The Partham Chronicles

Part 1- The beginning of an end

" One umbrella you could not carry, just one." she cursed herself as she got out of the bus stop and started walking towards the familiar road. Although she had seen grey clouds gather that morning, she knew that monsoon season had begun but didn't bother to carry an umbrella. Many times she had been here, the same road, the familiar footpath. For a year, attending the same type of meetings with all of the Elders, following the same type of procedures, but somehow, today, it felt different. It was the last meeting, the one she had dreamed of. The meeting would change her life as well as the lives of her children. She wished that it wouldn't rain but knew that it would. Anxiety poked in her stomach. 'It's the final meeting, the verdict,' that's all she could think of.

The council hall was not far from the bus stop, but she dreaded that the meeting had already begun. So, she hurried down the broad footpath. Small quick steps, one after the other. She didn't care If she stepped into a puddle and marked her jeans with brown splashes. She walked past the empty street. All the streets were empty that day because it was raining cats and dogs.

Finally, she reached the council hall. That ominous building stood the test of time, one could easily mistake it for a haunted mansion. Colourless stone walls, marked with moss and beaten by heavy rains and smoke. Ancient symbols and statues carved on its roof looked old and had not aged with grace. She reached the giant gate which was adorned by statues of beautiful women holding lanterns in their hand on either side of the gate. There was no need for a guard there, nobody would enter this compound anyway.

She entered through a wicket within the large gate. A narrow paved pathway that went across well-trimmed lawns led her to the entrance of the building. The building had a wide staircase that ended at giant wooden doors which were intricately carved with vines and flowers. An elephant carrying two snakes in its trunk was carved on a stone on the top rail of the door. She had been on these premises many times and did not care for this view. All she had in her mind was the council meeting, so she hurried towards the stairs.

There stood Markand, with his hands folded and frowned at the sight of Leysa scampering towards him. He was wearing navy blue trousers and a white ironed shirt. He had curly dark brown hair with little grey streaks in them. "Leysa why are you so late? And soaking wet," he asked, "How did you get here?"

She didn't answer him.

"Where is your car?" he asked.

"I came by bus," she said, " I didn't want to drive here. I didn't have the nerves for it."

He nodded and waved his hand.
"Hurry up, let's go inside. The meeting has started already, and everyone is waiting for you." he pushed open the door. They walked across a long dimly lit corridor with walls painted in dull beige.

As they walked fast across the corridor, Leysa noticed the walls. "The colour of the wall sucks the joy right out of you, doesn't it?" She was blabbering, out of nervousness at this point.

He looked at the walls but didn't say anything.

" I am hoping for a positive result
from this meeting, but the weather is a bad omen." Leysa sighed.

"You are thinking too much, I know the results will be positive. Besides, earlier meetings were good. Three of the council elders have given a positive response. I don't think you need to worry about it." he said.

They stood at the glass door of the council hall. She could see her blurred reflection on it. " Gosh, I look like a wet puppy. A shaggy blue puppy. I was so anxious that I didn't even look in the mirror before leaving." she said to Markand. She was wearing blue jeans, a light blue shirt with a brown stole and hadn't brushed her hair.

"You were never fashionable, to begin with," smirked Markand.

"Developed a sense of humour have you?" She taunted. "After going away for all these years."