I was still lying on my bed trying to once again put myself back to sleep. Despite the sun rays that now protruded through the windows, now penetrated the room and brighten the dark room. As if that wasn’t enough to disrupt my struggle to continue sleeping. I could now clearly hear of loud voices coming from the people talking at the top of their lungs downstairs, despite the door which remained intact. It was more noisy than usual. I realized that my relatives who were supposed to arrive later that day had already arrived sooner than expected. I didn’t want to wake up neither could I fall asleep again. I just laid there disappointed on the mattress holding the same position, only this time with my eyes wide opened staring at the ceiling not really thinking just blindly staring at the ceiling in disappointment.
I got up, having this weirdly familiar feeling on how I can or should make the day as productive as possible. With that in mind, I unlocked and twisted open the door knob to the door and headed downstairs, clearly giving up on the idea to resume sleeping at least, for the moment. The air was filled with screaming kids running around relentlessly, loud chattering from the folks in the kitchen and the noise coming out from the TV. It somewhat sets the “get together” mood. I found an empty sofa and tried to blend in to the commotion. Some of the kids were watching the show that was on at that time and some was just playing with themselves. I wasn’t really bothered to be bothered. The adult men were talking quietly among themselves trying to constrain and not add up to the already noisy atmosphere. And somewhat miraculously didn’t seem affected by the undying noise around them. I realized that my present didn’t in anyway affected anyone and I somewhat felt totally ignored.
It was 8 in the morning and I was angry with myself to have woken up so early in the morning. I now, even felt that there was a look of surprise on almost everyone’s faces as they looked at me with a weird look almost thinking out loud, ‘I didn’t know you were alive so early in the morning’(after realizing my presence). Ignoring the stares, I told them that I couldn’t sleep, answering to their stares, and now thinking that at least my presence was acknowledged. I was still thinking that I should have continued sleeping. I was looking at the kids and had some problem determining what to think of them. They looked really cute based on their outer appearance but then that was just judging from their appearance. Sitting there lifelessly, I started to feel dozy.
I decided to watch the TV instead. There was some series on at that time. I decided to watch it only to be suddenly intervened by what we first assumed to be commercials or a short news session. The second assumption was correct. I got hold of the remote and started changing channels. To my surprise all the channels aired the same news. So, I quit changing the channels and tried to figure out what it is that was so important.
There was something really peculiar about the newscaster’s appearance that surprised us all. Everyone now was paying their fullest attention on the TV screen, even the kids. The newscaster was a strange never been seen before figure and the person hadn’t put any makeup on. She even dressed too simply for an anchor. That got us anxious on what she had to say. She started speaking after giving a fake forceful smile. She started her words by saying, ‘I have very bad news for the citizens of our nation. We’ve received news that we have been targeted for attack by a powerful country. Citizens are advised to not panic. If you have seen the news or read the newspaper lately you’d have known that we have presumably the best defensive system in the world. So, despite the unwelcome attack lets all believe in our country. I am sorry for being the one announcing this to you. We will keep you updated as soon as we get fresh news.’ With that the news ended.
Needless to say, everyone was utterly shocked after listening to what the announcer said. The kids were still waiting for their show to come back on and so it did once again capturing their attention. The adults were now all staring back at each other trying to determine and digest what they’ve just heard.
We were living in a modern era that kept on getting modern and advanced each day. There were always some new invention or creation that would appear on the media’s to a point that nothing really was surprise. ‘Sooner or later it was bound to appear’ was the saying that people used to say when the product was successfully invented and merchandised. Everything was upgrading and being made new.
Nevertheless, at times there were some creations so good that it got the attention from the whole world. That only happens once in a while though. The latest creation that was invented that got the hugest reception and acceptance was a machine which looked similar to a backpack that enabled its wearer to fly through the sky. However the sales didn’t go on as well as expected seeing that the price to obtain one was extremely expensive and the liquid used to run the machine, it was rare.
Normally, only the well off, distinguished and powerful countries come up with new creations and inventions disregarding on the subject of the creation itself or expertise. They could afford all of that.
Recently the country I lived in (which was not exactly distinguished and powerful) came up with a new invention that was presumably the best defensive technology that was believed to be able to defuse and neutralize any type of missiles or air attacks/raids. Word was, unlike other countries who concentrated on building dangerous weapons of mass destructions using lame excuses such as to prevent war and maintaining the balance of power among the other countries. We on the other hand came up with this invention that, its sole function was to defend rather than attack.
Surprisingly, considering that this particular invention was a huge success and one can only assume that it would be the talk of every single citizen in the kingdom, or of the whole world, that wasn’t the case here, it didn’t happen. Only the people who were interested in the particular field and invention were going on about it and talking about the invention among their circle of interested people. The others were too bothered with their own life to even be bothered. People focus too much only on things that revolves around them and ignore the rest, thinking, as if it isn’t significant to know about their surroundings, latest and current happenings in the world. I now, believe that one should know and understand his surroundings and his world and shouldn’t take things for granted.
