It was just another day.
She was stirred to answer a phone call
Maybe from loved ones living far
Grogginess cleared albeit somnambulently
The caller identified himself.

He was of the top brass police establishment
Out to investigate fraud.
He provided confident credentials.
As evidence, all to gain her confidence.
He enumerated personal details.
To identify and convince, the sleepy old-timer.

It was then that sleep vanished and ominous fear crept in
The caller listed the portentous scenario.
The senior citizen quavered and was shaken.
She was the kind never to be outwitted.
But, the scene in her mind was vivid and nightmarish.
Reason flew out of the window.
When she was asked to switch to video call,
She did.

Authenticity was the nail in the coffin.
She saw the man in uniform and
Was convinced then beyond a doubt.
She was now well and completely arrested,
Tragically, in her own house.
Terrifying scenes formed in her mind
When the caller pronounced the sentence
For the purported crimes.

And then began the agonizing saga.
It was well into the day.
Not a cup of coffee nor daily medication
Was attended to,
By the two lonely, and established diabetics.

The severity of the alleged crime
Could be averted, he said
If a fine was paid…
The contents of her bank account
Was transferred in a thrice.
But it was not enough.
He wanted more …She had no more
She pleaded and beseeched
She revealed all her family
And her predicament.

But there was no respite, he wanted more.
She could handle this.
She thought.
Fear gives you wings.
She impromptu fetched her.
Spouse’s phone and transferred
A significant amount to her own.
Then in desperation, she pleaded.
Once more.
But to no avail.

In between she got regular beeps
From other callers this time loved ones.
She ignored them in her perplexity.
He became her tutor and gave her
Patient instructions to transfer a
A hefty sum to his account.
She followed the mandate like a
Lamb to the slaughter.
Amazingly it happened.

By then a vigilant neighbour
Came to the rescue,
Following frantic calls from
Distantly placed family.
She broke the hypnotic hold of the caller.
His joy ride ended.

But alas by then the damage was done!
The physical loss can be rued but replaced.
But the agony and trauma of the hours in captivity
Will remain tangible for posterity.

.    .    .