inquiry into how a certain Minister claiming to be from an 'economically backward background' had amassed properties worth tens of millions. However, the story was still being covered on most channels, with ad nauseam replays of the interview with Anita Duggal and the Press Conference. The most fame Arnab had experienced previously was a part of his shoulder featuring in a photograph of the Minister after the bank robbery, so this was a totally new experience for him.
He knew at a rational level, that they were really not talking about 'him', and their perception of the unknown hero was almost the polar opposite of what he was in real life. Yet, something in him felt really good, as if he had finally achieved something. Finally made an escape from the obscurity that he had taken for granted all his life. He would perhaps never admit it in public, but for the first time in his life, he felt that he had something to be really proud of. Something he wanted to shout to the world.
He had turned all the lights off, and had taken off his glasses, revelling in both the coverage he saw on the news, and also his ability to see without his glasses in the dark. He was taking almost childish pleasure in walking around his house in pitch darkness, exploring the full extent of his power. He realized that when he got close to a source of light, such as the TV or when he opened the fridge door, his vision got a bit blurry. The darker it got, the clearer his vision was.
Then he remembered the DCP's parting words, and he realized how lucky and how stupid he had been. If anyone had seen his face, he would probably be facing a police questioning now. What would he tell them? How would he explain his newly found capabilities? They would probably think him a freak or lock him up. No, the next time, he would have to be more careful.
Then he stopped himself in mid-thought.
He would be a suicidal idiot to go out on such an adventure again. Why was he even thinking that there would be a next time?
FIVE
The next morning, Mishti showed up at the library as promised. Arnab walked with her to the Cafe for a coffee as she told him about how much she was dreading going back to work.
'I would have thought you would take a break, since your arm isn't fully recovered', said Arnab.
'You don't know my boss. A total workaholic.'
'I never did ask you, which company do you work for?'
'Woodpecker Industries. Heard of them?'
'Who hasn't' said Arnab. Mishti's employer was one of the biggest corporations in India. The fact that she worked for such a large firm made him realize once more just how out of his league she was. Mishti caught him completely off-guard with her next question.
'Arnab, do you have a girlfriend?'
Arnab almost choked on his coffee as he responded after a pause.
'No, I don't.'
He saw Mishti's expression and thought she was asking why. Without thinking too much, he blurted out what was according to him, the truthful answer.
'I don't think too many girls would be interested in me.'
Mishti put her cup down, and looked at Arnab with a smile.
'And what kind of guys do you think girls like?'
'You know, well-built, good-looking, rich, sophisticated. Certainly not an Associate Librarian from Uttarpara.'
He hadn't meant to come out sounding as bitter as he did, but he was shocked when Mishti reached out and touched his hand.
'Arnab, not all girls judge a man by his bank balance or his looks. There's a whole lot more than that, things you have in spades. Like honesty, like a good heart, like just being a decent human being.'
'How do you know I'm decent?'
'Because you haven't tried to hit on me yet. Most men would have flirted or made a pass by now', she replied with a mischievous grin.
'I guess I don't know how to flirt.'
Mishti laughed out loud, showing the smile that Arnab had decided he could never tire of seeing.
'And that, Arnab Bannerjee, is what makes you so irresistible.'
Arnab had no idea what to say to that, and was grateful when Mishti looked away at her watch and got up with a start,
'Shit! I'm going to miss my flight if I just sit and chat here. Arnab, I've never been one for long goodbyes, and am going to be back in town real soon. So take care and tata.'
To Arnab's delight and horror, she leaned over and gave a quick peck on his cheek before she left. As Mishti walked away, Arnab felt somehow that his life may return to some degree of normalcy. After all, the whole episode in Gurgaon had to do with her, didn't it? Now that she was gone, he could try and forget what had happened and get his life back on track. The TV channels had found other news to occupy themselves with and coverage of his adventure was slowly but surely disappearing from the airwaves. Soon enough, nobody would remember anything, and he could get back to his work at hand. That included starting to study for the upcoming exams, not clearing which would condemn him to at least one more year of being Jayantada's assistant. Just then, he noticed a large group of students gathered around a laptop. As they chattered excitedly, more and more students joined until there was a veritable mob gathered around the table, jostling to get a glimpse of the screen.
'Holy shit, did you see that?'
'Man, its for real!'
'Play it again.'
Curious as to what was going on, Arnab walked over to one of the students he knew.
'Ram, what's happening here?'
The boy looked at him, eyes wide with excitement.
'Man, this is amazing. This guy really rocks.'
Arnab was totally confused.
'Who rocks? Who are you talking about?'
'The Gurgaon superhero. Someone taped him and put it up on Youtube. He moves as fast as a rocket. I've never seen anything like it!'
Arnab literally stopped breathing. Trying to act as nonplussed as possible, he got out of the Cafe, and then rushed to the library. He booted up the PC there and went to Youtube. He didn't have to search too much. Just typing 'Gurgaon' produced a video titled 'The real Gurgaon superhero'. Its description read.
'He's for real folks! Took this on my mobile. Check it out! Just watch him move like a rocket!'
With shaking fingers, he clicked on the video. It was grainy, and opened on the side of the road where Arnab had been sitting near the Sumo. The camera was pointed at a young girl. A male voice, presumably that of the person recording the video was speaking.
'Come on, sweetheart, say something.'
'What do I say, yaar?'
Just then, there was movement behind her. The camera moved to show three men rush into the Sumo and drive off at high speed, leaving a cloud of dust and smoke in their wake. Then Arnab could see himself standing there. His face was obscured by the hood but it was nevertheless a shock to see himself on video, exposed to the whole world. In the video, he stood still for a second or two, and then began running, suddenly accelerating till he was little more than a blur. The camera tried to follow him down the road, but in the blink of an eye, he had disappeared.
'Holy shit! Did you get that?' the girl's voice was heard saying.
Arnab sat in stunned silence for several minutes, not knowing what to do. The video had been uploaded that
