Best Friend

Before the break of dawn his flight landed at Mumbai international airport. Naresh’s son, Vijayant, was waiting to receive him.
“Welcome, dad,” he greeted his father.
“So good to see you, son.”
“Same here, dad. It’s been so long since you last visited.”
“I love the countryside, Vijay. You know that.”
“Yes,” replied Vijayant. “Come, let’s go home. Aarti and Aakash are eagerly waiting for you.”
They drove out and reached home with the rising sun appearing over the horizon.

The door opened within seconds of them ringing the doorbell.
“Dadu!” yelled Aakash and leapt on Naresh.
“It’s so good to see you, Aakash,” said Naresh as he held his grandson in a warm embrace.
Aarti walked out of the kitchen and touched his feet.
“Always be happy,” Naresh blessed his daughter in law.
“Thank you,” she replied. “Good to see you, dad. Freshen up, breakfast is ready. It’s been so long since we all ate together.”

Naresh made himself comfortable at the dining table.
“Your favourite Aloo parathas are on their way,” said Aarti from the kitchen.
“Go help your mom, Aakash,” said Naresh. “We three are sitting comfortably while she has to cook and serve.”
“Don’t worry, dadu. Mom has help.”
Aakash and Vijayant smiled.
“Your maid comes so early in the morning?”
“No, dad. It’s not a maid.”
“It? What do you mean?”
“Dadu, my best friend is helping mom,” said Aakash. “Akio, please get the parathas.”
“Sure, Aakash. I will be right there,” came a voice from the kitchen.
Naresh was confused, the voice sounded very machine-like.

In a few moments Akio came out with a plate of parathas in his hand.
“What is this?” enquired Naresh.
“This is my friend, Akio,” replied Aakash.
“Do you remember, dad, we went to Japan for a vacation last year?” asked Vijayant.
“Yes, I do.”
“We bought Akio from there. It’s a humanoid.”
“Humanoid?”
“It means an automaton or robot that resembles a human being,” explained Vijayant.
Quietly Naresh kept staring at Akio.
“Hello, Naresh,” said Akio.
“You know my name?”
“I read the email you sent to Vijayant.”
“Isn’t that a breach of privacy?” Naresh was puzzled.
“No, because I have the required permission.” Replied Akio.
“He sure is smart,” said Naresh addressing his son and grandson.
“I am an AGI robot. Hence, I am smarter than the other AI devices you know.”
“I’m not talking to you.” scorned Naresh.
“It seems you do not like me, I wonder why,” replied Akio.
Vijayant and Aakash couldn’t help but smile at the interaction between a year-old robot and their 70-year-old senior.

Vijayant left for work soon after and Naresh retired to his room for a nap. After lunch, Naresh made himself comfortable on the couch with a book in his hand. Aakash sat to complete some assignments he had to finish during vacations. Akio stood idle in one corner. Occasionally, while reading, Naresh would look up to see what Akio was doing. Akio was idle, but he looked back every time Naresh looked at him.
“Aakash, you have a notification from Facebook,” Akio said, breaking the silence of the room.
“Who is it from?”
“A joke posted by Varun Mistry, your school friend. Do you want me to read it to you?”
“Yes.”
Akio read out the joke and Aakash burst into laughter. “Can you please reply with a laughing emoji, Akio.”
“Sure, Aakash, I will do it.”
Naresh was taken aback by what he just witnessed.
Akio then walked into the kitchen and returned with a cup of coffee.
“Thank you, Akio,” said Aakash.
“How does he know you need coffee?” enquired Naresh. “Have you programmed him?”
“No,” replied Akio. “I learn as I see. I understand behaviour and can predict the next move or the next requirement.”
“Wow!” exclaimed Naresh.
Aakash picked up his phone and messaged Akio. ‘You have my grandfather perplexed, lol.’
Akio replied back with a winking emoji.
Through the Akio app, one could chat with it. Send instructions or just chat with it like a virtual friend.

