Disclaimer: This is a work of
fiction. However keep the initials of each character in mind while reading , it may just be someone you know.
Randy Garcia was
cocooned in his room. In a couple of days he had to give a speech in front of
his classmates. Randy tried to calm his nervous by smoking cigarettes. He went
over the points that were written by his good friend and aspiring publicist
Gina. She loved him secretly and would give up her soul to see him being
applauded and win the college elections that were coming up next month. Randy was
from a respectable family. His command over the language was acquired from
various universities that he had enrolled into, only to succeed with the help
of his lineage.
Nathan Moore was a
professor in the political science division of the college. He came from a low
income family, studied in community libraries, worked at odd jobs and managed
to get an education. Since he was not so advantaged, he had also got through
college through the reservation system. So it was but natural that he would
always support the boys from the backward class. He loved his religion and
opposed anyone who was against it. He would get into arguments with other
religious fanatics who showcased their religion as the ultimate religion to be
followed. The college was going into elections next month and they had to
choose a leader from the student body. He already had set eyes on his favorite
student -cum –confidant, Rachael Thatcher. He had prepared a powerful speech
for her. She had rallied with him and had also managed to bully the boys to
comply with her whims and fancies.
Aron King was the local
boy, who grew up in the same town, went to the same state school, got his
education on merit basis. He had acquired admission into college only after the
reservation seats were filled and he was given the seat on his own merit.
Therefore he wasn’t the favorite of Prof Nathan. Aron could debate with anyone openly;
however he had no experience in leading or no backing from any professors. So
when his good friend Anna told him to stand for the student elections, he was
hesitant. But she encouraged him, and he
reluctantly agreed. Anna was his strength and he needed her guidance.
The Election Day arrived; each
candidate came on and gave their speech on how they would change the system in college.
Randy was a painter by nature. He
knew if he didn’t contest the elections, his mother would be very upset. She
had warned him that if he didn’t contest, then she would strike him out of all
the wealth that she had accumulated over the years and give it all up to his
sister Patricia. While giving his speech, Randy didn’t realize that the
questions raised by one of the students Archie Gordon had no answers. He was
speechless but he managed to recollect the speech written by Gina and added one
line from each paragraph to answer him. Archie was his friend in disguise, so
therefore he didn’t object nor did he correct Randy.
Then came Rachael’s turn, she
raised her voice and boomed into the speakers. She showcased her high school activities
as a student administrator and emphasized all the good that she had done for
her college till date, suppressing the fact that her professor Nathan had
helped and coerced the others into submission while getting all the work done. She was met with a thunderous round of
applause.
Aron King stood there in front of
the crowd. His glasses were firmly on his face and his eyes were scanning the
filled room. He was going to be next after Rachael in his speech today and he
had written his own speech and had rehearsed it a million times. He
meticulously started his speech and spoke the truth about Prof Nathan and Rachael.
He sympathized with Randy as he was really a painter by nature and was just
following his mom’s orders. Not once did the audience interrupt him. They all
knew the truth. They knew if they interrupted today, the truth would never come
out. The principal of the college empathized with him and did nothing to stop
him from speaking. Prof Nathan had a very strong hold on all, except Aron. The
principal admired this boy’s courage, for standing up against the bully and the
bluffer.
The college then went to vote.
1st Ending
First time in the history of the
college, Prof Nathan didn't win. His candidate was shocked. He lost out to Aron
with a margin of 15 votes. Prof Nathan tried to demean Aron by calling him
names and making fun of his attire. Rachael tried to calm him down and managed
to take him away. Randy was relieved that he did what his mother asked him to,
but thankfully didn't have to continue this façade of being a good leader
anymore. He would paint now and do what he loved to do.
2ndEnding.
The expected happened. Rachael’s
grip was greater over the students. She
had managed to threaten the people with dire consequences if they didn’t vote
for her. Prof Nathan rejoiced. Now he would coerce the student union leaders to
vote to increase the reservation system. He would give preference to those who
followed his ideology, his religion. He would turn this college into his
personal kingdom. Aaron would be just a name in the college history. In fact he
was branding him as a traitor to his religion and to his Alma Mater from where
he got his education. Randy was relieved that he did what his mother said but
thankfully didn’t have to continue this façade of being a good leader anymore.
He would paint now and do what he loved to do.
Which of these two scenarios do you want for yourselves, readers? Politics
is a dirty game and it’s not my cup of tea said the common man. The common man
gets silenced or the common man revolts. The nation rises or the nation ignores
and goes to sleep. That one vote that you would give to any of the candidates
is what will matter, so be fearless and vote. The question is not who you will
vote into power. The question should be - Will you Vote?
K
15th February 2014
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