TOXIC

I like Red

Sam looked around the auditorium where people were busy baking. Participants were at the different stages of baking cakes but most of them have reached the final step of decorating their creation.

The event was part of the food fest associated with the annual celebration of their village. Sam smiled when his gaze finally fell on his brother who was busy with the icing. He was sure, just like the previous years, Kongpob would win this year too. He briskly made his way to his brother.

"Wow..all the cakes look amazing. Who do you think will win?"

Sam slowed his steps listening to the people who came to witness the competition.

"Of course, Kongpob would.", it was their neighbor, aunt Lisa.

"Kongpob? Who?", someone asked.

"Oh...the one wearing blue apron, Son of Kerklai and Chandra. You are new here, that's why you are not familiar with him. Such a wonderful child."Lisa lovingly glanced at the said boy.

"He's a bearer, isn't he?"

Lisa nodded in affirmation.

He has always wondered how people could easily identify Kong as a bearer. Is it because he is really kind and soft-spoken?

Sam shook his head taking careful steps towards his destination. But his steps halted when he heard the next comments.

"Oh...look at Mook. I'm sure this year she's gonna win."

"Indeed..Mook and her sister Plern has taken culinary lessons from a famous chef from Paris. They just moved here last week."

"I know right, I tasted one of their pastries yesterday. Trust me, it just melted in my mouth."

"Look at others' . Everything looks like just trash."

"I am giving them full score".

Sam glared at the round , fat man who was standing with the other two judges. He didn't know that the competition was fixed. In that case, what's the relevance of the whole event. Why waste time? They didn't even try tasting the cakes. He gritted his teeth. No....his brother's success is his success. If Kongpob can't win, then no one would. He wouldn't let anyone win. He looked around, and his eyes eventually fell on something. A sinister smile graced his lips.

Seconds before the competition ended, a loud alarm echoed through the hall while water was sprayed from the ceiling. People abandoned whatever they were doing while the fest committee hastily started evacuating everyone to safety. The ground was slippery with water, dough, smashed cakes and icings that many slipped and earned some injuries.

"Sam!! Why are you standing here?", he looked at his brother who was frantically pulling him towards the exit. "Move, Sammy. Keep walking."

Once they reached outside, Kongpob was immediately greeted with a tight hug from his brother. He thought his brother was petrified by the sudden course of events that he returned the hug, patting his shoulder.

"It's alright Sammy, we're safe. Everything is fine."

Little did he know how wrong he was.

"Everything is fine now....", Sam whispered to his oblivious brother as he looked at Mook who is now spotting a broken nose while Plern is crying holding her fractured finger.
**

"No!! I won't allow it.", Sam glared at his mother.

"Nobody asked your opinion.", Chandra glared at her younger son. "Sit down and finish your breakfast."

"But-....."

Kongpob held his hand over the table and shook his head.

"No...P'Kong. You just finished your college. I know you have dreams to achieve. And ....and you are barely 21. How could you say yes to this proposal.", Sam said throwing his hands up in exasperation.