‘Marcy, listen to what the newspaper says today!’ a surprised and confused Mr.Shani bellowed to his wife, ‘it says here “At around seven o’ clock in the evening, a U.F.O. will be sighted near the south-east horizon of Royal Valley. Reports of this once-in-a lifetime sighting have been confirmed by the Royal Space Research Centre (RSRC). The RSRC have already put up several camps and make-shift labs in Royal Valley and are expecting something whish can revolutionize space biology. The National Army, Air Force and Navy have been alerted too. However, nothing could be confirmed about the home, nature, size, speed, destination of the spaceship. Therefore, citizens of Royal Valley have been asked to be on their guard at all times and authorities stress on cooperation. Further details on Page 5” Marcy can you believe this? A UFO-this is fantastic!’
‘Oh, I don’t know…this doesn’t seem very right-I mean the RSRC haven’t got much information and this is so sudden, I’m scared,’ replied Mrs.Shani, her wide brown eyes already scanning the _blue morning sky through the kitchen window.
The whole of Royal Valley was excited that day…one could feel the buzz of tension, fear, anticipation on the sidewalks, the grocery shop and even the public bathrooms. Even the butcher boy who had just learnt the meaning of a UFO vaguely in the morning, was busy telling his farfetched predictions (which included the spaceship being in the shape of a drumstick and the aliens having axes for arm) to anyone who would care to listen. In fact, not only the butcher boy, but also the old lady feeding sparrows, the seven year old die-hard Star Trek fan, the seventeen year old Star Wars devotee, the maid hanging clothes in a garden-all the citizens of Royal Valley were making grand prophecies on what awaited them that evening. This feeling gradually metamorphosed into fear as the clock ticked in a slow but malicious way to seven o’ clock.
The only person in Royal Valley who was completely relaxed was Mr.Vayuu. Mr.Vayuu, the editor of ‘The Royal Daily’, was also feeling a trifle victorious because his plan was working perfectly. Little did many of his employees knew that he was on his way to make a ‘royal’ history by pulling up the best and the most successful hoax Royal Valley could ever imagined. Yes, the U.F.O sighting, the WSRC confirmations, and the national army-everything was false and made-up. Mr.Vayuu however considered it a stroke of genius
For several months he had planned this and he had been brave enough to publish the hoax in his newspaper. He knew it would cost\t him the trust of all his employees, to whom he had skillfully lied; he even gauged that ‘The Royal Daily’ would decline from the most popular spot, but he didn’t care. Mr.Vayuu, you could say, was one of those crackpots who are really hard to come by in the real life and appear only as charming characters in short stories.
Crackpot or no crackpot, Mr.Vayuu was also an ace laser-projectionist; the sleek vibrant beams of light fascinated him. He had worked dreadfully hard to find the perfect position for himself on the day. And tonight, he would not lose his golden opportunity to show-off his hidden talent. He had practiced silently his mind blowing techniques and had advanced his technological devices immensely. He had the best laser-projectors and the best everything else he needed. And he was ready…
~ ~ ~ ~
By six o’ clock sharp, every one of Royal Valley citizens were either out on their gardens or on their roof top which they had converted into comfortable cinemas with the vast sky as the impossibly big screen. Most of the adults were armed with weapons ranging from rifles, mallets, rolling pins to fishing nets, cricket bats, walking sticks and pickle jars. The children too were equipped- nearly every one of them had their toy guns and light sabers ready. Few were dressed as either MIB agents or young Jedis. Binoculars, telescopes, flash lights and popcorn happened to be the most wanted thing that evening.
As the sky darkened, everyone was ready for the big moment to come. They kept string at the entire starry expanse almost unblinkingly. Occasionally a cry was heard ‘Look!’ as someone mistook a stray owl or a bat for the spaceship. Minutes passed by, it was forty minutes past seven-were aliens as horribly punctual as human beings? Then, slowly and without warning, a tiny but bright blotch of outlandish orange appeared in the south-east sky. It intensified and Royal Valley echoed with frightened gasps and thrilled screams after the initial shock and silence was overcome.
~ ~ ~ ~
Mr.Shani was furious as he read the big bold black headlines next morning: “Mr.Vayuu April Fools Royal Valley!! ‘my apologies but I got you all. It was a masterpiece hoax’ says Mr.Vayuu’…” so were the other citizens (save some who were relieved by the thought that they would no longer be haunted by nightmares involving axe-headed aliens or troops of Darth Vader.)
Letters, e-mails, phone calls and outraged people came flooding to meet Mr.Vayuu who had cleverly locked him in his sound proof office room. At around six o’ clock, the revolts had considerably died down. Mr.Vayuu was seated in his black leather armchair –gently swaying to his favourite symphonies by Bach. After exactly an hour, he turned off the music system, ready to leave for home. He had extremely elated spirits and couldn’t and could help glancing at the day’s headlines for the thousandth time, ‘Mr.Vayuu April Fools…’The words are enchanting, thought Mr.Vayuu as he red them again.
He then rose from his armchair and made for the door. At that moment he stopped-he had yet again forgotten to draw the curtains of the windows. He walked back to the window and before drawing the curtains, stole a glance at the hypnotizing purple night sky. The stars shone extra vividly that night. Then, slowly and without warning, a tiny but bright blotch of outlandish orange appeared in the north-west. And as it intensified, Mr.Vayuu along with few other Royal Valley citizens realized that aliens were dead punctual-they only lacked sense of date and direction.
