Fiction: A precious gift (Un don preciado)[EN/ES]
A precious gift
“Wait your turn, fool.” A burly man grabbed a lanky man by his dirty, torn T-shirt and threw him to the ground.
“I need some water for my family,” the lanky man pleaded with the guard.
“Wait like everyone else, and we'll help you.” The man pointed to the line with a machete.
“This is a warning to everyone. We need order, or you'll regret it. Esat will take care of everything.” The burly guard's dark face was stern.
Decades ago, water began to become scarce due to climate change, and society as we knew it ceased to exist. Governments and countries had disappeared, leaving a power vacuum that bandits and mobsters filled. Now the water business was more lucrative than drug trafficking.
“Next. I'm in a hurry.” Esat was one of the great gangsters who took advantage of the opportunity to hoard a large reserve of water and sold it at inflated prices, which the poor could hardly afford. “How much do you have, man?”
“I have these 10 credits.” The man showed a kind of green card.
With the disappearance of money, a new form of transaction had taken the place of banknotes. “That's not even enough for half a glass. Get out of here and come back when you have more credits.”
“Have mercy, Mr. Esat. My family hasn't had water in days. We'll die soon.” The scruffy man begged the mobster.
“That's not my problem, fool. Get out of my sight.” Esat signaled to his guards to take him away.
“You heard him, fool. Get out of here if you don't want to get hurt.” The burly guard pushed the man out of the camp where Esat lived like a king.
The guard punched the man and left him lying in front of the gates of the large camp. The lanky man held his mouth, trying to ease the pain, when a man in a white robe appeared and lifted him. “Come on, friend. We need to protect ourselves from the strong sun.” The man held out his hand. “My name is Loan, and you?”
“I'm Siberat. Nice to meet you, Loan.” The lanky man greeted him. “Where are you from?”
"I come from the western region. I'm looking for water for my people. We've gathered enough to buy our own water reservoir." Loan smiled broadly.
“I hope you have better luck. That Esat is a bandit and sells water at triple the price of the others.” Siberat let out a melancholy sob.
“Well, we'll see what happens. Otherwise, I'll keep looking.” Loan looked serene.
“Well, he's the only one who sells water in this area. He's the almighty lord of these parts.” Siberat bowed his head.
Loan took out a canteen and gave Siberat a little water to drink. Siberat looked at him in astonishment, unable to believe that anyone could have so much water.
“Take as much as you want, Siberat.”
“You're crazy. If people see you with so much water, they'll do anything to steal it from you.” Siberat tucked the canteen under Loan's tunic. “Where did you get it?”
“We are a very close-knit and supportive community. We have some water reserves, and we share them among ourselves. Some of us are in charge of finding water, buying it, or...”
“Or what?” asked Siberat.
At that moment, the burly guard called out to Loan. “Wait here, Siberat. I'm going to do some business.” Loan disappeared behind the gates of the great camp.
“Tell me what you want, man.” Esat looked at Loan with disdain.
“Greetings, Mr. Esat. I've come to buy your water reserves.”
“Are you crazy, man? My water reserves are not for sale. I control the lives of these wretches with this vital liquid.” Esat looked disgusted.
“Well, I thought 10 million credits would be enough.” Loan took out a black leather briefcase.
Esat looked at the briefcase with a greed that made his eyes shine. “Let's say I'm interested in selling you my water reserve. What do I have to do?”
“You must leave and never return to this area. We will take charge of the water reserve and the camp.” Loan had a cold look in his eyes.
“Haha, you're crazy, man. Get this fool out of my sight.” The guards pushed Loan out of the camp.
“Take your credits and get lost, you idiot.” The burly guard threw Loan onto the yellowish sand.
“I see it didn't go very well for you.” Siberat helped Loan up.
“When you can't do it the nice way, you have to resort to the nasty way.” Loan dusted himself off and took out a device that Siberat hadn't seen before. “Big boss, the deal couldn't be closed. The man is stubborn and very violent. I await your instructions.” Loan put the device away. And he turned to Siberat. “Can you put me up in your house?”
