Hidimba-The forest maiden

23

The war had ended. The nature announced it. With crying animals and drying flowers all told the testimony of death.

And he came. the man whom I loved for so long. the man who left me in my sorrow. He had aged a little. His beard was sprinkled with white.

I was sitting on my portico making a bamboo basket. Humming the songs of the birds.

'Come my dear let us go to my palace, my abode the great Hastinapur.'

I looked at him. He was not happy. Ambition did not give haunting except sadness. The moss has dried.

'I am a forest maiden; the forest is my home. This place has always been my hope, when you were not there. When my son got killed. In me sorrow and anger got filled. But the forest gave me solace. It gave me peace. Like one that joins you piece by piece.

'I will miss you Hidimba, my true love '

I laughed at this

'You will forget me. the wealth and power would envelope you. It will blind you and power is a dangerous thing.'