The Musings of the Mind - I
She lay on the bed with her eyes closed, quite unaware of what was going on around her: doctors visiting her, checking on her, reading her progress reports and medicating her; nurses doing their routine jobs, flitting in and out of the room and making notes. Her parents would peep through the glass window to look at her. They could see her gasp at times and occasionally tremble. She would seem disturbed, but then she would settle down. Her reactions would give hope and yet alarm them. So unfailingly, they would visit the temple and pray for her. But one day, she seemed extremely restless. Sulochana took out the sacred ash and sandalwood that she had brought from Bappa's temple and applied it on her daughter's forehead. Thereafter Archana slept on quietly and peacefully. What a relief for her parents!
But what was she actually seeing? Strangely she stood outside of herself. She could see herself lying on the bed. Her eyes were open but her lids were heavy. There were some people around her. The room seemed strangely colourless and the faces of the people were blurred. But why did those three people seem to float? She gasped and trembled somewhat alarmed at this bifurcated existence. She must have moaned because one of three turned to look at her. He was an old man with wrinkled face, a rather hooked nose and a mass of grey hair. He looked at her with kind eyes. She made to get up. But her movements were slow. She swung her legs to the floor and tried to stand. But the ground seemed to lack gravity!! How strange! A hand was held out and she took it gratefully. She smiled at the person. He smiled in return.
"Come," he said.
"Where to?" asked Arch.
"I shall show you."
He led her slowly out of the door. She seemed to glide across the floor and not walk. She looked confusedly around. Where was she? She could see a dark looking landscape in colours of brown, orange and yellow. She saw epitaphs on tombstones and warped ravens perched on stumps. She shivered and tried to pull her hand away.
"Don't be frightened, we are here to guide you to safety."
"Safety? What is this place?" asked Arch rubbing her arms. She had begun to feel cold. The temperatures seemed so low. The elderly man gave her a warm stole to put round her shoulders. She was thankful for the warmth.
"Who are you?" She asked her brown eyes widening.
"There's no need to know but if you insist you could call me Sax."
"Sax? What kind of a name is that?"
"Sax for saxophone? I play it very well. I shall play it for you sometime."
"And what about her? Who is she?"
The woman was hunched over and silent. She walked slowly and awkwardly.
"I am Harp. I have come to escort you."
"Escort me? Escort me where?"
"Down this path to the gates on the other side."
"You mean …… to that glow?"
"That's right."
"What is that light?"
There was silence.
"Where is that third person? I don't see him." Arch remarked.
"Oh… he stayed back in case someone needs him."
"Back where? Where have we come from?"
"From where you were lying in a stupor."
Archana could see a magnificent bright light that shone white at first and then turned gold. Her pale skin turned gold in the light and she felt a calmness sweep over her. Mesmerised she walked towards the Light. It seemed to beckon her forward. She unhesitatingly responded and quickened her steps. There was no one with her now. Sax and Harp had melted away. Pure joy seemed to run through her veins. She put her hands out to try and reach out to that phenomenon. There was a sudden urge to run and bask in the golden brilliance.
"Wait ………," someone called from behind. "Come back, Ballerina."
Arch stood on the threshold one step almost into the aura. Who had called out? Who was the ballerina? She shrugged and picked up her foot to go into the brightness.
"Please wait ……. Wait awhile."
Arch turned around and saw the silhouette of a tall man standing at the far end of the road. Why did he disturb her? She shook her head and turned towards the light once more. But the glow was gone.
------------------------------------------------------
Avatar and Signatures Shop
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
CID
