Nature's Comeback

19- Being Selfish is not a crime

Ahana and Neer were still slumped on the ground, taking the support of the tree, while the researchers gathered around sitting in chairs.

Cold breeze of the night made most of them rub their hands in the cold. Neer had been shivering too, but then Ahana engulfed him in a bear hug, getting rid of every ounce of cold.

"Well if we are doing all this in picnic style, then let's light up the bonfire too," Kriti spoke up, shivering badly.

Tej offered his jacket, but Kriti's glare made him take his offer back.

"Your loss," Tej shrugged before wrapping the jacket on the shoulders of Tejas.

"Glad to see that you remember your brother," Tejas muttered sarcastically, while adjusting the jacket properly.

"I hope you know that one more sarcastic comment and the jacket won't be on you anymore," Tej threatened, before going to help the team leader, who had taken Kriti's advice to start a bonfire.

"Does anyone have a lighter?" Reyansh asked, after gathering the logs.

He looked at everyone expectantly. There was no way they would be able to light up the fire through stones. A lighter was much needed.

Reyansh sighed in relief when Abhinav gave him one.

"Dad! You promised that you have left smoking," Asha, his ten year old daughter, spoke up in a hurt tone.

"Oh no, dear." Abhinav took her in a hug. "It's been ages since I have smoked. The lighter was there with me for years. To not waste it, I just now use it to light candles and stuff."

"Oh! Then it's fine." Asha sighed in relief, before going back to her friends, while Abhinav joined the team leader.

"What a gullible kid!" Sarah commented.

"What do you mean by that?" Asha frowned, not liking Sarah's tone.

"It was clear as day that he was lying, yet you believed him so easily," Sarah chuckled. "They are parents and 90% of the time, they are just bluffing in front of us."

"Sarah!!" Sarika yelled as she heard her daughter.

She pulled her away from the group to scold her.

"You are already a lost cause. But seriously what's wrong with you? How can you tell that to the innocent kid? Look how her face has fallen," Sarika said, pointing towards the sad Asha.

"Wow!!" Sarah clapped her hands in sarcasm. "You didn't say anything when her father blatantly lied to her. But you have no issue in scolding me for uttering the truth."

"Ah! This child." Sarika muttered as Sarah looked at her with triumph.

Sarika saw a small smirk on Sarah's face and knew that she was about to make another comment.

"Not a word more," Sarika warned, "If I hear anything more from you then see. Don't cry after you get beaten up because of your foul mouth."

"Of course! You will resort to beating," Sarah said with wide amused eyes, unaffected by the warning.

"But seriously, what's the use of so much education, when you don't have any other way to win an argument other than beating me?" Sarah questioned with a snort, hiding all the sadness to the deepest holes of her heart.

A loud chuckle was heard after Sarah's comment. Sarika and Sarah turned to see Ahana laughing.

Sarika had taken Sarah away from the group, but didn't realize that she was in the ear shot of Ahana.

Ahana nodded at Sarah approvingly, making the girl feel proud of herself.

Sarika huffed at the exchange between the two rude girls.

"No wonder. All these dialogues and remarks, everything to impress her. right? Why can't you choose someone who is actually fitted to be an inspiration?

"Why would you like that...that Selfish girl?" Sarika whisper-yelled, throwing her arms in the air.

"Have some shame. That selfish girl is the one who saved your child from getting burned. And for that deed, she received nothing but irritating researchers on her tail.

"Plus being selfish isn't a crime. Just because she didn't agree to help you, doesn't make her bad. It is her own individual choice.

"You asked me why I like her, right? Let me tell you. Because she is blunt with her intentions. She speaks her mind, unlike you liars. And the last but most important thing- she doesn't try to manipulate others to join her without having any proper plan or resources to take care of them," Sarah finished, looking at her mother pointedly.

Sarika didn't know whether her daughter was praising Ahana or was she indirectly pointing out all the faults in Sarika.

Sarah left after making her point. Sarika too left, but not before glaring at Ahana.

"What did I do?" Ahana yelled with a laugh, having enjoyed the show.

"Ah! That was the most enjoyable thing that happened today," Ahana muttered to herself, before wondering where her brother went.

"Miss," Neer called out to Sameera, who looked up at the sound.

"Miss?" She raised an eyebrow at his choice of words.

Neer ran his hand through the back of his head sheepishly, "Well, you are older than me. But calling you Aunty would be too much. So..."

"Just call me Sameera," Sameera said with a smile, before asking, "Did you want to talk about something?"

"Sorry," Neer said, making Sameera's eyebrows furrow with confusion.

"Huh?"

Neer sighed, before sitting down beside her comfortably.

"From your behaviour from before, it was clear that you were seeking our help. But we really don't think joining this group would be beneficial for us," Neer explained his reason behind the apology.

"You found out," Sameera whispered in embarrassment.

"Don't be embarrassed. I understand that you are scared and you must have wanted some kind of protection. But despite wanting to help you, Ahana and I aren't able to say yes to those researchers."

"Do they seem untrustworthy?" Sameera asked, doubting her decision.

"No no no, don't get me wrong. They seem nice, but seriously they are just tagging us along, without any proper idea on what to do. Plus Ahana and I have always just been two of us. We aren't too sure about travelling in a group. But that's our personal opinion, and it definitely doesn't mean that your decision is wrong," Neer clarified.

Sameera nodded in understanding and wished him 'best of luck' for the future.

"Sameera, one more thing," Neer spoke, after a few seconds of silence.

"What is it?" She asked curiously.

"Learn a few tricks from the colourful book, before you leave this place," Neer advised.

"Now?" Sameera asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yeah," Neer nodded, looking serious.

"They all look like nice people, but you shouldn't take any chances. Before going to an unknown place, you need to know at least two of the tricks to flee away from danger."

"Learn my power to flee rather than fight," Sameera stated with questioning eyes.

"I know that fighting is seen as bravery and fleeing as a cowardly move. But we shouldn't care about being a coward if it means to survive.

"They are too many and you are one. For a proper fight, you will need years of practice. Before moving to the hard techniques, learn the easier ones first. They are faster to master and will help you survive until you have perfected your powers."

Sameera looked at Neer with thankfulness. His advice was much needed. Even if it had been unnecessary, at least he cared. And that meant a world to Sameera.