Just been thinking...

Cough, cough. I turned over and tried - for the millionth time - to grab some sleep. No luck. Cough, cough. My coughing fit just wouldn't stop. I sat up in bed. Cough, cough. It was cold outside. I shivered at the thought. Cough, cough. With a mighty effort, I heaved myself off the bed and made my way to the kitchen for a spoonful of Benadryl. On my way back, I glanced at the wall clock. 3:45 AM. I groaned. It was Republic Day, I was in the March Past at the school celebration - and I hadn't slept all night. I crawled into bed and disappeared into the depths of the warm covers.

* * * * * *

Cough, cough. Turns out, Benadryl didn't work properly. Cough, cough. I changed and made my way to the breakfast table. Cough, cough. I choked on the cereal.
"You can't go to school like this," Mom observed.
"It's Republic Day, Sports Day, attendance is compulsory and I'm in the March Past! As it that weren't reason enough, I'm in the front file on the left side. My absence will certainly be noticed." I protested. Cough, cough.
"I know, but your health comes first. I don't care if they give you a zero on your internal assessment, but I will not have you go to school like this." As if to accentuate her point, I had another coughing fit.
"All right," I gave up.
"Now that you're up, go and practice your math. You have a UT on Monday, you know."
I groaned and made my way to my desk.

* * * * * *

The fog was so dense, you'd think it was very early in the morning. My surroundings were barely visible. I was standing in the private audi of our apartment complex. The place was beautifully decorated with orange and white flowers and green grass. The scent of rose petals wafted in the air. In the centre of the dais was a very tall flagpole. The national flag was still tied up. Very few, very very few residents were gathered here. All the staff were also present, but instead of gathering around they were lined up in an orderly fashion.
I looked at my watch. Ten o'clock sharp. Time for the ceremony to begin.
The flag hoisting ceremony was exceptional. But what bothered me was the fact that very few were present to see it.

* * * * * *

I don't know why, but for some reason, the tiny ceremony was disturbing. It reminded me of just how little we cared about the nation as a whole. I used to consider myself a nationalist, but now I'm not so sure. What can I say, really? I don't know what to even think. I know that if I were in school, I wouldn't have been present there, either. And for some odd reason, I find that disturbing.