Short story –
The month of Sour is about half, (April21-May21) the rains are heavily pouring. There is danger of strong flood and storms. You know, this winter a lot of snow has fallen on the mountains and plains .Our neighborhood is not as noisy as before and every where is without former hustle and bustle. Many people have gone. Their houses are empty of people and domestic animals. Some of them have left their livestock behind and they’ve gone without them. But some families have divided in halves. Half a family has gone and half has stayed behind. Half are staying in their own houses and half of them have gone to other areas. There are only few families like us, who have kept every thing intact in own houses. They are only looking towards the blessing of god, and await their fate. There families either love their village and don’t want to go elsewhere or they cant live some where else.
Our villagers who live on the bank of the river watch the river tide the whole day and control the rise of water level. At night, also, members of the families stand on alert as military sentries to be aware of the water tide.
A fright is prevailing over the whole village. Everyone is pale with fear. They are all waiting for a catastrophic thunder from the sky. This fright increases whenever there is a black cloud covering the sky. Then the sky roars like a lion and unwanted drops come to the surface of ground. It is a strange sight every one is waiting for his/her fate. What would be happening? No one knows. Everyone is praying and is looking forward toward the sky. They are crying and praying to God. Some are holding the holy book in hands begging for mercy and restoration of their houses.
The water in river is too much in the morning, but it decreases gradually towards evening. When night comes contrary to the day the water starts increasing again at night and the water floods in front of our houses. We all have to make embankments in front of our houses. This work seems useless for everyone. They all stares in despair, with no hope in their hearts. Every new flood has something with it. Sometimes it’s carrying people’s clothing and furniture. And even ruins nearby houses gradually. Some times it drowns people too, and carries the corpse. Our village is right on the bank, but a little on high ground. Here around the village, houses are ruined, streets and gullies are full of water. People have to wade. It is not easy to go out of the village. There are ditches made due to erosion. In some places there are large piles of dirt made by fallen walls.
Today, fright is more then any other day. Because it has rained too much on flat and high grounds equally. For this reason, sleep is gone from everyone’s eyes. Young and old are worried alike. Staying at home looks dangerous for everyone. Elders insist on not coming of the people to the village and houses. That is why, everyone from young to old has left houses. All have come out of the yards. They are standing infront of their houses and forts.
Our family, like others has come out too. They are all quiet. Not a sound is heard. One would think, everyone is without soul. They all look very sad and quiet. Then suddenly, a bloody and strong flood breaks this silence by the soaring and freighting sound of rushing water. All people start running about. Parallel with the strong current of floodwater, many houses collapse. Very few houses are safe. In this moment my father who is sanding near us on a high ground tries to console us. Because my mother and my sisters are crying.
Forget about every material stuff. I am glad we are still alive. My older brother said in confirmation. Yes father! This is true! When, our heads are on our shoulders, we can buy hats for our heads.
Their talks were consoling. Slowly, slowly my mother and my sisters recomposed themselves. My father said once more.
Don’t worry! God almighty is very merciful. God has created us and God will provide for us. We can not escape from whatever happens. My father had not finished his sentence, when an old man interrupted him with anger:
Did you know what happened? You said rain is a bounty from God. It is a mercy. It is a sign of prosperity. What happened to your bounty and prosperity? My father replied hastily: these are the intentions of God. I haven’t said all this from my own mind. I had heard it myself from an old man.
The neighbor still continued with suspicion. An old man like me? The old man is angry. He seemed, and he wanted some explanation from my father. But my father cut in; don’t worry! These are only few days’ left for the monsoon to end. You can see snow is left little. This was our fate. Let the sky roar a few more days. These are the last days of the flood. God will help and the water will decrease.
Hearing this the neighbor didn’t dare ask another question, but said again;
I hope so. We lost every thing. The flood drowned and carried away everything from us.
