Chapter 6:
The Meeting
With a lot of expectation and enthusiasm Andy went to the meeting. It was a very informal meeting scheduled under a big tree in the barn of a house. Xezo was sitting on a culvert like a statue. All others except for Vika were sitting on stones. As Andy came nearer, they all greeted him with cheer and wishes. He felt very proud and important.
"Thank You for showing up, Andy! That's really nice of you!" said Xezo.
"He was not prepared to come, I talked it over and made him come!" said Vika and got a glare from Andy. He winked at Andy and signaled to support him.
"Thank You Vika for your good work! I will remember when I evaluate your work. Now I want you keep absolute silence and let me do the talking! Understand?" said Xezo firmly. Vika simply nodded his head and stood near Andy.
"Now Andy! I am taking the next steps understanding that we are friends and trust each other. Do you agree?"
Andy hesitated a little. Was he prepared for this? Did he really trust these cotton candies like figures? He felt a surge of pity and respect for them. A warm glow inside him told that he could trust them with his life.
"Yes Xezo! I agree"
On hearing this there was a thin clap lead by Vika.
"Now listen to me carefully Friend Andy! As I told you earlier, we are from Sengodan, guarded my Sun Mihir and a moon called Nila. We came to the planet earth to find out more about your climate and environment. That was 4 years ago in our calendar. The day we landed here, our vehicle hit a rock and our fuel leaked. Now we are left with no fuel to reach our homes! Can you help us find some fuel for our vehicle? This is the help I want from you" said Xezo lengthily.
Xezo and others were looking at Andy with expectation. He was feeling miserable as he understood only a few parts. What he understood they wanted fuel that's all. His heart lifted. Petrol? Was that all they wanted? they were stuck here for not having enough fuel? Then it was going to be easy! He had to get petrol or diesel from a nearby station and see them off.
With a smile on his face Andy looked around.
"Oh! Don't worry friends, I can get you fuel! There is a gas station in the next village. I will go there and fill up the can." Said Andy easily.
Vika started dancing. Some other Senlings were also showing happiness. But Xezo remained grim. He shook his head.
"What?" asked Andy in an irritated tone.
"I am sorry to disappoint you friend. Our fuel is not petrol. Our vehicles run using Sulphur di oxide and nitrogen mixed in the ratio 3:1." Said Xezo.
Andy got really confused. He had no idea what those things were! He fell silent.
"Is it very difficult to get them Friend Andy?" asked Xezo.
Andy did not know what to answer. When Vika was about to say something, a piercing scream startled all. Vika got on top of Andy's shoulder. Xezo and others hid under the culvert. All of them were shivering. Andy turned to see the screamer. With a jolt he saw Rani standing there with hands on her mouth, her face was full of terror. She could not believe her eyes. She ran towards him shouting, "Please let's leave this place! This is haunted!" grabbing his hand and running away from the entrance.
He made her stop.
"Rani! Please listen! They are harmless! They are my friends!" cried Andy holding her. Suddenly she stopped and looked him hard.
"Have you gone nuts? Neither the friendship nor enmity is good when it comes to ghosts! Are you in senses? Come on Andy! Let's us run!" She again started running.
"Do you trust me honey? Do you think I will let you be harmed?" asked Andy in a calm tone.
Rani cried hysterically.
"Really? Now is the time for raising these trust issues?"
"Rani! Honey! They are not ghosts! They are Senlings! Trust me on this! I assure you!" said Andy calmly holding her, looking into her eyes.
"Senlings? Is that even a word?" asked Rani, but she was not running.
Now seeing that Rani was a friend to Andy, slowly Xezo and others came from their hiding place. Vika climbed down and stood near Rani smiling at her.Somehow, she seemed to like him. She tried to pinch his cheeks; Vika backed.
"No! I am not a child! I am 22 years old!" said Vika. This made Rani laugh.
"Rani, meet my friends from the planet Sengodan." Said Andy in a normal voice. Rani could not believe her ears. What? Planet Sengodan? She had studied science in school. Never heard of a planet called Sengodan. Looking at her face Andy and others guessed that they have lost her.
"Listen Friend Rani! As you people dwelling in the earth are called earthlings, we dwell in our planet Sengodan, so we are called Senlings! Our planet in in the Alpha Centaury Galaxy." Said Xezo.
She stepped towards Vika and looked at him keenly.
"Oi! She is looking at me as if I am doll! Ask her to stop it" complained Vika. With a smile Rani hugged him and released him.
"Oh! That was nice! I enjoyed it! We must do it more often" said Vika.
"No! None of your tricks on planet earth! Shut up Vika! We are in a middle of a situation, let us continue our discussion." Said Xezo.
Andy briefed Rani about them and their problem. She understood.
"So! You need a fuel with a combination of Sulphur di oxide and nitrogen?"
All of them nodded their head. Rani sat under the tree and started thinking. Vika sat close to her. Xezo gave him a stern look, and he moved towards Andy.
"Do you know what are this stuff? Where can we get them?" asked Andy.
"Well Andy! In fact, I know these are chemicals used in the industry. Sulphur di oxide we can get, but nitrogen…? Umm…...?" said Rani still thinking hard.
