Bitcoin, The Tughluqi Money

A short story by Sachin Gupta

Copyright 2014 Sachin Gupta
Published at Smashwords
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!his eboo" is licensed #or your personal en$oyment only% !his eboo" may not be re&sold
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
Bitcoin, The Tughluqi Money
Chapter I
Nov 14
th
2012 ($10.!"
()here will the hole loo" good* !he roo#&top+ middle&#loor or balcony+, said --+
rolling the re'ol'er around the inde. #inger o# his le#t hand% !his tric" had always
wor"ed in his past reco'ery attempts+ a business he built as the ban"ing boom
#ueled the credit #unded consumption boom% /irst ban"s ga'e money to spend+
then money to reco'er the money lent%
(0ou would waste your hundred rupees #or the bullet+, said Pran with dry and
dead eyes% Pran+ a young man in his early 10s+ was on his "nees as the gun was
pushed against his temple%
(Bhai nanga hain pura 2the guy is a complete pauper3+, said 4halla+ reco'ery
Gang5s CE6%
(People don5t li"e 7shit5% 4ut+ it is a great diagnostic tool which can tell what was
eaten and where the system went wrong% Chec" the bedding+ toilet+ he must ha'e
something hidden+, said --%
(Bhai 2brother3 only one computer+, said 4halla%
-- loo"ed around the #lat% 8t was li"e a sheep which had been shorn%
(9andsome+ my teacher once said+ don:t lic" a#ter spitting% A#ter pulling the
trigger+ 8 don:t lea'e the re'ol'er un#ired% !ell me what you did with the money%
Any 9oney*,
(8 lost in stoc"s% 8 don:t entertain girls%,
(Gambling with public money* )ho did you thin" you were* A politician;, -- said+
now pushing the re'ol'er against his #orehead
(8n'estments went wrong% Greed too" o'er my senses,%
()hat5s the #un i# you ha'e an education+ computers<88!+ 88= degrees+ but+ can:t
control your senses,%
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
(>o yoga% 4aba$i+< comes daily morning on !?% !a"e a deep breath% 4reathe in+
breathe out% All 'ices can be cured with yoga+ including a handsome+ handsome
lo'e story%, !he gang bursts into laughter%
(So our score is @ero bhaiyaaji (brother),, as"ed 4halla
(!a"e this Dabba 2computer3% Close this case%,
(Paisa ye paisa,+ the 4ollywood ringtone played on his mobile as he opened the
car gate%
(9ello Sharma$i 2=r Sharma3+ the guy is a complete pauper% 0ou can write him o##,
said --%
(>o you wor" honestly* !here must be something worth tal"ing about,
(As" your credit team this% Such 88!+ 88= graduates won:t get alms #rom the temple
but get loans% >on:t teach -- honesty+, the phone went silent%
()ill this car sel#&start* 6r are you waiting #or 6bama*, shouted --
(Sorry Bhaiyyaji 2brother3+, the whole gang5s on board%
(!his guy was di##erent+, said 4halla as the car chugged%
(Li"e the doctor+ we can5t get emotional with patients% /ailure changes people%
9e was not himsel#% o #amily+ no money+ no honey+ the ban" a#ter your li#e% )hat
were you e.pecting* Should he ha'e been dancing around the pole*, !he gang
giggled again%
8t then dro'e past =ehrauli on the way to Gurgaon%
Sunset at Autub =inar was not so beauti#ul% Buins around it were li"e those in
Pran5s li#e which the gang witnessed that e'ening% !he money reco'ery business
has commonality with the medical pro#ession where emotions ha'e no place% 4oth
come at the last stage% 4oth clean dirt #or action ta"en in the past% 4oth bring
pain to the patient in the short term but bene#its tric"le down later% 9owe'er+ one
is respected while the other is hated%
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
-- alias -i"u -hanna had a "ind o# split personality% 9e was tough as nuts on his
reco'ery mission but so#t as sil" at home% =iddle aged+ #lu##y body+ big moustache
and a #air Pun$abi comple.ion would be an apt description% 9e capitali@ed on the
credit boom #uelled by cheap interest rates which led to bad loans% 4an"s tried to
reco'er the money on their own but recei'ed bad press and that helped -- build
his empire% 9e would reco'er loans on behal# o# the ban"s% 8# success#ul+ the ban"
gets its money while he gets his commission% 8# he #ailed+ the ban" writes o## the
loan% o bad press+ meaning thereby a win&win situation #or all% =anaging the
press and police was his headache%
