A Wrong Prostration!

1.

That particular serene new-moon night, when everybody were sound asleep, suddenly it started to rain torrentially, as if it had been never did before. The breaking of loud thunderbolt awakened Varun, who was dog-tired and each of his muscle was in need of utmost rest by hook or crook. The lightning flashed over and over and the curtains flapped restlessly against the windowpane. Creaking of wild insects and chortles of cricket, added the terror to the horrifying night. Hoots of the owl from its parliament garnished the horrors. Amidst all the other horrors of the tormenting night, Varun saw a wild shadow on the window of his neighboring house!

Although at first, he felt to scream at loudest pitch possible for his throat, but consoling himself- with thumping heart, he switched on the reading lamp and after taking few deep breaths, he drank the warm water kept in a jug on his study. Still, he could hear his pounding heart- without any stethoscope…

This is not any terrifying horror story or any weird whodunit- which can petrify one's peaceful night's sleep… Actually, he was Rahul-, who was walking to and fro, in his bedroom. Rahul was Varun's best friend.

"Why won't this fellow respond it affirmatively? It would be much easier if he takes the decision positively" he asked himself, "Words are easy to utter out; but, it is inaccessible to accept such disputes easily. Poor fellow! All of his dedication and perseverance had concluded like an exercise in frustration. And now at last Prof. Rao…"

'Clang!!!' - Once again the thunderbolt broke with an ear-splitting bang!

Rolling of thunders often frightened Varun and many a time, he'd hid himself under the cot and shrouded his shivering body in thick blankets. And now he didn't repeat what he used to do before- for now he is graduating in University College. He's a man, now!! So, gathering all his manly valor, he pulled the blanket over his head and slept turning to the other side… 

Four rains ago, both Rahul and Varun were studying in St. Edinburgh high school, under the hawk's eye of Prof. Rao. Although, Prof. Rao was a man of honorable mention, but inwardly he followed partiality in domineering the institution. Bestowing the opportunities upon his darling students and slamming the dunce wasn't uncommon for him. Nevertheless, Atoms of self-appraisal circulated in his veins more than the blood cells!

Rahul, who had completed his primary and higher studies in the other city, got admitted in St. Edinburgh, an average school in this village on the banks of Arabian Sea, to complete his final year of the high school. Even though he wasn't an exceptional scorer at academic performance, his artistic talent had knocked him many good moments. His valiant skills in the boxing ring had presented him a good name in the town. It was a matter of honor for his opponents to stand before him for few moments. His talent in blocking opponents' punches and in return rewarding them with a blow on their nose had served him many district level titles. He kicked off his days to hit the books in this new school, with no good lock-in studies, prosecuting mediocre concert in studies at an average of seventies and little above or below either.

Most celebrated student of their class, Ramya- a lean tomboy, was an apple in the eyes of Prof. Rao. All and sundry who drank the water of Arabian Sea, had predicted three years prior to her tenth itself that she will beyond doubt score top in the batch; and one could hear her appraisal on the tongue of Prof. Rao round the clock. 

"I pledge to shave my moustache, if some other student overtakes Ramya in final public exam" Prof. Rao once had challenged all the parents of his students.

The State Executive Board

shall organize the state level boxing championship

by the New Year Week!!!

In the early days of that academic year, state committee of boxing announced its annual meet by the New Year celebrations. Even though seven months were remaining for the meet, many of the aspirants, amateur, and/or ex-champions, started training their bodies and mastering their skills.

"If you start working out and practice every day, definitely you too can become a champion!"

Every school taught its students, the same lesson.

"You people must glorify your school's regard in the tournament"

 St. Edinburg's physical trainer Mr. McMahon trained his students at least three-four hours per day, after school hours. Rahul started working out with hundreds of push-ups and pull-ups, miles of jogging, uninterrupted spot jumps and regular workouts in school gymnasium everyday, which helped him to increase his stamina. Constant punching on the boiling sand bare-knuckled strengthened his fist like never before and repeated dragon-flag exercise and crunches tightened his abs. Neither cramps nor could injuries- neither rain nor scorching heat could avoid him from practicing. Within two or three months, he trained his muscular structure similar to Mohammad Ali Clay.

"Behind every great achievement, there is infinite dedication and perseverance" Physical trainer McMahon often reminded him and also motivated him every now and then "Sacrifices results in achieving destinies and champions aren't made under comforts"

"My dream never dies!" Rahul boasted.

"Hard work never lies!"

"But, I am always dynamic in the ring"

"The hardest strivers in the gym are always above the talented boxers" Physical trainer reminded Rahul.

"I'll try my best"    

Two months were remaining for the Annual Boxing meet. Every school of the entire state announced the knockout rounds among their students.

 "…And only the winner and the runner-up Shall be permitted to participate in state-level meet" Mr. Rao, declared knockout matches in St. Edinburg's higher primary School, under the impartial umpiring of their physical trainer McMahon.

 Although, earlier knockout rounds were easier to judge, but later rounds were highly competitive and were quite difficult to elucidate the judgements. But in every match, Rahul scintillated like flashing lightning and captivated everyone's lauds. Rahul hooked down Ramya very easily in first round itself and he jabbed her so heavily on her nose that she became the center of humiliation in the entire campus. He knocked down even his seniors so easily, like a suck of ice-suckle. His protective blockings were defensive as the walls of well-built forts and his hardcore punches threatened opponents black and blue. Finally, Rahul knocked down Amit and stood up as the most successful boxer of St. Edinburg's School and physical trainer concluded him as the 'King of the Ring'

"Rahul, we hope that you will carry on a similar performance in the tournament too…" McMahon opined.

