CHAPTER ONE( THE BURDEN)

''Brrrrng!"' Brnng!'' the alarm clock rang . it was constantly hammering with its loud noise Gerard shut the alarm as he woke up . It was another morning in the Brian family and an an other day in the town of Green Bay . Ever since the partition 10 years ago life in this part of Green Bay is different. Green Bay was a part of the city of Indiano , but ever since the 2 countries kinsland and Atlantica went to war Green Bay was conquered by Atlantica is part of it ever since. Despite the 2 countries being sworn enemies and conflict exiting on land and border issues the last decade has been peacefull. Partition is never good it comes with its own repercussion and people like Gerard Brian are victims of such events. How ever the life goes on , it was breakfast time and the Brian family all gathered grand father Agustus coughed and said " Gerard you have to take me for my Dialysis. After giving a deep thought he replied " yes father i'll take you next week there are elections held it will be a public holiday in our town my school will be off too". Everyone continued with the feast all of a sudden Harold the youngest in the family spoke in a small tone" dad yesterday I was taken to the principals office for not wearing my full uniform" Gerard asked" why were you not wearing full uniform" Harold added" because I was not wearing my school jumper and because we have not bought it. Gerard said in and angry voice " if that jumper was part of your uniform you should have told me when we were buying your uniform and school books . I am a man with limited income ! I have other things to deal with too!" Harolds face and body gesture changed he was about to cry but Matilda said" dont worry Harold we will get you that jumper" Harold said "Thank you mom "in a shaky voice and left the table and headed for school. Gerard stared at Matilda for a while but realized that there are other people sitting on the table too. He changed his focus to summer his teenage daughter. " summer do you need anything too!" Summer answered " no dad just pay my college fee on time thats all I ask". "well if everyone is done ill leave for college" after saying this Gerard left for school . Trrrring school bell rang and everyone headed for their class ,after writing something on the board Gerard asked everyone " people we have next 2 public holidays on 2nd & 3rd August we have local elections but what do we have on 4th August?" . A stood up and said "Sir its Biefong day " " yes i know its Biefong day but can anyone tell me why do we celebrate it any background??" after saying this Gerard stared at everyone in his class there was complete silence. He started " 10 years ago when our Atlantica and Kinsland went to war under the leadership of General Zaoh Biefong we managed not only to defeat Kinsland but also added some of its areas in our country Green bay for instance" , The entire class was amazed after listening this Gerard continued" For this incredible achievement and the victory in the war we celebrate Biefong day" everyone was listening with interest . watching the interest level of the class Gerard said " should I add on?" the entire class shouted yes!!!! " sorry I am afraid that I will have to stop here " the students all got sad. looking the reaction with a smile on his face he said " as you all have a long weekend next week as an assignment you all have to write an essay on General Zaoh Biefong and Biefong Day" Students in class got all cheered up and the recess bell rang it was Recess time . Gerard sat on his chair and was thinking something seriously " Sir its break time why are you sitting idle here" said Rosie English teacher, " I'll be with you in a minute" he replied and than grabbed his lunch box and headed for the staff room there teachers were discussing about the elections next week. " I tell you this time Arnold will sweep Green bay he has the resources he has what it takes also has decent following " said Professor Conors . " Professor following has nothing to do with anything its the support that matters Anthony has delivered on many ocassions thats why people of Green bay vote for him every time" said Professor Lehmer to counter professor Conors on his support to Arnold . Professor Conors was about to give reply to Lehmer when Gerard entered " hey Gerard who do you think will win this election I know you are a Arnold supporter" Conors asked " I don't vote any one Arnold or Anthony all are the same for me" Gerard answered while sitting on the chair to eat his lunch. Conors wasn't happy with his response he said " you dont vote in the elections of human beings where do you vote than in the jungle elections?" everyone in the room started laughing out loudly as they like this joke .Conors added" who's running for the house Lion and the elephant ?" again everyone laughed at Gerard. Gerard did not like that jokes were being cracked at him for no reason he left the room with his lunch so he can have his lunch in peace , as he was leaving Conors once again taunted" vote for the lion for me Gerard!!!". He went towards the garden area for lunch and sat on the bench. " Sorry for that Conors was being an idiot" Said Rosie coming from behind. "Its ok I don't mind" he replied.

