BEYOND THAT SKY

CHAPTER 5: EPIPHANY

All the girls and youngsters gathered together after the games. The game had been quite tiring, yet fun. As the gathering was lit by the girls, Aunt Reena asked,
" How are your books doing in the market, Tanya?"

"They are doing quite well, aunty", she lied.

" That sounds great dear. By the way, what did you tell the name of the book was?"

"Madeline and her mad, missing monkey."

"The title sounds interesting."
...

'""
Only aunty finds the book and its title interesting, for others hardly have an opportunity know that it existed. I wish all of my readers liked my books, so that one day, my dream of signing "Tanya" for all my readers would come true...

This reminds me of that sorrowful day when I gave the book away as a free sample so that people like me with the least facilities could also enjoy, but many misunderstood that the quality of the book would be as low as its price... misunderstanding... that happens in the world with everyone.
Why does the world never want to know of my eager voice which waits to shout out a story unheard? Why does the world underrate talented writers like me? I yearn to earn an opportunity to showcase my talent, but the busy world can't afford a few minutes for me. Should I just find another world with people like me who know to encourage talent? But blaming the world and the human heart just isn't enough.

I am into all this sorrow because my book had ranked 764th in the "most awaited books" out of 765 books in the store. The 765th was a guidebook about the store and attached library. But still, I only look forward to accept this, feel bad about this, get sadder, write a book of poems out of this sadness, and make it a best seller! It turns out to be true that sadness composes a poet who composes verses of the same... I just don't wish to indulge myself in sorrow on a happy day like this.

This is no time to whine...    
                    
                        "'"
.....

After a short while of chitter-chatter, Mr.Ram called the girls to his house. He was leading, and the girls followed. All of a sudden, his feet seemed too heavy to move. Fear of losing added to the weight of his heart, but still he managed to make those steps without collapsing. The girls followed him like obedient kids.

After reaching his house, Mr. Ram asked the girls to wait outside, and got into his room, where he did not allow anyone in. He picked up a small box made of bronze; it looked too precious to be handed over to someone, or even be exposed to the moonlight. He brought it carefully to the girls and opened it.

Brilliant shades of pink, green, blue, silver, purple, gold and red shone inside the box. The stumped girls looked at Mr.Ram with a question mark clearly written over their face.

"Before I say anything, just promise that you will forgive me for whatever I am going to tell you."

The girls maintained a sharp silence.

....

"I take this silence for approval. Seven years back when you were found wounded in the forest, I was just another normal farmer- no leader that I am now. You were the lucky stars who fell to me from the sky. At the night when no one dared to look into the forest, I went to collect  my share of fuel wood which was much more than what I would get amidst the competition during the day. That night  I just saw these colorful pendents glazing in the darkness, and couldn't resist myself from collecting them. My selfish self even sold it to someone and it has taken seven years for me to retrieve it back. This was the only belonging of tours which might have shown you your way to your family, but I selfishly let you struggle all these years! I am sorry dears!  Please have it! I am feeling extremely guilty!" he said.

The girls. They had learnt too much in a very few moments.

....

They said,  "It's fine! We are glad we can have them now."

They picked a colour each. They observed how intricately it has been carved despite the shine. What they never knew was that the brilliant shades hid more than what actually met the eyes...

....