How well do you know your neighbours?

Author's Note: 
Sociology is not only an overarching unification of all studies of humankind, including history, psychology, and economics but also the study of society and our behavior as social beings, covering everything from the analysis of short contacts between anonymous individuals on the street to the study of global social processes.

2012

Somewhere in Tokyo

Door Bell.
Mary opened the door with a smile which faded as soon as she saw Louise. This was her third visit this week. I wonder what brings her here again, thought Mary.
“Hi Mrs Philip, how do you do?”
Oh I am good Louise, so good to see you again.
Ah! Its such a lovely afternoon, I thought i would take a stroll in the neighbourhood

Mary waited for more

And maybe invite you and Philip to dinner over at our place this weekend. You know, lancy and Dave, your neighbours are also coming over. We all can have such a perfect evening. Its boring otherwise for a housewife you know. Dont you want a break from doing everyday mundane activities?

With that Louise took a step forward to enter Mary’s abode, but Mary was quicker and sharper. She guessed this move and immediately took a step forward to block Louise’s view of insides of Mary’s newly redecorated home. Well, Mary had never been the sharing kind.

Oh Louise, I have talked to Philip. I’ll let you know by tonight. But personally I am eagerly looking forward to see you, again, soon.

With half hearted smiles, the ladies parted, with thoughts lingering over in each their minds.

What is she hiding in there?
Why is she so persistent?

Is she hiding something?
Does she know something?

That night the bedroom lights at Mary and Philip’s was on till 3 a.m.

2 days later, 4 guests were knocking at Louise’s but nobody answered.

****

Around the same time in Manhattan.

David woke up surprisingly late after his hangover. The party left its aftereffects on his body and mind. But it was already noon, too late to call in late at office. Might as well call it a day off. With that thought, David dozed off again.

When the booze and pills started wearing off, he got the courage to pull himself out of the bed and make himself a cup of strong coffee. He cleaned up his apartment, had a long relaxing bath and sat down to check his mail. For David, this was expected. He drank this much alcohol after many years, but it was worth it. His college time close buddy and neighbour, Chris, got a promotion, and it called for a celebration.

Its time I get married too. That lucky bastard Chris, he got everything. Wife, home, job and now a promotion. Indeed becoming VP of such an esteemed company is a big deal. There always was something about him- his charm maybe, or his luck.

And David chucked. Lucky bastard.

Later that evening, he heard this headline on all major news channels on television- “VP bankrupts company, flees country with top secrets and funds worth billions of dollars”

****

Almost same time of the year, somewhere in Britain.

Intercom buzzes.
Suzie asks Tara if Harry came in today.
Tara replies in negation.

Maybe he took the day off to plan his dream vacation.

Tara spotted Harry last night at a restaurant. Being a confidant and close colleague to Harry, Tara went over to his table to talk to him. As usual, he was a gentleman in treating her. She thought he had a crush on her or something, and she dint mind it at all.

Tara pointed at the brochures of trains on one of the empty chairs by Harry’s side, and asked if he was planning tour. “My dream vacation”, he replied.

They were making small talk when suddenly Harry’s face tensed up and said he should leave. He bid her goodbye and with the promise of seeing her tomorrow, disappeared within a few minutes.

But all this dint mean anything to her. After her shift, she took a cab home and the rest of the day flew by. She only hoped Harry turns up the next day, else work load on her would increase.

Next day morning newspaper depressed Tara. A local train was bombed as it approached the next station. More that 300 people killed and over 500 injured. The police was looking into the matter.

For the next few days, newspapers covered each aspect of the blast. The theories of how it was carried out, how the heinous act might have been planned and the speculations of the master mind and executioner.

Same day, a news reported covered live telecast of police unravelling the evidence it has collected, which included a specially ordered square shaped gold dial- strap engraved with congratulations. Tara dropped her home cooked cabbage stuffing on the floor. It was the watch she gifted Harry.

Around midnight that day, Tara was arrested for murder of over 200 people and act of terrorism.

****

Around the same time, somewhere in Pakistan

Base alpha reporting to Chief- stage 1 of mission accomplished.

And Yousuf shut down his laptop.

He stretched his legs, changed his shirt and dialed a number.
“This is Salman Malik, is my reservation confirmed. Pause. Okay thank you. I’ll be there in half an hour”

It was his date night. He got into his car and drove to pick up Riya.

She looked stunning as always. “You look incredible Salman, and happy too. What’s the reason?” teased Riya. “Oh I just got what I wanted from a very long time” replied Yousuf. “So, you told me the other day that somebody shifted next to your apartment. How well do you know your neighbours?“