A Weblog

"Wake up,Amar Wake up!!"Nikhil whispered excitedly into Amar's ears. It was the early morning hours of the christmas day. The sun was yet to cast its rays on this side of the world. But Amar was impatient. Last year, Santa had given him a set of sketch pens. The previous sunday, he had prayed to the Lord asking for the best christmas gift ever. He hoped his wish would come true. He also hoped that unlike the previous year, he would get a better present than Amar. The fact that his brother was 3 years younger to him never struck him."Boys!" He often heard his mom telling him,"They never grow up".

"You STILL believe in Santa Claus??"his friend Ajay had laughed at him when they were walking back home after school. Nikhil replied "Yes of course.He comes around my house, riding his reindeers every Christmas eve, sneaks into my room and leaves me and my brother Amar, sweet little gifts."Ajay kept laughing and teased him that he hadnt grown up yet.This set Nikhil thinking:"Who is doing it then?Does that mean that someone knowingly leaves my brother better gifts??".

On christmas eve, Nikhil went straight to his bed after a sumptous dinner. He did not join his parents and brother for their regular nightwalk. Earlier that evening, he had noticed his dad walking into the house with two large bags. He had also grudingly noticed that one was slightly larger than the other.

Nikhil could not sleep properly. He was constantly thinking about Santa Claus and was praying that he should see Santa that night. Nikhil excitedly thought how his classmates would respond when they learn that he is the only kid to have seen Santa!He wore his watch and set the alarm at 11 45. He woke up even before the alarm rang. He switched off the alarm and sat up. He waited in silence for Santa Claus to come. "Lets see who gets the bigger bounty this time"He told Amar though Amar was sleeping without any sign of anxiety that was writ large on Nikhil's face.

A few minutes before the clock struck 12 and announced to the all the children in the world that Santa was on his way to their houses, she quietly walked into their room and tiptoed to the table. This time, they had chosen the presents very carefully especially that of Nikhil's since he had caused a ruckus the previous year. She placed the presents on the table. Nikhil's heart lept in anxiety as he heard someone's footsteps. As she turned around, her leg hit the bed. His doubts were confirmed. After all, Santa never wore anklets.

He waited for his mother to get back to her room. Nikhil felt as if his mom and dad had betrayed him. He was very disappointed. He checked whether his brother was asleep or not and then walked quietly towards the table. The only source of light in the room was the moonlight that pierced the curtains. He moved one of the presents near the curtains. It was Amar's. He placed it back on the table and weighed his present. He wanted to yell out in anger.

"Why do they do this to me?Did they pick me out of some garbage dump?Or did they adopt me?"He was asking himself all these questions as he got back into his bed and tried hard to sleep. He cried. He cried to God and asked them why they were doing this to him. Didnt they love him?He decided to ask them the first thing in the morning.

It was 2 30 when he woke up again. His face was drenched in sweat as he looked around his room. The first thing that stuck him was his present. Next he looked at his brother still fast asleep. He got out of the bed and paced the room. He stopped. He realised that all this was happening because of his brother. He, who had been the darling of his parents, had to suffer because of his brother. His brother's well being was their sole concern and he had been left out. Nikhil realised that he had to do something to reclaim his position as the prince of the house.

"Enough!!I goto do something....I goto..."he told himself.He searched the room for the bat. The cricket bat was gifted to his brother by Santa the previous year. He was so fond of it that he used to sleep with the bat tightly held in his hand. He found it behind the door. He picked it up and swung it and hit his brother's head. His brother's head split open and blood splattered all around the room."Yes!!!I have done it...I am !!"Nikhil laughed as he watched his brother die. He felt elated. A minute later though, Nikhil felt numb and nauseaous. He looked in horror at his brother's open skull. He let out a yell and fell on the floor unconscious.

The yell woke up his parents. They came running into their room. She noticed Nikhil lying on the floor with the bat in his hand. She shook him and tried her best to wake him up. Nikhil woke up gradually."Amar!"He let out a cry. He got up all of a sudden. Amar was still sleeping with his lips curled up in a smile.He ran to him and hugged him. His parents kept asking what happened. Nikhil felt relieved and asked his parents not to talk since Amar was sleeping. They both were dazed and left the room after Nikhil dozed off.
"Wake up, Amar Wake up!!" Nikhil whispered excitedly into Amar's ears."Look at what Santa had got you this time..Hes got you two gifts!!!".Amar shrugged in his sleep and opened his eyes slowly. Nikhil thanked God for the best christmas gift ever.