Scene-VI
12th April, 06
Early morning at 5 a.m.
iNDiA; a land from where I dwelt, rendered from its essence of a light that I carry with my sole since its last birth. I guess whatever I have brought with me is all packed in all its presence which I call it a light from trine, surviving with its prelude with all kinds of colours spread with deprave, which sometimes make me feel as a cleric, wondering my existence.
Though a land which fills a lump of mysteries which coughs aloud for a new ambition, flying in persistence. On this day, I arrived back from Kuwait.
As excited as I was, I walked passed the long shining floor of the Bombay airport with a trolley in my hand carrying my luggage, I didn't carry much of luggage, jus a large suitcase, and a guitar hanging on my back resembling a snail with its shell, I walked towards the exit, which had a rush of people who wanted to smudge pass through, I didn't realize that my hair have grown too long, with an unusual beard hanging on my lower jaw.
Curling my left wrist perpendicular to the eye level, I took a glance at my wrist watch; it was 5 O'clock in the morning, just a perfect time to see the dawn. Stepping out of the exit gate, I felt an old scent of fresh early morning air, which swayed my hair, this air which I had left behind a few months back, refreshed me, I felt I am used to this, I took a deep breath pulling my head and stretching as long as I could.
I found myself out of the airport and arranged for a taxi till Pune, I supposed for a taxi to wait for me, but that's alright, couldn't expect much. The taxi driver whom I hired was of the same age as me, quite energetic and quite young, and I felt he enjoyed driving his car much. An old white indica, kept well polished and well maintained.
I sat in the front seat as I wanted to enjoy the long drive seeing the long road sweeping under my seat. I looked around the street, many things seemed changed for me, or maybe I have changed. Time tosses a coin to plat a lucky side, whether it may be heads or tails, its faith. But for me time is the only truth, it will always be there, walking and watching you, the only difference is he will only show you the way, and you have to decide which corner suits your attitude.
I stretched my legs straight inside the car, making myself comfortable, and loosening the seat belt, with the wind pondering through the little opened windowpane on my side of the car window, alas humming for me. I made my seat draw back a bit so that I can take a good short nap, and closed my eyes slowly.
Dreams running across the entire furious path, sabotaging and shattering all the wills and wonders of a faint expression which hid around a corner, watching through a shallow mist of echoes, and rendering through an imagination which had a shallow path, a path vacant and vacuum for a viscous and hollow ring of sifar-filled with ruthless and lifeless smoke, playing some anonymous music along with all the enchanted echoes.
Piercing from all this horrible gantries of unknown horizon, I heard someone singing, "tujhe dekh dekh sona"..which was long and it pierced through like a sharp arrow in the meadows of dull unstoppable slurries, which opened my eyes slowly, it was from the radio mirchi inside the car..oo so sweet is the song, it made me feel so relaxed and rejuvenate my senses, with the wind blowing so softly, that my hair waiving like a musician.
I slowly lowered my right arm to pick up the bottle of water to drink a sip or two, where now the car took a slow sharp turn, making me drink the water comfortably. Just then- the Bright morning yellowish orange sintering sunlight hitting on my face and skin, drove an energy which made me feel so lively, just made me tingle a track called 'roo-ba-roo..raooshaanni..', this is one song which drives a similar energy as what the song resembles, when I listen to it.
My sight went on a digital watch in the car which showed 7:00 a.m. when it just struck an alarm. The driver with his slow coarse voice called me, "sahib should we stop for a tea". I said "offcourse, lets do that". Then he took the car slowly on a side for parking, where this mall was jus too exciting place for a mug of coffee.
Stepping out of the car, I saw so many people, all enjoying the fresh new morning, and all enjoying their travel, and also enjoying their early morning cup of tea or coffee. I preferred taking a mug of coffee in this fresh morning standing outside in the open air.
The mug of coffee in my hand reminded me of my dearest friend, the way she said 'hmm..too good..', the way she used to breath the air, her eyes, and her hear flowing with the wind, and that look of her glinting brown eyes flickering with mine.
I remember the day when the first time I saw her, simply adorable, yep..the same lady, never changed, hmm..she looked beautiful with her hairs tied but sometimes when she opened it, It astonishes me how beautiful she could be. That drove a smile on my face and the coffee seemed more sweeter and more tastier.
A beautiful yellow butterfly, flying round me, took my eye on it, with the coffee just finishing, seemed to me so beautiful. There are so many little things in life which gets joy in so small packages. The sun now shining bright above me. The day was beginning to regenerate a new kin of brightness.
I pulled my dark green ray-ban glasses out of my handbag and put it on. It sat on my small sharp nose perfectly. I ran my fingers across my hair and called out for the driver to continue with the journey. I was eager to reach home and meet my friends and colleagues. And I just want to see how excited my best friend gets to see me.
The driver came burping out from the snacks centre and sticking a cigarette on the left side of his mouth, and puffing it as if he is smoking a cigar. He looked like a naughty young boy, but he had a very jolly smile, which somewhat hid his bad habits. He looked around and called out waving his right hand, 'sahib chalo', puffing his cigarette.
I walked slowly unfolding the newspaper which I held in my hand pushing the sun-glasses on my forehead and sat in the car. The head lines on today's Times Of India disturbed me, which read, 'Riots and Rallies', the pictures showing policeman hitting the young students who were protesting against the reservation policies, now who is it to be blamed here, these innocent students or those political cuke.
It is shameless to have a government like this, which is supposed to be made by the people, and for the people. India got independence since more than 50 years earlier, but the situation today is much worse and it lacks behind in royalty and in many affairs.
India was called a paradise once, but after these Britishers and now these so many uneducated politicians are making the environment dirty and filthy and imposing all poor policies which stinks. Who all wants a place of un-equality, trouble, violence, I am sure the young generation of today does not want this, but it is this policies of this politics who is just scribbling like an immature. Do they want another dozen of Bhagat Singh to fight this, and if it is so, it could be nasty.
This is an age which belongs to young generation, and if you know that you are the future of tomorrow's modern India, then we can walk to build it.
The newspaper did not make me sit comfortable, so I had to fold it, and keep it away for a while. It was another half an hour journey left to reach Pune.
The driver pushed his left ring finger to switch on the car radio, leaving behind a hull full of slow old Hindi songs, creating a romantic sleepy environment, intoxicating and making me nap for a while, and the car drove past burning the long black road.
To be continued;
Surjit Huidrom writes regularly to e-pao.net
You can email the writer at [email protected]
This article was webcasted on 03rd Jan 2006.
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