6.PENDANT

"Hurry up, guys. The Chairman will be here soon. All of you. We have to make this event memorable for everyone who is attending this event". Charlie was in full form today. His enthusiasm was contagious. But no one ever imagined that these words could be the headlines and this day will become the most remembered one. There was chaos on the whole ground. As soon as the chief guest arrived, there were announcements and everyone was asked to stand up in respect to the chief. The chief was welcomed with great applause, and the throng cheered for him. And the show started as planned. Everyone was so happy, enjoying every moment of that day, prizes were distributed and awards were given. It seemed like everyone got it. It happened because of their hard work, and then the most terrifying thing happened. There was a great blast and the scene became so chaotic, giggles were replaced with sadness and pain in the eyes, the whole situation was turned upside down. There were only screams to be heard and blood to be seen. Everyone just wanted to get out of there and were looking for their beloved ones. That was the most terrific event ever to be on air. The whole country was in pain as the event was a live broadcast. The chairman was rescued by Charlie, the rescue team arrived and ambulances arrived. Every rescue member was helping and giving first aid. A girl was crying in the corner of the hall, sitting beside the wall, hiding under a coat. It seemed like someone just wanted her to be protected and hide her. No one noticed it. A young boy of almost 8 years came over with an injured leg, suffering from pain' He picked up the coat from above the girl' because he could hear the whimpering of the frightened child. The little girl sneaked out and glanced at her surroundings, she was trembling and was all drenched in sweat, and was murmuring. The boy looked at her and held out his hand, but she just said, "Mom".So, he just sat beside her and asked her if she was okay. She took the coat and again hide and started murmuring. He just felt helpless and decided to sit beside her, to console her. But, he was wrong. The girl again sneaked out and had a glance at him and just said, "I know it hurts, so don't give up", and again hide under the coat. He looked at his injured leg and then felt the comfort and warmth of the words. He took off his pendant and pulled out the corner of her coat to call her. She looked and asked(from her eyes)" What? He passed over the pendant to her and said," I know it's painful, don't give up". And both smiled as they both got the warmth they were looking for. Then two rangers came over and took both of them to the first aid center. That was the day when different pendants were rewarded. Some for appreciation, for hard work, for success, and all of those ended up at the pendant for warmth. This day truly gives long-lasting memories of success, joy, pleasure, and devotion, into the pain of losing loved ones, the wave of difficult and intense emotions, emptiness, and a desire to shock these all ended with the 'warmth of words '.

These two little children were together due to these people and were apart from each other due to the same 'people'. Life is like a pendant for all of us; one swing of joy and one of pain, but they are being consoled by the behavior of each other. The little girl lost her beloved one and that boy gets long-lasting scars. This did not end here, then, there was more than this 'give and take. And then the turn was of media(miserable smile), they get paid off by getting the details of someone's pain, and trauma. I don't know why people think this will heal the wounds, they just want a snack with their evening's cup of tea. Isn't it ridiculous?", that's all the story.

"Oh! Clumps, please don't end it here! Just tell us what happened to that girl and her mom, what happened to that boy, just tell us some more..". The school-going children were insisting Clumps to tell them further, but this was his limit and he had never told anyone more than this. Clump's cafe is very famous among school-going kids because they get treats and can listen to amazing stories for free. Clumps also like to tell stories and he loves those kids. He always says that these kids remind him of his childhood and some old memories. Clumps give the freshly baked muffins to the kids and pour a cup of coffee to play the song on his beloved gramophone:

All the vows and woes

Can't let them go

What I did? Was that necessary to affirm?

When will you believe me?

When I can trust me?

"Hope", was the one word that came to me.

Can it be grabbed?

Can I be healed?

The nostalgic nature

Gives me the essence of credence

That' it can be carried on

When will the desire be fulfilled?

I know I was wrong.

To not let them into my heart

This is what the grief I had

To let them know they were in

I just couldn't get it.

Now they are like the blaze of wind

The dawn; to be looking on

The hustle and bustle are now on edge.

Looking at the sunset

Realized, the confrontation of Life

The past is past, it's gone.

Now, grab the next zone

To be carried on

That's how LIFE plays on….

and went to the balcony where he always sits on the armchair and got lost in the aroma of the coffee, as he was lost in his world. Kids ate those muffins and wrote a sticky note for this clumsy man and pasted it on the wall of the memory, and left the cafe. Clumps always regret one decision of his life and that decision can't let him continue the next chapter of the story, as he feels guilty and wanna do something to bring a smile to the little kids, as he was repenting. With a sigh, he touched the pendant hanging in his neck and clean the corner of his eyes.