War Zone 4 - Concluded

A few hours had passed by. The city was silent after the ravages of the intruders. The streets bore a deserted look. Homes were plundered and remained only as a shell. The inhabitants, those rare ones who were caught and molested, lay uncounscious, dumped on the the roads or in other forgotten corners….

The fled inhabitants were lying in wait concealed among the bushes in the outskirts of the city, all the time mute witnesses to the atrocities inflicted upon those unfortunate enough to remain home. Just as they given up hope of ever returning home, there entered a battalion of foreign troops. They quickly and efficiently searched out the intruders and gave them a sound thrashing leaving no scope of survival. Steadily all the intruders were eliminated and the city became once again a hub of activity. Even after the city became operational, they stayed on for a several hours to ensure that the elimination process was indeed thorough.

Rohan was rushed to the clinic. Due to unbearable pain, he became unconscious. Vomit and a little blood was smeared on his face. The nurses quickly put him on IV and introduced anti-viral medicines. Being young and healthy, the medicines caught on immediately and he was soon conscious. As a precaution doctors advised him to eat bland food.

Within the week Rohan was back home, healthy and fit as before. Even with the nice aroma of food, which mummy cooked for other members of his family, he never was tempted; because he understood that it all started with his eating in a roadside dhaba the day before the ‘Art Competition’. He resolved that he would always eat healthy and hygienic food, for he was sure that he could never ever put up with the pain, the vomiting, the IV and more importantly, being unable to go out and play with his friends!!!

The spy being undetected, multiplied himself manifold and surrounded the soldiers. This time the intruders beat the soldiers mercilessly, with bare hands and soldiers, already weak and injured, succumbed. Their faces and bodies were profusely bleeding and they were left for dead….

The aim of the attack was to plunder or ‘purge’ all the inhabitants and make this new territory their home. With soldiers successfully our of their way, the demon-like, cruel intruders ran amok in the city celebrating their victory. Children ran hither-thither in fear. Women and old people who could not run away fearfully looked on at the blazing streets. Some were dragged out from their homes and thrashed. Some went into hiding in the unused attics and stayed out of trouble for the time being.

But soon the intruders, who were lying in wait this long, heard the news of victory and started pouring into the city. With their entry, the exit of the inhabitants was but expected.

Rohan reached school and raced to his classroom. Some of his friends had already arrived and the boys got together discussing this and that. One of his friends remarked that Rohan looked a little pale, but Rohan, being but a child did not make much of it.

Bell rang, students and teachers assembled for morning prayers. After getting back to classroom, the first period began. Suddenly Rohan felt a stabbing pain in his stomach and just as he was about to excuse himself from class, his morning meal came out in a unceremonial ‘jet’. He felt very weak and almost fainted from the exhaustion and pain.

A new regiment of soldiers were deputed. They were engaged in regular drills and were warming up before the actual battle. Any time now the enemies may start pouring in. They were taught that to be alert and active is the most important requirement of a soldier. Without their knowledge, a spy had infiltrated their group. The spy was camouflaged among the shrubbery surrounding the camps. The spy was actually like a ‘trojan horse’; from within him could hundreds of soldiers beseige the home army. On the other hand if he were exposed at the correct time, a major danger could be averted.

Rohan finished his health drink and wiped off the ‘milk mushtache’. Even though he had got up with a slight fever, he was feeling better after his morning refreshment. He whined to his mom for a little while, explaining how his whole body was paining and that he was still tired, and that he did not want to go to school today, but mother was not about to pay any heed to all these daily protests. Seeing that his wish would not be given in to, he trudged along to pack his school bag and get his uniform gear ready. Mummy meanwhile was busy preparing breakfast for the family. She shouted out some instructions to Rohan, now and then - ’Don’t forget your colours’, ‘Take this money for chart paper, get it from the school stationery shop’, ‘Play during break AFTER having your lunch’ etc., Rohan gobbled up his cornflakes and toast and took his lunch bag. Meanwhile the school bus was already at Rohan’s door and the impatiently honking the horns. Mother applied the holy ash on Rohan’s forehead wishing him luck for the Art competition. After seeing him off on the school bus, she went inside the house to resume her morning chores.

घोरं काननवनम

There is a thick undergrowth, which pulls my leg whenever I try to move forward…there are huge trees, with huge trunks and thick foliage that hardly let the sunlight in…the trees are brimming with activity, the birds and bees busy with their lives…the sly snake is doing a slow ascent to the unwary bird’s nest…there are many poisonous insects and reptiles in the undergrowth waiting for food in any form…the rustling is interruped by the sweet bird-song.So much of sweetness and beauty, yet so much of danger.I too am an inhabitant of this jungle…will I become a maniac with so much danger surrounding me?
Will I lose my identity with so many varieties of beings surrounding me?
Will I ever learn to throw away my cares and worries with a melodious tune?
Will I ever develop an individuality of my own?
And i have to pass through this jungle everyday, Iam a child of this jungle…but what will happen of me??