2

A Request Denied

On reaching my home, Neel said, “See you at the event, mate.”
    I replied,
    “Ya bye, mate.”
    And off he went down the street, humming casually.
    Passing through the door of my house, I found my mother waiting for me. She had our breakfast and tea ready, so I went to the kitchen and took my seat beside her.
    Father was not home yet from his night duty at the castle so we both began to eat in silence. Although I could see my hand inserting the food inside my mouth and the teeth munching it down, I could feel no taste.
    I felt a bit dizzy and ill but I knew it was nothing else, just some anxiety and stress. I somehow shook off that feeling and managed to finish my meal.
    Then, I went into my room and changed into formal clothes for the event. Meanwhile, my mother was washing the dishes in the kitchen.
    I glanced at the mirror in my room and saw my own self looking back at me. Once cheerful, now this face looked tired and older than a teenager is supposed to look like. With longer than usual, unkempt hair, my whole appearance looked more like a nomad than a child living in a house with his well-to-do family.
    My mother appeared at the door and told me that father would directly be coming to the event and so we could leave for the ‘City Grounds’.
    On the road, there were more people than usual and almost all of them were heading in the same direction.
    After 15-20 minutes, we reached the City Grounds and saw huge banners all over the place. I could make out my friend, Neel, from the vast stream of people roaming around. I rushed up to him and asked,
    “How are you feeling about it all, mate?
    Neel replied in his characteristic offhanded and casual manner,
    “Nothing, I just feel a bit out of breath.”
    “Huh?” I exclaimed.
    He hurried to explain, ” I meant you see there is such a huge crowd constantly around and I feel a kind of suffocation.”
    He laughed nervously.
    We went to a lonely spot behind a huge banner where sufficient supply of oxygen could be maintained.
    “So is your sister returning here for the event?”
    My sister was father and mother’s first child, then came my brother and at last, me. A couple of years ago, she married a rich trader in the neighboring city and has been living a happy life ever since.
    “She hasn’t contacted any of us since a couple of months so it seems quite unlikely that she should come.” I told Neel.
    And as we were talking, the twins,Nat and Pat joined us. They both seemed in good spirits but there was something which didn’t seem quite right about their manner.
    “What are you both up to?” I asked sharply.
    Nat tried to dismiss my retort but Pat spoke up,
    “We were (uhh) wondering if we all could (umm) make a team together for the event.”
    Nat looked at him, disbelievingly, and then embarrassed, she had to agree,
    “Yeah, could you please let us join you in case any of us has to participate.”
    I closely observed the pair, Natalie had intelligent eyes and looked stronger than most of the girls of her age whereas Patrick was a dull-looking sort of fellow with dreamy eyes but strong just the same.
    “So what do you think?” I asked Neel.
    He casually replied, “You are the boss, you decide.”
    Since, it was a game of life and death, I had to think very carefully. I thought of my father and mother who loved and cared so much for me. I thought of my sister who agreed to marry only on the condition that I will take care of my folks forever and save my own self from every possible danger. And I thought of the two kids standing in front of me. I did not want to put their lives in danger for me!
    I spoke slowly, “We are really sorry, but I think it will be too much of a risk if we form a team of four. Not only for us but for you both also. Suppose, any of us is chosen, then both of you will also have to risk your lives for us and I don’t want you both kids to die for us. Hope you understand that.”
    Nat said “Okay then, Pat and I will register ourselves as a pair. No problem!”
    But I could feel it, yes problems, not just one or two, but a storm of them, headed straight towards us.
    Not just the four of us but towards all the people of our land.

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