Ayra while running had crossed several fields and paths when she realised that she got lost, panic rose in her chest and cold sweat covered her face . Ayra's feet trembled in fear as she stood in between of a mustard field not knowing how get back to her mother .
"Snake ! a snake" someone shouted making Ayra jump on her feet . Ayra then saw Kabir mocking her . Ayra fumed in wrath and she yelled," KB can you be serious for once , Riots are burning our city and here you are making silly pranks and how dare you follow me !Get lost !".
Kabir replied,"Right now madam you have lost your way, How will you return back on your own in this darkness?Come lets search our way back to Haveli together ".
"Oh now KB the great is helping Ayra the terrorist!"Ayra said in a hurt sarcastic tone .
Kabir shot back ,"Shut up Ayra, Stop blabbering nonsense".
"Yeah only I know how to talk nonsense and all others are intellectuals ,always saying correct things . Sorry KB!it is all my fault, I have brought trouble in everyone's life . Now you all won't get any problem , I unfriend you all!".
Kabir immediately spoke out, "Stop it Ayra , I know you are hurt but that does not give you the right to break our friendship of 14 years!".
Ayra ignored Kabir and she again started walking like a robot .Kabir kept following Ayra like a shadow .
Ayra was about to take one more step when a man shouted from behind,"Hey you both stop there !Don't move, hands up! ".
Ayra and Kabir developed cold feet and they froze on their spots . An armed man yelled at them, "Hands up! Who are you both!!".
Kabir stammered, "My name is Kabir and she is Ayra". The armed man frowned at Kabir's reply .
"Show me your identity proof", The armed man demanded . Ayra looked at this armed man and strange feelings engulfed her heart .
"Abba(Father) what are these?" asked a four year old girl . A man in his late twenties replied, "Ayra these are badges that I wear on my uniform ".
"Abba where are you going and why is Amma crying?" enquired curious little Ayra .
"I am going to Border to safeguard our country . Ayra in my absence don't trouble your Amma .Be a good girl , listen to your mother and Ayra take care of yourself and your Amma" .
Asad looked at his daughter with tears in his eyes , He lovingly kissed Ayra's forehead and gave her a warm long hug.
Ayra innocently asked Asad, "Abba when will you come back and take me to the zoo ?".
Asad replied, "Dear I will return when my duty will get over . I will return soon and take you to the Zoo".Ayra confirmed from Asad, "Pinky Promise Abba! Will you take me to the zoo?".
Asad replied, "Pinky Promise daughter, I will return and take you to the zoo".
"Amma why are you getting dressed up today? Are we going to a wedding ?" Ayra asked Husna who was now wearing bangles .
Husna laughed and she replied ,"No dear we are not going to any wedding , Today is a special occasion . Your Abba and I got married 5 years ago , It's our wedding Anniversary today ".
Ayra chirped, "It's Happy Birthday today! Yippee we will cut a cake today!!Is Abba coming home? ".
Husna smiled at Ayra's innocence which could not differentiate Birthday and Wedding Anniversary.
A honk of a vehicle was heard . Ayra quickly ran towards the main gate saying ,"Abba came home , now he will take me to the zoo".
Asad did came home but wrapped in tricolour .Ayra cluelessly looked at the army men , searching for her father's face among them .
YOU ARE READING
Identity Crisis ✔
Historical Fiction#1 in #Secularism (as on 25 January 2021) Name, Religion , caste , nationality , colour or race what defines the identity of a person? Ayra, Kabir , Erica and Jheel are four buddies who are inseparable since childhood . They are more like a f...
