Song of the Firebird

Three

The hot summer air swept through those cemented halls. It was not such a beautiful place to begin with. It was something beyond that. The only place where everyone obtained a vision, developed dreams and secured connections to escape from their own sh*thole of insecurities. Though the halls were cleaned on a daily basis, it remained dirty. That was never a bother to anyone who ever visited this place. It was the only window to knowing the world. It looked so simple yet perfect.

Suddenly, the bells rang - so many of them in each room. There came a P.A. telling the listeners to enjoy their summer break and what more joy would one pray for after the final exams, but holidays, to blow off the steam.

Many pairs of stubby legs jumped out with excitement. They were like the water from the catchment opened recently for public use when there was a huge demand for water. It was like no one could stop their flow.

The children rushed out of the school gates so that they could change, grab a bite and kill time with their buddies and come back home only when the sun set.

It can hardly be called a town. In other terms, a village. Everyone knew everyone. It was that small. People mostly worked in their family-owned farms, had food stocks stored and distributed according to the needs. Few worked on their hand looms. A very few worked in the neighbouring town for some odd jobs and some adventure. Some people owned cafés and organized community gatherings.

The most important thing was, the villagers embraced communal harmony. It was not that easy to achieve in a country where there were always disputes between the diverse sects. Simply said, it became a haven for the bold and bruised, equally.

Sprinting across the streets was a little boy, holding his school bag, crossing a handful of streets to meet his most favourite person on earth. All he could think of that time was the promised once-in-a-year snack. Who doesn't go mad for food? Come on, people, even I can't stop my mouth from drooling. Imagine, how would that affect the little boy, after a mental fight with the final exam question paper. Said boy finally reached his home.

He dropped the shoes on the porch, near the entrance, threw away his bag in ohe wooden armchair in the hall and called out, 'Maa! Amma!'

He found his mother carefully arranging the snack, in the kitchen, with her back turned to him. The mother paused her work and to her son.

'Paari!', she beamed at him. 'Welcome home!'

***

He slowly opened his eyes and jolted up. His hands found themselves on his forehead and swiped away the lingering sweat.

He looked around the current setting. He was placed in a bed with a quite hard mattress. By the looks of the bottle hanging upside down, he deduced that he must be in a hospital. There were five other beds sharing his room, all of their occupants busy snoring.

The regret from denying the breaks he could take while on his task, clouded his conscience. 

Jay took a deep breath and looked around to see if any of his personal belongings were in his vicinity. Finding his bag near the table, he reached for it. Luckily he found his phone and wallet intact. He began to dial Danny's number.

Danny picked up in one ring. 'Jay! Will be there in five!' Jay could sense a mix of panic and relief in his voice. 'What an idiot.. I didn't even say a hello', he sighed aloud.

After a few moments, Jay could see a figure moving in the dimly lit corridor. In the wee hours of 3am in a hospital, a figure moving stealthily would always give the creeps. Bracing himself for anything supernatural, Jay simply stared at the entrance to the room.

The door opened with a small squeak. A human head peeked in. Near the door, it moved from one side to the other and finally fixated on Jay's bed. The rest of the human form tiptoed in. Jay signed and said, 'Don't worry, they are all sound asleep. Also, have you moved to a place near the city hospital?'

Danny snickered and said,' As long as there is that dumbest coffee vending machine that will hold its stand in this block, I will never come closer to this place, unless necessary. What happened back there, bastard?'

Jay shrugged,' I don't know and I don't want to feel this again.' He paused looking at the venflon. 'How long I was out?'

'A day. I have applied for medical leave as well. The doctors say that you must take rest for at least a week'.

'I'd rather go home.'

'Will see about that when your reports come tomorrow.'

'Since when did you switch jobs? I only passed out. Don't tell me that those men in white coats robbed me off.'

'Come on. You have been to only a couple. Not all.'

'This place is giving me goosebumps and my mind is screaming at me to pack the rest of my stuff and leave without turning back.'

Danny sighed, 'Okay, but only tomorrow. I'm tired.' he slowly moved to the visitor bed.

'Hey Danny.'

'Uh-huh.'

'Thank you for taking care of me.'

'Save it for later today, you asshole. Let the man get his sleep.'

Later that day, Jay likely spent a good 30 minutes inside the doctor's room. Stress has really taken a toll on him, accompanied by anxiety. He was free from these episodes in the last year. Somehow, something rekindled the entire circuit. Is it his mother? Is it June or his brother? Is it him? Or is it the woman who had the most enchanting hazel eyes?

He prodded himself when he was asked to get into a cognitive therapy session, fearing for things that would make him relive those days again and again. He told himself that he needs to brace up for the better or the worst. Suddenly, he remembered about June. He turned to Danny and asked,' What happened to June while I was away?'

'I asked the foster care centre to look after her for a couple more days, and I might want to tell them to extend it for a week, though.'

'I dare you to do that.'

'Okay', said Danny, picking up his phone. After talking to the caretaker, he said, 'Jay, I even packed your things and placed your luggage in my flat. You need company. A human company. I hope you don't end your life all alone or end up like a grumbling old fart. I am doing this on doctors orders and for your own sake.'

Jay was speechless. When he was about to point fingers right at his friend's nose, Danny continued, 'You can thank me later. Now, lets get some cake!'

People always need someone at some point in life to do and speak things that are not likable. They claim it's for our own good, like our mothers. Those kind of Commanders-in– Chief deserved both a medal and a beating. Their words are the salts that people throw upon their misfortunes and people that they wanted to avoid from then on till their last second on earth. Better safe than sorry.

Jay was looking forward to meet both June and the woman with the notion of crushing them in his bear hug and letting out tearful I've-missed-yous.