Conversations With God
“So…? Is this the punishment for not being religious?”
“No… I mean not really.”
“Then? I mean… I know I haven’t visited a lot of temples. And I know I think of him in the only prayer I attend and I know you might be pissed because I climbed all the way to Pahwagrh and never went into the temple and I know you are irritated because I tell everyone that I do not believe in you when I secretly do… but aren’t you supposed to be forgiving?”
“Of course… but you have to remember what you believe in. Karma. You have a lot of bad Karma lined up against you.”
“What sorts?”
“Well, I remember this one time when you secretly wished that someone close to you died.”
“I was upset! And she did horrible things to me! You can’t use that against me!”
“Come on. You know those are excuses. Since when did you start believing in them?”
“Uh… ok. I admit. You have a point. But you know that I felt extremely bad. I am only human. And it’s one mistake.”
“That’s what you think. There have been countless other incidents and instances. And haven’t you always been a slave to your senses? Haven’t you been a lustful glutton?”
“Oh get real! I have seen worse lustful gluttons”
“So now you are pointing fingers. It’s not doing anything for your Karma.”
“Come on! You are not supposed to take sides!”
“I am not. Anyway, what is it now? I am in a sort of hurry.”
“Well… You are coming between the man I love and me.”
“Oh am I?”
“Yes. You are. So we worship different versions of you… er… I mean he worships a different version of you than my kin, but isn’t love above all that?”
“Yes it is. Your love is. His is not.”
“How do you know that?”
“You are not the only one who talks to me my dear.”
“He does too?”
“Yes.”
“He ever talks about me?”
“Lately he does.”
“What does he say?”
“Client confidentiality honey. I mean come on! I don’t expect you to fall all over yourself like this!”
“Oh! You have an argument for everything, haven’t you?”
“My clientele is usually ungrateful. I have to stand up for myself.”
“Oh don’t be such a drama queen.”
“You wont believe how many times you have figured in that list…”
“I have? I never really realized.”
“That is the whole point. See you don’t have to be religious. You don’t have to visit places of worship. You just have to be careful of what you say and think. That’s all I ask. Do not think ill of others. Be forgiving. Give your best to anything you undertake and be true to your responsibilities. You have one thing going good for you though…”
“What?”
“You are a passionate woman. And I love your smile! It is infectious.”
“Gee…Thanks!”
“You’re welcome.”
“Don’t think too much now. And go to sleep. Keep away from the vodka if you can. It’s not good for your health.”
“Yeah I know. Say, have you ever tasted it?”
“Oh yeah… once. It’s nice, but I figured if I don’t abstain, why would people who follow me abstain?”
“Yeah, You’re right”
“It’s just like you gave up your share of ice cream last night because you didn’t want to tempt your father. He has diabetes right?”
“Yeah.”
“My children have lots of ailments. So I gave up vodka for them. And a lot of other things. Even those cancer sticks you’re so fond of.”
“Don’t tell me! You used to smoke too!”
“You wouldn’t believe what else I used to do!”
“Gee… You’re a great Guy!”
“Thanks. I should be off now… and remember, I have something nice planned for you. So be nice and take care of your Karma. I really like you kid!”
“Thanks God. I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah. I’ll see you around too!”
- Neha
