“Room 306, third floor. They asked me to wait there. That’s where they meet all the 12-year-olds. Let’s race to the top and we’ll see who the faster one is!” Samuel called out to Eric and started running, aiming to get a head start and brag about winning the race later. 

That’s a lot of stairs! 

As he reached the third floor and entered through the main door, he couldn’t see Eric behind him. 

“Ha! I’m first.”  

Samuel stopped abruptly. Room 306. The huge door stood closed. It was a well-crafted wooden door, but he could hear the silent cries of the tree with which it was built. He brushed off the dust that had settled in the rusty golden knob and turned it. A slight creak and it opened to a wide space. Three big windows in perfect symmetry had their blinds open with plenty sunshine coming in. 

“Weird.” Samuel thought to himself as he noticed the lights were switched on even with the room so well-lit with natural light. “It’s like watering your garden, holding an umbrella while the rain is pouring down.” He chuckled at the thought. 

As Samuel turned to the left, he saw Eric sitting there in one of the maroon chairs that had a retractable desk with wheels under the legs. Arranged in a semi-circle, at least ten similar chairs sat there like shy kids in a new school. 

“How’d you get there before me?” Samuel asked with a surprised look on his face. 

Eric smiled but didn’t say anything. 

That’s his habit. He always responds with a smirk or a smile. Never says anything. 

Ignoring Eric, Samuel gazed around the room. Everything was arranged in perfect balance except for one corner where a couple of wires hung out of a weird machine. A collapsible whiteboard hung just above a blackboard with two speakers at both ends. It resembled a unibrow of a fantastical animal with its eyes closed. 

He turned to Eric. “I wonder if I jump, pull it down and draw the mountains and the sun rising just like it does back home…” 

The door creaked open as an elderly bald man with round glasses came in. He was neatly dressed and wore a brown coat. 

“Who were you talking to?” he asked looking around and smiling. “You must be Samuel. I’m Doctor Karim. Let’s get started..” 

– Prateek Godiyal