We are coming mate

By Pranjal Kharbanda

“Hurry up man! What are you doing? We have to reach there before sunset and it’s already 10.” screamed Ranbir at Anushka who is still busy packing her bag while everyone has already loaded their luggage in the car.

“Yes, we are getting late. What are you packing anyway? We have everything at the farmhouse.” Alia said

“Exactly and you don’t have to drive all the way to my uncle’s farm I have to and I can’t drive after sunset”. Ranbir followed.

Why is everyone shouting at me? I’m just putting all the necessary items required on that farmhouse of Ranbir’s uncle situated between some creepy valley woods. Anyway I was never in favor of going there. I have to go there just because of these crack heads.

Another call comes from the car, “Are you coming or we should leave?” “Coming”, I said taking a sigh. We all sat in the car and started our journey. After a few minutes of settling in we all started chatting and giggling about Tony kakkar’s new song. My mood was not that good in the start but after laughing a lot with my buddies I felt good. I realized that it doesn’t matter where your destination is; it’s who you have beside you. I have my best friends with me that’s all that matters. We had a lot of fun singing our hearts out, playing stupid games, teasing the by-passers and munching the snacks. I must say this was the best road journey I’ve ever had. But this trip was going to get better as we reach the farmhouse.

By the time we reached there, it was already dark and all of us were tired so we decided to take rest for the day and start exploring out from tomorrow. I thought it would be a shabby place but I was totally against my expectations. It was a lavish mansion with a huge dining area, a swimming pool, playing area and all the luxuries. We took some rest and then gathered to have some fun again. We watched a horror film and Alia got scared. And Virat was making weird, spooky noises which made her even more scared. She didn’t sleep the entire night and did not even let anyone else sleep. Later Virat was in a mischievous mood and so was I, so I and Virat planned a prank on her. We decided to go to her room with a spooky outfit and our faces covered with a mask. As we were peeping in her room I saw her sleeping, but then I felt a tap on my shoulder and as soon as we turned we screamed in horror. There were two scary figures standing in front of me. But at the same time the figures also started screaming and we all were screaming. I thought why would ghosts scream and then I realized that they were not ghosts but Ranbir and Alia.

In the morning, we all were very excited because today we are going for camping in the woods. All of us woke up early in the morning, got all our stuff and set out towards the wood. It was a little walking distance as our car couldn’t reach there. The guard of our farm told us that not many people visit there because of the bad route and also advised, in fact warned us not to go there. That advice or as he said warning made us even more curious to go and explore the place. We reached there, it was quite peaceful environment there and we all were wondering why that guard said such things.

There were trees, birds chirping, and a little water stream, we sat there for few hours, walked around the woods, there was no one in that place and I think that is the reason of it being so peaceful. It was like an entirely different world far away from that loud, noisy world. It was after sunset when we set our camps near a large tree with beautiful colored flowers. Right in front of the tree we lit our bonfire; the tree was glowing beautifully in the bonfire. We were singing, dancing around and having so much fun. We were laughing on silly things and teasing each other. Alia was getting annoyed as everyone was pulling her leg. She got up and said, “Stop it guys…you all are making fun of me only.” “Because you look so cute when you are annoyed”, Virat replied hysterically. Alia got irritated and ran to hit Virat, Virat also got up and started running to protect himself. They were running like Tom and Jerry while I and Ranbir were enjoying the entire scene. She gave a hard push to Virat towards the tree and we were still laughing. She thought he had fallen down and turned to look for him but to her surprise he was not there. She started calling his name as she thought he was again pulling a prank on us. But even after calling a few times he did not reply so we stopped laughing and got up to look for him. But he was nowhere to be found. We got tensed; Alia was getting stressed thinking that he is missing because of her. She remembered she pushed him towards that large tree. Suddenly we heard some voice; all three of us stood near the tree, and tried to hear carefully. We were stunned when we heard Virat’s voice from inside the tree. “I’m here guys, please help me. I don’t know how I came here. And I don’t even know what this place is.” We asked, “How did you get there? Are you fine? What place is it?” “This is such a strange place. I’m inside this tree and there is an entirely different world here. I’m terrified. Please do something”, he said from inside. We got confused about what Virat is saying and we couldn’t figure out what we should do. Of course we can’t leave our friend in trouble but we don’t even know how to help him.

I asked Virat to try and come back, we asked him to run towards the tree but it didn’t help. It felt like it is a one way portal to a different world. We started looking around the tree to find clues or something to get our friend back. When we were looking around there came a voice from within the tree we were scared first but then we heard carefully. The voice said-

"But how can we close it? We don't even have any keys. Give us the key and we'll close it", said Alia. "Stupid girl we can't close it with a key", I interrupted "we have to bring Virat back first, then we'll close it" I added. Ranvir shook his head in disappointment. "Guys what are you both saying, obviously there can't be any key to close it. There must be something else. Tell us Mr.tree what we can do to save our world? ", He asked the tree.

