Oasis
Oasis
It was twilight, she kept running till she reached an oasis.
Salma sat down beside the pond. She was thirsty. The cool breeze gave her some relief. She drank some water from the pond.
Salma was hungry ,so she opened a packet that she had tied securely in her duppata. Her grandma had packed some Naan for her.
Looking around her gaze fell on a small white bundle that was tucked away between two stones
Salma was curious, suspiciously she rose to pick up the bundle that shone in the moonlight. She was too scared to open it. Salma shivered and didn't dare to open it.
Sitting under a palm tree, her mind raced through. Her eyes blinked. What an escape !
She thought. Reminiscing her past. Comparing her war torn town with this beautiful, serene Oasis.
Am I in heaven? She had never seen before a clear blue sky, in the night adorned with twinkling stars. The only stars she saw was embroidered on her veil,
dupatta. How could she?
All these days what she saw was dust covered, hazy sky.
Night time she was confined to the four walls of her house. She was forbidden , to venture out.
Even the compound walls were out of bound for her.
Even the windows were closed . The outside world was shut away from her.
At her birth, her mother held her close to her heart and breathed her last. Grandfather was partially blind, and father , a day labourer, working at a construction site. did not pay attention to her. Nor did he remarry.
Salma's only savior was her grandmother. She doted on her, and lovingly raised her. Protecting her little girl from evil shadows, eyes.
A beauty , with radiating ,rosy complexion, big sparkling eyes with sweeping eyelashes, dimples in the cheek, and ruby red lips and budding youth, made her grandma more concerned.
As she went about her daily chores, behind those muddy walls her thick ,long black silky hair , that fell on her hips
,swayed gently,
An enticing figure.
Though , so far , no one had seen her.
One afternoon Salma stood in front of a window that was partially open. Her eyes fell on a very handsome young boy who was passing by. Their gazes locked. The boy, Rahim 18 years old, and Salma 13 years started seeing each other quietly.
Several months passed, and one day Rahim did not come. He did not come again.
Salma wept, and confided to her grandma.
Grandma consoled her and told her Rahim had fled. The terrorists were after him to join their forces. One day Rahim came to her house . Narrated every thing to grandma. Also warned her that these terrorists were about to take Salma away for their pleasure.
One day, before dawn, it was cloudy ,pitch dark , not a soul out on road. Salma's grandma woke her up. Asked her to disguise as a beggar, thrust a packet in her hand and pulled her out. Pretending to be ragpickers , they both sneaked into the thick dense forest and started running on a very narrow path. This way was suggested by Rahim. He often took this narrow lane when he had to go.
After a few hours trek grandma took leave and blessed Salma for her future journey. "Eat when you reach the spot I told you about. Allah will protect you "Salma with tears in her eyes hugged her grandma and ran
It was almost dawn. The Golden rays sprinkled through the trees, showing Salma the path. She was almost tired ,but the destined was not no where in her sight.
Tired of running ,she slowed down. The dawn now more brilliant had aroused the forest creatures . A flock of birds moving in a certain direction ,guided Salma to the destined place.
Oh! Oh! Exclaimed Salma. With tears in her eyes ! She jumped with glee. " I am safe . I am safe "She cried with joy. There in front of her was a vast lake, a cool blue water body where wild ducks were wading. Paddling with fearless surrounding. Trees dancing in cool breeze and birds diving down foraging for there early grub. The insects, the worms trying to escape their predators. . Some lilies popping up dancing inviting the Sun.
Salma sat on a rock , she was hungry. She opened her packet, which had some warm Naans that her grandma had packet. As she guzzled few bites , her gaze fell on a parcel slightly hidden under a stone. Shocked , Salma trembled. Oh no. ! Salma shivered. She closed her eyes. Praying to Allah, she heard footsteps. As she opened her eyes ,seeing a pair of torn shoes, she screamed.
Don't be scared , I am Rahim. Salma looked up and jumped on him. Clinging him tightly ,she wept with joy.
This is the Oasis.
Soon thy ate and began their journey ahead.
"Salma we must cross this patch as soon as possible "
The Sun had set ,but moonlight guided their path. Walking tirelessly miles and miles , their journey was about to end. Dreaming of their sanguine days, they soon heard the cock crooning, some domestic ducks running hither and thither
And the orange sky welcoming the dawn. In the near by a small cottage ,with its door open ,to greet the young ones.
They both took a sigh of relief. Thanked Allah for they had. reached their destination.
@Archana Bendre

