RamPrompTime

Settled (Prompt: Debate)

One of the biggest advantages of being a teetotaler is, you get the lion's share of the side orders. Only, you must be careful not to indulge too early, lest the drinkers dismiss you from the party. It is hard to contain one's temptation, but like Rocky Balboa says, going in one more round when you don't think you can makes all the difference in life. I had held out long enough - six or seven rounds if I remember right - and the alcohol had begun to take effect. This time around, the guys were vigilant though. 

The plate of crispies lay right in between them and I was in no position to grab some without being noticed. The last thing I wanted was to be caught stealing from invalids-by-choice. And so, I decided to wait. 

'Hey!' one of them called me. 'I know what you are here for. Don't dream of walking away with the plate of crispies. Not happening today." And the other shook his head. 'Yes man! It's all ours. But what shall we do with this guy?' he said to the first. My patience was being stretched. The crispies, and the fact that the two were brawny and drunk while I was hungry and skinny kept me from tearing them apart.

'Go and ask the cook what's for dinner tonight,' one of them waved me away and I did as he bid me to. I walked away, hoping something would be left for me. 'He says he is making Roti,' I said, back at the table. The crispies remained untouched.

'Why not rice, man?' the first asked the second, to which the second said, 'why not Roti?'

'Why why not? I mean rice is better. That's why not,' the first, buoyed by the alcohol in his system was in his elements.

'Come on. Roti is no lesser a delicacy. Ever had Roti, you moron?' The other guy was drunk enough too. 

'Come on man. Why do you keep craving for Roti all the time?'

'Why can't you skip rice even once? After all both have carbohydrates.' 

'3 grams more in rice. More energy,' the champion of rice declared, beaming at the edge his favourite food had over some Roti. 

'Lesser calories and more protein, man,' the other man was in no mood. 

'Come on. Let's wrestle and see whether Roti wins or rice wins,' the first man had had enough of talking. The other guy acceded readily. In no time, a large quilt was spread, pillows were placed as boundary markers and the two prepared to slug it out. 

The aroma of freshly baked Roti and chickpea gravy wafted out from the kitchen and filled my nostrils. It brought me back to reality and my heart skipped a beat when I realised I had forgotten all about the crispies. Need I say I was relieved when I found the plate untouched and relegated to a corner to make way for the ring? 

The men slugged it out, rolling about aimlessly, one at one end of the ring and the other at the other, daring each other to launch an attack. The cook and I meanwhile had a sumptuous dinner - Roti, chickpeas gravy, rice and crispies and an entertaining live match to kill time.