The tree said,

We all looked at each other in amusement and not sure of whether we should go there or not. But we had to save our friend and if there were any truth to this entire story we have to save our world as well. So we decided that to save our friend and our world we’ll have to enter the portal. We said in one voice,

“Don’t worry we are coming mate”. The portal opened on its own and we all entered the parallel world. We saw Virat and he was relieved to see us, all four of us hugged. We told him everything and he was also confused just like us. I said, "I think we should stop wasting our time and start looking for that magic elixir." "I think you are right, after all it's our duty to save our world", added Ranbir. We looked around and saw that there were robots all around us. The shopkeepers, sweepers, housekeepers, doctors everyone around us was a robot. We realized that it was the world of robots. And we have to protect our world from robots. But for that we have to find that elixir. So we started looking around but we had no clue of where to find it.

"This place is as big as our own world. We'll never be able to find that elixir like this", cried Alia. "But we don't have any other option. We have to find it out anyhow. Wait, we can do one thing", replied Virat.

"What?”, asked three of us. "Do you guys remember anything that was carved or written on that tree which you can find in this world ?", he asked. "Umm......yaa, I remember while entering the portal I saw a vision of a robot holding a ball. It kinda looked like the earth" said Ranbir. "What! But we didn't see anything", cried Alia and Anusha. "Obviously, because you both had your eyes shut", replied Ranbir. "Yaa, we were a little scared", both said embarrassingly. "After all we don't enter a parallel world everyday", both replied in their defense. "Guys focus", virat said, "I think that was a sign and I'm sure it means robots are trying to rule the entire world. We have to stop this." "He is absolutely right. I think that vision is gonna help us. We should look for that sign." I said to which everyone agreed.

When we were discussing all this, we heard an announcement. We saw there was a procession going on the street. There were so many robots present everywhere. Some were very small as if they were baby robots and some were very big, there were also some automated cars, high-tech vehicles and so many other machines. The entire procession was ahead of our time. It felt like a futuristic world. But no we don't want our world to become like this. This cannot be our future.

Then came a super advanced automatic carriage on which the robot king was seated. He was the biggest robot in the entire world and had a big crown on his head. The chief minister of the king announced in his weird robotic voice, “Bow down to the greatest king. Your highness has come here to address you all and to declare our attack on the human world." The Roboking stated," To all my lovely citizens, I know how much our dear ones have suffered in that cruel human world. Those humans made us their servants, controlled us, and ruled us. What do they think of themselves ? They think that they'll make us their slaves and we’ll stay silent." " NOOO..." The entire crowd roared. "Exactly, we'll not stay silent. We'll show them what we are, we'll show them what our power is, and we’ll show them what we can do. Now we'll make them our slaves and we will rule them..." "Yeahhhh.....long live our Roboking... Long live our Roboking... Humans we will destroy you... Long live our Roboking.." the entire crowd enchanted and the Roboking left towards his robopalace.

All four of us were shocked and looked at each other. "Oh my god, this is more serious than we even thought. We have to stop this invasion as soon as we can." I said. "Yes. But isn't it weird that we all are standing right in front of them and still they're talking about ruling human beings." Alia added. "Exactly you have a point." Ranbir said. "I think they can't see us. Infact it's good for us only. We can make use of it." He added.

"Oh my god that means we're invisible. Yeahh.." I cried excitedly. Everyone started looking at me. "Focus Anushka", said virat. " Now we have to go to that robopalace for some clues. Maybe we can find that elixir there only." "Yes, let's go", we all agreed and headed towards that palace.

I would be lying if I say I wasn't fascinated by that palace. The infrastructure, the design, the technology everything was so ahead of the time. But when we stood right in front of the palace we were shocked we saw that the entire palace was built exactly in the shape of vision that ranbir saw while entering the portal.

"Robot playing with the Earth".

We were now confirmed that this palace is gonna be our solution so we entered the palace. We thought it would be quite easy as we were invisible. But it wasn’t that easy though. Every corner of that palace was technical and needed specific codes to open so we had to walk behind some or the other robot all the time. “I am feeling so helpless right now”, said Virat. "I think we should keep looking around, we'll definitely reach our destination." I replied.

As we were wandering there we came in front of that roboking's room. We could hear some voices from inside.

Roboking,"You are good for nothing minister. You had one task and you couldn't even do that. I've made such big announcements in front of the entire town. Do something."

Minister,"But your highness I tried my best but I'm unable to crack this code."

