Chapter 13
The time was 10:30 already and there was no news from Andy. Rani was worried. What if something had happened to him? The time was 10:30 already and there was no news from Andy. Rani was worried. What if something had happened to him? But Rani tried to keep her chin up for the sake of Senlings. She knew that there was a high probability of Andy being arrested. If he was going to be arrested, she would also surrender herself. It was her idea after all. It was okay if she went to jail. A tear fell on her cheek. She wiped it off. She knew she would never be able to marry Andy. But the memories she spent with him, were enough to last a life time. She didn't know why she and Andy were risking their lives so much for the Senlings but it was unexplainable feeling of being trusted that made both of them protective towards the Senlings.
Rani wished that she had a working cell phone but due to the lack of electricity, Rani was not able to charge her phone hence she couldn't use it. She looked at the Senlings who were busy loading their belongings into their space craft. After they were done with their loading, Xezo came up to Rani. "Um.. Rani Is it possible that something has happened to Andy and Prateek? Aren't they supposed to be back by now?" Rani nodded sadly. She didn't know what to tell them. Xezo looked at her worried. "If anything happens to Andy or Prateek, we can never forgive ourselves." Said Xezo. "Xezo don't worry. I am sure Andy is fine." Rani answered. Her voice sounded more confident than she was. Xezo called for a meeting. "My dear Senlings! It was our dream for two years that one day we would return to our beloved planet! But now it seems that the dream is going to be unfulfilled. It was because of me that our space craft had a crash landing and it was I who has put you through this situation. Now we cannot make it to our planet on time before our portal closes." Rani looked around. Everybody was listening to Xezo with rapt attention. "Now it is the time for us to make the tough decision. Are we going to hand ourselves over to the human scientists and become their live specimen or are we going to die a death of dignity? Each and every Senling has the right to choose between these two options. If you choose death, you have to eat this plant which the humans call the Desert beans. resulting in a painless quick death." Rani was shocked to hear this. She looked at the beans in the hands of Xezo. She had seen them. Even made a curry out of them. She had no idea that it was poison for the Senlings. Her heart was heavy. She knew that no matter how hard she tried to convince them, the Senlings would choose death rather than be a subject of study for the human scientists. "Xezo!" she said trying to sound calm, "I am not going to tell you to change your decision. All I am telling you is, to wait atleast until midnight. You still have time." Xezo sighed and nodded.
Rani knew that it was useless to hope. But somewhere in her heart she knew that Andy was alive and safe. Suddenly at a distance she saw a car approach them. Rani gave a squeal of delight and ran towards it. He was here. Her Andy was here. The car finally stopped and the doors opened. Rani stopped short as she saw Prateek accompanied by two men. There was no sign of Andy.