THE SCENT OF AUTUMN

THE SCENT OF AUTUMN(SUBHADEEP BANDYOPADHYAY) THE SCENT OF AUTUMN

SUBHADEEP BANDYOPADHYAY

The man sat in front of the fortune teller who was also a psychic healer. She quickly had a glance at the crystal ball and her attention was diverted by the astonishment on the face of her client.

"I see that you have lots of questions about your life but i will not answer all of them just now. you need to know only that much that makes your life eventful and not a hell. Go on ask!"

"Just a question eh?"

"Yes!"

"Then tell me will my lover forever be mine?"

"Nobody in this world can permanently be yours. We human beings are governed by the laws of nature and circumstances and are subject to life and death. Coming to your question your lover will not be married to you but will love you with all her heart and the vibrations of your love will surely reach the soul of the world. Now go and don't come here again as you need to take the decisions of your life all by yourself from now on. I see the ritual of life is calling you for action. All the best!"

The big clock on the clock tower had struck twelve. From the crow nest of the light house could be seen the distant ship at the horizon. The sun rays and the rain drops had created a sublime mosaic of emotions in the man's heart. He was nervous as well as hopeful. May be the astrologer had read his future all wrong because he was a smart, handsome man of twenty one in love with a lovely lady who taught violin a few paces from the college where he studied Biotechnology. The course had taught him how to manipulate living organisms for financial gains. Only if he could manipulate his lover's mind. Girls do accept or reject men only once but they have to face acceptance and rejections from the society many times. It is always difficult to play the role of a lady. Joan of Arc had inspired an army to write a new destiny only to be burnt alive on the stakes. The boy had a day dream and he visualized himself having grown very old, his chin had dropped, his eyes had become sunken, and the promise of youth had vanished from his face, sitting in the same library where he was going to meet his lover today and propose.

She met him and was surprised by the timing of his proposal. Not only was her marriage fixed but she had acquainted herself with her future in laws. She had expected he would propose much earlier as she truly loved him, but he had waited for the opportune moment, when he would top the university examinations, to disclose his feelings to her, but now it was too late.

***

The husband of the girl was an army officer. For the sake of his duty and service to motherland he was always sent to distant places and during those times his wife had to fight loneliness and she remembered how happy she was in the company of her lover.

During one of his missions he was sent to a troubled land and he didn't return, hence declared "MISSING". By then she had two kids to take care of apart from her ailing parents. The convoy to take food supplies to the spot was waiting for the captain's orders but in his absence his wife was chosen to be the second in command.

"Take these supplies to the people who need it the most, the path will surely give you the destination, was all she could say"

The boy had indeed grown old, his hair had turned grey and a spectacle had appeared on his nose. He had become the caretaker of the same library where he had proposed to the girl. The area was hit by the pandemic Plague and shortage of food was one of the reasons for the death of countless individuals. When the supplies arrived near the library and through him reached the hungry homes, it brought a cheer to the distressed faces. The boy, now an old man, had seen so many lovers meet in the library and then go out happy, hand in hand, and this soothed his soul. He could feel the fragrance of the girl whenever the lovers met.


One day he again met the astrologer in the busy market place by chance. She recognized him and gave him a crystal ball and asked him to take a pilgrimage, for this is what the destiny wanted him to do and at the end of it he will meet his lover.

"But why now when i have grown very old and why not before when i had money and strength?"

"Don't ever question the path of destiny. We do whatever is written and that's MAKTUB and complete the play of life. Today you have to live up to your destiny and you will be the flag bearer of hope for your lover who has faced her share of troubles. When you go follow the friendly star and take the help of the crystal ball if necessary," and saying this the lady disappeared.

The sweet scent of autumn brought again the memories of the past. But this time it also brought a sense of emerging self, belief and inner strength, that was so uncommon to him and so also a gentle message "WE ALL LIVE ONCE, WE DIE ONCE AND WE LOVE ONCE TOO!"

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