This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 40; the fortieth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. The theme for the month is "MAKE A WISH"
Abidah, moved into a new village along with her ailing husband and settled in a house built with
clay and straw. It shared a courtyard at the back with several
other huts. Every night after dinner, Abidah, would take a lamp up to her
window, and watch the ghostly
shadows of palms swaying in the dark. Everything seemed so enchanting…
Seeing a new face, people looked at her in the bazaar as she walked by, but she never seemed to notice anyone or anything. Her face was always stern and unmoving. One
day, a group of men and women gathered at her gate. She came to the vantage point of her veranda, waved
her arms, instructing people to be silent…
‘Yes,
is it something important?,’ she asked rather shrilly. Her eyes touched everyone they lit upon.
People
took few steps backwards. ‘No’, they murmured,
‘we just want to know about you, you're our new neighbor. Are you married?’
Abidah grinned. ’I have six children…but, I live here with my husband; he is quite sick… ‘,
she picked up a palm-leaf and waved it around, causing a cloud of flies rise
from the pile of blood-soaked cotton and float upwards.
A tall lean man with gaunt cheekbones stood up
and said,' Every night, people see you sitting by the windowsill... men stop, their wives end in angry outbursts....'
'That is enough,' she said, 'bas karo' leaning forward digging her fingers into the pillar of the hut.
In a quiet little voice, she said’ You
know, every night, I try to listen to the voices--people who
have receded to a distant world come back to me, to get connected to this world…
I have learnt to harness energy from sounds of earth, despite the tumultuous
environment… all kinds of spirits rain on my soul...it's enriching.’
She attempted to retreat, but paused.
She attempted to retreat, but paused.
‘I’m not
going to harm anyone of you here, friends.
We are simply bound as neighbors, as friends… as you all know!! I can connect to your ancestors, and to the
restless spirits of this village too –the grain of human souls never die…Common
on, clear the house, leave it restful, silent for the spirits to connect …. But, before leaving, one of you can 'make
a wish today.’ Mind you, this is the first and the last offer.
----------
Being
the month of monsoon, the rains were expected to start. Last two year's
insufficient monsoon resulted in severe drought in the village. Reservoirs were at alarmingly low levels,
with water being restricted to drinking use only and irrigation use was
forbidden. The rivers and canals had almost dried up.
The
superstitious villagers believed that a murdered woman’s disembodied spirit was
going round the village seeking attention and justice. Few people reported that
they heard screams at the dead of night- tearing from one end to another end.
So, they
were convinced now, that Abidah could solve the curse with the help of
exorcism.
The Pradhan came closer with a wide smile, raised his hands, and screamed,’ Hail,
Woman of God! We must celebrate; God has sent someone to this village at last….Give
us rainbows across the horizon, my lady. It is a beautiful sign! God hangs one in the sky when we
need assurance or help. It is like, Him resting his colorful bow in the heavens*…
It's surely going to bring in peace, tranquility and happiness to all the villagers. We shall be safe.’
There
were shouts of joy on the streets, and the fog of anxiety dissipated
temporarily for Abidah.
The
villagers left. She reached for a stole…and stepped out. The spot she chose was a little away from the dried canals. She sat down kissing the tips of her
fingers and lightly touched them to her eyes. She felt a stir within her, and gave a long sigh, rolling her eyes heavenwards.
The whole
scene had a sepulchral silence. As if there were wayward souls spinning around her, though all preferred to remain detached to her...
A lap wind started up in the fields. Some nervous, agitated birds flapped their
wings, only to squawk and dip, making the space ring with cries.
This disturbed Abidah’s concentration, so she started walking deep into the fields, relishing the sensation of being alone again. But, all of a sudden, there was a movement- a figure, shapeless, muffled passed. She shivered.
This disturbed Abidah’s concentration, so she started walking deep into the fields, relishing the sensation of being alone again. But, all of a sudden, there was a movement- a figure, shapeless, muffled passed. She shivered.
‘My’,
she breathed, pop-eyed!
She raised her hands to her cheeks, they were warm. A light breeze came wandering on the
flushed ground- the sky abruptly was full of colorful rays. Abidah looked
up, bent her head in reverence. For her, never before had God fulfilled her
with such a splendor –the promise of rainbows.
The
wind whined, and threatened to throw her onto her knees. She held onto a tree, hungering
for company, for connection; she spread out her arms and rose on her toes….A
promise of rainbow, was still inside her chest, tight as a stone.
The
light was getting hazy, powdery; the golden sky was melting into soft blues,
violets, and grey in the distance. Her ear-drums were thrumming with roars of
thunder and wind. It broke her trance. She stood as still as a twig.
Looking at the surreptitious sky; some inspiration gleamed in her eyes.
To her north, clouds upon clouds in gold, blue, violet, pink and red were suddenly gushing towards
her.
Soon, dark
grey clouds cut her off from everything.
It was
at this moment she realized there was never really anything….It was all in her
mind. Imagination conjured up strange images in the brain. She was getting
haunted by her own feelings of guilt, fear, or, maybe lack of confidence.
She
trudged the path back home. Due to lightning, the power had gone off. Little
lanterns were glowing in the small huts.