"I'll try my best to glorify St. Edinburg's name" Rahul promised.

A fortnight was remaining for the District level meet.

'Ramya and Amit are nominated to participate in the state-level meet

From our St. Edinburg's Primary and High School'

Notice board of St. Edinburg's School declared as decided that the runner-up Amit and Ramya are selected for the 'Annual state boxing meet'!

"…But it was me- who knocked out every participant… Even Amit was a runner-up!" Rahul cried bitterly "I had hooked down Ramya and the entire school had humiliated her"

"Even I had nominated you and Amit for the Annual Boxing meet" Physical trainer McMahon perplexed "But we can't interrogate Principal's decision. I'm sorry for the inconvenience that took place"

"All my hard work went worthless. My dream died and my hard work lied!"

*****

2.

There was nothing wrong for Varun in getting horrified at the sight of walking shadow. Though he was a coward, the condition of that village too was horror-struck. Especially, new moon nights horrified common folks, for it paved easy paths for sorcerers to succeed their black-magic. Even an evil spirit in form of a woman, in white saree holding a candle, comes out of forest and roams the entire village. It's also advised not to set sail on the new moon nights; the logic being that there is no moonlight, which invites lots of evil powers and dangers. Many astrologers advise not to perform any important ceremony on those nights as moon and other planets of Hindu astrology are invisible. In such case, taking wrong decisions on these inauspicious nights is dangerous; it will, of course, invite more hardships and obstacles. So, Varun had tried his best to convince Rahul to accept the opportunity affirmatively.

     "Remember Rahul; don't refute Prof. Rao's invitation. Go to him. Maybe, he needs you"

     "What are you trying to say, Varun?" Interrogated Rahul "Do you want me act as a remote-controlled robot of that dictator Rao?"

     "No. But…"

"How foolish are you blabbering, Varun? That Hitler had refused to nominate me to participate in Annual boxing meet, when I was in tenth and now he has summoned me to meet him" Rahul roared. "…And you're advising me to go to him?"

"You're the lord of your decisions. But, all I can advise you is not to exhibit your ego. Because the ego for a moment can make you regret the entire life. It is better to bend when a storm comes rather get uprooted by standing still"

Rahul got struck between devils and the deep sea. Darkness had prevailed in all the directions and he had to aim his arrow without seeing the target- The bullseye!

That gloomy overcast dusk, Rahul- after being rejected to participate in the Annual boxing meet, remained out of the house upset. Old folk songs were being played in the distant shrine in the forest and suddenly rain started showering. It seemed that all his dedications and hard work is going to be washed away in rain; also it seemed that the somber ochre-saffron skies and devilish bats are disgracing him over and over. Rustling stream running down the hill symbolized his dedication flown down.

"O, the Oracle of Forest! My long time perseverance and dedication has flown out like rustling stream" He registered his woeful wail before the carved idol of god in the Shrine, "Even if the trace of impartiality is present in this entire universe, then please do grant me. Else I'll authenticate myself that Mr. Rao is worst of all the creatures on the face of Earth"

A hibiscus flower placed on the head of the idol fell down and landed on the feet of Rahul. Clash! Lightning flashed and the bells started tinkling by themselves!

Next morning, the rays of early dawn substituted the rays of new hopes in the villagers. Peasants, breathing the fresh early airs, set out to cultivate in their fields and the fishermen endeavored their best to get more fishes than the other. Rahul, dressed formally, stepped out to create a new chapter in the history of the village.

As Rahul entered the gate of St. Edinburg's School, past frustrating days got recapped before his eyes and each drop of his sweat that had fallen on the ground now has sprouted into the stout trees of hopelessness. Still, the cool breeze blown from the direction of his graduating college could elixir the wounds of past. The impartiality system shapes nearly every facet of one's life! He went straight into the Principal's cabin.

Prof. Rao's air-conditioned cabin bore witness of his habitual cunningness and those walls of the School are echoing the woeful cries of students- who were struck by Prof. Rao's impartiality.

"Mr. Rahul, instead of wasting time and entering to the main topic, I would like to inform you that the state committee of boxing has announced the annual boxing meet and also has announced that the alumnus of every school must represent their school at the annual boxing championship" Sipping his morning coffee, Prof. Rao endeavored to elucidate what he wanted to say.

"So what are you willing to explain me, Sir?" Rahul asked suspecting something black lurking in the lentils.

"I… I mean, it would be a matter of honor for you, if you represent as alumni of my dignified school at the state level boxing championship!" Prof. Rao clarified his words with occasional intonation.

"But I've represented my graduation college at the national level championship and brought them a good name"

"Your words, themselves, are the evidence of your haughtiness"

"Yes! Representing your school is a matter of humiliation for me. If required represent your darling student Ramya for the championship. My graduation college has inspired me to practice the boxing and also has provided me many opportunities to participate in various tournaments and because of them today I've risen up to a national-level boxer. So I'll bring good name to only my college, not for your rubbish St. Edinburg's school!" He concluded smoothly and walked out of the principal's cabin. Prof. Rao gaped at the piercing words sparked from his student and thought what would have prejudiced his student to speak such wildly…   

I don't think the evils of new moon night might have overcome him. Or might be?