44. Intrusion

                   Professor got up from his seat and began to explain to the gathering about the impending danger. Of course he made some modifications.

     He said in a clear voice, “Good afternoon everybody! I have come here to share a few words with you about the danger which is awaiting the world. I and my assistant Bindu came to know about the four meteorites that were approaching the earth. As soon as the meteorites landed on the earth, President Rahman and I made arrangements to create barriers around the meteorites with the help of the Indian army, to prevent the panicking of the civilian population. I would like to thank the President and the military force of the Ellesmere Island to have joined hands with us in creating the barricade in Ellesmere too.” They were all listening with eager ears.

        He explained, “The meteorites have landed near Rameshwaram in the southern part of India, in the Ellesmere Island, in the North Pole and the South Pole. The meteorites are not just ordinary meteorites. They are really dangerous. They are made of an element known as Emberonium. You may not have heard about it. The element was discovered by me once upon a time, but I didn’t make any attempt to bring its discovery to the notice of the world, because of its dangerous nature. It has a very strange nature. It has the power to create radiations to burn all the living things above 20 years into ashes.”

             He hid most of the truth about Emberonium. He didn’t say a word about the Kaala Galaxy and the planets in it. He hid the truth about the planet Emberonium. He did not explain how he discovered it and moreover he did not reveal a word about the Gods. Maybe he thinks that the Gods may be outrageous if they knew that Professor Ramanujam had revealed the secret about their existence.

               The meet didn’t seem to believe Professor Ramanujam and they began to chatter among themselves complaining that Professor was building up a story or something. They didn’t believe a word from Professor Ramanujam’s mouth. They began to gossip.

                             Professor Ramanujam explained the gathering, “You may think that it is impossible for such a thing to happen. Actually, my researches have confirmed that the radiations will outburst in exactly three more days. We cannot do anything to save the whole world but we can do our best to guide the younger generation who survive the radiations. In order to guide the younger generation who will be called Phoenixians we have created a project called ‘Yuva Sansaar.’ I have trained my assistant to be the leader of the surviving younger generation.”

               Suddenly someone butted in, “Shut up! Old man! We don’t want to listen to the fairy tale your assistant has narrated to you. Go and try to say it as a bed time story to your great- grandchildren. And I am sure they will find it really boring! Oops! I am really sorry! I forgot that you don’t have a family!” and he laughed loudly.

              I identified him as scientist Dexter, a close associate of Dr. Malik. How could someone talk in such an indecent way in front of such a reputable gathering! I noticed Dr.Malik chuckling. I understood that Malik is behind this nuisance. I wanted to break their facial bones by throwing plates. Puper was looking at them angrily and grinding his teeth.

           The President of Russia got up and ordered him to be seated. He said to Professor Ramanujam in a very polite way, “Professor why didn’t you bring the discovery of that element to our notice earlier?” He looked at Professor in a very pleasing way.

             Professor replied uneasily, “Actually, I discovered the Emberonium a long time before the SAPS was formed. So I thought that it was unnecessary to talk about the past. Moreover we were busy with our regular tasks of executing a number of new plans and revolutions. So I thought that it would be a big distraction. And Emberonium would have been a big threat to human life if it had reached the wrong hands. If the anti social elements had known about its existence, then they would have easily chosen that as the wonderful tool to create unpredictable disaster.”

                   The President of Russia said, “Then……, Professor Ramanujam, as you have already saved the world many times under adverse conditions, SAPS always trusts you. Could you please tell us now what the SAPS must do to join hands with you in your mission?” Wow! He has made it so simple!

                   Professor began to speak, but before he could open up Dexter got up from his seat suddenly and burst out, “What? You people are going to listen to the fairy tale spun by this brainless old man and his silly assistant!”

                     I began to boil in anger. He is dead if he calls Professor Ramanujam as ‘old man’ again!  A very short woman got up from her seat and said, “Can’t you get Dexter’s point of view! Do you people believe this story? Don’t we have any other job? Are we supposed to drop all our important duties and work for this old man believing his silly words? It seems that he is out of his mind.” She smiled secretly at Dexter and sat triumphantly.

                     My patience has a limit. How dare they call Professor Ramanujam as ‘old man’? Dexter said again, “I think it is better not to waste our time on him. I request the President to end the meeting so that we could take care of the important jobs we have, without wasting our time listening to this ‘old man’!” finishing his talk, he turned and saw Dr. Malik, who nodded his head slightly in agreement.

                  This is the limit! He is dead! I lost control of myself! In a fit of anger I raced to the elevator and sped fast to the conference room. Before I could realize what I was doing I was inside the room in no time surrounded by the members of SAPS! They were all staring at me! But their look of shock or horror had no impact on me.