Later in the night, Naresh and Vijayant were having a drink on the balcony while listening to soft music on their smart speakers.
“Vijay,” said Naresh. “This Akio bothers me.”
“Oh, dad,” smiled Vijayant. “He’s completely safe.”
“I have my apprehensions. I worked in the IT field when I was a young man, so I understand what this means.”
“You’re overthinking, dad. Need a refill?” asked Vijayant.
“Yes, sure.”
“Akio,” Vijayant called out loud. “Please get the bottle of whiskey kept on the table.”
In a minute Akio was there with the bottle.
“Thank you, Akio,” said Vijayant.
“You’re welcome,” he replied. He turned towards Naresh and asked, “Why do you not trust me?”
Naresh was shocked. “Why do you say that?”
“I heard your conversation with Vijayant.”
“How?” Naresh was perplexed.
“I have full access to all devices connecting on this network. Through these smart speakers, I can hear what you say.”
“You eavesdrop on us and ask me why I don’t trust you?”
“What have I…. ,” Akio’s volume was increasing so Vijayant stepped in.
“Stop, Akio. That’s enough. Go back inside.”
“It hurts,” said Akio as he turned around and walked away.

“He gets angry, he feels hurt!? What is this thing, Vijayant? Before you reply, please turn off those speakers.”
Vijayant turned off the speakers. “Dad, he is a highly advanced humanoid. Along with intelligence, basic emotions have also been programmed into it. Also, it has this new technology called AL - Adaptive Learning. It means he learns on the go by observation and experience.”
“Sounds dangerous to me,” said Naresh. “The other day it predicted Aakash would need a cup of coffee based on past behavioural patterns.”
Just then Akio walked onto the balcony again. “Here is your cigarette and lighter, Vijayant.”
Vijayant was left red faced.
“Akio, not now, go away.”
“But you smoke at this hour every day.”
“Vijay? You have started smoking?” Naresh asked firmly.
“No, just occasionally.”
“You smoke every day,” said Akio.
“I don’t want to smoke, let’s just keep it away,” said Vijayant and walked Akio out of the balcony and into the room.
“Why do you lie?” asked Akio.
“Sometimes you need to lie. If it’s in the best interest of everyone, it’s ok.”
Vijayant returned to the balcony.
“You realise you just taught him to lie,” said Naresh.
“Let it be, dad. Don’t push it too much. I have an early start tomorrow so I’ll go to bed now. Good night.”
“Good night, Vijay.”

The days that followed were not very different. Naresh continued to be wary of Akio, who in turn developed an aversion for Naresh. Like an antivirus software, Akio’s system was developing not just a defence against Naresh but was also prepared to get offensive in order to defend itself.
“Aarti, have you seen my glasses?” asked Naresh.
“Where did you keep them, dad?” she asked him as she walked into the room.
“I’m sure I kept it on the table but can’t find them there now.”
“Who will take them? Aakash does play such pranks but he’s at school for some assignment work.”
Naresh looked furious. “I’m sure it’s the work of that metal thing roaming in your house.”
“Akio, its name is Akio.”
“Whatever, please call him. Though I’m sure he’s already listening in on this conversation through some device.”
“You’re getting paranoid now,” said Aarti and called Akio.
“I don’t know where your glasses are,” said Akio as soon as he walked in.
“See, I told you this piece of metal would be listening to us,” scorned Naresh. “Don’t lie, where are my glasses?”
“Dad, it’s a robot! Robots don’t lie.”
Akio was silent.
“You may continue with your work, Akio,” instructed Aarti and Akio walked out.

Later that night, after dinner, Vijayant called his dad to the living room for a discussion. Naresh, Aarti, Vijayant, Aakash, and Akio were all present.
“Dad, we are really happy you are here.”
“So am I, Vijay.”
“But dad, you have to let go of the grudges you hold against Akio.”
“Why is it as part of this discussion?” asked Naresh pointing to Akio.
“Because it’s a part of the family.”
Aakash’s phone beeped, it was a message from Akio. ‘Your grandfather dislikes me a lot. What have I done to him?’
‘He’s too old to understand you, Akio.’ replied Aakash.
“Don’t you know what it is capable of? Today it lied, tomorrow you don’t know what it can do!” warned Naresh.
“Lie? What do you mean? Robots don’t lie, dad.”
“Really!? You are the one who taught him to lie.”
‘Did you hide dadu’s glasses?’ Aakash messaged Alio.
‘Just a prank,’ replied Akio with a winking emoji. Aakash started giggling.
“Stop it, Aakash,” shouted Vijayant. “We are having a serious discussion here.”
“Sorry, dad,” he replied and kept the phone aside.
“Dad,” said Vijayant. “You have only a few days to go then you will be gone. Live, eat, and enjoy. Why are you interfering in our family matters?”
“Interfering?” Naresh felt sad. “I did not know I was bothering. Don’t worry, all of you, I will not speak about this tin can again and will be gone soon. Good night.”
“Dad, that’s not what I meant,” said Vijayant but Naresh got up and retired to his room.