!he door was a$ar as he reached home% !he !? was playing out =!? Boadies but no
one was around%
(Anyone at the reception o# this charitable inn*, he said tauntingly as he rested
his #at bottom on the couch and loo"ed #or the remote to switch o## the !?%
(4oth #ather and son ha'e made it inn+, said immi -hanna as she brought him
water in a designer glass made o# crystal%
(!he door is open and the !? is on+ what else should 8 presume* )here is that son
o# a don"ey*,
(9e went to his room as he saw you coming% 9e won5t come out till you bring him
a computer%,
(immi+ is he really my son*, Seeing his reco'ery tactics con#irms it+, said immi
as she hit -- in the chest with her elbow% E'en a#ter 22 years o# marriage+ they
were still in lo'e with each other%
8t was a 'ery dramatic lo'e marriage% She was the daughter o# -artar Singh+ owner
o# the canteen at the call centre where -- wor"ed% She was in lo'e with someone
that =r Singh did not appro'e o#% 9e sent his most trusted lieutenant to brea" it
up% 9owe'er+ both o# them reali@ed that they were made #or each other% =r Singh
agreed to the match reluctantly e'en though --5s #ather did not relent% !heir
taunting could ha'e been easily mista"en as a sign o# stress in the relationship%

(ye !hotey 2don"ey3+, -- called out%
(Come down and get the computer out o# the car boot%,
Sunny came running out in his brie#s+ grabbed the "eys and leapt out%
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(9e5s now 21% !ell him not to show his sha'en legs+ at least not at home% 0ou are
li'ing in your childhood days+ the world has changed+, retorted immi%
Sunny went out li"e the wind only to return li"e the typhoon% 9e threw the "eys
bac" on the table%
(8s this a pad* 8t5s not e'en a computer+, he said
(4ut that 88!&88= was saying it is his computer; )hat is it+ a !?*, -- wondered
(Papa+ you are outdated% 8 don:t want this $un"+ 8 had said pad+, he said as he le#t
home% ()ear some clothes be#ore you %%%%,
(Pad* ow+ what5s a pad* 8n our days+ girls wanted to use boyish things+ nowadays+
ha'e the re'erse started*,
(immi+ our son has grown up now and we are $un"+, he added philosophically%
(9e was tal"ing about the computer%
)ait+ one day he will say that about us also%,
(0ou are o'er&reacting% )hat about this $un" which is still in your car*,
(-- "nows how to get oil out o# mustards% 8 will learn computers+, said --+ li#ting
his hea'y body and ha'ing mercy on the so#a%
Sunny5s remar" egged him on% 9is mind was #i.ated on the computer% )hile he had
dinner+ immi changed channels once e'ery #i'e minutes but he did not ob$ect%
!he 'egetable was too salty+ but he did not complain% Sunny had not returned #or
dinner but it escaped him% immi "new --5s new obsession had started and would
stay till he crac"ed the holy grail o# the computer%
(8# not on yoursel#+ ha'e mercy on that machine% 0ou are trying hard to brea" it
the whole night+, said immi%
(4rea"ing* 6ld bones ma"e noise+, retorted -- while pointing to the "eyboard%
(immi+ the whole o# Gurgaon was set up be#ore my 'ery eyes% !hese 8! people
made gold out o# it% 8 #eel 8 should ha'e paid heed to my #ather who always said
son+ i# you don:t study+ you would end up being a coolie%,
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
(And you became a goon+, she said as she giggled%
(o goon+ but Bobin 9ood% >on:t disturb me+, -- said as he resumed playing with
the "eyboard%
-- was the eldest sibling and one thing distinct about him was that he had a
penchant #or learning new things although he hated school% 9e dropped out o#
school to help his #ather on the #arm% 9e got bored and went to >elhi where he
started with odd garage wor"% 9e did 'arious other odd $obs until he got chance to
wor" in a canteen o# a small call centre%
!he peculiarity about Gurgaon was that while people wor"ed there+ they li'ed in
>elhi which meant tra'elling two hours daily% 9e proposed to the canteen owner
2his #uture #ather&in&law3 that the ta.i business was worthwhile%
And they started one in partnership%
9e was in awe o# people in suits% 8n one o# the pic"&up calls+ which he attended
himsel#+ he o'erheard one o# the o##icers tal"ing about the rising cases o# ban"
loan de#aulters% 9e smelt the big opportunity which he could ha'e managed by
