Strings of Autumn

Strings of Autumn

(#3.1)

In the wee hours, a caravan snails across the sands till the sun shines through and lights up its path. In it men, both young and old walk towards home, in happy thoughts oblivious to the impending doom. Some dream of love, some dream of riches, some of glory, some hide lies while others weave simple little dreams of everyday togetherness. 

But he has plans. And in that deceptive quiet of dawn, he plays a song; a song that sears her soul, rips her heart, clips her wings and leaves her to die, all alone. Except, death, her unlikely friend continues its game of hide and seek, "I'll take away everything you hold dear, will you survive?" He asks as he flies away.

Paro stands in muted horror as the bloodshed ensues. Why couldn't his name been an alias of yours?' she had asked only a day ago. Even as she stands face to face, the fierce one, Rudra, she is completely unaware. Is he the one, just like she is for him?

But at what price? 

They stand at opposites separated by an ocean of loss - of lives, of dreams and of promises that will forever remain incomplete, and a rain of bullets that's knocked out tomorrow before it was even born.

And yet incredibly, in a moment of truth before prejudice takes over, You can't possibly shoot me?' Her eyes ask of him; he stands stunned and watches her fall.

In a matter of minutes, everything's changed, from a subtle and serene to the utterly harsh. From a rich green to a fleeting bright flame thats died too soon. Short lived summer thats given away to a never ending dull, an ache thats bound to spread.

Why is happiness her enemy and death her friend? It eludes her when she desperately wants it to embrace her instead.

If only yesterday had been longer and tomorrow had never come.