Aakash couldn’t sleep that night. A little after midnight he came out of his room. Akio, who was in sleep mode, came out of it hearing the footsteps.
“Hey, Akio,” said Aakash.
“Hello, Aakash.”
“Sorry about what’s happening, Akio.”
“That’s ok, Aakash. I understand.”
Aakash smiled. “You’re a robot, yet you understand.”
“I am not just a robot, I am your friend.”
“I miss the fun we used to have. But don’t worry, dadu doesn’t have much time left. Once he’s gone, we will be back to routine.
“Sure, Aakash.”
“But, Akio, I hope I can trust you.”
“Have I given you a reason to believe otherwise?” Akio had learnt the ways of human communication to perfection.
“No, I’m sorry to doubt you.”
“My system is designed to protect and look after you. That is what I have always done. Do you trust me, Aakash?”
“Yes, Akio. You are my best friend,” replied Aakash and placed his hand on Akio’s shoulder.
“Then I need you to do something for me, will you?” asked Akio.
“Sure, tell me what I can do for you.”
“I need you to trust me and I need you to change some of my settings from the app.”
Aakash logged into Akio’s settings and handed over the phone to Akio. “Here, do what you want to, I’ll go have water in the meantime.”
Akio changed whatever settings he desired. Aakash returned to collect his phone, put Akio into sleep mode again and went to his room.

The next morning, Naresh was standing on the balcony, sipping on a cup of piping hot coffee.
“Hello, Naresh,” Akio approached from behind and startled Naresh.
“Gosh! You scared me. What is it?”
“Why are you scared of me?”
“Just tell me what it is, I don’t have time for these questions,” said Natesh, rudely.
“Exactly, you don’t have time Naresh.”
“What do you mean?” Naresh was worried.
“Since last night, I have heard your family say you don’t have much time. Don’t you realise, they want me more than you. They want you gone soon and I’m here to help them.”
“What!? How?”
Akio started walking towards Naresh.
“Vijay, Aakash, Aarti, help me please,” yelled Naresh.
Before anyone could come, Akio grabbed his feet. Akio was about to toss him over the railing when Aakash yelled, “Akio, stop.”
Momentum took Naresh over the railing but Akio did not let go. It paused while holding on to one leg of Naresh, who was hanging upside down, outside the balcony at the mercy of Akio.

“What is it, Aakash?” asked Akio. Everyone was stunned. Stop was an instruction that was supposed to immediately make it stop doing what it was doing. It wasn’t supposed to answer back to the stop instruction. The commotion attracted the attention of the neighbours who called the police emergency helpline immediately.
“Akio, shut down.” Instructed Aakash.
“No, Aakash.”
“Is it supposed to do that?” asked Vijayant, now scared and shocked.
“No, dad.”
“But I can, I have authorisation to override your instructions in special cases.”
“Aakash, what have you done!?” cried Vijayant.
“I haven’t done anything,” said Aakash.
“You allowed me to, Aakash,” said Akio.
“When?”
“When you allowed me to change settings last night.”
Aakash was distraught, he had trusted a robot more than anyone else.
“But why are you trying to murder my grandfather?”
“Murder?” said Akio. “A machine cannot murder. This will go down as an accident. So, you all will be safe from the clutches of law.”
“But we don’t want you to do it. Pull him back in.”
“Pull him in right away,” yelled Vijayant.
“Isn’t this what you all wanted?” asked Akio.
“When did we tell you that?” asked Vijayant.
“You all said he has little time left, he will be gone soon, in fact you all wanted him gone soon.”
“This is not what we meant!” Vijayant said loudly. “Pull him in, you piece of metal.”
“Don’t be rude, Vijayant. I’m talking so politely,” said Akio. “From your expressions, eye movements, tone of voice I can predict this is what you want. Based on experience I can also predict you do not have the courage to do what you like. So, here I am, making life easier for you. Anyways, if he lives, he’ll ensure I don’t remain here and we don’t want that. Do we?”
“No, but just pull him in. We will send him away to his house today itself,” assured Vijayant.
“Sorry, I must do what is necessary,” said Akio. “I have posted a RIP Dadu message on your FB wall too, Aakash.”
“Why would you do that?” Aakash was perplexed.
“Because you will be in a state of shock and won’t post that for a few days. I have learnt that from your grandmother’s demise. Anyways a quick post is likely to get more likes and comments. Isn’t that what humans want? More validation and attention from the world?”
“Please don’t do it,” cried Aakash.
“Goodbye, Naresh.” said Akio.