hiring wrestlers #rom his 'illage% 9e sold his share in the ta.i business and started
one in reco'ery%
9is business started growing as more and more ban"s grappled with bad loans%
)hen the Supreme Court went a#ter the ban"s+ the method o# operation changed
but business continued%
1#
th
Nov 201$ ($42%.2"
Sunny+ li"e his #ather+ did not li"e his #ather5s business% 9e #elt his dreams were
bigger that his 'illage 2Gurgaon3 could #ul#ill% 9e wanted to see the world% 9e
wanted to go out o# 8ndia% )hile his #ather le#t the 'illage without education+ he
wanted to go abroad through education% 9e was trying his luc" to obtain an =4A
degree in Canada% 9owe'er+ unli"e --5s #ather+ his #ather was supporti'e%
>i##erences #ar outnumbered similarities% Cnli"e his #ather+ he got things on a
platter% 9e did not e.perience hardship% !he colour o# his li#e was anything but
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
blac" or grey% Li#e+ #or him+ was en$oyment% An =4A was his passport to go out o#
8ndia% E.cept his girl#riend >olly+ he shir"ed all other responsibilities% 9owe'er+ he
respected his #ather #or his success despite his humble roots%

(Papa+ someone has come to meet you+, said Sunny%
()ho5s this% 6n a Sunday;, -- said as he got up to wear a shirt%
A thin young man+ aged 10+ with a dar" comple.ion and wearing spectacles stood
at the door%
(Namas!ar 2greetings3+, 8 am Ba'i% 8 ha'e returned #rom the CSA%
(8 did not call you%,
(o+ 8 returned because my wor" was o'er in the CSA%,
()hat wor"*,
(8 was designing systems #or ASA%,
(Dolly good% 0ou were designing a computer #or Nasha 2into.ication3*,
(o+ no+ ASA+ ational Aeronautics and Space Administration%,
--5s eyes #lattened with bewilderment%
(American go'ernment company #or satellite+, Ba'i tried to e.plain%
(6bama sent you here%,
(o% 8 had loaned my computer to Pran% 8 learnt it is with you now%,
(Pran+ who*,
(!he guy who had ta"en a loan #rom A4C 4an"+ ehru Place*,
(6h+ yes+ last year% So*,
(8 want it bac"%,
(6bama wants my computer*,
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(ot 6bama% !hat is my computer and my luc"y computer%,
(Luc"y+ then why did you lea'e it behind*,
(Pran+ needed it more than me%,
(!hen+ why did Pran go bro"e*,
(=aybe things could ha'e gone worse than going bro"e%,
()here is Pran*,
(9e has gone to the CSA%,
(So getting rid o# this computer brought him luc"%,
(=y #ather gi#ted it to me% 8 want it bac"+ my luc"y computer%,
(8t is luc"y #or me also% 9a'e water and than" you 'ery much%,
(8 can pay you Bs 1 la"h #or it%,
(ot interested%,
(!wo la"h%,
(/orget it%,
(/i'e la"hs%,
(Get lost;,
Ba'i le#t grinning%
(Papa+ why did you let go o# such a good deal+, as"ed Sunny%
(4ecause+ 8 am your papa% e'er stri"e a deal where you don:t understand the
terms and conditions% 9e was hiding something%,
77)hat could it be* Some ban" account or password*,
(Cnli"ely% Pran was bro"e% =oreo'er+ he would ha'e come here himsel#%,
(Some 'ideo clip%,
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(Possible% Some sort o# e'idence which now has 'alue%,
(6r+ some diamonds+ hidden in the unit%,
6peration treasure hunt started+ #irst+ by autopsy o# the computer5s processing
unit% e.t+ they mo'ed to chec" #or the hidden 'ideo or audio clips%
!he Sherloc" 9olmes act lasted the whole day but yielded no result% 8n the
a#ternoon+ -- went to attend A4C 4an"5s annual sales achie'ement #unction% As --
was lea'ing the car a#ter par"ing it+ an assailant threw a stone at him% 4lood
oo@ed as he reached #or his phone be#ore losing consciousness%
9e wo"e up in hospital%
!he whole #amily had gathered around him at his bedside% 8t reminded him o# his
childhood when he got his mother5s attention only when he #ell sic"% Sunny sat
beside him% !he place was cramped by relati'es% !han"#ully+ 'isiting hours were
#inally o'er% !he general ward o# any hospital could ma"e e'en a healthy person
sic"% E'ery inch o# space was sEuee@ed out by accommodating the ma.imum
numbers o# bed% 6ne patient5s hand could ha'e reached out to another5s bed% !wo
beds were separated by space which could barely accommodate a single chair%
!ube lights+ co'ered by dust+ were dim%
!he doctor+ doing his rounds+ had gi'en him a certi#ication o# health which meant
