Storm Of Fate

As the cold was worsened by the oncoming breeze, they took few steps to get inside their old but peaceful home. It had never failed to keep them safe. It didn't abandon them even in very harsh climates that nature experimented on them.It was the most faithful of all, no wonder the couple survived decades.In the neighborhood, innocent figures were fully engaged in exchanging balls of ice and avenging their opponents with cheerful giggles and hysterical laughs.The older siblings were guiding their younger ones inside their homes after much resistance, tantrums and sharp wails. Perhaps the children weren't aware of the hazardous affects of cold to their bodies as they were fully hypnotized by the snow ball play.Fun was the most important thing they seeked after.And life was a fireball of excitements and adventures for them. The natives of the city were emptied by the chilling cold after forcing them to return to their cozy rooms. The shopkeepers shut down their business as the customers began to reduce in number.

The old man wrapped himself up with his favourite gray sweater and comfortably sat with his legs crossed on the bed. He rolled his prayer  beads as he chanted his usual mantras.Through the partially frosted window pane, he could see the garden to his right,  the still prayer flags soaked in ice in the front yard and his parking garage to the left. He took a glimpse to the high ranges drawn with rivers of highway that lead towards the capital city.Unlike those roads, he was travelling through the twists and turns of life with an unknown destination. Every path leads to an end point, the finish spot but the journey he was undergoing seemed endless like a hollowness of an unknown universe. His body was kept warm by the glowing red hot iron rods of the electric heater kept nearby the bed.

The rainy storm had worsened the night. The foot paths were murky and slippery. Pools of stagnant mudfilled rainwater lay scattered like potholes on the road, piling up hurdles for him.Tshering could hear her warm breath fading and her shaggy eyes shutting down. He carried his only world on his back. He was alone and frightened. Yet, he kept pushing his heavy feets and gathered all his courage to keep him moving." Hang on a bit longer mom, we are almost there!!!" , his voice was desperate yet breaking. His watery eyes were drained of by the rain drops.Her breathe constantly produced vapours which instantly disappeared into the showers of rain. The tall dark figures of tress stood in silence but the rustling leaves added noises which was absorbed into the hollow darkness of the night.

He could see the dim Red Cross brightened by the glowing tube lights next to it. It was a late late night.Wait, no, it was an odd and a very early morning to be more specific.The clock struck at 1, everyone had been peacefully lost in their wonderful dreams. He didn't have time to think and act rationally because every second was precious like a drop of water in the middle of the dessert. There wasn't a minute to call for help. He was facing the condemnation of the aggressive night.The insects were singing chorus of songs, maybe their cries or excitements,  it  always sounded familiar but with strange purpose underneath.The serene moon helped him conquer the fearful darkness and it showered him the strength to still see his goal, beautifully waiting for him and promising him a hope. Despite the howling wind and heavy rain hiting and shaking his body, he had dragged himself for an hour to reach  his destination. As he reached the emergency ward, he implored, " Please , help me!!!  Anyone here?? " The fat old guard walked clumsily, probably still in his sleep with his red weary eyes he opened the gate and went back to continue his unfinished business. The nurses on duty had already rushed towards him and helped him to get his mother on bed.

They immediately checked on the vitals and resuscitation was under process.One of the beautiful nurse quickly took down the history of the patient. "What Happened ?" " I was just turning of the lights when my mom suddenly coughed harder. "He was stammering. "I... gave her salbutamal spray and she was better.When I was awakened by the flashing thunder, my instinct wanted to check on my mom". " Your mom had a history of Asthma, right? " Her voice was soft and soothing. "Yes, I thought she was in a sound sleep but I saw her pale. I went closer but didn't feel her breathing." his voice was getting worried. He talked nonstop and more than he was asked. "You have any previous medical records and papers? "She interrupted."Ah... Umm...Yes" He wasn't himself,  he felt unusual and unsure.He fumbled out a paper wrapped in polythene plastic envelope from his pocket and handed over to her with his slippery hands.She saw him all drenched,his folded pants upto the knee and mud paint all over his legs. She pitied him.She assured him,  "We will do want we can.Calm down okay?" The Doctor was notified and he arrived after few minutes.He compressed the chest numerous times to bring back the body to life. He was sweating and the assisting team was also alternatively compressing the chest. They were the saviour and sometimes they brought back people from dead and that's why people always worshipped and respected their noble profession.

