Land Of Life And Death

Reunion

The man was walking alone in the desert, he crossed miles in search of the giant bird. But no one knew where he lived. He asked every man on the street his address. Many denied, rest just laugh at him. He continued his journey without thinking of anyone. He walked every day, slept on the street, begged for food. But he never left hope to find Rehan. One fine morning when he was sleeping in the corner of the road. A young man named Aaban approached him. He asked the man to get up and advise him not to sleep on the road. The man woke up and repeated the question that he was asking everyone for days.

'Where does the giant bird live?' Aaban pointed his finger at the end of the road and said 'There.'
The man's eyes brighten with love, he kissed Aaban's hand and thanked Allah for his mercy. Aaban took the bread that he was carrying in his pocket and gave it to him.

He politely said 'Take this, it will keep you fit until you reach your destination.' Saying this Aaban left.

The man walked and reached to the end. He shouted the name of his son 'Rehan! I am here. Come and meet me. Rehan!'

'I am here to kill that bird, Rehan come and meet me, my son.' He cried and shouted as loud as he can.

A voice from inside asked 'Who are you?'

'I am Rehan's father, I will take him away from you.'

The door opened and the man walked in to be greeted with the most powerful creature on this earth.

'Why are you here?'

'I want to talk to my son. You are cruel to destroy the families of the valley. I will not let that happen again.' said the man in deep sorrow.

'Your land is the land of attachment, not love. I am not a destroyer but a reminder of your attachment. I have lived long enough to see human love, to know how shallow it is.'

'You are so bad, I curse you that you die the most dreadful death.' the man almost started crying.

'There is no good or bad in this land. There is just life and death. But I will let you meet Rehan. He is wiser now.' saying this giant bird disappeared.

Suddenly the atmosphere changed and his surrounding was full of flowers, beautiful trees and gardens. Rehan walked in wearing a beautiful dress he looked like a prince.

'Papa' He cried. Looking at him, the man wiped his tears.

Rehan said 'Why do you cry, papa? You knew I would be happy here.' The man could see how true Rehan's words were. He saw love in his eyes. He kissed Rehan on his forehead.

'I knew that Rehan, my son. I am getting old now. I wanted to see you for so long. I have one last wish, my son. For I know your happiness lie in this world and my world is bitterly lamented with misery and darkness. I asked you to come and meet me once before I die. Rehan promises me, that you would meet me before I leave the land of birth and death.'

Rehan smiled 'I will meet you, papa. I will meet you.'

And suddenly the atmosphere changed and Rehan disappeared. He was alone back on the street where Aahan met him. His body was strong once again and he could walk his way back to valley easily. He travelled back to his small shop. As he arrived back, the woman and her son had already passed away. Her house was abandoned and no one lived there anymore. The man continued his life. Days passed, years walked away. His body became weak and fragile and he could no longer work in the shop for hours altogether.

And one fine day when he was preparing for his morning meal, he had a heart-stroke. He suddenly felt pain in his body and he fell to the ground. His voice was so strong that people in his neighbourhood heard him. They all ran to see what was happening. They picked him up and laid his body on the bed. He was still breathing but he took weak to move his body. The doctor came to check the man, he said he will hardly survive even a day. Saying that he took a departure from his house. As the afternoon came the old man opened his eyes he looked outside towards the closing door. He spits a cough on his body and his eyes were ready to be closed. And the suddenly door opened and bright light steps into the hall. Rehan has finally come to his house.

The old man opened his eyes and smiled at his son. He has fulfilled his promised. Rehan went close to him and said

'Come, papa. Sorrow no longer behold you.'

'Listening to that, he closed his eyes and left his body.' with a smile on his face, a rarest of a rare sight to see.

The path which Rehan walked to come to meet his father was beautifully decorated with flowers and the whole atmosphere was filled with beautiful essence. Even today if anyone walk on the same path could feel life beyond this mortal body.