The Last Drop – Episode 1

One evening two old men, one bald and another with a silvery mop of hair, were sitting side by side in the beach. Both were silently watching the orange sun setting in the horizon. The beach was less noisy today. Not much could be heard except the soothing periodic sound of the waves lashing to the shore and the occasional laughs of the small children making sand castles. One of them broke the silence.

“It doesn’t look like it will rain. No clouds.”

The other man replied,

“Who told you it will rain, Gupta?”

“Arey they were telling in the morning news. Chances of heavy rain today. ”

Mr. Sharma said caressing his bald head,

“These TV channels are useless. They only mislead the public. Moreover, no one is able to predict weather these days. It’s behaviour is erratic.”

Mr. Gupta nodded.

“Hmm true.”

They were quiet again.

As the slight breeze stroked the grey locks on Mr Gupta’s temple he said,

“I remember my childhood days a lot these days. Everything in abundance… No worries.. Nothing.”

Mr.Sharma also started reminiscing the past.

“Even I do remember it all the time. Life was like a dream. Mother nature was abundant. Science and technology was at its peak. Water,air and all man-made facilities available round the clock. We had a gala time. Isn’t it?”

Mr. Gupta smiled, ” Those were the days..”

But then Mr. Sharma’s expression grew grave.

“But we did nothing to preserve it for our future generations. That careless attitude of ours have landed us here. We exploited the nature to the core. The damage is irreparable. I feel suffocated with guilt at times. My thirst is never quenched.”

Mr. Gupta took out a small plastic box from his pocket, opened the lid and offered the content to Mr. Sharma and said.

“Take one”

Mr. Sharma looked at the round white tablet in the box and moved his head from side to side.

” No I don’t need that. You keep it. You might need it while walking back home.”

“Arey take one. I have some for myself.”

Mr. Sharma took one tablet and chewed it. He heaved a sigh of relief and said smiling.

“God made water, man made a replica. So should we call ourselves God now?”

Mr. Gupta laughed,

“Not the two of us of course. But can’t say that about Neeranujam. He invented this tablet which replicates water! Isn’t he a genius!”

“I like to call him a superhero. It’s because of him that human race is surviving. All drinking water is over. The water bodies are poisoned with plastic and other non biodegradable wastes. Rain is scarce due to merciless cutting of the trees. Groundwater is almost over. Life on earth is still dragging just because of such genius among us. We will live because of him as long as we can. But don’t know how long this will go on. Is this the final solution? And will it always work?”

Mr. Gupta picked up the tablet in his hand and said dramatically,
“Our magical potion…This small white tablet ‘Aquatab’!

Mr. Sharma sighed,
“You know Gupta, at times it feels horrible to even think about it. My final days are near. I have seen both good and bad in my life… More good actually if I come to think of it. But what about my grandson? He doesn’t even know what pure water is! He knows only to gulp tablets. How will his future be like?”

Mr. Gupta replied,

“I don’t know Sharma … It’s a very sad situation.

Both went silent again.

To be continued….