"You are looking a bit off lately what's going on" Rosie asked Gerard who was busy eating his lunch , "there's nothing that you should we worried about I am ok" he replied . " you can tell me anything I am your friend tell me what's going on with you" finally Gerard gave Rosie the attention she was asking for and started to answer her question " Rosie you are a true friend of mine only you could have noticed my change of behavior but there's nothing you or anyone can do about it". "You called me a friend so try me" she added , " My problems go way back before the war I was a teenager and I dreamt of studying Political Science and becoming a Diplomat traveling country to country meeting different people having an adventure" . Rosie was listening with interest she asked " well that's good than what happened?" He continued" than war happened with cease fire Green Bay was added into Atlantica . With this Partition I could not opt my dream career and with the Qualification I had I became a teacher . The problem is not that I couldn't do what I dreamt off but now I can't full fill the dreams of my family cannot give them a better life. I don't like shouting at my kids for nothing when they are just asking for little favors. Its been ages since I ever bought something for my wife" Rosie was sympathizing with Gerard as she felt what he was going through she spoke up " Gerard I can understand what you are feeling , however being sad , depressed and feeling sorry for your self will not work. it will increase stress and you will be angry most of the time at places where it isn't required and you'll make situation worse for you". Gerard said " than what should I do ? you tell me. " Rosie continued " for starters you should share your feelings with others and not keep it to your self , you shared it with me that's good. secondly you should discuss it with your wife tell her how you feel I know she would understand. Give it a try it is better than sitting and doing nothing." Gerard listened to Rosie's idea and thought it is a good idea and he should look into it. The break time finished and everyone returned to their classes. As the school ended Gerard went to the accountants office to collect the teachers aid Receipt that the school provides to their teachers for medical and other emergencies. Gerard entered the office" hey there Jerry how are you?" Jerry replied" I am good what brings you to my office?" "Oh I need the TAR I have to take my father to the hospital for Dialysis next week out of town " . Jerry added " Oh well Gerard it will require principals signatures and the principal is out on a trustees meeting once he comes back i'll do that. why don't you come back in the evening to collect it i'll drop it at your desk" . After giving the ok gesture Gerard left the office and headed home. On his way he bought a bouquet of flowers for his wife Matilda. He entered his house it was his fathers lunch time Matilda was serving him . Gerard asked" where are the kids Matilda?" She replied " Oh summer is staying late at school for the rehearsal for the Drama night and henry went to his friends house to study". Gerard went near to Matilda and said in low pitched voice " meet me outside in lawn when you are free" after winding up the kitchen work she went outside to meet Gerard . " hey you called me outside everything ok ? and yes thank you for the flowers " she asked Gerard opened up and shared his thoughts with her "Matilda as you know as you know that my family use to live in kinsland and ever since the war this town became part of this country. I wanted to become a become a diplomat travel the world have an adventure but I could not pursue it here and started working as a teacher. with limited income and nothing much to offer to all of you specially you I am sorry Matilda I couldn't be a better husband for you or a better father" as he was finished he started crying and Matilda was astonished as she wasn't expecting any of this. " Hey stop stop crying Gerard you haven't done anything wrong that you are ashamed of . You are a good husband and a good father you full fill all our needs any way you can no one is upset with you. your children admire you I admire you and I am proud of you that you think of your family. " Matilda said. Gerard stopped crying and said " so you all are not upset with me?" Matilda said " no silly why would we be. see its ok to be sad as you couldn't do what you dreamt of becoming but you don't stop having fun in your life explore yourself do things that Gerard of 10 years ago would do enjoy life live it to the fullest." Suddenly after listening to all this Gerard changed a smile came on his face the smile was as if someone found water in the desert. Gerard said " Thank you dear for understanding " Matilda was thinking something and than she spoke " hey why don't we all go out of town as a family we are getting a long weekend due to election and all and you also have to take father to the hospital it will be a good family outing and on the way we can even stop at my brothers house he lives in the purple village town it will be on our way . what say it will be a change." Gerard answered enthusiastically " Hey that's a good idea not bad its been a very long time we all went out . I just have to go to school to collect the TAR in the evening than we all can go tomorrow." They both went inside to get some rest the heat was scorching outside . In the evening Gerard woke up went to the washroom to freshen up. He go ready to go to the school. It was supper time and everyone was at the dining table Gerard spoke up" hey Matilda tell the kids to pack up and you also pack up our clothes we will leave early in the morning " Summer and Henry looked each other as they were surprised to hear the news. Summer asked where are we going dad?" Matilda replied" we all are going on a road trip for the weekend!" both summer and Henry shouted in excitement "yea!! you are the best dad !!!" Gerard was happy to see his kids happy than he looked at his wife " ok honey I'm leaving you start packing" he left after saying this . Gerard entered school it was dark as almost everyone was out the evening session was getting finished and the students were leaving the school . Gerard went to his desk to collect the TAR suddenly he noticed that the auditorium was open he saw some lights he went near to investigate the closer he came he heard a group of people talking . There was a man on the stage and talking to all the men on the seats. Gerard only recognized Conors in the group inside . The lead man said" see at any cost Arnold must win these key constituencies than only Our party can win the elections at Green bay. you all are key figures in these areas make your people vote for Arnold scare them bribe them threaten them do what ever you want but we must get all of their votes." Gerard was astonished to see what was happening in front of him he recalled what his wife had advised him he took out his phone and recorded the secret meeting that was happening inside. The lead man carried on with his agenda when a few minutes later he saw someone at the door " whos out there ?" he said everyone looked behind at the door, Gerard stood up and ran away so no one can catch him. Conors said" I think it was Gerard and I think this can be bad if he tells the election authorities about it . I think I know what to do " The lead man called Arnold and told him what had happened . Mean while Gerard was long gone.