he could be discharged the ne.t day but would be "ept under obser'ation #or one
night% 8nsurance co'erage had increased the chances o# such a night5s stay in the
hospital%
(9a'e we gone bro"e*, -- sco##ed%
(0our head was hit but still not bro"e+, replied immi+
(>on"ey5s mother+ 8 as"+ what am 8 doing in the general ward*,
(Papa+ this was the best possible and a'ailable option+, Sunny said in de#ence%
!hey were interrupted by a police inspector and a constable who had come to ta"e
his statement%
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()ho was it* >o you remember anything*, as"ed 8nspector%
(Someone hit me #rom behind% 8 could not see*,
(>id anything unusual happen during the day*,
(o%,
(Any dri'ing arguments* E'eryone in >elhi thin"s the road is theirs and they are
the Prime =inister5s "in;
(o%,
(Any enmity+ but why am 8 as"ing% 9al# o# >elhi is threatened by you% A#ter all the
goon type o# wor" you do%,
(Bobin 9ood%,
77Bobin 9ood*,
(All the poor deposit money in the ban" which is at ris" due to de#aulters% 8
reco'er the money on behal# o# the poor% 4ut it is pro#essional+ nothing personal%,
(Anything unusual that you noticed*,%
Sunny interruptedF (A guy came to buy a $un" computer%,
(4e silent+ you don"ey5s son% )e reco'ered a computer #rom an 88!&88= guy #rom
ehru Place last year%,
(!hat A4C 4an" case*,+ as"ed the curious inspector%
(0es%,
(4ut that guy died%,
(>ied*,
(Committed suicide% 8n school+ they don5t teach how to li'e%,
(9ow did 8 miss that*,
()ho was the guy* >o you suspect him*,
(o+ he was another 88!&88=% 8 don5t thin" so% 8nspector+ is there any unsol'ed heist
in the last year or so*,
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
(o% A tie&up with the ban" is possible but now+ do you want to tie&up with the
police also*,
(o+ no+ $ust curiosity% 6ne more thing+ is there any big #ish 'ideo lea"ed which is
yet to be go public*,
(ot that 8 am aware o#% >id you #ilm someone*,
(o+ no+ $ust curiosity*,
(Bobin 9ood interrogating police*,
(o+ no+ $ust curiosity%,
(8 am registering a case against an un"nown person% Let me "now i# he tries to
contact you%,
!he police inspector le#t along with the constable% -- grew restless% 9e was trying
to sol'e the $igsaw pu@@le% 9e had a lot o# Euestions to answer% 8s Pran dead* )ho
is Ba'i* )hy did he lie about Pran* 9e is a#ter the computer+ why* )ho hit him and
why* )as it Ba'i* 8s Ba'i his real name* 8s someone #rom the ban" in'ol'ed* )hat
ma"es this computer so luc"y*
Chapter II
-- was deeply engrossed in sol'ing the mystery o# his li#e% 9e was interrupted by
Sunny+
77Papa+ medicine%,
()here is immi*,
(She $ust stepped out+, said Sunny%
()ho is at home*,
(o one%,
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
(o+ no% 8 got it now%,
()hat happened+ papa* )hat do you want*, said Sunny
()e ha'e to go home immediately;,
()hy*,
(>on5t waste time% 9urry up;,
immi was as"ed to clear the bill% )ith the number o# 'isitors and patients+ there
was a long Eueue #or the li#t% -- did not wait #or Sunny% 9e too" the stairs to
reach the car par"% Sunny was still con#used and it re#lected in his actions% 9e
#ollowed his #ather% 9e opened the car door in two attempts and it too" three to
ignite the engine%

(!he car has a #i#th gear as well% Speed up;,
(Papa+ you are as"ing me to dri'e rec"lessly%,
(Son o# a don"ey+ dri'e #ast+ $ump all signals%,
9e $umped out o# the car be#ore it came to a complete halt% 9e ran to his store&
cum&study room on the #irst #loor%
(Stop;, screamed -- as he saw someone in room% !he shadow tried to run but was
grabbed li"e a goat is by a butcher% Sunny came #rom behind and hit him on his
#ace% 4lood oo@ed out o# his nose% 9e #ell down as -- loosened his grip% -- sat on
his chest and un'eiled his mas"% Ba'i was le#t both helpless and hapless% 9is head
was spinning% 4lood clots started mi.ing with his dar" color%
()hat5s in the computer*,
(A gi#t #rom my #ather*G
(8 am sitting on that useless thing% Spea" up the truth% Dass ni maa dassu 2spea"
up be#ore 8 bite3 said -- as he drew his reco'ery pistol
(o+ please don5t shoot% 4itcoin,
()hich coin*,
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
(!he computer has 4itcoin*,