Roboking,"You stupid, if we are unable to crack the secret code we'll never be able to use this elixir. And without this elixir we can never open that portal. Our entire invasion plan will fail."

Minister,"I think there's only one way." Roboking,"Then speak up what are you waiting for?"

Minister,"I think the only way that code can be opened is through a human being."

Roboking,"How dare you!! So you are saying that a human being is smarter than us. The code that we can't crack, can be opened by a human being. You traitor. You are degrading the entire robot world. I doubt whether you are a real robot or a human disguised as a robot." Minister,"No my highness. I'm no traitor. Trust me. And I'm not saying they are smarter than us. Not at all. Forgive me, my highness."

Roboking,"Just get out of here. I don't wanna see your face."

Alia,"Did you guys hear that? It means that there is something that only we humans have and robots don't." "But what can that be. I mean these are so much advanced and high-tech robots and if they can't crack the code, how can we?" I replied confused. "Think guys, think about it." Ranbir and Virat said. We started walking while thinking to find that elixir when suddenly Alia tripped and fell down. Her ankle got sprained and started crying in pain.

Alia,"ahhh.... It’s paining a lot. Help me get up."

I said ,"Oh no, she's in so much pain. Wait...pain".

Something clicked in all of our minds and we all shouted together "PAIN means EMOTIONS" "Yes, emotions. This one thing can never be present in a robot. And only this one thing can help us crack that code." Virat said. "You are right. Now we have to find that elixir only." I added.

We started searching the entire palace and heard the minister saying that on the exact top floor of the palace where it was the brain of the robotic structure they have a small chamber. The minister was going there to try his luck one more time for cracking the code. We knew what to do. We just followed the minister and entered that chamber. In the centre of the chamber there was a small glass safe which was secured with a secret code. The minister was again going to try a few more times to open it but all of his attempts failed. He left in frustration after attempting a few times.

After he left we went near the safe. It had a ten letter code. "But EMOTION is a 7 letter word", Alia said. "That means our consideration was wrong."

"No no no guys it cannot be wrong. We have to think about it." I said

"I think not the word Emotion but an emotion that we can feel is the answer", virat replied. "Yes, you are right. Think guys think", Alia said. "Feelings, emotions, love, hatred, sadness, happiness.....urghhhhh but none of these is a 10 letter word", Ranbir said. "HUMAN BEING ??", I asked. "You think the minister haven't tried it yet ?", Alia enquired. "Maybe, because obviously they hate humans. So they might not have tried it yet", virat said. "Or maybe the minister was too scared of that roboking to even try that code.", Ranbir laughed. We entered HUMAN BEING but it was wrong.

"Guysssss I got it", virat jumped in excitement. "What!!", the rest of us asked. "Listen, only we four have been chosen for this task and what are we ?", He asked. "Friends”, we replied. "And the emotion we have for each other is ?", he further asked. "FRIENDSHIP", we answered. "Exactly, we have been chosen for saving our world because of our friendship. And it's a 10 letter word so I'm sure this is gonna be the code. After all it's one of the most beautiful human emotions", he added.

We entered the letters FRIENDSHIP one by one and we were astonished when the safe opened. We all hugged each other on our success. Within that safe there was a small bottle containing a liquid. It was shining beautifully. "Yess, we've finally found the elixir and now we can save our world." We said together. I took the bottle out of the safe and below it there was a small letter kept. It read:

We took the bottle with us and left another note :

We left the chamber and to open any door we don't need to follow any robot now. As it was written on the note we poured one drop and the doors automatically opened. Virat kept the bottle in his pocket so that no one can see it. Because if they see their precious elixir bottle flying in the air they will cause a havoc. We reached the place from where we had entered this world near that tree.

“Good bye robots, we hope we will never meet again”, we said in one voice and poured just one drop to open the portal. The portal opened and we exit it one by one. We reached our own world exactly where we had set the bonfire.

“Now the portal is open. We have to close it before robots get to know of it”, Ranbir said. “But how ?”, asked Alia “there was nothing written on the note about closing it”, I said.

“To save your world do as he says… that means Mr. Tree will tell us”, Virat said.

We called Mr. Tree a few times and then a voice came from the tree

We did exactly what the tree said and bid our last goodbye to the parallel world.

“Finally we have saved our world”, Ranbir said. “Our Friendship has saved the world”, I corrected and hugged together and went back to our farmhouse.

As soon as we reached the farm the guard started shouting on us,” Where you people have been and why were your phones not reachable? Your parents have been calling me again and again.” “Stop shouting at us, treat us with some respect. After all we are the saviors of this world.” We laughed and left the guard in confusion.

By Pranjal Kharbanda