Puppet must put to rest

A puppet

Sometimes life wants to say something to us. Life that bears gay and sorrow and then it sometimes give us beckon that a change is near. But we don’t catch it or ignore it. There would be no bolt from blue for you if you understand the beckon of time, beckon that whisper in your ears about the changes.

Trees were wet in shower of soothing spell. Wet soil had gathered enough for moisture. I and Shahnu were playing inside the train engine.

Shahnu shouted,

--- Everyone aboard, next station 100 km away. Helper, start feeding the giant!

I was hungry and the word ‘feeding’ fueled by appetite.

I said to Shahnu,

--- Can we go back, I am hungry!

Shahnu gave me weird look,

--- Go back, common!

I emphasized my word,

--- I am hungry!

Shahnu took a long breath and released and said,

--- Okay, train delayed for three hours.

Then he looked into my eyes and paused as if he was watching something in my eyes.

I jerked him and said,

--- Lets go!

He said in low voice,

--- I have some coins. He can get something from nearby station.

Then he pointed to a tunnel and said,

--- On the other side of it, there is a station.

Then again a took a long breath and said in discouraging tone,

--- Lets go!

--- Are you okay, Shahnu?

He jerked off as if he was sleeping and replied,

--- What! Yes, okay… I’m okay. Lets go!

We started and within few minutes entered the tunnel.

It was quite hot over there. Tunnel was just few miter long, hence only the middle part of tunnel was dark. I called Shahnu and it echoed inside the tunnel. It was fun so I tried a little bit of shouting, though my effort didn’t inspire Shahnu.

Shahnu was walking ahead of me. In the end of tunnel Shahnu turned to me and said,

--- Here we are!

--- Where!

It was a small station, Dharakul with just two platforms. Thickness of crowd was evident that it wasn’t a busy station either.

Shahnu told me,

--- Once train used to go through this tunnel and this station was a busy one. Since the shutdown of wagon shed this station has lost importance and this tunnel is not used any more. Let’s go! We will find some shop on station for food.

We went on the platform. We bought bread and some bananas.

Out of curiosity I asked Shahnu,

--- How did you get the money? I hardy find some small work to earn something!

--- Hmm! That is my secret!

It fueled my anxiety and I started pushing him for the truth,

--- I am your best friend and I can keep secret.

--- I can manage enough for both of us. Why you bother?

--- Common, Shahnu!

--- Ya keep pleading, the king is happy! Ha ha ha !

--- Tell me, where did you find work?

Shahnu paused and looked to me and smiled,

--- Naga, it doesn’t matter for you anymore!

I was feeling little annoyed. I shouted,

--- Fine!

And I turn my back to Shahnu and keep eating my bread.

Few minutes later Shahnu put his hand on shoulder and gently said,

--- Naga, take care!

I turned back and about to say something, suddenly a announcement on loudspeaker was made for some train which suppressed my voice.

Shahnu then started,

--- I enjoyed my moments but the puppet show is over. Puppets must put to rest.

--- What are talking about?

I was confused.

He smiled and said,

--- Happy journey!

Suddenly, I heard some shout. I turned back and saw crowd of few people was shouting at me. Before I could figure out what they were saying, a shrilling sound of siren drew my attention and I found that I was standing very near the edge of platform. I hurried to get at safe distance and almost succeeded. Before I could feel that I escaped an accident train hit a piece of brick of the edge of platform and it flew towards me. As soon as it hit me everything was black then I saw Shahnu as if he was in my mind. I fell and all got vague. A crowd ran towards me to save me. I closed my eyes and heard for Shahnu for the last time,

--- Puppet must put to rest. Carry on, friend! Good bye!

I fainted due to bleeding but I didn’t have pain; I wasn’t afraid as if there was nothing just oblivion. In that oblivion a sound of humming make me sleep like a little baby. I was in peace, for the first time in my long life.

The beckon

The beckon

I like to painting as every colour reminds me of my own. Sometimes pale, sometimes bright but I never have a clue what I would end up, meaningful or else!

Shahnu was looking dim and that was really bothering me. He had been with me every time. I would have been lost without him by my side. So, I had a feeling of gratitude for him. I decided to do something to cheer him up.

I just sat beside him. After few minutes of pause I started,

--- Everything okay buddy!

He looked at me and said,

---- Yes, fine! Just has nothing to do!

