The Legend Of The Northeast

Look at how delicately and beautifully the bird stretches its wings. Take a glance at how it flaps its wings, attempting to stay in flight and reach the sky, which is limitless and indeterminate in and of itself.

The bird that symbolises freedom might be returning home, to its family, to its babies, after a hard day. I wish I were the bird to spread my wings and fly high, free from any social barriers, any restrictions and boundaries separating land from land, humans from humans, brothers from brothers, despite having the same blood, heart and heartbeat but different beliefs, different religions, and different perspectives that make all of us unique individuals. 

We've been at war for several months now.

We are still imprisoned and awaiting our release. Despite this, there is a glimmer of hope in the darkness that one day we will be set free. The light that illuminates the cell gradually fades away, and the blazing sun is replaced by the serene moon. "Oh! What was that? "one of my inmates exclaimed." As I was completely ignorant of my surroundings, she asked, "Haven't you heard that bell rung? I wonder why they called the royal meeting at this time. " 

With only a bit of what she is saying, but with her hand gestures and expressions, I could make out that some important decisions will be made today in the royal palace. A few hours have passed already, but everything seems so calm and fine. But I can now hear some voices at a distance and the sound of approaching footsteps. Three of the guards appear from nowhere to fling open the prison door and announce something which I can't make out. Without taking a moment, they grabbed me by my arms and forced me to march away from the prison, now into a darker and narrower passage as my heart raced as fast as it could.       

Soon we were in an open field, a few yards from where I could spot bright lamps, a gathering of people, tall and big trees, and the magnificent royal palace, which seemed spectacular in the moonlight. The sky is clear and I can smell the same orchids once again, with a tint of petrichor in the atmosphere. Being executed under such a beautiful and stellar sky doesn't seem bad at all. Preparing myself to face the inevitable death, I just have one regret and a wish. A wish to live a bit longer, to explore a bit more, to trail around the soft and green grass for sometime more. 

But to my amazement, we kept on moving forward, towards the bright lamps and closer to the palace. Not knowing what I was heading for, I kept following the guards. A few minutes later, we entered a well-lit room, nicely decorated and furnished. As I look around, something catches my attention: a man who looks weak and fragile is lying down on the bed with several ministers, dignitaries, members of the royal family, and many servants attending to him. Now, one of his prime ministers walks towards me and, with a heavy tone, says, "I heard from one of your comrades that you are an authority on medicine and, in fact, have helped many Mughal soldiers return from their death beds." I nodded quietly. Then I wish you to treat the king, who is seriously ill. Do remember, it's not my request but my order. If you couldn't, get ready to face dire consequences. I shall wipe out each and everyone of you from this land."

                               To be continued…