The Gift That Was Never Bought - The Magic Land
March 28, 2018
Avi gazed at what he saw. It was the starting of a garden. A border was made using bamboo trees. It was a beautifully maintained garden which reminded Avi The Miracle garden in Dubai he visited in one of his on-sight projects, not in the size but the maintenance. There was a stone paved path through the centre and on both the sides, there were beautiful plants and flowers. There were some shade trees also on both the sides.
“I wish I could stay here for a while!” Avi exclaimed.
Without replying to Avi, Serah shouted: “Look at that Avi!”
It was then Avi noticed a board made of a wooden plank hanged using two metal chains on one of the tree branches. The words carved on it made sure that they have reached their destination.
‘WELCOME TO THE MAGICLAND’
Avi and Serah felt kind of excitement and nervousness.
“Our minds are so complicated, right Avi? Ahead of us is a beautiful breathtaking sight. Still, there is a sense of fear and nervousness? Why is that?” Serah asked.
“You know Serah, our minds are programmed like that. In fact, every living being’s is. This fear of yours and mine is ‘The Fear of unknown’. We tend to keep a distance from whatever is not familiar with that. You know only those who could overcome this fear could achieve something in life” Avi was talking as if a single question started many thoughts in his mind.
“Maybe that’s true, anyway. Let’s move ahead.” Serah started walking and Avi joined her.
Serah suddenly stopped and slipped out of her sandals.
“Are you crazy Serah? The stone must be really cold” Avi asked in a concerned voice.
“You should try this Avi. This is heaven. You know, once in a while we should walk on the ground, barefooted, just to keep us on the ground, just to remember what we are. Once in a while, just step out of the comfort of our materialistic world and enjoy what nature gave us. This has a healing power.“ Serah replied and Avi could sense that she was enjoying the walk.
Avi started to defend and say something.
“Yaar, nowadays, even philosophy and sentiments won’t work with you. Oh God, What would I do with this idiot?” She laughed.
Avi grinned and pulled out his branded shoes & socks and started walking. Instantly he realized that she was right. This is bliss. He felt as if he removed his worldly businessman image, the stress, the tensions, the race and everything. It was as if he had gone back to their childhood when he had a real connection with the mud, the earth!
While moving ahead, they realized the place is almost a magic land. From the hurry-burry world of outside, they had been trapped in a place where there is complete silence, slightly chilled breeze and fresh air filled with beautiful scents. They instantly knew this break would be much worth of it!
As they walked ahead, Avi kept gazing Serah. He remembered how she changed his life. Before her, he was a normal college guy, who just wanted to enjoy his life. She made him realize his potential and motivated him to work for his passion. To learn outside the classrooms. To view the world from a different perspective. It was those heated discussions with her that made him seriously think about many things like education, communism, feminism, faith and belief and religions. He was feeling extremely thankful to her for what he is now, gratitude was always in his mind, kept unexpressed.
“Hey, what are you thinking Avi? Seems like you are the one who is in deep thoughts now!” Serah smiled.
“Nothing ya! I was thinking about our college days. It was fun. I don’t remember when did I start losing contact with you” Avi frowned.
“It happens Avi; its natural human tendency. You know to maintain a relationship, whatever relation it is, an effort is required, especially when its long distance. Else it will get faded. Neither you nor I could put in the effort.”
“Serah, I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed a best friend!” Avi’s voice lowered.
“C’mon ya, it isn’t your fault, I need to learn to manage things alone. Every life experience is a lesson. It's your duty to make it a lesson to make yourself better. Now don’t spoil the mood. Walk fast. I can’t wait anymore.” Serah held Avi’s hand and pulled him.
It was after 7 mins walk, they have reached another entrance. They could see a two storey building. Serah and Avi looked at each other with amazement. There were some kids playing on one side. Some elderly people stood near the kids, talking to each other. The lower half of building was painted by graffiti artists.There were different images, artistic explosions. And another wall they could see from here was filled with fairytale stories. As an artist, Serah could sense that the graffiti was done by talented ones but amateurs. “Maybe some students.” She thought.
Suddenly Avi felt a pat on his back. He startled and turned back. He saw an aged man, probably in his 60’s was behind them with a questioning look.
“Hi, I am Avinash. And this is Serah. We need to meet one Mr.Ajay.” Avinash was about to take the letter from his pocket but the man’s questioned look suddenly changed to recognition and joy. He started shouting.
“Hey everyone, look our guests are here. Someone, please tell Ajay that they are here”
Suddenly there were a lot of happy voices and movements in the surroundings. Before Avi and Serah could realize what was happening, many came to them and greeted. Avi and Serah couldn’t recollect any of the faces. Both of them smiled and greeted them with a lot of confusion in their minds. They were led to the inside of the building and it was then, a well-built man, probably in his early twenties came towards them.
“Hi I am Ajay, welcome to the Magic Land” He grinned looking at their confused faces. “Don’t worry, you will get to know everything in a few minutes. Meanwhile, you sit here, I’ll get you something to drink” Ajay pointed to the chairs in the hall and left.
Avi and Serah glanced over the place. It was a wide corridor and looked like it was arranged for a meeting. There were many doors on the sides of the hall. “This place must have been a resort or hotel earlier” Avi whispered to Serah. “I too think so Avi. And look there are many children over there. Is this some sort of orphanage, definitely not a school or something!” Serah asked.
“Don’t call this an orphanage!” A voice behind them said. It was Ajay with two glasses of juice in his hands.He handed over the glass to them.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to..., I didn’t intend to hurt anyone,” Serah said apologetically.
“No, no. It's okay. What you felt is right. These kids don’t have a father or a mother. But they have a family. We’re here for them. They aren’t orphans and this isn’t an orphanage.” Ajay said in a polite yet strong voice.
“If we may ask, why are we here Ajay? I tried so much, but I can’t recollect your face or anyone here. Please tell us what’s happening. This anxiety is killing us.” Avi said with his face filled with curiosity. Serah nodded in agreement and looked at Ajay. Ajay could see that she shared the same level of curiosity. He smiled.
“You may not remember this, but I know you since last 7 years. You were 3rd-year students in your college. Our first encounter did happen at that time” Avi and Serah tried to recollect any such encounters. Their memories begin to roll like a film. Tech fests, cultural fests, IEEE meetings, IVs, tours every memory they had flashed in their minds. Still, they had no idea of what this young man was saying.
“I was 15 years old then. Completed my 10th class, but couldn’t go for further studies. I started selling pens and other stationary in front of your college gate.”
Avi startled with a sense of recognition. His eyes widened and he suddenly rose from his chair.”You.. you must be...” Avi mumbled in disbelief. Memories flooded into him and he sat on the chair.
Ajay grinned. Serah kept looking at both of them and his expressions had a lot of questions.
“Serah, he was the reason for our very first fight. You remember?” Avi asked.
Suddenly Serah realized him, realized what he was talking about.Ajay kept looking both their faces but remained silent as if he was enjoying what he was seeing. Suddenly a little kid came to them and started pulling Ajay’s hands. “Chetta, come na.. See what I’ve made, Come chetta, now!” She shouted in all her excitement and squeaky voice.
“Excuse me, I’ll be back in 2 mins. You guys relax and have the juice, please” Ajay said and walked towards one of the rooms with the kid.
Avi and Serah looked at each other as if they were going through the memory, together, frame by frame!
(Last chapter, soon...)
2 comments
Wow...Magicland...oru neverland pole..
ReplyDeleteWaiting for the last chapter with full of curiosity.
ReplyDelete