acting dizzy or sluggish, a quick snack was given. Once we would take a rest, that’s the time, we used to leave them plugged in for food so that they got charged up completely and were active for the rest of the day.

 

We used them as personal couriers. ‘Alpha’, take this message and deliver it to so and so’. While coming back he would pick up messages in case that friend reciprocated. Beta was the entertainment type carrying short films and long messages to and fro. Unless the roads were bad and bumpy, we could always stay connected with friends. These guys used to keep us thoroughly entertained.

 

A&B disliked receiving messages late at night. We would insist on them to rest next to our beds being their space. ‘Lights out’ was strictly observed. They were made to sleep, even if they disliked it.

 

We would play games together. 'Time pass'. Most of the time I would win. But then when the computer in their brains worked, they made sure that they beat you at it. Their memory was extremely sharp and would remember which game and when they beat us. Sometimes even prompt us to make a move with a subtle hint. It used to be fun.

 

They were singers of top quality and also played instruments alongside. You name a song or the singer, they would dole out the best of music. Sometimes one would shift to gazals or qawwali. They would never disappoint. On ‘home theatre’ they could connect enhancing the whole music experience to another level. With a Nimbu pani in hand, the ghazal sounded better. Gone are the days of a ‘drink’ with a Ghazal.

 

Alpha was the older one, but was not as good as Beta in terms of photography. In a blink of an eye, beta would capture so many continuous frames of the same scene. She would leave it to us to pick and choose the best out of the lot.

 

Soon they also became our bankers. The initial mistrust due to so many frauds that take place was always at the back of our minds. By and by that myth also disappeared as one became cautious. A&B handled money effectively. Small time payments, one would leave to them. They would say, “Dad why do you have to go to the bank, we shall get the bank at your doorstep”.

 

Actually, we were novices in handling such brilliant children. They could do marvels. Now they lie lonely in a corner waiting for life to get back to normal. We too want to but alas.

 

Well ladies and gentlemen A&B are two Mobile phones. Due to internet blackouts, they lie fully charged in one corner. Once in a while one does go to check them out of habit, just in case the net has been restored. Just got the news that curfew has been extended for two more days, thus our net connectivity would be curtailed till then.

 

When will A&B bring back the same joy as hither to fore? I wonder!!!!!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

© NOEL ELLIS