Nature's Comeback

45- Humans are Animals

Sameera was able to reduce the intensity of smoke, which made it easier for Dhara, Aakash and Gyaan to go inside the house without feeling choked.

"Be careful. Everything is disheveled, make sure nothing falls on you and don't touch anything. Even if the fire is gone, the things might burn or hurt you, so please please make sure to be okay," Gyaan instructed in a pleading tone. He didn't want any more mishaps to happen.

Aakash agreed. Dhara heard everything but didn't really listen as her mind was focussed on searching for her uncle and aunt.

Dhara called out their names, her head moving everywhere trying to get at least a slight indication of where they were. Upon not receiving any response, she grew more and more worried.

What if they are already dead? The question shook her whole being and she began shouting more desperately.

Hearing Dhara's voice, a new hope was ignited in the heart of the twin's mother. She called out for help, while holding onto her unconscious husband.

"Tha...that room," Aakash pointed out, before rushing to open the door. He removed his hand with double speed when the door knob burned his palm.

"Ma'am are you okay in there?" Gyaan asked from outside while Aakash nursed his hand.

"We managed to douse the whole house with water. Then why...why is this room still on fire?" Dhara wailed upon finding out that the room her uncle and aunt were stuck in was still on fire. And to make it worse, the entrance was blocked by a burning shelf.

"Let me see what we can do," Gyaan said, before running outside towards Avan.

"Where are they...." Reyansh trailed off, trying to look for the elderly couple.

Gyaan shook his head, indicating their failure.

"Avan, can you request the branches to move a little further? The room they are in is still on fire."

Avan nodded and had a conversation with the trees.

"The room is far away, Avan. We can only do so much before our branches break."

"Trees aren't able to reach that room," Avan informed, feeling sad.

"We need to go back to the original way then. Pick up the buckets and let's go," Reyansh ordered.

A few researchers stayed behind but most of them went towards the house. Unfortunately, this plan was also not successful as someone needed to put out the fire from inside. And for that they needed to enter that room.

"Aunt, please cover your and Uncle's nose. Sameera, divert all your focus towards this room," Gyaan guided, while racking his head for a solution.

"What about the window?" Tej inquired all of a sudden. Most of the rooms had windows, and hopefully this would be able to save the couple.

His question made them pick up the buckets again as they ran outside. Dhara went to the back of the house where the window to the room was situated. She knew that the window and the entrance of the room's door were far away but she still hoped that they could do something.

"Dhara," her aunt cried as she rushed towards her, gripping her hands through the window grill. "Please do something."

"We will try our best."

"Will the water reach the entrance if we throw it with lot's of force?"

"It wouldn't even reach to the middle of the room."

"How about using a pipe?"

"Where will you connect it? There's no water in the taps."

Conversations like this continued as they all tried to find a solution while simultaneously assuring the twin's mother.

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"Avan, you need to contact Ahana and Neer at any cost." An old tree warned. "We might have stopped the fire for the most part but it has already ruined the base and pillars of the house. You have limited time before the house collapses."

"What should I do? We don't have their phone number."

"I thought you could talk with animals," another tree piped up, confusion lacing its words.

"Yeah, I can. But Ahana Didi and Neer Bhaiya don't have any pets with them."

"Didn't humans and chimpanzees come from the same ancestor? As far as I know humans are considered animals too," another old tree spoke up.

"Really?" Avan asked in a shocked tone.

"It's true. But humans only use the word 'animal' for another human as a derogatory remark."

"Coming to the point," Another tree interjected in between the science lecture, "If you can talk to animals then there's a higher chance that you can speak to humans too."

Avan was surprised by the turn of events. Without thinking too much about it, he instantly tried to connect with Ahana.

"It's not working." Avan pouted.

"Human minds are a lot more complicated than regular animals. Avan, give it your all. You can do it."

"You can do it."

"Go Avan Go."

"Focus focus."

All the neighbouring trees cheered him, as Avan tried to concentrate.

"Payal, what is Avan doing?" Sarika asked upon seeing him standing stiffly with closed eyes and furrowed eyebrows.

"I don't know," Payal frowned. "Maybe he is requesting his elements to help out."

"He doesn't give up, does he?" Sarah commented, amazed by his will power.

"My brother is the best," Ayaan boasted proudly.

"He sure is," came Sarah's remark.

☯☯☯☯☯

Ahana and Neer hadn't gone too far. They managed to walk for a few minutes but as soon as they realized that they were alone, they gave up their strong front.

Sitting at the footpath of an unknown road, both the twins cried their hearts out. The pain they had buried long ago had risen once again.

"Why couldn't they take a straight road towards Mumbai? What was the need to go through villages?" Neer questioned in agony.

"Nothing would have happened if I didn't agree to join the group. We both were happy in our lives. What was the need to join the strangers?" Ahana muttered, hating herself.

"How were you supposed to know this would happen?" Neer patted her back, before going silent. Both the twins sat quietly, trying to gain the courage to face the world again.

"Sitting here won't help. Let's go before those researchers realize that we are gone," Ahana said, as she stood up, dusting her jeans.

"True. We need to leave before they come searching for us," Neer agreed, standing up as well.

They had only taken a few steps when Ahana stopped abruptly. She looked back in shock, but then her eyebrows furrowed upon not finding anything.

"What's wrong?" Neer asked in concern.

"I heard Avan's voice," Ahana answered, still trying to look for the kid.

"He's not here. I think it was your imagination."

"Maybe." Still confused, Ahana resumed walking again. But she heard Avan's voice again.

"Ahana," Neer called out to her gently when he saw Ahana clutching her forehead tightly with her eyes closed.

"It wasn't my imagination," Ahana said after opening her eyes. "I don't know how but Avan is trying to contact us."

"What?! What are you saying?" Neer was baffled to say the least.

"I heard his broken words, Neer. Didi...help...fire..."

Although it wasn't a complete sentence the twins understood what it symbolized.

"They are in danger." Both of them uttered in unison.

Fearing the worst, they ran towards the place and people they were trying to save themselves from.