IN NUMBNESS

......Still it was hot when he got up from his midday sleep. The street was almost calm....... and had not awaken fully .........and shadows were getting longer. Even shadows did not reduce the intensity of hot. Lying on his back he had a view of the sky, calm as ever it was there in vain for him. There was no sign of a rain.

In the shadow of the umbrella he found it secure to be. He closed his eyes, no memories, no dreams, only shadows, shadows in black hue. No emotions, no longings, only heartening numbness. The surging darkness didnot frighten him. Heavy swells from inside affected him little. Slowly he opened his eyes ....then.....closed..

Some children went past him. Some ignoring, some had a glance at him.......... may be with contempt. A little girl smiled at him. A lifeless staring from him, that's all. The sun had left day without light. Black clouds appeared on the sky....... Dust and leaves swirled around. He was there in the same place. Some leaves came sticking his body, but he cared not. Litttle drops, burst out of the clouds and the tiny drops dared to wake him up. This time pearls rushed out of his eyes.

Memory of that cursed day surged into his mind. His father, mother and brother ............His father was folding his arms and was urging for life. They were asking whether he was a hindu or not. .....Mercilessly he was attacked and killed. Mother was no where to see, only could he hear her cry. In the attempt to escape his brother was also caught................. orphan he became .........nobody to this world. ...

Soon a crowd appeared on the street with stones and arms shouting..........kill....kill.........The consoling drops were not there any more. He lost his mind in the deep sea of numbness. The fierce tone of shouting threw him back into his old mood. As they approached he feared the least. As they threw stones and blood oozed out he stared at them.......As they ran over him he did not cry for help. There was not the slightest expression of pain on his face.

There was only the gloomy and silent night to weep over his lifeless body.