Chapter II

new journey

In a mysterious mist a hand haunting for something to hold, then a body appeared, out of the smoke. Devastated, wet with blood. He fell down on ground. His clothes were ragged, full of mud and dirt; he was panting heavily. He stood again on his feet his all his effort. He started to run again like a man try to escape from his dark fate. then chaos killed the order in order in air. Sound of iron that filled the cave an rose to ceiling and echoing all over the cave. A shrilling cry followed by dazzling light. In a distance, a woman was on her knees. It was damp and cool. There was some water on floor, red with blood. Then gradually all faded out. In darkness, only sound of breath and weeping that gradually calmed down,

I woke up by a jerking. I found a boy examining me with curiosity.

--- are you okay ? Hello !

Somehow I managed to to sit.He was a boy around my age.Dark and slim,with curly black hair.But it was evident from his appearance that he needed some lesson on hygiene

very much.

He asked again,

---are you okay? Why are you lying beside road? You are looking sick. Can I help you?

I did not understand what kind of help he could provide, so I remained silent.

He said again,

--- Are you sick? You are not looking well!

Suddenly my yes caught bread in his hand. I was down with hunger. I could not keep my eyes off it.

He understood what I was following.

---hungry ! Got It !

He offered me a piece of it. After little hesitation I accepted it.

---Anyway, I am Shahnu

Thus he introduced himself with a weird smile revealed on his face from one end to another.

I replied in soft voice,

---Me, Naga.

---Naga, Never heard a name like that.

Then he examined me again and asked,

---Are you lost! Or you are a beggar or orphan !

That question came to me like a bolt from blue. I knew there was no bond with anyone anymore. I paused for a moment and accept my fate. I summoned new identity on me,

--- I am orphan.

That fleshly screen remained the same. But I knew all had changed. Just only a name remained that I would keep with me in my new journey, Naga.

a unlikely saga : No sign of pain,Naga chapter I , pg 5

We came home around evening. Sometimes later Shinu went out. Driven by a strange urge I went to his room.  I never saw my mother. I began to look for that picture to just have a glance. I never  have her touch on me, affectionate touch.  I was ransacking the room like a bull in china shop. Few minutes later I found it under bed. She was beautiful. Big eyes, sharp nose and a round face; she was smiling as if  she can see me, her son , part of her. Suddenly I felt something  in my chest. I put my hand there. A beat, my heart, I could feel it strongly, keen and palpitating. I had a thought of stealing it but  I didn't dare . I kept it where it was. Then walked out silently. Her face was in my eyes, and I close my eyes wishing to meet her for once ,in dream ; because I had heard that man see dreams about his wishes and desires. 

A little suffocating made me awake. My room was full of smoke. I ran to Shinu’s room..There was none. In panic I started calling him and run all around the house. Then I rushed to main door and found the demon, red flame keenly stretching its tongue to take over all. I ran to my room, it wasn’t caught by fir till then. Opened the window to call out for help. But I found villagers standing with burning torch and enjoying the scene. Even Shinu was among them. I cried out for help. None approached. Shinu lower his head and lost in crowd. I was petrified in shock, paused. Then I gather all my courage to save all that I had then, my mother. I ran to Shinu’s room but it was domain of fire giant then. Standing there for minutes I was trying to find a idea to make my way to mother’s picture, last thing I can claim as mine. But I was blank. I surrendered to my fate. Walked to my room silently and sat on knees. Flame was turning over everything, climbing the wall to stretching itself on ceiling .But I was still, calm. Betrayed by all I lost my love for this fleshly screen. But Fate has something else for me.

fate Staring at change

Suddenly a roar rose and people rush towards entrance of garden. It was Lord Hinushi, with his followers. They were carrying a cage and a box. Hinushi was a tall old brown man, dressed like a monk with long black hair and beard, his head held high in air with selfish pride, a witty smile and wrinkled forehead  were evident of his great intelligence to people. People were clashing to touch the feet to get  some dust of the man close to almighty. He asked his followers to put that cage and box near the banyan tree at center of garden. 


