A scene of Tejas's father — Raghavendra R. Hegde. He is in a meeting, a dark room with a serious environment where everyone sits silently around the meeting table.
One of them says, "It's unpredictable, and we also don't have specific enough information to take early actions on this."
Another scientist stands and speaks with urgency, "But sir, what about the people? We can't just ignore this problem..."
Tejas's father replies calmly and seriously, "But we can't do anything about this. Even if we get specific information now, we don't have the technologies to prevent it. Many people will lose their lives. We need to preserve ourselves instead of facing it."
"But what about our families? We'll lose many skilled people in this incident. We will gradually fall back to the days where we struggled to develop our country," the scientist said.
"For now, we only have to focus on saving the people who are important and who can help in redeveloping the incident area," the head officer speaks.
"We don't have enough shelter space and food to save everyone, but we do have enough space to at least provide shelter to the important people."
The scientist sits down, with a slightly disappointed face.
Raghavendra speaks, "Sir, I agree with that, but what about our families?"
"We will allow your families in the shelter," the officer said.
"Thank you so much, sir. I guess we have finished all the topics," Raghavendra said.
"As said, this meeting ends here," the officer says.
Now, scene shifts to the present — Tejas hugging his father.
"You are the one who is late, Dad... it's been 2 years since I last saw you in real," I whispered in tears.
"Sorry, Tejas... I know it's been a while, but my work through that place is over now. I'll be here with you," he smiled.
My mom came from inside, "Oh, Tejas! You're finally home."
I looked at mom and she got shocked. "Hey, Tejas, what's that wound on your cheek? Are you alright?" she asked.
"Tejas, you went to the fair? But why did you needle your cheeks? These are just myths, you know. Don't hurt yourself for tradition," my father asked.
"No Dad, I haven't..." Wait, it would be bad if my mom and dad got to know I was actually heading towards... my death. No, I can't say that.
"What happened, Tejas?" my dad asked.
"Sorry Dad, I get it now. These traditions are just myths. I shouldn't have needled my cheeks without thinking," I said, regretting, but... I don't think they caused me harm. Instead, they saved my life…
"Okay, it's okay, Tejas. Let's have dinner together now. It's been a while since we had dinner as a family," my mother said.
I removed my shoes and then stumbled.
"Ahh... my legs burn."
"Tejas, your legs — they are burned badly... what happened? You also walked on the charcoal fields??" my mother quickly grabbed them and applied cream. I feel okay now.
We sat down for dinner.
"Dad, you know, I already studied my whole syllabus before school by myself."
"That's so good, Tejas... keep it up. You will be a good scientist one day," he patted my head.
"Dad, and what happened to the research you've been working on for 2 years?" I asked.
"It's almost over. We've found a good solution to it," my father replied.
"Dad... what was the research about?"
"..." My dad remained silent, looked at my mom.
"Tejas, don't talk while eating," my mother said.
"Hmm."
"Ahh, also Tejas — you were asking for a telescope, right? You know what your father brought for you," my mother said.
"It can't be... Dad, thank you so much!" I was about to run to my room in excitement, and then my father stopped me.
"Tejas, first have your dinner. We both will have fun after dinner, okay?" my father said.
I agreed and sat down for dinner. Had a good conversation with my family while eating. It felt so good.
After dinner, my father and I walked to my room on the first floor. He settled the telescope in the correct direction through the balcony. It's a cold and calm night.
My father focused it on the moon.
"Look, Tejas, you can clearly see everything now."
I looked through the lens. It was beautiful... like seeing the moon in real-time. It felt too good.
"You like it, Tejas?" my father asked.
"Yeah, Dad, it looks so beautiful from here... I can clearly see the Copernicus, Tycho, Grimaldi..." I started saying the names one by one.
"Haha, Tejas, you know the places' names also? That's impressive..." my father praised me. It was the best feeling I could feel.
"Moon is really beautiful... it's just immortal for the aspiring scientists. It kept motivating astro lovers, poets... since ancient history... it's really one," I said to my father.
"..." Another silence from my father.
"Dad, what do you think?" I asked.
"You're right, Tejas... it's like a lone person standing still after all the craters and scars on it... it's strong."
"You know, Tejas... you don't have to force yourself to get friends," my father said. How did he know I'm struggling with getting friends??
"You know, an alone moon with Earth is also living balanced revolutions... if you force adding more on them... boom, they will collapse revolving in their orbits..."
"What do you mean by that, Dad? And also... I do have friends..." Did I? Or do I still have? I don't know...
"Tejas, I'm your dad. I can see what you've been through, even if I wasn't close to you. You don't have to force being around people... it's okay to be alone, as long as you're learning — which you are. You're good at studies. You don't need to be in a crowd," my father said to me.
What is my father trying to say to me... I don't get it... but from what I do understand... I have a friend. And I need to do what she encouraged me to do. Like the moon led me to astronomy... she gave me hints so I can live happily…
"Okay Dad, I get what you said," I said.
My dad grabbed me laughing, "You have smart sense, huh?" We laughed... played... and lastly, I slept with a decision
I will try to be as kind and open as I can tomorrow…