Nonetheless some of the countries that got to know about the invention showed great interest in the latest invention. The attention coming from the interested party only was already over whelming and happily accepted. Our country leader who by now, realized that this would prove to be a really good business opportunity began to welcome the arrival of many ministers that were interested in purchasing the machine. Most of the countries that were interested were countries that didn’t have or produced any type of weapons of mass destructions. They were either a nation in the midst of war or a 3rd world country or a nation that were afraid of being attacked. The only important thing at that time was that people were interested in purchasing the machine.
As anticipated, while all the enthusiasts’ countries representatives or ministers came to the nation, the other countries began to open their eyes who before this unaware of what was going on, began to show interest. These were the powerful nations that produced and used all types of weapons and missiles to scare and harm their enemies. Needless to say they were unhappy that this so called best defensive machine was being sold to their enemies, which became a threat to them. Although they were not entirely convinced with what the particular machine was able to do it still remained a threat to them.
Our kingdom that was producing this technology was ordered to put a halt to their merchandising or suppliants to other countries. Some of the huge powers agreed that it would be best to discuss the matter in a scheduled meeting involving almost all the leaders of the world. It somewhat became a big deal since it seemed to effect their lives one way or another. The theme of the meeting was, ‘to avail peace and create tranquility’.
The discussion commenced and a leader from a powerful country said, ‘by selling these defensive technologies to the enemies also means supporting them’. He then stood up and added as if to imply that he meant business, ‘It might also imply that you are directly going against us and that wouldn’t be good for either nation especially the other ones.’
Soon enough, the meeting started to become a heated argument of threats and challenges. The huge nations and their several of their alliances were totally against the selling of this so called the best defensive technology to the enemy countries. It would make the enemy bolder in enhancing their evil activities were one of the reasons given. It was immediately back fired by a kingdom that wasn’t on their side. The leader said that he wouldn’t bow to their reasons as it is only to their benefits. He also added that it will also save many lives and would help maintain the balance of the less far reached.
Later someone from the opposed side exclaimed that, ‘if your country or anyone at all for that matter sells the invention to their enemies it would mean that that nation is harboring terrorists and instead of fighting them, you help them by providing them with technology that would encourage them more to be more brave and dangerous.
It clearly wasn’t a discussion at least anymore, no one was there to negotiate or compromise in the first place. Everyone was there to win. That was how most leaders were. Smart people or people who think of themselves as smart more than usually are self opinionated knows it all who are satisfied with what little they know, or who boast of knowing a whole a lot about subjects they haven’t the faintest notion of.
Finally they came up with a verdict, not a very good one though. It was one sided and risky, again only to one side. The leader announced coming to a decision that, if your country still insists on providing and merchandising the technology to the enemies then you would be considered as our enemies as well.’ With that the meeting ended.
We were utterly shocked after hearing to the announcer on the news. No one expected that to happen! It was all so messed up. All the mobile phones and home phone started ringing, relatives and close friends called to reconfirm what they’ve just heard and for some sort of assurance that they weren’t alone in this mess. There was so much panic in the air. Everything we lived for felt meaningless. I sat back and remained sitting there for awhile, clearly, more disappointed than before.
The TV now aired the prime minister of the country giving a speech. He looked weary and pale. He stated that it was inevitable and sooner or later bound to happen. He also exclaimed that we should do what we can to protect our loved ones and that he believed that the defensive device would be able to neutralize the attack from the enemy. What he said next was surprising, but somewhat not reassuring enough, he exclaimed that the enemy would only attack by air raids not by ground or sea. He simply stated that they didn’t want any casualties on their side and that they wanted to end this as soon as possible. He also added that if the air strike failed to penetrate our defense for a certain amount of time, they would leave according to the agreement they made.
Lastly, he said something more surprising before he ended his speech; it didn’t really made sense why he said that. He also added that a famous philosopher that he idolized said this and started, ‘you see the shadow of an animal. You think it maybe a horse, but you’re not sure. So, you turn around and see the horse itself which of course is infinitely more beautiful and sharper compared to the shadow. He believed similarly that all natural phenomena are merely shadows of the eternal forms or ideas. But most people are content with a life among shadows. They give no thought of what is casting the shadow. They think shadows are all there are, never realizing that they’re in fact, shadows. And they pay no heed to the immortality of their own soul.’ He inhaled deeply and finally said, ‘let’s pray that the defensive machine would be able to defuse the air raids. That was his last speech as the leader’.
On the people’s side, despite the confidence of the leader, the ones who could afford to flee to other countries did so. The ones left were more or less lost, hopeless, and miserable. Some who couldn’t take it anymore took matters in their own hands and took their lives away. Suddenly the saying, “A man’s only choice in life is to choose whether to live or to commit suicide.” started to make sense.
After that, this happened to me many times and to some other people too. We weren’t sure whether it really happened or whether we were already delusional. It was like listening to the whistle of a bomb when it’s falling. You give up, knowing that there’s no chance of surviving and wait for it to go boom! But then nothing happens.