Running his finger on beautiful mosaic surface of box , he called me with  affectionate smile on face . As I was approaching him My view caught the creature inside the cage.It was a big dark cat. With his bright eyes he was following me. But his eyes were very calm as if he was harmless. Hinushi put his hand on my shoulder ans ask,
-- why you lokk so puzzled and scared ? What is bothering you ? my son !
Looking at his smiling  face I shook my head approvingly but remained silent.
He then said,
-- do you know why you are here ? A bad creature is waiting for his turn to do something bad for us , and he dont like cute children. Now how can we take change with our dear innocent Naga ! 
Then he lifted me and affectionately rub my cheek and said,
---We will perform a ritual to satisfy God so that he would protect our dear people from that demon .Now go and sit inside that circle dear. 
I saw a circle drawn on ground by chalk.As said I sat inside it. They started some ritual. Suddenly that cat drew my attention.He was still staring me. He was panting badly. I started feeling bad for him. Then gradually a cold feeling turned over me. My body became so heavy to me. Air was filled with sounds , yet deep inside me I was feeling abysmal silence. As if I was held captive like that creature. As if I could see my image in his eye; my loneliness and emptiness . Then a humming sound entered my ears. Charming voice of a woman, overflown with affection. But sound was poking me. I was feeling too empty, not even a desire to move a muscle. That cat was staring at me with bright eyes , so familiar eyes. Then suddenly ,being sick of all feelings brewing in my mind I rose and shook my head. I found that cat dead . After few moments ritual was over. Hinushi was addressing people . In that crowd I was alone. Alone with my heavy heart watching that poor cat with complaisant feeling.


At evening we came home. I was feeling so numb. That eyes were chasing me. 

A saga,: naga......... chapter I ,pg 2alone

 I used to stay at home alone when Shinu when to field.All I had ,was my imagination. Borrowing few colors from reality I made my own world.I had a friend there, a part of me;in fact, it was me.I used to talk to myself, question myself.In my world, I used to spent time wandering around in dusty field,watching ripples in pond, Listening to tweets of bird.In that abysmal silence of room few sounds from inside me used to give me a soothing consolation.

One day, while I was busy with me, a chaos drew my attention. Driven by curiosity I went to the door and peep through a hole in door. The main doors was always closed for me separating me from outside world .I never doudt Shinu’s intention, and never tried  to cross that threshold against his will.

I saw a crowd was gathered on road near our house.The were angry on something. Their frown was evident in their speech. Shinu was trying to convince them., one against a mob.But they were not trying to hurt him.I was curious to know what was happening.

I sharpen my senses and employed them in this task.

A man from crowd told Shinu,

-___ curse is curse. None pet a snake which would surely bite him to death. What you are doing cannot be justified. Curse must be ended, once and for all.

Everyone supported the man with loud cheer.

 Shinu:  Many rituals have been performed to overcome that bad spirit. We believe in power of God. Do you all think that what we tribute to almighty went in vain ! Why all people were silent all these years ?...

Another man interrupted him,

--- You are talking like a kid. I know you have affection for him ,deep inside you. Its you own blood. But cant you see. The prophecy is becoming truth; all these signs; we all will be perished. Naga born with a shadow that will reign over our village; light and life will be gone.

Shinu : But this…….

Another man interrupted,

---time has come Shinu. You know it well. We believe in you, you are one of us, but that child is not an human; why you are weak to a relation which has no base!

Suddenly I was feeling heavy. They all were against my existence. It was not hard to understand. Shinu never treat me with affection, as if my presences poke him. But I never imagined that people would blame my existence; who am I ?

                                                                              to be continued...

A unlikely tale............. Naga

Starting the play.....

I am alone in home for three days, but I am enjoying it. After a long interval I have found myself with me. Sometimes sitting beside window I ruminate the past. It seems like a fantasy. I try to lift the veil to have a glance of those scenes of that unlikely play. Though a mysterious mist of time making it vague, I can hear all dialogues clearly. After every few moments, I find a character standing perplexed like lifeless, freezed; a very familiar face, bewildered by fate; its me;

 Chapter I

Just empty within me

I am Naga. When I opened my eyes I found myself in a rural area ,Shanabir, which was forgotten by time. Shinu, whom I knew as my father was only link to this earth.My idenetity was kept mystery even from me. Emptiness was the most familiar feeling for me.It used to brew around me like a snake coiled around its prey and make me freezed.With an empty heart I used to look out of window, a bright beautiful world restricted to me. Sometimes , being sick of peaceful coexistence with lifeless things in my small room ,I used to try to find meaning of something; and a common question that used to pock me: Who am I ?                                       

                                                                                to be continued....