---- I thought you were a free bird or something. So, why sitting like a duck!

He looked into my eyes. His eyes were empty. After a few minutes he managed a little smile or fake little smile and asked,

--- Will you come? I am going out then.

I nodded and we went out.

Everything was looking nice like a painting with wet colours. Sky was clear then.

We were walking quietly and I was feeling weird as I not habituated with a calm side of him. It was like a satire on the Shahnu I know. So I made my mind to make things normal.

--- So, tell me again why you are acting like this.

He smiled and said,

--- Acting like what!

--- We don’t see this side of yours so often and it can make anyone assume that some girl has kicked your ass and left you battered or something like that.

--- Naga, you are changed. Now, you are making fun of me! Till few week back if anyone told me that you could develop some humor I would say , we are talking about Naga!

--- Your blessings.

--- So, at last I have done some good work and now I may hope to live in heaven after I die.

Then we both laughed.

Suddenly, I realized Shahnu was not at my side. I just turned and found him staring at an alley.

I called him,

--- Hey, Shahnu.

He turned his face to me and without any excitement said,

--- Hey, lets go this way!

As he started I followed him and after few minutes we hit a dead end.

I looked at him and asked with smile,

--- Which way!

He climbed the wall and reached top of it. Then he shouted,

--- Common it is just few feet.

--- Why do I suppose to go other side?

--- Common Naga, see for yourself.

Then I climbed it too and reaching top I was about to say,

--- Now wha..

And I sight before me really took away my words.

There were few wrecked wagons. Railway tracks covered with long grass. And an old train engine, rusted and one could tell that it couldn’t move anymore. But it was more like a jungle with few bushes and big trees. Huge iron wheels, shafts where scattered all around. That remind me of the day when I started my journey with Shahnu.

I curiously asked,

--- What is this place?

--- My secret hide out!

--- Hiding from whom!

--- Not that hide out, Naga! I came here to be alone; in peace.

--- But still, what is this place?

--- An old wagon factory. I love this place because I love trains.

He jumped down the wall and ran toward the train engine. I followed him.

He climbed up the engine and entered the driver’s cabin. He shouted,

--- To the far-away land.

I was smiling on him; suddenly I felt a touch on my shoulder. I felt a cold hand that chilled me to bone for a moment. I turned back but none was there. It was the cold wind but I felt as if someone hugged me and taken away all the warmth out of me.

Then Shahnu’s voice drew my attention,

--- Common, climb up, Naga.

Within a blink of eye that coldness disappeared and I feel the wind that rushed toward a dark tunnel after whispering something in my ears.

The Day

It’s raining now. I hear the thunder. But I feel peace inside me. I have nowhere to go and have nothing to do. I didn’t know what would be my destiny. In this tranquility I recall my journey.

It had been raining for two days but not heavily. Rainbow showed up in the sky. I was standing on the door, looking at the rainbow. The view was like a painting. Suddenly I heard Shahnu.

--- What you doing?

I looked at him and took a long breath and replied

---- Nothing. Just standing over here and have nothing to do.

 

 

 

Then he followed my eye and said,

--- Rainbow! It’s like a fairy tale.

---- Fairy tale! Why!

Shahnu smiled and reply,

---- A colorful tale. A boy in story, poor and distressed, ended up finding something sterling. Many times find a princess or find his destiny that changes his fate or ….

He paused for a moment and looked into my eyes,

---- That doesn’t happen with us.

--- Why are you complaining?

He laughed and replied,

--- Me! Norway! I am fine with it. I can get what I want. In fact, I don’t want too much.

Then I took a deep breath and said,

--- I wonder where Neel is right now!

--- Don’t worry, he is fine. We are birds.

Then he ran outside and stretched his arms and shouted as if he was happy,

--- We can fly. New home, new place! Only the same sun remains with us.

Then he put off his shirt and started going round and round,

---- I love rain. Rain, rain, you came again, for your friend, to meet your friend.

He was acting weird, no doubt. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

Then he bent his knees and sat down. For a moment I thought he was crying. But when he showed his face I saw a fake smile and he was looking serene.

He said to me,

--- Hey Naga! Are you happy with your life now?

--- It’s much better than what was before!

--- Would it be same! If things get changed. If wind changes its direction. What would happen to fallen leaves? Fallen leaves!

Suddenly, he started laughing. But it was like a mockery. A weird, cruel laugh! He almost scared me.