“Well, Loan, but I must warn you that I am poor and don't have much to give you.” Siberat bowed his head.
“Don't worry, Siberat, I come from a humble background. Besides, we'll buy some food. Don't worry.” Loan smiled.
When they arrived at Siberat's hut, he could see the terrible poverty in which they lived. The old wooden beams barely held up the structure. Two children ran to hug their father, their dirty faces reflecting anguish and hunger.
“Siberat, my friend, take all my water and give it to your family.” Loan took out his brown canteen.
“Thank you so much, my friend, Loan. May the gods bless your destiny.” Siberat placed his hand on his shoulder.
Loan looked at the community where Siberat lived. The houses looked dilapidated, dust covered the ruined streets, the smell of poor hygiene was nauseating, and people wandered around like zombies begging for water and food.
“How sad it is to see this scene, my friend. We must do something.”
“There's nothing we can do, Loan. Esat controls our lives.” Siberat hung his head and sobbed.
“I'm going to talk to the people in my community.” Loan picked up the electronic device and called again.
Siberat watched as Loan spoke for a long time, then approached him with a smile. The lanky man didn't understand what was happening.
Loan took him by the shoulders and said, “Siberat, let's go to Esat's camp. Today will be the day you are freed from oppression and tyranny.” Loan went to the center of the community and raised its arms. “Friends, do not be indifferent to my call. Come with me to Esat.”
The people understood that they had nothing more to lose and followed the stranger. When the men and women arrived at Esat's camp, they found the guards standing outside, armed with machetes. Their eyes darted back and forth, reflecting the growing tension.
“Esat, you coward, show your face and give these people water!” Loan shouted from among the crowd.
“Don't tell me. You've made me laugh. These squalid beings wouldn't scare a fly. Ha ha.” Esat watched from a balcony.
“You're right, neither you nor I intimidate anyone, but they do.”
At that moment, helicopters appeared in the sky, and vehicles approached at high speed. Esat looked on in terror at this scene and ran away. The people celebrated and ran to the water reserve, drinking their fill.
“Loan, may the gods bless you. You have saved us.” The people knelt.
“Well, my friend, remember I was buying water tanks? Well, now this one belongs to us, and it was easier than we thought. My boss will be delighted with this result. Haha.” Loan belonged to a group of water mercenaries.
Unfortunately, they deceived the people: in the new world, the lives of others mattered little. Water was the most valuable resource and was worth much more than the lives of those insignificant people. Water was a precious gift, and people would do anything to get it.
The end
Un don preciado
«Espera tu turno, tonto». Un hombre fornido tomaba de la sucia y rota camiseta a un hombre desgarbado y lo tiraba al suelo.
«Necesito un poco de agua para mi familia». El hombre desgarbado suplicaba al guardia.
«Espera como todos y te atenderemos». El hombre apuntaba hacia la fila con un machete.
«Esto es una advertencia para todos. Necesitamos que haya orden o lo lamentaran. Todos serán atendidos por Esat». El rostro moreno del guardia fornido era austero.
Hacía muchas décadas, el agua había escaseado a raíz del cambio climático y la sociedad colapsó. Los gobiernos y los países habían desaparecido, dejando un vacío de poder, que fue llenado por los bandidos y mafiosos. Ahora el negocio del agua era fructífero más que el tráfico de drogas.
«El siguiente. Rápido que estoy de afán». Esat, era uno de los grandes mafiosos, que aprovechó la oportunidad para acaparar un gran reservorio de agua y ahora la vendía a precios inflados, precios que a duras penas podían pagar los pobres. «¿Cuánto tienes, hombre?».
«Tengo estos 10 créditos». El hombre mostraba una especie de tarjetas verdes.
Al desaparecer el dinero, una nueva forma de transacción había ocupado el lugar de los billetes. «No te alcanza ni para medio vaso. Lárgate y vuelve cuando tengas más créditos».
