The challenge was completed right before the deadline. The crumbs were yet to settle and everybody inside was trying to avoid a hit.
"Well..." Pat was shocked and couldn't utter anything. He was seeing someone being reflected in the young kid. Someone he knew and was close to was standing right in front of him. He knew he was imagining it but still couldn't help.
"I did it," Raizon shouted, jumping mid air.
Goan rushed to Raizon and went for a hug. The two brothers were now getting the warmth of their deserved share while Shalon simply patted Raizon, whispering "well, you were remarkable Raizon".
All that pain and scars that he took finally paid off. He was raring to go for the training session but it was already time to close.
"You did it kid" said Pat clearing his throat. "But don't let it soften you as this is just the first step"
"I know, Sir," Raizon claimed.
"Fine. So tomorrow morning at 8 am in the morning. Being late means your willingness to join Goan in sweeping the floor" he said and simply walked off.
Goan who didn't quite notice the words initially finally got up saying "wait, so does it mean I'm sweeping the floor again" and everybody giggled.
The three went off their way talking about what Shalon pulled off today. It was truly remarkable. Taking down top contenders taught by Pat himself isn't an easy task to overcome.
The quarters were finely constructed. They had quite an old shade of wood which was darker than the normal ones. But still it was quite clean and well maintained. The trio were quite hesitating to go in. Even though Raizon had already taken a trip inside, still it all went so fast that he didn't notice anything. He was even confused about the right way and hit it on luck. Lost in the hesitation, Raizon noticed the girl who helped him before. She was washing the clothes of the patients in the clinic. It was quite clear by the uniformity in the designs. She noticed the trio too waiting for a guide to navigate them.
"Oh you all came," she asked.
"Yes. And that too with a victory" Goan explained.
"That' great" she replied "you achieved quite a remarkable feat Raizon"
All Raizon could do was smile and pat his own head in his shy temper.
"Let me show you your rooms," she explained.
The hostels were specially designed for teams so each room has three beds. So that's how the trio were once again stuck with each other.
"Is this the destiny?" Goan complained, looking at the tired faces.
The time for dinner came and the tables were set. The trio was the only group in the quarters for now it seemed. "The quarters of Ralvon are generally filled in August and December" the owner of the quarters claimed who was also the father of the girl "Hello everyone, you are welcomed to our beautiful place".
"Thank you for your service mister" Shalon replied that the whole Goan and Raizon were busy eating. All they thought was that Shalon gave the greetings on their behalf as well.
The owner himself sat with the three and joined them in the food quest. The girl seemed to be waiting aside, which Raizon noticed.
"Why don't you join in?" He asked.
"No, that's fine," she replied.
"Well that's a bad habit taught to her by her mother. It's women who work to serve and then eat- that's what she thinks" he explained the wait.
The food was actually delicious and quite heart warming. "It's far better than the witch back home" Raizon thought to himself. The sweet was going to end with the last piece waiting for its master. Two people on the table were actually being tempted by it. Raizon and Goan knew that they were the active contender for the dish. But who will get it? Goan extended his hand which was thrown down by Raizon. Shalon in this mess peeped through the space and took the remaining portion.
The food wars were over and it was time to head for beds. Shalon and Goan were already on the way while Raizon just came out of the restroom. And that's when he saw the girl sitting in the yard all alone looking at the whole moon. She was tense and lost in her own version of thoughts. She at once fell for the beauty and right in the instance lost the actual reason for the scene. And that's when Raizon stepped in
"Well you promised me something don't you?" Raizon claimed.
"Oh, Raizon" the girl was shocked that he remembered.
"So, what's the thing"
"You see, I want to become a singer. But of course the village doesn't have any scope for that. And thus I want to go in the city and study that fine art" she said "but I haven't told my dad yet about it and to be honest I can't"
"And why is that"
"He..... He is a cancer patient and has quite a little time left with him. So, I don't want to leave him. What if something happens to him and I'm not there? Wouldn't he wish to see me one last time before he goes?" She claimed.
"Not that you are wrong. That might be his ultimate wish. But why are you completely negative about it? You are just going to build your career in singing, it's not that you are leaving him. City Life is fast, but it's not as dense as you think or people claim. If you are the one in control over your consciousness then you can surely take out some time for the village in that mess" Raizon smiled "I'm just telling you about how it's like to be in the city. And after all his ultimate wish is to see you happy isn't it?"
With these words the girl just got tears in her eyes. Actually that's what she wanted to hear for a long time. As the wish was completed the tears just jostled down on the barren land. She couldn't see the soil nor could she face Raizon anymore. The only thing she could wish for at that moment was to stay alone, and that's how she found herself. Raizon wasn't around anymore and that's when the tears flooded out. Still a little worried, Raizon once turned around to inspect the situation and then went back to his room.
"Sometimes the tears that garnish the seedling are from the rain that condensed years ago".....