The monitor graph ran straight and beeped continuously "Ti-Ti-Ti" They immediately stopped the procedures. For them this was very normal but saddening as they failed this time.The hospital not only gave new lives but also took away lives at the same time. Heaven and hell was seen in the wards and hospital beds,  indeed it was the place to witness both sufferings and happiness. In the other ward,a couple was celebrating the joy for the birth of their new son. The husband thanked the gynecologist and planned to throw a party that night.He had invited all his friends,  family and neighbors for a dine. All were cheering and singing with joy for the greatest gift.But here, his mother wasn't even taking a breathe and was fighting between the two realms of life and death.She didn't even get a second to say a final goodbye to his beloved son. And finally she succumbed to the cruelty of icy hands of the death.
The doctor was dejected and his paramedical team noted down the time and date of death.The doctor frowned and tightened his lips.He walked towards the boy and patted on the shoulder to convince him to stay strong. The boy's face whitenened with shock and fear.He was frozen and confused. His eyes breamed with tears and each time he closed his eyes, a drop ran down his cheeks. There wasn't need for any consolation or comfort now.For a moment, he wanted to shout out and throw out all his frustrations at once and let the piled up sadness flow out until every thing drains out of empty his heart. Something held him back and all he could do was to just shed out his tears of sadness only to swollen his eyes and momentarily wipe his runy nose.

The world was always cruel. Why the god always takes everything from the poor soul like me?? What have I done to not please god?? Is he not satisfied after taking away my dad??  Are there still more turmoil I have to undergo? Don't I deserve some share of my happiness?" Thoughts mixed up inside his mind and he was lost. His tumultuous mind blamed his own fate.He remembered his late father who always advised him to face everything but to never blame and loathe anyone, for it is a sin and that everything happens according to one's karma.

The old man's eyes were still fixed on the red iron rods that gave him warmth.The red lights reflected on his eyes taking him back to the cremation day when the fire engulfed his mother's body and evaporated every bit of the remains.People had come for consolation and like him,  many had gathered as they had lost their beloved member of the family. The rituals were performed on the ominous day as fixed by the astrologer.He was just fifteen and his neighbors had contributed for the funeral rites after he went door to door to ask for the donation.He was helpless and pathetic soul. He cried most of the nights and he couldn't sleep well. He was alone and frightened.For the first time he was emotionally weak as he couldn't handle the harsh reality of the incidence which repeatedly played like a movie in a theatre.He felt heavy responsibility for he must survive alone now. No one was going to feed him anymore but himself.He would always feel his body shivering whenever the storm hit the place provoking nightmares and he would wake up to the long continuous rumbling of the sky in the middle of the night.

Even that remained behind was  handful of  ashes which were blown away by the wind making sure that nothing remained back and all,rightfully returned back to the earth, the origin of life. The old man wiped his wet eyes and took a long breathe. He sighed though his heart still ached. May god see the truth.He continued his prayers. Though melancholic days consumed him, he always thanked god for giving the best mother in the whole wide world. No one could replace her. He could  still choose her over anything.Her late night lullabies,  the gifts toys,  her sweats for the family , everything was still fresh yet unreachable. Samsara is the home of every single living creatures and forever it will be. The soul lives on, we shall meet again dear mother. He made a final wish with his pure heart. The crimson sun was partially blurred with cumulous clouds appearing like a giant candies floating freely in the blue sky and frequently bumped onto each other by the oncoming breeze. Life resembled those puffs of clouds pushed up and down by the daily struggles and obstacles, only to disappear into the thin air.