As I pull up my hood and step out the door, I am suddenly greeted by a world that looks almost idyllic in the morning light. The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and the sun is rising, but beneath it all, there is a tension in the air. I know that I shouldn’t be out here at this time, but I couldn’t help it. I take a moment to collect myself before I start down the road, my heart racing and my lungs tight. My sharp jawline and piercing grey eyes catch the light as I walk. The southern wind is blowing swiftly. My long wavy hair is tucked under the hood but some unruly bangs hang in my face.
I make my way through the familiar path. I know where it is headed. I know that I should stop, that I shouldn’t be here, but something inside me drew me to this place. It was as if his spirit was calling out to me, begging me to come and visit him. Despite the sadness and guilt I felt, I couldn’t help but follow the urge to come to this place. As I made my way to the forest, the emotions were running high and I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. But I couldn’t turn back now, I had to keep going.
So I keep going deeper into the forest, towards the meadow, where it all started. I don’t realize when I have started to run. But my legs don’t give me enough time to think. As if bewitched by some mysterious rune, it sprints towards the huge oak tree.
Once I finally reach the oak tree, I let myself catch a breath. I stare at the huge tree in front of me. ”This is where it all started.” I thought to myself. Being here, I couldn’t help but think about that morning. It was oddly similar to this morning. The only difference was the dead body hanging down one of the branches of the tree. Now, it’s no longer here. But it seems to me as if I can still feel his presence.
The night before the incident, he had sent me a text. Looking at this now, however, he deleted it before I could see what he had sent me. And that was the last I had heard of my best friend, Neel. When I received the news in the morning, I rushed here as quickly as I could. Upon arriving on the scene, I didn’t see my best friend. I only saw a lifeless body surrounded by cops and press, a body that once belonged to him. I was so shocked that I couldn’t bring any response out of me. I just stared at the scene in disbelief.
I am lost in a trench when suddenly I realized that my phone is ringing. I let out a sigh of frustration as I checked to see who was calling me, although it’s not as if there were many people to do so. As expected, it was my mother. I picked up the call. “Where are you, Maya? How many times did I tell you not to go out on your own?” she exclaimed in an over excited tone. “I am fine. I didn’t go far.” I said passively. “How can you be so irresponsible? Why wouldn’t you ever listen to me?” I literally-“ the call got disconnected before she could continue her nagging. The connection in this particular area seemed to be weak.
I slowly start making my way back home. It is close to the forest so it only takes a 15 minutes’ walk to reach. As I am nearing the neighborhood, I come across an ambulance carrying a patient. The ambulance has a giant red cross painted on one side, signifying its peculiarity. I recognize its purpose on sight. It looks like the same ambulance that carried away Neel’s dead body. Now, the similar looking ambulance is carrying another covered up dead body. A young girl who seems to be no older than 10 was standing a little further away from the ambulance. She was silently sobbing.
I look away from the depressing sight and continue to walk towards my house. Thinking about this will only cause me more pain.
When I finally reach home I see a truck parked in front of our house. Furniture are being unloaded from the truck and into the front yard of the house next to us. A guy in grey sweater and baggy jeans with glasses is watching over the process. He seems to be in his late twenties.
He is now moving some boxes onto the front yard. I don’t realize that I’m staring at him until our eyes meet. I look away as soon as I can. I quickly make my way towards my house. I’m almost at the doorstep when the guy calls out to me. “Hey! Are you my neighbor?” he shouts. “I guess so” I reply back sheepishly.
He is about to say something when the main door of my house springs open. My mom comes out of the door. She hugs me tight as soon as she sees me. “It took you long enough to come home. How many times have I warned you against wondering off on your own?” I don’t say anything because I know it’s ineffective.
After releasing me from her tight embrace she notices our new neighbor moving in. “H..hello ma’am?” he greets carefully. “Hello!” my mother greets back. “I recently moved in here. My name is Nahant” he introduced himself with a warm smile. I’m feeling so freaking disturbed by this entire conversation.
I quickly try to move past my mother and go inside the house. “Sweetie, have you introduced yourself to our new neighbor?” she asks me. Then she looks at the man and says, “Her name is Maya, my only daughter.” “Yeah, we already exchanged our greetings. She is a nice girl.” He said with a smile. “I’m glad to hear that. Anyways, I believe you have a lots of work ahead of you. I’ll let you get back to it. Feel free to ask for help from us anytime.” “Yeah, of course. It was nice meeting you guys.” After saying his final word to us, he goes back to supervising his luggage unloading.
My mother then looks at me with a stern look. I know this look very well. She wants to speak to me about something and she is utterly displeased at me. “Have you watched today’s news? Do you know how many people died yesterday or the day before?” she asks me. “I know. I watch the goddamned news every morning as per your request. I am careful enough so you don’t have to worry.” I reply bitterly. “Don’t be angry with me. I’m not the villain here.” She sighs. “I know. I’m sorry it’s just…it’s hard for me too ok?” I grimace.
She looked at me for a brief second and then she let out a sigh. “You know what? I’m getting late for work. I don’t want to talk to you about this anymore.” She didn’t give the chance to say anything else. She just left like she always does, without bothering to say goodbye. I, however, didn’t pay it much attention. She was being her usual self after all.
Humaira Zarin Talukder
Class: 12
Holy Cross College, Dhaka
