Billows Of Dust Lustered In Air

Mark's life had obliterated in a snap of finger. His blood ran colder each jiffy, he was enduring the pain and agony and was taking his last few breaths, but pride in his eyes reflected being a soldier. Eerie thoughts had made it's way to Mark. But all of this was masquerades with an uncertain smile, lying on the ranch, in the puddle of his very own blood, ladened and brimmed with patches of carmine, but the smile covered all of these.

                  * * *

Billows of dust lustered in the air when 4000 American soldiers marched in a ray, creating a thudding sound. Mark was an aspiring, young lad who had just joined American army. His heart was pounding and words were juggling that's when the war was declared. He was torn apart, nervousness crept over him. Mark and all other soldiers weaved through strings. Thoughts and mixed feelings encompassed him.

Parched wind swirled by, there was lul and hostility in the air, who knew that Mark's first opportunity will put him on risk?That's when Captain Jacob barged in, he was an ebony lad whom everyone had hopes fromand was the one who had burden on his shoulders. He spoke some words that changed mindset of the people, he said, "Many a millions do take birth, but only few live with the life on the Earth. Showing the charming proof to their worth defining the meaning of life after death. "

His words loomed in soldier's mind, coaxed them not to fear and made them know that they were strong and they could win, this enabled them to muster courage.  

Mark had a revolver in his hand, he was quite nervous but all those spurs made him confident and his head lit up with pride. That's when a ray of bullets had passed through the American soldiers. Mark couldn't comprehend the fact that their army had reduced from millions to thousands, sullenness was lingering in his mind, his hopes had almost withered but a frail hope was still looming in his mind.

This preposterous situation took place when those lustrous bullets made it's way to Mark but at the same jiff captain Jacob came in between and saved Mark. Mark couldn't believe his eyes that peered, that a person who was most near to his heart was no more. He was drowned in sullenness, his sorrow knew no bounce and was going through abject grief, he was broken down and after some time the war had stopped.

He was encompassed with patches of carmine all over the ranch, he had turned into a stagnant soul who was enduring the agony. The moon shone low that night, and all the American soldiers and captain Jacob became one of the fragmentaries. He was in a state where he couldn't understand himself and he was rigmarolled with his vision, if this preposterous situation had really took place.

The words of their Captain were still lingering in Mark's mind and that's when he made a mindset that he would surely take revenge. There wasn't even a single jiff where he won't remember their captain.  

Each day, Mark worked out more and more, and wanted to become so capable that he could take place of his inspiration, Jacob. Now , Mark had tuned into a person who was more brave and confident and now he was very near to his goal of taking revenge. According to their plan, the American army was going to them next night but even this time luck didn't support him.

The previous atramentous night, thedawn was still thick, the orb of interno hadn't still rose yet when out of blue at 5. 45 am, the American army were again attacked. The troops, the tanks had burst off and other soldier's hopes had left their side. They cold not comprehend the fact that their life and plan had obliterated and the hard work was spoiled.  

Meger anguish had burst out!Mark couldn't control himself, his life gave him sullenness that triggered each time. He made a mindset that he won't give up and he will not step back this time, and he will surely take revenge next night. The words spoken by Captain were still looming which made them sinewy and helped them to fight back.

The pain he endured had burst out and the dark night arrived when the American army was going to attack. Parch wind swirled by and thoughts were lingering. Mark's heart pounded more faster than light, but this time Mark was confident and bold exactly like captain Jacob. He moved ahead mustering courage.  

Mark was in the same position again where he had revolver in his hand, bot he was confident and thenhe triggered, bullets made it's way to the Arabian army and the moment was near when Mark's dream was going to fulfill. But this time the story had again reconstructed, pride in soldier's eyes reflected and happiness was encompassing them when they were going to win but a bullet was going to pass through one of the soldier of Mark's army, Mark came in between and saved that soldier. He had donated same thing that his captain did for him.

The revenge was completed but taken lives, Mark knew that he was taking his last few breaths but he had done something for his nation and even while dying he remembered the words said by Captain Jacob and then he thanked his life, that's when lights went off. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rishabh said “whom I had talked to ?” “don't try to play tricks, I am talking about Riddhima” his tone was a bit louder now

“yes”. . . so her name is Riddhima he said to himself.

“Have you gone dumb or what, don't you know she is mine” he barked. He remained silent staring at him.

“Get off her trail, or I will get you smashed and your nose rubbed in dirt”

“Do what you can” with these words he turned his back to his infuriated adversary and ascended the stairs.

For the first time since his father left them, he felt insecure and afraid, his body trembled and perspired, with his mom, his 8 yrs old little sister and him alone, he felt weak and lonely . His

 face burned and turned red . . but he cannot possibly let him have his own way.

Next morning he was cycling to school when in midway Rahul met him again with a guy wearing thick rimmed spectacles and waved him to stop.

 Rahul turned to the guy with specs and said “this is him”, turning back to Rishabh he jeered “ready for the trailer champ . . . Or should we call Vakeel for the whole show”?

“Why bothering vakeel bhai, he is just a chickling . . . ”

Rahul guffawed in answer . . and said “ just skedaddle this moment chickling, or I will be in mood of having chicken biryani”

Rishabh kept silent, he knew things were now getting over head, he had to do something quicklyin retort. Udit was not of much help because he was not much in rowdyism, and nor had any of such friends. After school he went to meet Naved and Divyendu, they both were roughneck guys,  as well as his colony friends as well as he played cricket with them.