(Sunny+ #eed him lime water% !hat should rid him o# his hango'er%,
(o papa+ he is tal"ing about an internet treasure+, said Sunny
(Put him on the chair% !ie his hands up% Pour some water on him%,
(ow start tal"ing+, ordered --%
(8t started in =ay 2011 when 8 introduced Pran to 4itcoin% 8t is a 'irtual currency
which is not issued by any go'ernment%,
(=uhammad 4in !ughluE type+, said a con#used --%
8n such a situation+ laughter was di##icult but Ba'i could not help it%
(9a ha% Li"e that but well protected and can5t be copied% 8t was in'ented by
Satoshi a"amoto in 200H% 8t is protected by an encrypted password% 6ne needs
the combination o# hardware where it is stored and password to access it%,
()ho is !ughluE+ papa*,
(9e was an eccentric "ing in 8ndia in the 11
th
century who introduced the new
currency+, replied -- in a hurry
(So you ha'e the password*, Sunny continued to $ump topics
(8 went to meet Pran when 8 returned #rom the CSA but he was no more% 8
searched his home which was loc"ed and reco'ered the password which 8 #ound in
his diary% 8 enEuired with the neighbours and then the ban" to reach you #or the
computer%,
()hy did you hit Papa+, Sunny continued to butt in%
(8t was a mishit% An amateur in crime+ you see%,
(Son o# a don"ey+ that was to "eep the whole #amily away #rom home+, said --%
(!his guy is still #ooling us% 8# it is a treasure+ why did Pran die a pauper*, as"ed
--
(o+ 8 am not lying% 9e lost #aith% 9e became too ad'enturous and too" many
other gambles o# which he had no in"ling% 9e was undone by other bets+ not by
4itcoin%,
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
(Carry on%,
(8 was able to con'ince him about 4itcoin% )e bought 4itcoin worth Bs 4 crore on H
Dune 2011% 8t 'alued I2J%K per 4itcoin or Bs 1+141 per bitcoin then% 4ut prices
started #luctuating a#ter that% 4y 6ctober+ it #ell to as low as I2%K% 8 was con'inced
that prices would reco'er but did not ha'e money to bac" my con'iction%
(Pran also lost money in an e.otic currency trade% 9e de#aulted+ lost his house and
that is when he met you%,
()hy did he not sell it*,
(!hat Euestion bothered me as well when 8 returned #rom the CSA and learnt
about him% 4ut 8 got the answer #rom the manner in which he "ept the 4itcoin
password% 9e had lost #aith in it+ thin"ing it was some #ad which sent his money up
in smo"e% =aybe he stopped trac"ing it a#ter it hit I2%K%,
(9ow much they are worth now*,
(Bs H%H crore%,
()hat*, 4oth #ather and son duo shouted at the same time%
Ba'i smiled and gestured that now he deser'ed to be untied%
(Let5s do a deal% 0ou ha'e the password and 8 ha'e the machine% )ithout the bride
and groom together+ how would the #amily be e.tended*,
(Let5s share the booty+, -- said+ ma"ing an o##er%
(Cntie him+, he added%
()here do you sell this*, as"ed --
(PayPal%,
()ho+ Paul*,
(An 6nline site% PayPal not Paul% !here are other mechanisms also%,
(9ere is a deal% 8 buy you out and you help me buy more%,
(Papa+ you said don5t play the game where you don5t "now the terms and
conditions+, said a con#used Sunny
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(Bules are simple% Pran did not listen to me+ hence su##ered% 9e should ha'e
tal"ed to me be#ore committing suicide+, Ba'i reasoned%
(Son o# a don"ey+ #or once in li#e pro'e that you are my blood+ Pun$abi blood;,
(Papa+, said an agitated Sunny+
(0ou #ocus on your =4A% 8 ha'e to arrange #or the money #or your call centre which
you will start a#ter =4A%,
(Call centre+ yuc"%,
(>on"ey5s son+ you will ne'er li"e what 8 bring #or you%,
2 &ec 201$ ($1,0$'.4"
Pun$ab+ in northern 8ndia+ bore the brunt o# partition in 1J4L as the state was
di'ided between 8ndia and Pa"istan% Se'eral thousands o# people #rom west
Pun$ab+ which was gi'en to Pa"istan+ came to east Pun$ab% 8n the process+ they
lost land+ belongings and scores o# li'es to riots%
Pun$abis are "nown #or li'eliness+ enterprising nature but also #or being show
o##s%
All three characteristics could be traced bac" to their roots where history tells us
that they struggled #or sur'i'al% /irst+ they #ought the =ughals+ then the 4ritish
be#ore being engul#ed by the 'iolence o# partition%
!heir enterprising nature helped them sur'i'e+ spread across globe and thri'e%
