Butterfly Lives

Chapter 2. The Vow

I took my time grazing through the streets. Being a small village, it did not have many streets. The whole township was divided into two main streets. The first one, "Vazhavandhar theru," housed the residents. It is the broadest one with as many as a hundred families living. The houses were either made from mud or bricks thatched roofs. Each house was surrounded by trees, providing enough shade against the blistering sun. The second street, "Velakara theru," is where most of the village's trade and commerce happened. It is the busiest street with people bustling; vendors selling their goods. The cacophony of all the transactions under the floodlights during night, is always a sight to behold. Almost every kind of goods were sold here. Be it the stolen junk, or the temple paraphernalia, or village boutique, or the eateries that lined the road, it was always spell-binding . Life here was busy yet peaceful. People were always in a hurry yet they stopped to help when needed. That is a rare thing to see in urbanized areas. One of the perks of living in a village is, you are aware of every minute detail of each other's lives. They showed deep compassion toward others. The whole community lived in an inexplicable harmony. Unlike other villages, mine was much ahead of its times. People had progressive minds. Their broader outlook made them more perceptive. We had no religious tension. We had no 'upper caste-lower caste' riots. Everybody showed dignity and received them as well. There was no poor-rich rifts. It was the model village of the century. But then, no good thing lasts forever. Even the smallest blunder could unleash the wrath. And the person responsible for it happened to be a girl, who had come back to atone her sins, if that could happen.

I felt guilt surging through my body. The same feeling that had plagued me; rendered my nights sleepless for eons. If only I could go back in time, and change everything... I sighed wistfully. However, I was overwhelmingly proud as I walked down the street, again. As I ambled forward, my gaze fell on the tall house, towering above all others. My heart leaped in delight. It was inside this house where my brother was born. It was here where I was born. It was inside those rooms where I had taken my first baby steps. It was here, I met Kadhir and Kamala for the first time. It was here where Bapu held me onto his chest and told stories about the kings that ruled my village. All of those sweet memories imploded like fireworks within me, causing me to smile like an idiot. Despite my serious mishap and my nagging conscience, it was hard to ignore the mammoth happiness we once shared.

When I reached the entrance, I was surprised to find the gate unlocked. Opening it slowly, I stepped on the cobbled pavement leading up to the porch. The lawn had been mowed. The garden had been watered. The weeds, picked. It looked like someone had taken a very good care of it, all these years. Wondering who would have gone through such lengths to keep a house this big pristine, I walked up the porch. The door was open. I hesitated a moment. I was still scared to enter, especially now. As I contemplated whether or not to enter, I heard a high pitched squeal coming from my right.

"Jaanu ma!" Someone yelled. Startled, I looked to find a familiar face beaming at me.

"Chachi!!" I cried in elation, running toward her with my outstretched arms. I pulled her into a tight hug.

"You know you are choking me, right?" Chachi asked chuckling.

"Oh! I'm sorry. It was just, seeing you after all these years, I just lost it." I grinned sheepishly.

"I missed you too, Jaanu ma. I have been waiting for this day to come. Hoping for you to return." She spoke silently, her voice cracking slightly with emotion.

"I was terrified, Chachi. To come here. To face my demon." I whispered, quivering.

"Shush. You have got me, remember? Always." She said soothingly, as she rubbed my back.

I nodded, pulling myself away from her embrace. She looked at me, scanning my features before she broke into her classic smile.

"You have grown into a fine lady, Jaanu ma." She beamed, her eyes crinkling at their ends.