Immortal Relationships

By Ashitha Azeez

She walked along the alley shaded by thick trees. Every fallen leaf seemed to her like the dreams of crows. She felt the smell of despair even in the wind swirling around her ! She walked slowly. The sunless forests are not far away. She felt wild streams flowing on both sides as they greeted her.

Two huge banyan trees adorned with wild vines stand as the gateway to the rainforest. She entered. A flock of parrots flapped their wings and flew away. A green snake peeked out from a nearby tree branch. Kumans are meditating in wooden boxes. The day is about to set.

She enjoyed watching carve the hole in the rhythm of the woodpecker for a while. She was overwhelmed by the joy of seeing each and every thing she had heard. She was even amused by the lion's roar.Darkness is spreading. It is the first night of her in the forest. She slept on the rock for the first time without silk mattresses and soft blankets. She was filled with an indescribable joy. She soon fell asleep due to exhaustion from walking a lot.

She woke up to the sounds of the dawn. It must have started around noon. There is a small light wandering in the forest. She reached into the

torrent of water and took a bucket of water and washed her face. It was very cold! The warm water was enough to change all the harsh heat she had experienced in the extreme droughts of her past life.

She stood in the stream... and swam for a while. She took a pair of clothes from the bag she had brought with her and put them on. The wet clothes were put to dry on the tree branches.she felt chill..She gathered the twigs and set herself on fire.Her whole body felt warm... A sigh of relief. She heard the screams of her past burning in the flames. He slowly closed his eyes and leaned against the banyan tree.

* * *

That's when my mother told me that I'm a burden. Little by little, the natives also Mentioned me as my father's great liability.

It didn't take long for me to step into the hard chapters of life as someone's partner. He loved me as much as he could.

A great power that I had never had until then spread throughout my life. But that didn't last long. Fate is cruel in some people's lives. He drew death. He finally gave me a beautiful smile and left.

I was obliged again. Vacant. The husband's house shoots arrows of selfishness. I went back to my own house. It didn't even take a few hours to

realize that me was not even need for the womb which gave me birth.

Father only spoke silence everywhere. Mother's tongue was constantly chewing harsh words . Locals also enjoyed my problems . The moment we realize that even the places we thought were ours are temporary shelters...Helplessness with no ground to stand on!

* * *

The seventh day was a festival in the temple. I don't know if a tired mind will enjoy the colorful scenes. But I decided to just go there.

The whole country is in a festive mood. The music of rhythms rose in the air. Without telling anyone, I left the house and walked towards the temple. Offerings were made to calm the mood. I sat on the banyan floor for a while.

It was the moment I believed that offerings were come as revelations... My dear friend who died three years ago smiles at me from the crowd.I Walked towards him.. no.. I ran..

Even when I get close to him , dream and reality get mixed as inseparable!

He talks breathlessly.'There is no change for you even after death...'

When I said that, he laughed.

When he said goodbye and walked away , the fifth grader in me squealed..'Take me with you please... '

He gestured to wait at the tamarind grove as the same way he had done at the past.

I walked towards home in a hurry. I reached the room and collected everything seized in my hand and filled it in my bag. Mother is looking with her left eye. I walked down the stairs. Mother did not call back even though she saw it. May be in the happiness that the disaster is over..

I reached the tamarind grove. He greeted with a smile. Even after walking a long distance with him, I didn't know how much time had passed or how much long we walked.The magic of love!

He asked about my beloved. "He was a good man"- I answered. I can't find enough words to describe him more than that.

He suddenly disappeared until we reached this thick forest. Will he also leave me now? No... don't think about it anymore. Chandrettan came

to this forest stream to scatter his ashes.so, he's not leaving here...

She calmed her mind by saying one by one so that her thoughts would not go too far. Light drizzle.. small drops on her cheeks... She opened her eyes. The fire has burned out. The ashes are smoldering. The drizzle cools it too. He came and sit next to her and smiled at her.Ripe mango fruits are elongated. He held out ripe mangoes to her ...He sweetens her overflowing pains...

By Ashitha Azeez