The salesman rolled up his eyes

"Sir, this crystal ball is unique.

You utter the magic formula

And the damsel of your choice

Will descend from ether."

I, a Multinational Company executive,

Dangled my plastic card,

"No Woman, No cash."

The salesman gave me the ball

"With faith comes the revelation."

He walked away with empty hands,

The crystal ball tantalised me.

A host of names choked my throat.

Like a child lost among his toys

I howled finally, "appear O Vision!"

Inside my empty cabin

There was thunder and lightning.

Sure enough a beauteous form

Dazzled my incredulous eyes.

She said nothing and sat there.

I coaxed her to utter a few words.

She spread her long, lustrous hair

Over my globe-trotting computer.

"You can’t be Draupadi!" I gaped.

Her eyes flashed a coded message.

A figure from the realm of mythology

Is this what I had bargained for?

With my heart in my mouth

I tried deciphering her ways.

"Where’s the salesman’s card?

The crystal ball lay lusterless.

The salesman – a Wizard?

Will Draupadi merge with

The computer – my only lifeline now?"

I check the cabin door’s handle

The only escape is from myself.

I pace inside my globalised cabin

While Draupadi turns me into a myth.