Hope After Earth-quack

Misfortune never comes singly. The shrouds of fine grey dust covering everything and everyone. Buildings shredded into splinters, streets flooded with carpets of glass, wood, metal and what could be human remains. In desolation, Dibash’s house standing alone like a Twin Tower relic after of 9/11 attack. Out of the blue another big quack turn up to complete ongoing series of recurring aftershock . A queer of uncomfortable perplexity began to invade him. His heart aches feeling numbness pain like hemlock flowing in his vein. Plagued by agreeable hallucinations he plunged into deep slumber in timeless world. 

Next day fluting of sparrows salvaged Dibash from the dreadful nightmare and  his consciousness awakened  to behold a good day standing distinct under the sky. A melancholic symphonic pleasure beat on his heart, slowly he step down to green carpet holding himself straight. He went upstairs to inhale the fresh air of Sundarijal. He could sense disaster brooding on the air, prophetic thought invade his mind and he said to himself  ‘people are usually poor judge of their own security, ignoring the possibility they feel secure until something bad happens’.  

 The blazing blue sky was pouring down torrent of hopeful rays upon the earth. Despite being conscious of awaiting earthquake, there was no sign of threat  among the people, don’t know how calmness had settled on their spirit. A kind of ineffable grandeur had ruled the environment. Nameless vibe which always gives life to buried hope had forced quick flame of delight in people’s eyes.   Down at the street, kids were waiting for school bus as usual, couple of cyclist heading to Chisapani were buying some snacks, Once again Babul’s tea shop was thronged with old minds talking  big and youngster mocking them, kali didi taking cattle for grazing, women bargaining with vegetable vendor.  The environment was full of those faculties that can make ‘happy ending’ setting in old cinema.   

All of sudden, a sweet voice galvanized him “Got you dada” she chuckled.

 Dibash’s five years old  little sister Saya . She stool his glance serenely as his hand was creeping in left pocket to take out small white origami plane . 

‘Look here what I got for my fuchhu’ he said showing her the plane.

 A curvy smirk play hide-and –seek with him from corner of her lips. she moved quite cat like step and swiftly give cold gaze of curiosity. “can I escape in this plane when earthquake  destroys our house?”  she said in sobbing voice. Few drops of tears were rolling down to relax her seared vision.

Upon seeing his sister’s merciful face a flame of panic crept inside heart, helpless sorrow simmered in his face and mere exhibition of fussy depression crowned his countenance.  

He remarkably spoke fusion of lie and compassion, ‘yes fuchhu, we all will fly far away in this plane’ 

Diverting her  halcyon eyes she pondered for a moment and smoothly put that plane in her pocket. He could see subtle glimpse of hope in her face glowing like first ray of sun in misty valley.  

Then he realized why people say “ignorance is bliss”. Till yesterday she was ignorant about whole thing happening here. Couple of week back when they were staying outside in backyard, only saya’s face was painted with infectious smile. Cooking outside, sleeping on tents, fireworks, all neighbor together in same place; her childish mind not only thought but also believe that they were celebrating some kind of feast. But the event took an unexpected sinister turn, yesterday evening’s  big aftershock drew fear in her playful mental canvas and new doubt  conquered her sweet little heart. 

The shifting sensation of fear and happiness in Saya’s face enforced him to recollect those evanescent memory of his beloved Koena who was identical to his litter sister. His memory couldn’t restrain the constant stream of her memories. Slowly, then suddenly he wanted to be alone. Faint sense of anxiety move him and cold chill went through his spine.  With all his family around he felt alone. 

****

His memory went back to the middle of spring time when they were sitting somewhere together on a soft ground . His hands around Koena’s soldiers and very close with her hair curls in his hand. He could feel fridge touch of her smooth finger creeping inside his blond cut hair. Her heart silently make soundless confession sweeter than melody, “Sonu I love You”.  He heard a Voices that charm the ear and echo with a subtle resonance in the soul. 

Then she made sad inquiry in soft voice ‘ you will never leave me hai Sonu ? he  nodded wordless answer in unsatisfied sense of completeness. 

Those moments were wonderful than imagination. He  always had unfeasible plea to spend that same time again for the first time.At that point of his life everything was clear, everything was possible. He could imagine her waiting for him to arrive and they would set off for long drive at moonlight. On the way he would halt the car to buy her favorite chocolate chip ice-cream. Until she finished the ice-cream he would behold her compassionate angelic face, and ice-cream brushing white on her scarlet lips.  For him she is a poetry, the more he read the more he fall for it.  Late night they will return back and sleep in balcony talking about their  sweet upcoming days.    

 Those days they were not afraid to dream and long for everything he yearn to happen in their life

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***

As the swelling tide of memory drags him back to reality, dark relentless fate  began to convince that it’ll be impossible for him to be with her again. They were like a generation of men endowed with cursed fate who could never dream of tomorrow.  He looked around, everything was monotonous and colorless except the red dying sun in western sky. The environment exhibit perplex sense of fear, sorrow and expectation. 

Despite everything warm hope crept inside his soul. Every blink of hope assured his encounter with life and happiness. He felt his heart, it was  beating fast.

 He thought ‘I can’t let myself die before my heart-beat stop’. His aura was alive

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He felt the environment settling to stillness, deepening twilight filled with shadowy visions. The early dusk of Kathmandu tinged with mistiness and Dying day looked stunning in tender glow of evening. Oh Lord ! again, an unforgotten bad omen echoed in his ears, bellowing and barking  sounds filled the tranquility.