                  My heart was beating fast as I was fuming with anger. My one and only intention was to make the people who dare to talk against professor shut their mouth. I know the seriousness of the impending danger and I wanted to strike at the point. I had neither fear nor hesitation. Words flooded out of my mouth uncontrollably. I did not have the patience to be gentle and polite to the gathering. I didn’t realize what I was talking. Aadhmi who had come behind me to stop me stood at the entrance helplessly. It did not dare to enter in and interrupt.

            I couldn’t remember what I talked. All I remember is that, I was uncontrollably angry. I was expressing my views strongly in front of the gathering of the most famous personalities from all around the world. I didn’t know what I was speaking. Only after exploding and draining out all my emotions and feelings I stopped. I talked nonstop for about 15 minutes, pouring out my anger and frustration on the people trying to insult a genius like Professor Ramanujam and thereby blocking his attempts to save the human race. I wanted to explain them the steps taken by him until that moment and the importance of the world to understand him and not underestimate him.

                  Only when all the words had spilled out of my mouth and I had nothing more to tell, I stopped. It seemed to me that I had come out of a trance. My heart was still racing. What have I done! I stood like a statue without knowing what to do! Have I spoiled everything?

                  But everyone in the meeting had a different reaction. They were looking at me with their mouth wide open. They were absolutely in shock. Soon they recovered and began to discuss among themselves. The Presidents and scientists from different nations scribbled notes and passed them on to Prince Hamilton, the chief of the SAPS. He kept on seeing a screen in front of him repeatedly. He rubbed his forehead and was immersed in his own thoughts for a while.

                  After sometime Prince Hamilton stood up and said, “Dear SAPS members! I am really sorry for the confusion and commotion created here. Thank you Bindu Thirupathi! You explained efficiently the need for immediate action! SAPS will do its best to help your mission Yuva Sansaar.”

          He turned to Professor and said, “I am extremely sorry professor Ramanujam! SAPS gives you full freedom to send as many numbers of your robots to any nation at any time without any questioning. All nations are ready to send their eminent scientists and their military power to assist you. Most of the scientists present here have given their consent to join you in your mission.”

          He faced all the members and added, “With this the common meeting is over. You can have further discussions individually with the Indian President, Professor Ramanujam and his assistant Bindu Thirupathi either here or in their office.”

                   I still can’t realize what I had spoken. But, I could realize that it had created a great change in Prince Hamilton. No one messes with Professor Ramanujam! Gemma winked at me with a broad smile and showed a ‘Thumbs up’ sign. I stood there pathetically without knowing how to react.

                    President Abdul Rahman patted me on the shoulders and said, “Well done my child! You have held your flag high! That was really excellent! You have changed the fate of the world today! You really are a brave girl! You deserve to be the leader of the Phoenixians and I am satisfied again that you will guide them. You have got the power to control people, change their minds and lead them.”  I smiled at him uneasily.

               Many hands patted my shoulders and shook my hands. Many people wished me and none of those faces were registered by my brain. The one and only face registered in my mind was that of professor Ramanujam. He was happily looking at me with tear filled eyes. Secretly he wiped his eyes. Gemma rushed to me and said with enthusiasm, “Congrats! You have done a wonderful job! You brought them under control by your fearless speech!”

                  Puper ran to me and jumped on to me and shouted happily, “I love you Mummy! I love you! I am so proud of you!”  Aadhmi entered in and said appreciatively, “Phew, I was afraid that you will spoil everything. But you were awesome!” Wow! Have I given such a rebellious speech? It is unbelievable! But what did I speak actually?

               Before I could recollect it, I noticed that Dr.Malik had a grim face. He looked really tensed and he said something angrily to Dexter who came near him. Scientist Dexter looked at Dr. Malik with disgust, but Dr. Malik ignored it and took out his cell phone. He began to talk with someone in a hurry.

               With my lip reading skills I was sure that he was calling Abi Akka to get ready the space ship. I could make out words like ‘space ship’, ‘Abi’, ’Emberonium’, ’Navjavaanium’ and so on. If he is going to reach Yuva Graha and find Navjavaanium and use that to bring back his youth then the problem will become more serious! We will get another added responsibility to stop Dr. Malik from consuming it.

                The President of America appreciated Professor Ramanujam that he had a really efficient assistant. He promised that NASA scientists will be sent to RV to help him in Yuva Sansaar. The crowd that had gathered around Professor and President Abdul Rahman was dispersing slowly. President Abdul Rahman shook Professor’s hands and took leave. The members of SAPS began to leave the head quarters.

                   Finally, Professor held my hands gently and whispered, “You have proved that you are my family. Thank you!” I had no words to say as I actually did not know what I had done. But I was happy that I had made him happy.

                     Aadhmi asked, “Professor shall we leave now?”  Professor answered enthusiastically, “Yes! We have got all the nations’ support now. So we have a lot to do! RV will be buzzing with activities. Be ready to become busy!”

                 Gemma bid me ‘Good bye’ with a heavy heart. She said that she felt too close to me within a short time and that she would miss me. I too had the same feeling. Maybe, she will become one of my best friend in the future Phoenixian life.