«Tenga piedad, señor Esat. Mi familia hace días no prueba agua. Pronto moriremos». El hombre desgarbado suplicaba al mafioso.
«Ese no es mi problema, tonto. Fuera de mi vista». Esat hacía señas a sus guardias para que lo sacaran.
«Ya oíste, tonto. Lárgate si no quieres salir lastimado». El guardia fornido empujaba al hombre hasta sacarlo del campamento donde Esat vivía como un rey.
El guardia daba un puñetazo al hombre y lo dejaba tendido frente a las puertas del gran campamento. El desgarbado se tomaba la boca tratando de mitigar el dolor, en ese momento, un hombre de túnica blanca aparecía y lo levantaba.
«Vamos, amigo. Hay que protegernos del fuerte sol». El hombre le tendía la mano. «Me llamo Loan, ¿y tú?».
«Soy Siberat. Un gusto conocerte, Loan». El hombre desgarbado lo saludaba. «¿De dónde vienes?».
«Vengo de la región del Oeste. Estoy en busca de agua para mi gente. Hemos reunido lo suficiente para comprar nuestro propio reservorio de agua». Loan mostraba una gran sonrisa.
«Espero tengas mejor suerte. Ese Esat es un bandido y vende el agua al triple de los demás». Siberat soltaba un sollozo melancólico.
«Bueno, ya veremos qué pasa. De lo contrario seguiré buscando». Loan mostraba un semblante sereno.
«Pues en esta zona es el único que vende agua. Es el señor todo poderoso de estos lares». Siberat agachaba la cabeza.
Loan sacaba una cantimplora y daba de beber un poco de agua a Siberat, quien lo miraba atónito, no podía creer que alguien pudiera tener tanta agua.
«Toma toda la que quieras, Siberat».
«Estas loco, Si alguien te ve con tanta agua, te matarán por robártela». Siberat metía la cantimplora debajo de la túnica de Loan. «¿De dónde la sacaste?».
«Somos una comunidad muy unida y solidaria. Tenemos algunas reservas de agua y la compartimos entre todos. Algunos de nosotros somos los encargados de buscar agua, comprarla o...».
«¿O qué?», preguntaba Siberat.
En ese momento, el guardia fornido llamaba Loan. «Espérame aquí, Siberat. Voy a hacer negocios». Loan desaparecía tras las puertas del enorme campamento.
«Dígame que quiere, hombre». Esat miraba con desdén al Loan.
«Saludos, señor Esat. He venido a comprarle su reserva de agua».
«Acaso está loco, hombre. Mi reserva de agua no se vende. Yo controlo la vida de estos desgraciados con el líquido vital». Esat mostraba un gesto de disgusto
«Bueno, pensé que 10 millones de créditos eran suficientes». Loan sacaba un maletín de cuero negro.
Esat miraba el maletín con una codicia que le hacía brillar los ojos. «Digamos que estoy interesado en venderle mi reserva de agua ¿Qué tengo que hacer?».
«Debe salir y no volver más a esta zona. Nosotros quedaremos a cargo de la reserva de agua y del campamento». Loan tenía una mirada fría.
«Jaja, estás loco, hombre. Saquen a este tonto fuera de mi vista». Los guardias empujaban a Loan fuera del campamento.
«Lárgate con tus créditos a otra parte, imbécil». El guardián fornido tiraba a Loan a la arena amarillenta.
«Veo que no te fue muy bien». Siberat ayudaba a parar a Loan.
«Cuando no se puede por las buenas, solo resta usar la opción de por las malas». Loan se sacudía el polvo y sacaba un aparato que no había visto Siberat. «Gran jefe, no se pudo concluir el negocio. El hombre es un necio y muy violento. Quedo atento a las instrucciones». Loan guardaba el aparato. Y se dirigía a Siberat. «¿Me puedes dar hospedaje en tu casa?».
«Bueno, Loan, pero debo advertirte que soy muy pobre y no tengo mucho que darte». Siberat agachaba la cabeza.