Monsoon
arrived like an orchestra, evoking thunder and falling rains. The village along
with Abidah’s heart was reborn-within minutes of the cloud-burst; small puddles were formed around the huts in which kids were sailing paper boats. Everything looked beautiful and colorful.
Villagers
thought Abidah brought down a ‘gift from heaven’....
Suddenly
the lights came on again. Abidah gave a
loud, contented laugh. She trumpeted: ‘See the rainbow of promise- an
everlasting pledge of God's love for us.’
-----------
PS-- *I went to a school where we had "moral science" classes... in hindsight; I don't think I learned anything of any real practical use from those lessons... just a set of rules that were well-intentioned. Reference to ‘ God’s hanging bow on the horizon’ came from one of those lessons. We are as much as we see. Faith is sight and knowledge.
there is great symbolism in the rainbow for sure...a hope after the storm...a bit of beauty after the carnage...we are as much as we see...a sad life though if that is where it ends...
ReplyDeletewe worked story...dont know if i have read any of your short story...a nice progression that felt unforced...i liked her connection to the earth...
True.. Brian, so they say, there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!The rainbow gives people a sense of hope and happiness.
DeleteI didn't know that...haven't read any of your story as well. Can you pass on the link please! :) Many thanks for your encouragement. Glad you enjoyed :))
Rainbow promises hope. The villagers had hopes in Abidah and it rained.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the story...My internet connection is erratic, hence I just couldn't edit the page last night. I am glad you took time to read this story so well..Thank you :))
DeleteIt is a gripping story, at the beginning I felt scared of Abdiah but later on it vanished, really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you read the unedited version, Vandana. Pleased you GOT the essence..! I appreciate deeply. Thanks a lot!!:)
DeleteOh that was good, Panchali. The ending took my breath away. I love the 'rainbow of promise.' I think about this promise every time I see the rainbow in the sky after a storm.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you, Mary. It thrills me to the core... to know that you could connect with the story. (even after reading the unedited version. My internet is down, and am using a data card, which is extremely slow and erratic, hence am not able to blog)
DeleteThank you for the implied Kudos. :))))
Really a wonderful story Panchali .. Ending is superb .. All the Best for BAT..
ReplyDeleteMy Attempt - Vikas Khair - Wishes
Vikas, I am glad you were touched. It is a gift to me, one I appreciate deeply. Thanks. At the mement, I am having acute problems with internet.Shall come to read all the Bat entries soon...
DeleteMany thanks!
A POIGNANT STORY WITH AN UNEXPECTED AND BEAUTIFUL ENDING.GOOD LUCK!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you liked the story, Uppal... thanks for the appreciation. (though you read the unedited version). Have you written for Bat this time?? Shall check out the posts, as soon as I get my Broad Band connection back.
DeleteMany thanks!!
I love ur choice of phrases, surreptitious sky, sepulchral silence...u just make words come alive just by adding these exotic adjectives.... btw, great story!
ReplyDeleteOw...Thanks baby. Good to see you here. princess... :))))I shall be in your space soon. My broad band connection is down, so am waiting...as soon as it is restored, I shall start reading BAT entries in my own pace.:)
DeleteThanks a lot for your precious feedback.
Wow! You have an amazing way with words!! Superb read!
ReplyDeleteThanks Deepak..Thrilled to know that you enjoyed reading the story. Thanks for the implied kudos :)
DeleteI learnt a new word today. Sepulchral. Great narration.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dilip. Glad you enjoyed being here. And everyday we learns, isn't it? Thanks for that wonderful comment. Hope to see you more on these pages :)
DeleteVery well written, excellent use of words. 'Faith is sight and knowledge' is damn true !!
ReplyDeleteATB for BAT
Thank you so much, Rahul. Yeah, some cliches are so true... :)Thanks.
DeleteI'll be in your space soon:)
Awesome! I have no words to express the effect of this supernatural story on my mind. I read each word with bated breath. The end came so amazingly. Excellent! Superb!! Fantastic!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Panchali, you have a wonderful form of writing.
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted.
I send greetings from distant Polish.
Lucia
Wonderfully written. Interesting till the last bit.
ReplyDeleteHello Panchali Ma'am, Indeed your story is a real pleasant gift of mansoon, very beautiful and mesmerizing :) It some how has sown the seeds for some brand new stories in my heart, so thank you very much :)
ReplyDeleteGood to see fiction on your page and it is also poetic:) nice story panchali di
ReplyDeleteOh My God..It was a compelling tale and poetic in its own way.... There is so much to learn from you.... Loved this piece...!
ReplyDeleteआपकी रचना पढ़ के आनंद आ गया
ReplyDeleteसुन्दर प्रस्तुति
beautiful! the words...the emotions....everything...beautiful! ATB for BAT!
ReplyDeleteits really good!! rainbow of hope!!
ReplyDeleteUthra Suresh- If only wishes were horses
awesome,inspiring story of hope and faith
ReplyDeleteReally nice story, A hope is all we need!
ReplyDeleteThat was truly commendable, Panchali ji...
ReplyDeleteRainbow of colors... different shades as depicted with different colors of emotions,faith, hope!
Beautifully narrated :-)
Congrats for completing 7 Awesome blogging years...May this journey continue till the eternity :-)
Love reading you and truly I admire your poems.
Wish you all the best!