I was coming home from the biggest art exhibition organised by the State, which featured my works along with those of some other well-known artists. Since my works were chosen for the first time, I felt really honoured for the opportunity and I was quite happy but at the end of the event, I felt worn out due to the hectic schedule. The program which had commenced from 9.00am, ended at 7pm of the late evening and I was really tired, the venue of the exhibition was new to me and was a three hour journey from my home. I had hired a cab from Fastport, Fastport is the name of the enterprise that provides taxi services.
The driver of the car was an elderly man, his hair was white and his skin had wrinkles which made me guess that he was in his late seventies. He greeted me politely and introduced himself as Mr Lal. I had a look at my wrist watch, three hours to go, I sighed.
As we drove, I looked through the windows, the greenery always amazed me. It was the month of monsoons and the sky was filled with black clouds, hiding the moon too. Flashes and streaks of lightening filled the sky and the pitter patter of the rains made me feel sleepy until I drifted off into a slumber.
I was woken out of my sleep as Mr Lal called out to me, "Madam" he said.
I opened my eyes to find that the car wasn't in motion. I asked him, "Why have we stopped here?"
"Madam, the car ran out of fuel, there is a petrol pump nearby, I will get a gallon and come immediately."
"Ok, please hurry up" I said.
Fifteen minutes passed by and there was no sign of Mr Lal. I got out of the car, the rain had stopped. I began to examine the place and tried to call Mr Lal, but there was no network or range here. I walked a bit further, until the road split into two. In between the two roads were bushes of flowers and trees that I hadn't seen before, curious, I went to examine the floral bushes and my eyes fell upon something that looked like a tag, it had the figure "1" written on it and below which a text that read Fairy woods. I picked it up and kept it in my sling bag.
I felt sure that it was a tag for apparels and thought that a clothing store was nearby, so I decided to find out and the number 1 on the tag made me take the first road. The path was lined by these huge and strange looking trees and I realised that it had been a while since I had been exploring so I decided to head back towards the car. As I began to turn back, my eyes fell upon a woman dressed in a beautiful white dress, she held a flute to her mouth and was playing it. I found her to be a very charming woman and I decided to ask her where I was and how far the petrol pump was from here. I went after her, calling her out. But she didn't bother to turn, I hurried a bit and stopped abruptly at what I saw next, a beautiful pair of white wings emerged from her back. I was stunned. I couldn't believe my eyes. I pinched myself till it hurt to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Nope, I wasn't.
She came towards me and flashed me a warm smile. I was enchanted. I examined her face. She had long black eyebrows and pink lips, a clear complexion and creases around the eyes reflecting a wisidom. She asked me if I would like to come with her. I nodded in affirmation. I walked closely behind her. I asked, "Who are you?"
"I am a spirit from the forest" she said as she led me to a wooden bench. She asked me to sit down and handed me a cup of tea, one of its kind, a flavour so rich, I hadn't tasted any of its kind before. I was now curious and wondered if she had the key to all the mysteries of the world and the mystery of existence.
"Thank you for the hot tea it's really delicious" I said. I felt refreshed and energised.
"It will protect you on your way back."
I was confused when she said that and I didn't understand what sort of protection and from whom she was talking about. I didn't know how long I had been here with her until I remembered that I had to get back home, but I decided to come back here. I had so many questions but just no time. Mr Lal would be waiting for me too.
"Ma'am, Can you please tell me how to go back?" I asked.
"All you have to do is walk straight and no matter what very importantly do not stop or turn back."
I got up and bid farewell to the spirit. She waved back and said, "Remember, do not look back."
As I walked away, I felt the energy being slowly drained out of my body as if my soul was being pulled away from me. Each step felt heavier. I began to feel unusually cold, goose bumps on my skin, as I heard faint voices calling out to me desperately, pleading me to help them. I remembered what the forest fairy had told me, do not stop or look back, that's what she had said.
The faint sad voices began to grow louder, still pleading to me that I help them out. I was almost there; I could see the lights of the car in the distance. My breath felt heavy and difficult. I could still feel some force trying to pull me back. With whatever strength that was left within me, I dragged myself out and then all went black.
I could still hear someone calling out to me, I opened my eyes. It was Mr Lal.
"Madam, we reached."
I looked around; I was in the car and right before my house. The whole experience was just a dream, I thought. I sighed and got down from the car and headed towards my house. It was 10pm.
I knocked at the door opened by my mom.
"How was your day?" she asked.
"It was fantastic" I said feeling exhausted, as I sat down on the couch and flung my sling back towards the side, out popped a piece of paper, I picked it up. I was shocked. It was the tag.
(This story is a product of my creative imagination😊)
