Upsh...Your Chameleon Color Mr. Election
- Part 2 -

Louriyam Bebica *

Like Chameleon, those sick people changed their colour once they came out from the polling room. And those who were fit enough to run for marathon were hardly bending their heads and backs trying to look like old fellows. No one likes to stand in queue. Some of us were standing because it was our duty. It's better that everyone learned to respect the value and pain of those people in the queue.

-Ea, Ta-Khamba.

It was the third time I saw him. He was blind from birth. He needs support to come out from home. The first time I met him was at the Shradha of my maternal granny, who used to live next to his house in Makha Leikai. I spent talking to him for hours that day. I got scolding from mom for not being present at the Shradha ceremony. However, deep down in my heart, I knew that granny won't be angry since I was spending time with the person whom she once had loved so much.

Second time, I met Ta-Khamba on his sister's marriage. I was the one who hold his hand throughout the marriage ceremony. He has a sister who is two years older to him. She brought him up since he was 9 years old after their parents died. So, I was shocked to see him there. I was confused thinking who brought him there.

-Ta-Khamba. With whom did you come here?, I asked him.

I don't know if he recognizes me nor not. Our previous conservations were long but it happened only twice.

-Hey, Tombi. I came with those workers of the candidate. I came in their car.

-Are they dropping you back?

-Yes, else how can I go back alone?

-Did Eche Langlen visit you often? Have you cast your vote? Whom did you cast?

I was happy that he recognized me. Like a roller-coaster, I threw out my questions.

-She came home only day before yesterday. About vote, I pressed on where they placed my thumb.

I took him inside a classroom where there was less noise.

-Ta-Khamba, you sit here for a while and take rest. I have to be in the queue again else 3rd world war might happen. I hope they will take you home soon.

Saying this, I moved back to the queue. It was such a heck that I forgot almost everything about him. After much struggle, I cast my vote finally. When I came out from the room, nothing was on my mind save the urgent desire to walk out from there and get heavenly peace at home in my room, on my bed. I went home straight. I did not bother to lift up my neck even once to check my parents.

I guess, I slept off like a pig. It was around 5 O'clock in the evening when mom woke me up.

-Tombi, your brother hasn't come back home. That's monster must be still playing in the ground. Go at once and bring him home. If he does not listen, then thrash him. It's already dusk. I don't know when this boy will learn to be punctual in coming home. He is the first boy to leave home for the game and last to return. I am fed up with this boy.

-Mamaa Yareba (mom, it's enough). I will go and bring him back.

I hate to listen to mom's blah, blah… The only way to shut up her was to move my lady butt from the bed and bring back my kid brother. When I reached the ground, I could see no one. The crowd had vanished. When I tried calling my brother, I didn't hear him at all. Instead, I heard a familiar voice.

-Tombi

It was Ta-Khamba. He was still inside the class room where I made him to sit. He was waiting for those people who brought him to take him back home. He was special and valuable till he cast the vote. But he is of no use once his thumb pressed at their will. I felt guilty when he smiled at the sound of my footsteps inside the classroom. I can never forgive myself. How can I do this to him and how can those people do what they have done to him? It was daylight robbery or the principle of 'use and throw'. I took his hand and said

-Ta-Khamba. I am sorry that I let you wait for so long. The queue was long so long that I could not come out so soon.

-It's okay, it's okay. I can understand.

I was committing another sin by lying to him. But I was helpless. It was the only way I could wrap up the hidden black sight in me.

We were talking about Eche Langlen on the way to his home. We were about to cross the main road when I saw village kids chasing Tampha and calling her 'Tampha Angaobi, Tampha Namthibi'

I gave out a blustery laugh. Surprise at that, Ta-Khamba questioned me.

-Tombi, what happen?

-Nothing Ta-Khamba. We are about to reach.

Haha… I salute you Mr. Election for your Chameleon colour.

(Concluded)