Page 21 - Digital Cornice Grade 9

NARRATIVE STORY

Fire Flowers

By: Shreya Poudel

I felt claustrophobic in the humid air that expanded about me as the seconds passed. It was
far past midnight and I had lost count of the hours as I shivered with each passing second in
the relentless cold night. The New Year's Fireworks Battle was the event of the year. All the
teams were isolated by 400 meters to showcase the amazing presentation they had arranged.
I fought my way through giant men to get a fantastic view of the night sky from behind the
safety line where dozens of fans amassed. It was illuminated by luminous stars that flashed
and flickered like my old torch light. As groups of raucous youngsters crowded behind,
there was wild laughter and effusive giggling. Drinks in their hands and wantonly pushing
females in provocative clothing. The smell of whiskey pervaded the humongous mass of
people, melding with the putrid odor of adolescent sweat to build a noxious combination.
All of it vanished when the loudspeakers stationed at the corners reverberated and the host
pulled the green flag for the first team to light their fireworks. Days, if not months, of
arduous labor is set ablaze for transitory happiness.

Tsstt..... I heard a cascade of fuses being sparked. As the fuse burnt into the middle section
packed with explosives, a stream of light erupted.There was a crackling noise like frying
sausage in a pan, accompanied by a brilliant light spreading in the midst as sparks flew. An

explosion of flame and a rocket the size of a man's head soared into the sky, veering and
seemingly freezing at the pinnacle of its reach.

BAAM! Within a minuscule fraction of a second, the head erupted in an extravagant display
of vibrant hues. The scent of gunpowder lingered in the air, reminding me of war narratives
I have read. Those nearby were smothered by a spreading jet of smoke as they strained to
rejoice through their tear-filled eyes while inhaling lung-burning pollutants. The firework
was a supernova. A brilliant, thrilling spectrum of colors touched every color receptor in my
eye. I figured that this would be a long night...but one that will stay forever fresh in my
mind.