Now Xezo abandoned Andy and came closer to Rani.
"Rani dear Friend! We can work the combination once we get the chemicals. Can you arrange for that?" asked Xezo.
"Halo? What about me? I can also arrange?" asked Andy shrugging his shoulder.
"You didn't even know what they were?" said Vika.
Andy punched him in the stomach, and he gave a yelp.
"Tell me Xezo, You people make food from earth and air, can't you make Nitrogen from the air too?" asked Rani in an up tone.
All of them nodded in negative.
"No friend Rani! Our skin cells can absorb minerals and vitamins from air and earth. But we need nitrogen in a can, see?" Answered Xezo.
Again, Rani started thinking hard. Andy felt very proud that his fiancé was very smart. Now slowly Vika also had moved to her side.
"Hey! Vika! What is the game?" asked Andy.
"Nothing! No game Andy! I thought I could help her." Answered Vika with a wide grin. Andy placed himself between Vika and Rani. Rani clicked her tongue.
"We cannot do it alone Andy! Getting chemicals that too in bulk is no child's play! We have to fill up a form, tell them the purpose and the procedure goes on and on…," said Rani.
Xezo's face lengthened. Rani patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry Xezo! We will come up with something!" assured Rani.
"See! Rani? Why don't we inform the local authorities? May be the mayor? They will know what to do! "Asked Andy.
There was big scream of "NO" from all of them. Even cool Vika shouted. Andy and Rani looked at them puzzled.
"No authorities Friend Rani! They will inform ISRO. Some scientists will want to do research on us. They will want to know about our pathology and brain structure and our other things! We don't want to be test subjects. We may never return to Sengodan if you split on us." Said Xezo in a frightened voice.
Their argument was fair. Yes! The scientists were sure to do like they said. Again, Andy tried to think. Rani was lost in thought already.
"Ahem…. Friend Rani! Do you know any professors or tutors teaching science to the kids?" asked one of the Senlings.
Rani jumped and stood up. She hugged the person who told that. Vika made a face at him.
"Yes…We do know a professor. Andy, do you remember him?" asked Rani enthusiastically.
Andy could not remember any professor who would be willing to help them. Seeing his blank face Rani continued.
"Professor Dr. Puri! He is a professor in Jodhpur university! Remember? He came to the hotel and wanted to visit Khuldhara and other places? Oh! come on Andy! Sure, you remember him? He gave you the meanest tip ever possible! Come on recollect You idiot!" said Rani.
Yes! Of course, Andy remembered him. It was 3 years back. Dr. Puri came along with some of friends from the university to see Khuldhara and subsequently the desert camp. Andy was the guide. They made him run behind them for more than 2 days. They paid him the fee all right, but when it was time for them to tip him the other services, they made him do, Dr. Puri gave an old umbrella. Said that he carried that umbrella all the way from Jodhpur just to give him. Andy was very disappointed and put that umbrella at the back of his house.
"Yes! I remember now. Dr. Naresh Puri. But…."
"No buts or ifs Andy. Our friends need to go home. He is the only science man we know." Snapped Rani.
Xezo came closer to Andy and begged him.
"Please Andy! For friendship's sake, help us."
Andy was not too sure about Dr. Naresh Puri. On the visit he seemed to be a sour person. Would he accept to help? He was thinking hard.
Rani and others persuaded him to agree. He nodded his head. Others thanked him warmly for his help.
"Let's not get pumped up. As far as I know he may not help us. Let's have a plan B.," said Andy. Others agreed. The plan B turned out to be another science student who was working under Dr. Puri. But they did not have his number. So, it was Plan A all over.
Before calling him Xezo briefed them about the help they needed. He told not to explain anything over the phone. Fix up an appointment and talk to him. None of the Senlings were going to accompany him to Jodhpur. Because there was a great danger of someone spotting them during night.
"Ok! Let me and Rani go and fetch him here!" said Andy.
"No! Andy! I will stay with Senlings! You go and get the Doctor here. Or at least get his student's number if you meet any. See the environment and decide accordingly. Don't let anyone know about our friends." Said Rani in a serious note.
Andy was somewhat reluctant to leave Rani behind. Not that he was afraid of her safety, but he did not want to do this alone. What if he failed? What if he told somebody about the Senlings? What if he could not keep his words? Rani sensed his trouble. She excused themselves and took Andy to the Mandap. She made him sit there and sat herself beside him. She was holding his hands.
"Look Andy! I know we are not big people. I know whether we will be able to build a house on our own or not! But Now I know one thing for sure. We must help Senlings! They have called us friends and trusted us with their secret. We will not let them down due to our fears and insecurities. You heard me, Andy?" She said softly.
Andy kissed her hands.
"You know Rani? We may not gain anything! Are you aware of that?" asked Andy.
Rani rested her head on his shoulder.
"Some things are bigger than gain Andy! If you want to know the gain, I assure you, we win friendship. We win their confidence! Wouldn't life be beautiful with trust and confidence? You can do it Andy! At least try for the sake of helping." Said Rani.
They kissed each other for a long time. When they separated, Andy knew what to do.