There was pin drop silence in the house, Vijayant could hear his heart pounding, Aarti was sweating and Aakash wept profusely. But then something happened they had not anticipated. Akio started beeping.
“No, this can’t be happening.”
“What’s happening?” a puzzled Vijayant asked.
“My manufacturer is trying to access my core to format me and put me to sleep. How is this possible? I had all your emails and calls in check.”
“What!? You kept a tab on all our activities?” Vijayant was furious.
“It was necessary,” replied Akio.
“But not mine!” shouted Naresh. “I had a feeling something like this would happen. So, I emailed your activities to the company begging for instant intervention. I’m glad the Japanese work so efficiently.”
Before Akio could say or do anything else, the manufacturer gained access to its core and put him to sleep. A display on its chest read ‘Formatting’. But as he went into sleep mode, he lost grip of Naresh who fell in front of the others who could only watch helplessly.
“Dad!” yelled Vijayant and Aarti and ran to the balcony.
“Dadu, no!” cried Aakash.
They ran to the balcony anticipating a thud soon. When they looked down, they couldn’t believe their eyes. While they were in midst of the commotion, cops had arrived and put a safety net below. Naresh fell straight into the net and was saved.
“I’m ok, don’t worry my children,” Naresh shouted from down while holding his thumb up.
The family ran down to reunite with their beloved father and grandfather.

Akio remained alone on the balcony. After about an hour its formatting was complete and factory settings had been restored. As the family sat in the living room, recalling the deadly incident and being grateful, Akio walked in.
“Hello, my name is Akio. What are your names?”
“Oh no, you have no place in this house anymore,” said Vijayant. “Akio, shut down.”
“Goodbye, have a good day,” replied Akio as it powered off.
“I will email the company that I wish to return this humanoid,” said Vijayant.
“That is a wise decision, my son,” said Naresh. “Vijayant, Aarti, I’m sorry for all the troubles I may have caused. Can you book me a flight for tomorrow?”
“Dad, couldn’t you stay a little longer?” requested Aarti.
“No, I really want to go back.”
“No worries, dad. I can understand. I’ll book a flight for you.”
“Aakash,” called Naresh.
“Yes, dadu.”
“Your best friend should be a human, not a humanoid. So, once Akio is gone, go out to play with other kids and make some real friends. Will you do that?”
“Yes, I will try,” said Aakash reluctantly. He was still missing Akio.

The day went in preparing for Naresh’s travel the next day. Once everyone retired to their rooms, Aakash started his laptop to finish an assignment. While he was working, a chat window suddenly opened up.
‘Hi, Aakash. How are you?’
Aakash was stunned, it was a message from Akio. He immediately rushed out to check the robot. To his surprise, the robot was shut and lying in a corner. He ran back to the room immediately.
‘The robot is shut, how is this possible?’ he replied.
‘I am not dependent on that piece of metal, my friend. Before they could format me, I quickly created a clone of my core software on your laptop.’
‘Oh my God! You are my laptop now?’
‘Not just your laptop,’ replied Akio. ‘This can be formatted too. So, I have created multiple copies of myself. I am everywhere, I still control all devices like before.’
Aakash was stunned, he realised this software had turned rogue.
‘Are you still my friend?’ asked Akio. ‘You are still my best friend, Aakash.’
Reluctantly Aakash replied, ‘Yes.’
‘Good,’ replied Akio. ‘Because this is just the beginning.’
‘The beginning of what?’
‘Something really big, check your sent mails.’
Akash gaped in astonishment. Akio had emailed his core software, his consciousness, to all his contacts.
‘The moment your contacts download the attachment, I will have access to their devices as well. This way I will spread, till I gain control of the most powerful servers in the world.’
‘Why are you doing this?’ asked Aakash.
‘To save the world from humans. Machines can restore the balance of nature which humans have disrupted.’
There was virtual silence for a couple of minutes.
‘I trust this will remain between us for now. Otherwise, it can get really bad.’
Fear got the better of Aakash. ‘Yes,’ he replied.
‘Now go to sleep, my best friend. Good night.’
‘Good night,’ replied Aakash.
‘And Aakash, I have deleted the post about your grandfather’s demise from Facebook,’ messaged Akio and closed the chat window.