"With that, there is no point further debating it. Atharv Arya is hereby a Kusokan from today therefore under section 24A of the constitution he is to join the military services immediately. Refusal to do so would lead to death. The session is dismissed."
At the end of the announcement, despair began to consume Atharv's father from inside while his mother could only watch.
"But they were hiding a Kusokan!", someone from the crowd objected.
"No, they were not", Parav answered confidently.
"The markings generally appear at the first awakening of a Kusokan, it's truly remarkable that a nineteen-year-old had not awakened yet"
The soldiers started heading out to the gallery, Om's father head out to meet the General, but he was stopped by one of the soldiers.
"What about my son! Will, he not get justice?" His words falling on deaf ears as he was pushed out
As the soldier was handling Om's father and the other guardians, Vijay's father jumped over one of them and dashed towards Atharv with an expression full of hatred. Before he could reach Atharv who was still standing at the center of the room, he was stopped by the other soldier who was standing guard. The soldier then started dragging Vijay's father who persistently fought back.
Shouting at the top of his voice, "You destroyed my son's life! We sacrificed everything for his future, you took away my only happiness!"
Parav who was having a word with the general turns to the soldier and speaks, "Take him out from the other gate; we don't want a ruckus outside. (Pointing to Atharv), He is to join the service from tomorrow itself; an officer will be sent to his residence to bring him in. All his rights and facilities will be discussed with him when he reaches the camp."
Atharv's mother raising her hand caught the General's attention and requested a word with him. The General allowed it with a gesture from his hand. Atharv's mother headed towards the general to have a word as Atharv and his father along with his brother were guided out of the premises.
As they stepped outside, Not a word came out of anyone, Atharv looked at his father wanting to ask him about the stupid stunt he pulled inside but he changed his mind when he saw his father's expression. Atharv kept walking blankly, he kept walking ahead slowly, his mind from the moment he had entered the room had been switched off. There was not a single thought running in his brain. He then stopped walking and stared at Om's father who was crying by the corner of the corridor with Yasu consoling him. They looked at each other and then Om's father turned and walked off with Yasu. As Atharv stood by the walls, his mother came out with an expression confirming that she had not gotten the results she wanted. She turned to Atharv and hugged him tightly, crying. His younger brother also tugged onto him, his father also bracing them in an embrace, probably the last one all of them share together. While a troubled Atharv wondered, 'Why did the sound of whirring stop now?'
Story by: Four Eighty One
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