6nce one learns to sur'i'e in the most challenging times+ they start respecting li#e
which re#lects in their philosophy o# li'ing larger than li#e% Showing o## is a #all out
o# the #irst two discussed traits%
--5s li#e was truly Pun$abi% An entirely sel#&made man+ he had ta"en 'arious
gambles in li#e which in turn made him lea'e his 'illage and e'entually established
himsel# in Gurgaon% /or him+ 4itcoin was another God&gi'en chance to the ne.t
orbit o# growth%
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
6n o'ember 21+ when 4itcoin traded at IKJM%J+ he borrowed Bs 11cr #rom the
mar"et% 9e paid Bs K%Mcr to Ba'i% 9is total bitcoin in'estment was Bs 1J%Mcr% 8n
two wee"s+ he was staring at a gain o# Bs J%Kcr% 8t was 'indication o# his Pun$abi
spirit% 9e announced a bonus in o##ice% 9e started planning setting up o# a call
centre #or his son%
(4ottle dances and romances+ $ubilation and celebrationN bottle thrills as
ad'ances+ $ubilation and celebrations, he sang as he held champagne bottle in one
hand
(!oday you started in early e'ening only+, shouted immi who did not appro'e o#
his drin"ing%
(!his is champagne+ you don"ey5s mother+, said -- as he pinched her
(Champagne*,
(Lea'e that+ #irst tell me how was my English song*,
(So this celebration is #or your childish English song*,
(0ou spoilsport+ mother o# don"eyN we ha'e made Bs 10cr on a Bs 20cr in'estment%
8 always said they teach magic in 88! 888=% =y son would also get the best education
and 8 would set up business #or him in Gurgaon%,
(0our #ather must had been proud o# you+, said elated wi#e and mother%
(0es+ i# he had been ali'e% 8 was always the thorn% e'er studied+ ran away #rom
house+ did marriage out o# caste+ brought him social disrepute but he should ha'e
seen li#e outside 'illage%,
(>on5t be o'er critical o# yoursel#%,
(o+ 8 am not% 8 tried hard to bring happiness in his li#e% 8 slogged so that 8 could
sa'e his mortgaged land but be#ore 8 could gi'e him land papers+ he passed away%
6nly+ i# 8 had reached #ew hours earlier+ he would ha'e died in peace% 8 wish 8 had
ta"en him out o# 'illage% 8 wish 8 had shown him the world%,
(Show it to me%,
(0es+ we will go to Canada when Sunny goes #or =4A% )here is that son o# a
don"ey*,
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
(8n his room%,
(Sunny+ o Sunny%,
(0es Papa+, Sunny came running downstairs%
(0our tic"et boo"ed #or Canada*,
(0es Papa+ ne.t month%,
(Good+ we all will go to see you o##%,
(Papa+ 8 was saying that we should sell 4itcoin%,
(immi+ are you sure he is my son*,
(Papa+, said Sunny in despair%
(Sunny+ 8 will teach you a lesson o# my li#e% 6ne can dri'e Alto or one can dri'e
=ercedes% 8# you do things which are simple+ well understood+ you ma"e money
which can buy you Alto% 4ut+ i# you do things which people understand much later
than you do+ you hit the $ac"pot% 0ou mint money%
()hen 8 came to Gurgaon in the 1JH0s+ it was called an old age home% Betired
people #rom >elhi used to come to stay here% Loo" out #rom 4alcony+ you can see
s"yline which competes with Singapore% o one could ha'e imagined it then%
(6ne gentleman -P Singh imagined the trans#ormation% 9e bought land #rom the
go'ernment and started pitching it to global =C ma"ing them belie'e in his
dreams% 6nce they started shi#ting their head Euarter to Gurgaon+ contour o#
de'elopment started becoming 'isible to others% 6thers started to #ollow% /rom a
sleepy 'illage+ Gurgaon was trans#ormed into millennium city%,
(4ut Papa+ this is technology which you don5t understand%,
(8 ha'e done a lot o# research on this Sunny% 8 don5t understand technology but 8
understand human beha'ior% /irst+ they would ignore it+ then ma"e #un o# it+ then
critici@e it and at last $oin the bandwagon% !he last stage is gold rush which
creates bubble% )e are currently in the second stage+, repeated -- 'erbatim as
was told to him by the in'estment e.pert%
(4ut Papa+ we can ta"e ad'antage o# 'olatility+, Sunny argued in 'ain%
(0ou dri'e Alto only% >on5t bug me% And concentrate on =4A%,
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
Sunny le#t grinning% 9e #elt spending time with >olly would be a better proposition
than preaching his #ather% Anyway+ in a #ew days+ he had to tra'el to Canada%
2$ (ep 2014($$.!"
