Magnoliophyta

13. SAPPHIRE DU SOLEIL

Our flight was right on time as we landed in the Jodhpur airport. If you are wondering why or how we got the flight then the answer is, we are not antediluvian. The airport was quite comfortable and pleasant. I was so excited that we had landed in India, a country I had heard so much about!

We made our way through the airport exit and instantly felt the rise in temperature and the dry air rustling through the scarce vegetation. We had to reach the Thar desert in Jaisalmer to persuade the king of Thar to ally with us. Lil went to a nearby taxi driver and asked him how much time it would take to reach Jaisalmer. The taxi driver confirmed our suspicions and told us that it would approximately take four to five hours to reach Jaisalmer. 

Our faces drooped with the thought of the upcoming journey. Lately we seemed to be spending a lot of time travelling in a car and we had gotten sick of it. But there was no other option, so we grabbed a cab and this time there was no special wooden plate, so one of us could grab the front seat. In the end, Jared got the shotgun seat and the rest of us took the rear seat. This time the ride was much more comfortable and relaxing. 

As the car sped past the rolling land, I was fascinated by the type of climate, flora and fauna this place had, It was completely different from anything I had experienced. Soon the dull movement and swaying trees put me to sleep. 

"Five minutes more!" announced the driver in a sprawling voice. I could tell that he was not used to speaking English. I rubbed my eyes and sat up straight, fixing my hair and turning my top. We were there at last. It felt like the city of Jaisalmer was welcoming us with open arms and a wide smile. We all tumbled out of the taxi and payed the driver his due amount. 

The city was bustling with activity, people adorned in there traditional dresses swarmed the city roads. Sweatmeat sellers were lined up, selling there deliciously fragrant sweats and all sorts of bits and bobs were being sold by the roadside hawkers. Many brick houses lined the streets and the city felt alive. I could see why people called India the country of vibrancy and colours. These adjectives described what I saw perfectly.

The kingdom of Thar was not known to mere mortals. One had to find it, so we made our way towards the desert sands. None of us had any idea as to where or how the entrance would appear, but we knew that we had to keep searching for even the tiniest clue possible. We walked and walked on the slippery desert sand for hours and hours with nothing except the vast expanse of golden sand and nothingness. We kept going till the sun dipped below the horizon and out came the sparkling moon.

The temperature dropped considerably and we all felt chilly and cold. We decided to call it a day and stop for the night. I set up my tent very quickly since I had had the experience before. After setting my tent up, I went and helped the others who were having difficulties with there stubborn tents. We all lay down under the starry night listening to the desert sounds and wondering what tomorrow may bring to us. Soon, I heard the light snores of Lil and reallised that the others had fallen asleep. 

Somehow, I couldn't go to sleep. After sleeping in the cab for almost four hours I didn't really feel like taking a nap, so I got up, dusted my dress, slipped my sneakers on and went away for a nice quiet walk.

" Tssss! where are you going?"

I turned around in surprise and found that Jared was standing behind me. " I thought you were sleeping,Jared"

" I was trying to" He corrected.

" Alright, maybe we can go for a walk together?" I suggested.

" Okay, let me just get my jacket. It's pretty chilly." he ran back and grabbed his olive green jacket.

I started walking and after some time Jared fell into line and we were walking side by side enjoying the view.

" So, why couldn't you sleep?" he asked

" I had already slept in the cab and now I am not the least bit sleepy. How about you?" I asked.

" I couldn't sleep because I couldn't stop thinking about what a hopeless failure I am!" Jared's face genuinely looked hurt and distressed. My sense of compassion immediately came forth.

"How can you say that! To me you are a wonderful person, with a pleasing personality"

" Thanks Jade, but I am talking about something else. Something you don't know."

" Then tell me! I am all ears." Jared hesitated at first but when I grabbed his hand and slipped it into my own warm palm, he gave in and decided to tell me whatever it was that he had to tell me.

" I was born in magnoliophyta to these wonderful liberated who gave me anything I wished for. They were the most kind and amazing people I ever knew. At least that's what I thought until I realised that my mom and dad were a part of a terrible heist that included the theft of one of the most precious artifacts of the Liberated. The Sapphire Du Soleil was said to be the heart and soul of our existence. Legend says that, on the birth of the first Liberated, The sun had blessed us with that sapphire to bring us prosperity and joy. The legend also stated that if the sapphire would perish then the whole of Magnoliophyta would crumble and reduce to nothing. It would be the beginning of the end."

" So... what happened next?" I asked softly.

" My parents fled and I was left alone. Once the sapphire was stolen, the legend started becoming true. Nero came and there was the schism. Enmity starting brewing between us and you saw the state of Magnoliophyta, after that. I was shocked, scared and devastated to hear that my parents were the root cause for all of this, so I took it upon my shoulders to find the Sapphire and return it to where it rightfully belonged. That day when Lil took you for a tour to the Centre for Liberated Learning(CFLL), I was away, trying to locate the Sapphire." 

"Jared, you are not like your parents and even if you didn't find the sapphire yet, I am hundred percent sure that you will. Don't lose heart. I believe in you."

" You are the best Jade. I wish I had met you sooner." Jared smiled and turned his face towards me. His eyes looked big and beautiful and he smelled of fresh flowers. He spread his arms and pulled me towards him. We hugged and stayed together for quite some time. I felt happy and comfortable with him.

" Jared you are amazing, nice, talented and everything else in this world. But to me you are my best friend. A friend I can depend on, share secrets with and be with forever. I am the luckiest girl in this world to have a friend like you." I whispered into his shoulders. He hugged me harder and stayed that way for a long time. Both of us feeling content and safe in each other.

At last, when we came apart, we smiled and breathed in the cool and dry wind. The sand shifted beneath our legs and we just stood there feeling carefree. We decide to head back because I was starting to feel sleepy all of a sudden. 

" Jared?" I whispered.

" Yeah?"

" Good night. You're the best"

" Good night "

He smiled and went into his tent. I went back into my own tent and slipped into my warm and cozy sleeping bag. I lay awake for a while replaying the day's events in my mind, and my mouth twitched into a smile when I remembered our hug. I hadn't felt that safe since forever.

 While I thought about everything, my mind involuntarily slipped into a deep slumber. A sleep filled with positive and joyous dreams.