IS LIFE LIKE THAT?

When the dynamic forms of life loses vitality, the static takes over. The breeze personified movement. The drizzle was sound, the trees, life and the woods, shelter. The delicate breeze kissed me and bade adieu. A little drizzle made large ripples on the still water. The azure sky peeped in through the mighty old trees. The fallen autumn leaves shielded the moist earth. The almighty yielded to their desperate crave for unison, for both the sky and the earth seemed to unite at the western horizon. In the background, the hills stood, chin up, honored and adorned by the green meadows.

I often stood here, beneath a tree facing the lagoon. This place was no longer a novelty. I was well acquainted with every nook and corner of it. Being the sole ambassador of mankind in this divine atmosphere is no pride, but humility. We, who represent only seconds in the clock of the age-old earth, have tried to overpower it. Yet it invites me with an unconditional love to escape from reality into its surrealistic beauty. This world, away from reality gave birth to my imagination and nourished it with love. My imagination is my proud possession. I don’t have any reason to live, or anyone to live for. I am just waiting here to be taken to the land of no return. When he passed away, I begged to be taken along but he didn’t, and I was left all alone, and so have I been for the past thirty years.

Quite unexpectedly in this virgin atmosphere, I heard a noise. A sound that resembled footsteps on the fallen autumn leaves. It was faint at first, but steadily, increased intensity. The sound reached maximal, and died out. An attempt to unfold the mystery of the sound and the person who disturbed my loneliness would be futile. I had discovered my answer already. A soft breath was felt over my shoulder. I was very keen to turn and see the intruder’s face, yet something stopped me. An uncanny fear gripped my body. I stood still, not knowing what step to take. The stranger took me by my trembling shoulders and turned me over.

I stood facing a young man. I hadn’t come across such a face in a very long time. His plane skin texture and strong frame contrasted sharply with my wrinkled skin and feeble body. I was old, but he was young, I was weak but he, strong, I was ugly and he, handsome. His features, though not very sharp, had a divine charm. His eyes spoke louder than his gestures. I felt immense joy staring at him, his face radiated love. The fear that had gripped me soon died out.

Who was he? I don’t know..
What did he want? I don’t know..
Where did he come from? I don’t know..

There were so many questions, but I had little nerve to ask. He had come, come for me, that’s all I know and all I care. He smiled, a benevolent one. I reciprocated the beam. I wanted him to speak, I craved to hear his voice, but he wouldn’t. We sat under the tree for a very long time. Finally he spoke.
“I have come back. Back to you, my love.” He paused.

The deafening silence of nature was all we could hear. It was him, it indeed was. I was overwhelmed. My desire to be reunited was finally gratified. Everything around me seemed to have a mystique charm. The trees, fallen autumn leaves, the hills behind, the green meadows, each and everyone of them smiled at me.

“What made you take so long? Thirty years I’ve been alone. All alone, I had no reason to live, but I did.”

“You are the most wonderful woman I ever met. You will be honored for your patience.”

“You have come to take me, haven’t you?”

There was silence once again. He didn’t reply, but kept staring at me still radiating that divine smile.

“You have come here to take me, haven’t you?” I asked once again, but in vain. He didn’t reply.

“Haven’t you come to take me?” I shouted, breaking the peace of the environment. He sat there, just looking at me. I shook him hard and asked one more time. Yet, there was no reply, for he didn’t have one.

“I have to leave now.” That’s all he said.

“Please take me along please. I can't live without you!” I begged and grabbed him tight. He had come to me after thirty years and I wouldn’t let him go. He didn’t utter a word.

“I won’t let you go. You have to take me along! Take me wherever you have come from!”

“I will, don’t worry I will.” He kissed my forehead and embraced me tight.
I was relieved, I had to wait no longer I closed my eyes and waited to be taken. Something strange happened then. I looked up and saw his strong frame wither away.

“I will take you, but its not yet time.” Those were his last words until he disappeared completely.

I wailed and yelled out his name. I shouted, asking him to take me along, but the effort was futile. All that I got in reply is my own voice echoing back. I was letdown all over again. The surroundings no longer seemed to retain its divinity, the trees and hills smirked at my failure. The very sight of the woods disgusted me.

I was destined to be a loner and I remain so. All I do in my agony is to wait patiently to be reunited with him in utopia.

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--Ekata Banerjee