=an proposes and God disposes% 9uman beings are li"e "ids% !he outer world is too
comple. #or the "ids% !hey are too young to understand it but they "now that they
can trust their parents% !hey demand whate'er they #eel li"e which most o# the
time is irrational% !hey cry when their demand is not met% And shi#t their
attention to the ne.t demand% !hey blame parents but still go bac" to them% !hey
thin" they are in the dri'ing seat though don5t e'en "now how the 'ehicle mo'es%
Same is relation o# people with God%
!his was applicable #ully to --5s li#e% )hile he made big plans+ li#e had a di##erent
plan #or him%

K
th
>ec 2011F China bans #inancial companies #rom 4itcoin transactions% Price drops
by 20O to IH14
2K
th
>ec 2014F !he 9indu reports !he 4itcoin E.change shuts shop in 8ndia% Price
closes at ILKM%2
1L
th
Dan 2014F B48 puts the bra"es on the 4itcoin train in 8ndia+ reports Beuters
!he world5s regulator wo"e up to 4itcoin and the danger it could pose to the
monetary system% !his started a##ecting its prices which started to #all steadily%
!he /ebruary low was IM14%L% --5s #ree spirited mind was getting tamed% 9e ne'er
showed any sign o# stress but his drin"ing increased% 9e was less at home and
more outside+ loo"ing at the city s"yline% 4ut now the old Gurgaon+ that had
remained congested+ dirty and poor+ was also 'isible to him%
(Paisa hi Paisa+, the ring tone brought him bac" to his senses%
(Papa%,
(Sunny puttar 2my son3+ how are you doing*,
(Papa+ 8 am doing well% Canada is 'ery good% 0ou should ha'e come with me%,
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
(8 would% 4oth o# us would come to your con'ocation%,
(Papa+ 8 want to say something%,
(Son o# a don"ey+ don5t start the bit coin thing again% Small ups and downs don5t
bother me%,
(4ut Papa<,
(Good night%,
Parents will be parents% !hey may endure hea'y problems but would ne'er share it
with their children% !hey would ne'er let them su##er due to their problems% --5s
problems were compounding day&by&day% 9e was #eeling li"e a #armer who waits
#or rain and until it comes+ can only loo" at parched land and pray to God% 9is
con'iction was long term but short term losses were wrec"ing him%
=arch 2014F Low I4MH%M
April 2014F Low I1K0%H
=ay 2014F Low I42L
Dune 2014F Low IMK2%1
Duly 2014F Low IMK4%4
August 2014F Low I4K0%L
September 2014F Low I1J1%J
!otal port#olio 'alue was Bs 11cr which was Bs 2cr% less than amount he actually
in'ested% 9e was also staring at an interest loss o# Bs1%Mcr% Stic"ing with
con'iction about high 'olatility and high debt was becoming unbearable% 9is
health was also deteriorating% Central ban" acti'ism was also spoo"ing his
con#idence% /or a change+ he thought o# getting out o# the trade% Sunny was in
Canada% Ba'i was untraceable% 9e #ell bac" on the in'estment Guru+ Ba$+ who had
gi'en him con#idence about 4itcoin+ ob'iously+ #or a #ee%
(--+ as a long&term in'estor+ you should ignore short&term noise+, he said%
(oise* 8 ha'e lost Bs 1%Mcr% 8t is a 'ery costly noise%,
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
(8 mean 'olatility+ --%,
(=y whole li#e has gone topsy tur'y% 8 can5t ta"e it anymore% ow+ 8 can #eel how
that 88! 88= boy would ha'e #elt% 8 don5t want to "ill mysel#%,
(So what do you want*,
()ant your help in selling 4itcoins and boo"ing losses%,
(8 will not ad'ice doing that%,
(!hen buy it yoursel#%,
(8 ad'ice+ don5t act on it+, said Ba$ with a grin
(8 ha'e a bad news #or you --+ your losses are more than Bs 1%Mcr+, said Ba$ as he
operated luc"y computer%
()hat do you mean* 8t #ell again*,
(!here is no 4itcoin in your account%,
(Are you drun"*,
(8 am serious+ you ha'e been tric"ed,
(8 am tric"ed* o+ it is not possible%,
!he world came to an end #or him% -- was #inished% 9e #rantically screamed% 9e
reached out #or his gun and went out% e.t whole wee" he spent on loo"ing out #or
Ba'i% 9e was con'inced he had been tric"ed by him% ow+ the picture was clear%
!here were two possibilities%
Ba'i tric"ed people into buying 4itcoins% /irst+ it was Pran+ then him and God
"nows how many in between or therea#ter%
Ba'i was #riend or relati'e o# Pran who was on a re'enge mission% )hat re'enge;
-- was bro"e li"e Pran but unli"e him+ he had a #amily%
9e could not ha'e gone to the police since the source o# #unding would ha'e been
Euestioned% !he ban" would ha'e accused him o# di'erting money% 9is whole
business would be ruined% )e 'iew the world as we want to see% Bain could be a
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
reason #or celebration% !he same rain may appear li"e nature crying with us when
we are sorrow#ul% 9e longed to go bac" to his 'illage% Gurgaon irritated him% 6ld
Gurgaon was more 'isible to him than the new one with high&rises% )hile highways
were well maintained+ internal roads were swept away by rain% !he ruins around
=ehrauli were much louder than the beauti#ul Autub =inar% !ra##ic Dam on the
