Mathuage

Not far from Mumbai is a small town called Vajraghat, known primarily for its juicy guavas. It is a long night’s train journey from Mumbai to Vajraghat – a journey that very few people take.

Raghunath took this train often since he traded in guavas. An avid reader, he always carried a good book on these journeys to while away the hours.

One evening, when Raghunath made just such a trip, something strange happened. He was sharing his compartment with three others. One of his companions was a tall, skinny, pale man with a long nose and a furtive demeanor. When Raghunath entered, the man was already seated, reading a book intently. Always curious, Raghunath peeked at it through the corner of his eye, but the book had a dark cover with no title. A bit disappointed, Raghunath pulled out his own book and began to read.

The journey began. The companionable silence in the compartment was constantly interrupted by vendors of food and beverages.

But oddly, while the other passengers sat down to dinner, the skinny, pale man had his long nose stuck to his book. He never put it down! Raghunath became very interested in what the man was reading. What book could be interesting enough to skip dinner? He waited for an opportunity to peep into the book, but it was impossible to get a glimpse of the pages.

Soon, the ticket collector came in to inspect everyone’s tickets. As he left, the man mumbled something under his breath. Intrigued, Raghunath leaned in. Had he imagined it? Raghunath was sure that he had heard the man say ‘76.’

But why would someone say ‘76’ simply out of the blue? Was it his seat number? Quietly, Raghunath checked and found that the man’s seat number was, in fact, 31.

So why did he suddenly say 76?

Raghunath’s curiosity knew no bounds. He looked for an opportunity to strike a conversation with the man. But the man was completely lost in his book.

As nighttime set in, the other two passengers went to sleep. Raghunath determinedly continued his efforts to talk to the man, but to no avail. He would have to resort to drastic measures to attract the man’s attention.

Lying on the top berth with feigned casualness, Raghunath ‘accidentally’ dropped his pillow – right on the man’s head! Then, he started apologising profusely. Although the man wasn’t hurt, Raghunath fussed over him until his constant apologies almost became annoying. Finally, the man looked up and said with a smile on his face, ‘332.’

Raghunath was stunned. Did this man speak only in numbers? Raghunath now looked straight into the man’s eyes and asked, ‘Are you all right?’

The man returned Raghunath’s piercing gaze and replied, ‘7-93-289.’ After a pause, he added, ‘27.’

Attempting to appear unnerved, Raghunath continued the conversation. ‘So, what is your name?’

The man answered with a deadpan face, ‘8563.’

So the man did speak only in numbers, Raghunath concluded. But it was obvious that Mr. 8563 was not interested in continuing the conversation. Raghunath lay in bed, mulling over the peculiar incident.

After a while, 8563 rose. He placed the book on the berth and went out of the compartment, presumably to use the washroom.

Grabbing the opportunity, Raghunath leapt out of his seat, picked up the book and opened it. What he saw made him gasp. The book had lines and lines and lines of just numbers!

Raghunath heard footsteps right outside the compartment and he quickly replaced the book and went back to his own berth. 8563 came into the compartment and started reading the book again.

Soon, Raghunath began to feel sleepy and, although he was terribly curious about 8563, he could not keep his eyes open any longer. He fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

The piercing screech of iron wheels on the rail tracks awoke Raghunath in the middle of the night. The bustle outside suggested that they had reached a station. Raghunath groggily looked up and was aghast to see that 8563 was not in the compartment. Had he got off?

Suddenly wide awake, he leapt to his feet. He had to find the man and solve the mystery.

He rushed near the exit, but 8563 was not there. Then he got out of the train. There was a fair amount of movement on the platform. Some people were sleeping oblivious to the surrounding. But he couldn’t find 8563 anywhere.

The signal turned to green and the horn of the train caused some birds to flutter around. The train started moving and Raghunath got into the train, still looking outside, when he heard someone running. He looked back to see 8563 run and get on the train in one swift movement.

Raghunath looked at him for a moment and asked ‘Where were you?’

The man looked at the suitcase in his hand and replied ‘52’.

‘Hey, you are making me go crazy now’, Raghunath said pointing a finger at 8563. ‘What is it with you and numbers?’

The man didn’t respond. Instead he looked at his suitcase once again. He then started walking to their coupe, but Raghunath blocked 8563’s way with his hand. 8563 looked at Raghunath with a stern face and shouted ’23’.

Raghunath immediately removed his hand and let the man pass. He stood there bewildered and contemplating what to do next for some time. He then went back to his coupe.

8563 was sitting casually with his right leg on top of his left knee. He smiled as Raghunath entered the coupe. Poor Raghunath didn’t know how to respond and gave the man a weak smile and climbed onto his berth.

‘Hey, I am sorry’

Raghunath turned back to see who said that; but both the other passengers were still fast asleep and 8563 was grinning at him.

‘Have I actually gone crazy’, he thought.

‘Why don’t you come and sit here? ‘, 8563 beckoned him.

Raghunath came down and sat beside 8563.

'Hi, I am Dr. Vishnuvardhan.', 8563 held out his hand for a handshake.

Raghunath looked at him for a second and then gave him a feeble hand shake. 'Now can I know what is going on?' Raghunath asked.

'You don't have to get animated.', the doctor said and added ' I am a doctor, a psychiatrist to be specific.'

'So were you checking whether I was mad or not', Raghunath spoke loudly. His voice seemed to stir one of the passengers in the coupe, who opened his eyes a little bit and then towards his side and slept.

'Please calm down. I was just testing you', the doctor tried to pacify Raghunath.

'What do you mean by you were testing me?'

'See, it is like this. A group of mathematicians from the Institute of Mathematics in India, the IMI formed a language of their own. They named it MATHUAGE, ie short for Mathematics Language.'

'Ok, go on'

'They started communicating in this language among themselves and also published a book', the doctor said showing the book Raghunath had checked out earlier.

Raghunath took the book and opened it again. He still wasn't getting any idea.

'One of the mathematician Mr. Vinod Salve is my close friend. He is the one who introduced me to this language. I am actually on my way to meeting him at Vajraghat, his native place.'

'Hmmmmmmmmm...... please continue'

'So I was doing some research on my own. I was thinking how people would react if I talked in a language that we thought we understand, but we don't understand it at all.'

'I am sorry, I  didn't get you.'

'Its like this. You understand mathematics and for a businessman which I presume you are, you must be good in mathematics. But when I talked to you in mathuage, you were completely at loss. You kept thinking and trying to solve the problem by yourself. You wanted to find out the solution at all costs.'

'But I guess most of the people would have reacted in the same way.'

'Precisely. That was what I was testing.'

'So I was a guinea pig today. Anyhow nice meeting you. Good night', Raghunath said and got up.

'I am sorry again. I would like you to meet Vinod and give your opinions about mathuage.'

'Sure.', Raghunath said and got onto his berth and closed his eyes and dreamt of speaking in numbers.