Chapter 1- Khushi: In the line of sorrows

Chapter 1

Cheerless, he walks along the street. It is paved with blue stones.

Days are gone and were the years but a tinge of happiness he desired for many years have never come. It seems he is enclosed in a basket full of anguish and grief, around the garden of roses where he can smell love and joy but can’t hold and pamper it. Anxious, he thinks the periphery around him has the scattered bliss and yet he is not able to feel it. Every material of him is furnished with sorrow, he nods. And this is what he is.

He lifts up his specks hastily and tries to enchant to condole himself singing his favorite.

“Every morning whirls up in your garden.
Bringing your dreams in the wreath of flower.
Just vague and vain for me.
It comes bringing me, sorrows in solitude.”

Aakash speeds up. Up the horizon he notices clouds swaying. The black hue in these water pots relates – “It’s about to rain”. Yet the orange shadow in the dark sky hints a joyful lining and optimism. Uncertain, he accelerates his pace through the dark streets and finally reaches to a house surrounded by garden.

He knocks at the door. “Sandesh are you there?” Aakash calls up in a feeble voice.

“Are you there Sandesh? There you? Sandesh!”

“Who’s there?” a women voice inquires.

“I’m Aakash, aunty?”

“Oh! Aakash Babu. Come in. Sandesh is in his room,” she opens the door.

“Well long time no see. Where had you been?” she enquires in a gentle voice.

“Aunty I was busy in my studies. Quite after a long time, I am here” he replies.

“How isyour dad and mum? Where are they? ” She alters her tone as if she sympathizes.

“They are excellent aunty,” Aakash hastens his response.

My motto: One step ahead, everyday.

By: Raj Basyal