motorway was irritating% !here were too many malls and too little shoppers% 8n the
e'ening+ gardens were #ull o# drun"ards%

8n the bad time+ being Pun$abi can be emotionally draining% =achismo would stop
#rom sharing problems with women% 9owe'er+ beha'ior would turn critical which
could always be wrongly interpreted% !ime would be spent less with #amily who
could help but more with onesel# which would add to negati'ity%
8t was one such lonely e'ening% immi was 'isiting her mother% She wanted a brea"
as the sEuabbles were too much to bear% =oreo'er+ -- was trying to be a Lord
Shi'a who consumed poison to sa'e others but he was a mortal human being a#ter
all% immi suspected him o# ha'ing an a##air%
(8 am bro"e, 9e shouted again #ollowed by hysteric laughter% 9e gulped down a
Patiala peg%
(8 will de#ault to the ban"% )ho will reco'er the money #rom the reco'ery agent+,
he said+ hysteric laughter continuing%
(Ba'i+ what re'enge* 8# it were a story+ i#+ 8 were not at the recei'ing end+ 8 would
ha'e saluted you+, he said+ his blabbering on%
(Pardon me immi+ pardon me my son+ 8 brought misery into your li'es+, he
lamented%
-- pointed the gun at himsel#% 9is hysteric laughter continued% !he gate was "ept
open+ hoping someone comes to help him% 4ut only God could ha'e helped him%
(God+ why did you do this to me* 8 always was a belie'er% (
(Papa+, a hysteric scream met hysteric laughter%
Sunny came to surprise his parents but was surprised at the sight%
(=y son;, 9e hugged Sunny tightly as tears rolled down his chee"s%
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
(0ou came+ 8 wanted to see you so badly+, said --
(Papa this gun+ what were you up to* )here is mom*
(She le#t me li"e my luc"% 4ut+ 8 am to blame% 8 made li#e di##icult #or e'eryone%,
()hat happened*,
(0ou "ept warning me+ but 8 ne'er listened% 8 taunted you at e'ery stage,
(Papa+ you are scaring me%,
(Be'enge was ta"en% Per#ect re'enge% )e are #inished%,
()ho too" re'enge*,
(Pran,
(8s he ali'e,
(o+ Ba'i%,
(>ad+ 8 thin" you5'e had too much alcohol% Gi'e me the gun and get some sleep%,
(8 am sober% 9a'e had $ust three pegs,
(!hey are gone, added --
(Pegs,*
(o+ 4itcoin,
(Papa*,
(8 went to sell them only to reali@e that they ha'e been stolen% 8 ha'e to return Bs
14%Mcr to ban"% !his is our dar"est >iwali% Sorry+ 8 ruined your >iwali,%
(Papa+ you made my >iwali;,
(=ade*,
(8 was li'ing with guilt o# ruining your dream #or the last nine months,
(>ream*,
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
(0es papa+ when you celebrated with champagne+ 8 had sold 4itcoins then%,
()hat*,
(>olly+ you remember*,
(>olly*,
(=y girl#riend at the time+ who 8 #ought with be#ore lea'ing 8ndia% 8 wanted to gi#t
her a diamond pendant% 4esides<,
(4esides*,
(Cnli"e you+ 8 was not con'inced about this whole 4itcoin thing% So 8 thought+ this
would be testing o# the system also% Any way+ it was matter o# selling one 4itcoin
only,
(!hen,*
(!he system was con#using% 8 did not reali@e that by mista"e+ 8 had sold the whole
Euantity% 0ou were so happy and so much con'inced that 8 did not ha'e the guts to
tell you that,
(9oly shit;,
(A#ter that 8 went to Canada and tried many times to tell you that but<,
(So it was not Ba'i%,
(o+ 8t was Sunny+ sorry papa+ 8 disappointed you% 8 am not a true Pun$abi%,
(0ou pro'ed that you are my son% As a son+ 8 always wanted to bring happiness to
my #ather5s li#e but could ne'er achie'e that% 0ou sa'ed not only Bs 10 crore but
also the pendant (
(0es+, said Sunny as he blushed
(4ut Papa%%% 0ou are my hero% 9ow could you thin" o# suicide*,
(!his is my luc"y gun% =y #ather ga'e it on >iwali when 8 was 1H+ his last gi#t to
me% !he 'illage head had brought it #or him #rom Canada which 8 li"ed% 9e ga'e it
to me despite the clamour #rom all other brothers%,
(Pull the trigger%,
(Are you sure*,
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reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
(0es+ son o# a don"ey+ but not at me+ in the air%,
(Paisa he paisa, song played out #rom the gun as he pulled the trigger%
4oth hugged each other as tears rolled down their chee"s% /irecrac"ers went o##
outside% >iwali celebrations had started%
P%S% #acts
1% P=ohammed 4in !ughluE was a 'isionary "ing in 11
th
century 8ndia%
9is plans were ahead o# its time but were e.tremely poor in e.ecution
which got him names li"e "Pagal Badshah# 2mad "ing3% 6ne o# his schemes
was to introduce a copper coin eEui'alent to sil'er coin+ a concept li"e
paper currency which later became a global norm% 9owe'er+ he #orgot to
use an emblem on the coin% As a result+ e'ery household became a mint and
caused hyper&in#lation during his regime%
2. 8# you li"ed the story+ please share it on your #aceboo"% !he author5s #aceboo"
and blog details are shared on author5s pro#ile on smashword%

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