«No te preocupes, Siberat, yo provengo de gente humilde. Además compraremos algunos alimentos. No te preocupes». Loan mostraba una sonrisa en su rostro.
Al llegar a la choza de Siberat pudo ver la terrible pobreza en la que vivían. Los maderos viejos a penas se sostenían de la estructura. Dos niños salían corriendo a abrazar al padre, sus rostros sucios reflejaban la angustia y el hambre.
«Siberat, amigo, toma toda mi agua y dásela a tu familia». Loan sacaba la cantimplora color café.
«Mil gracias, amigo Loan. Que los dioses bendigan tu destino». Siberat le colocaba la mano en el hombro.
Loan miraba la comunidad donde vivía Siberat. Las casas medio destrozadas, el polvo recorriendo las calles destruidas, el olor nauseabundo por la falta de higiene y la gente vagando como zombis pidiendo agua y alimentos.
«Que triste es ver este panorama, amigo. Debemos hacer algo».
«No podemos hacer nada, Loan. Esat tiene el control de nuestras vidas». Siberat cabizbajo sollozaba.
«Voy a hablar con las personas de mi comunidad». Loan tomó el aparato electrónico y volvió a llamar.
Siberat miraba como Loan hablaba por largo rato, después se le acercó con una sonrisa. El hombre desgarbado no entendía que estaba sucediendo.
Loan lo tomó de los hombros y le dijo, «Siberat, vamos hasta el campamento de Esat, hoy será el día en que serán libres de la opresión y la tiranía». Loan fue al centro de la comunidad y levantó los brazos. «Amigos, no sean indiferentes ante mi llamado. Acompáñenme hasta donde Esat».
La gente entendió que no tenían más que perder y siguieron al forastero. Al llegar los hombres y mujeres al campamento de Esat se encontraron con que los guardias estaban a las afueras, armados con machetes. Las miradas iban y venían reflejando la tensión creciente.
«¡Esat, cobarde, muestra tu cara y dale a esta gente el agua!». Loan gritaba de entre la gente.
«No me digas. Me has hecho reír mucho. Estos escuálidos seres no asustan ni a una mosca. Jaja». Esat miraba desde un balcón.
«Tienes razón esta gente ni yo intimidamos a nadie, pero ellos sí».
En ese momento unos helicópteros aparecieron sobre el firmamento y unos vehículos se acercan a gran velocidad. Esat miró con terror toda esta puesta en escena y salió huyendo. La gente festejaba y corrían hacia la reserva de agua, todos bebían hasta saciarse.
«Loan, los dioses te bendigan. Nos has salvado». La gente se arrodillaba.
«Bueno, mi amigo, ¿recuerdas que andaba comprando reservorios de agua? Pues ahora este nos pertenece y fue más fácil de lo que pensamos. Mi jefe estará encantado con este resultado. Jaja». Loan pertenecía a un grupo de mercenarios del agua.
Tristemente la gente había sido engañada, nadie en este nuevo mundo le importaba el prójimo. El agua era el recurso más valioso y valía mucho más que la vida de aquellas insignificantes personas. El agua era un don muy preciado, y la gente hacía lo que fuera por conseguirlo.
Fin
Source 2
Edited by Rincón Poético
The text of this post was originally translated from Spanish to English with the translator DeepL
Original content
¡Thanks for you reading!
@rinconpoetico7
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Thank you for your great support, friends.
A hug!
An interesting piece that reflects the state and categories of human settings with involvement. Yes, hoarding things is everywhere as the poverty ratio goes up. I enjoyed reading through. Greetings and blessings.
I'm so glad you liked the story. Thank you for your comment and best regards.
Excellent day.
Nice write up. It mirrors what happens in the society. Truly, money answereth all things.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving your kind comment.
I'm glad you liked the story.
Excellent day.
This is what is happening in the community now and it is only God that can intervene. Great job👍. Continue with a good job. @rinconpoetico7