“Who is he” . . one end of gutkha pouch held under teeth, while holding other end with hands, gently twisting and tearing it in a slant singlehandedly, (an unusual skill Rishabh secretly admired uttered Divyendu.

Relating all past events he requested them for their help . . Naved otherwise decent in behavior and looks was his sincere friend since childhood, they both gave their word to do everything in every possible way.

After a couple of days Rahul was again there standing at his door “ why you sent Divyendu and Naved, it was such an embarrassment, in front of whole class they threatened me . . . . ”

Rishabh smiled and said “ what do you want ?” “ it is an open contest, let her chose the better one”

 “Done. . ”

****************************

He felt much lighter now, and further planned with Udit, how to propose to her at the right moment in the right way.

Rahul was not the only hurdle in the way he had surmounted, even a bigger one loomed up in

distance . . final exams were nearing. More she gave him sweet looks or smiled at him. . .

more he tried hard in studies to win a losing battle which he was fighting at two fronts.

In school he was not a very popular figure, many a boys came trying to dishearten him,

‘telling him he was not good enough for her. He was being made to realize that he was no match to Rahul. Many a times he felt that even if he wins her, he was going for a long shot, how will he then able to face her with a tag of failed student on his name. What had been started in the name of a try, had turned into a contest, and now finally into desperate act. He knew he had burnt all bridges and axed all boats after landing on shore of her heart to turn back, because he had nothing to lose except HER . . . . .

It was the 3rd chance this week when his bicycle chain slipped off, he got late for school, late comers were made to stand outside until assembly dispersed, afterwards proper explanation was sought from late students there by letting them in. When turning in class Udit excitedly pulled him aside by arm and hissed in his ear . . “Rahul proposed her”

“ and . . . . ?”

“ rumors are she turned him down, and Rahul in rage tore his valentine card and threw it in air over her head”

“now its your chance to turn over the tables tiger ”. Udit whispered excitedly.

He was short of money, Udit generously offered him money as a borrowed amount, they purchased a card with a decent friendship quote and an expensive pen as a gift, after a couple of days was Saturday, which was fixed for the fateful event. Normally she went to school by cycle, but on Saturday she got on bus . . . .

“You have to be fast buddy . . you cannot give her card anywhere except at her stop, so you just ride on hard and fast and be there before the bus . . be cool . . . be friendly” Udit was dropping off last of his tips.

As he said these words came the whirring sound of bus engine, and rubber tyres rolling over loose concrete gravel. . .

Without a single word he started paddling furiously, beads of perspiration appeared on his face, his heart thumping as if it would burst, twice his chain slipped off . . . in the heat of moment he

fixed the chain back in no time. . and finally he was there before bus . . . losing no moment he got off his cycle, opening his school bag strapped back at his cycle’s carrier, took out the card, and waited with bated breath. . . at last the bus appeared far off. . . . .

Bus came on the stop, she got outside and started walking towards her home when he called her . .

“Hi. . . ’’

“Hi” she called back

“Wanted to give you these as a token of friendship, I want you to be my friend”

“Sorry I can’t accept the gift, but I will take the card” she smiled back

 “Thank you ”said Rishabh with a watery smile

She again smiled and said “ meet you later”

He called Udit and word by word told him about the happenings . . .

 “You made it bhai”

 “I never said, I love you to her, she never said it to me . . then how in the heavens I made it ?”

“Words are not important buddy, some times some words are better left unsaid but still we call it

Love”.

He felt as if he got that few breaths of air which a drowning man craves for in his last dying moments. He started making more efforts in studies, his tutor was also very hopeful of his performance in exams. He did every thing, all possible blind rituals to attain his only wish . . . hard work. . . . . . prayed to all gods for blessings. . to get promoted . . to be close to her with dignity.

Like all seasons . . . final exams came . . . he did exceptionally well . . . well enough for a boy who had

failed in 5 out of 6 subjects in half yearly exams . . . . but not well enough to get promoted to next class. He knew all the odds were against him . . . in his heart he knew what he was wishing for was very unlikely to happen, but then there is a word called ‘Hope’ . . . hope can make you see streak of lightening in the darkest of dark, even the ones which are highly improbable though, it is something like you expect from a batsman coming down the order to hit a century in 40 balls.

Results came out after a long wait, Rishabh was not promoted to next class as was expected . . his mom came with report card in her hands, but to his amazement she was silent, which was more painful to him rather than her words or even a slap. He was sitting with his head hung down, dejected . . tears rolling down, , , suddenly he heard a buzzing sound as like of a motor’s, mingled in that buzzing sound was his mom’s screaming something, he couldn't make out what her words were . . . , suddenly he felt a sharp stinging pain on his forearm . . . and he opened his eyes . .

Across a blurred vision made by tears and in half sleep, he saw his mom with a running vacuum cleaner standing in front of him screaming “ your half yearly exams are just 2 weeks by now and you are sleeping like a log . . . that's how you will take care of me and your little sister. . . even when you are fully aware of your father’s deeds” . To his mom’s surprise . . he wept . . . he knew he was reborn . . . .