The outline of a tree was dominant against the evening sky,
Into which merged three of the most beautiful colors : orange, pink & blue.
The lakes were silent and still ;
The very silence & stillness as if in apprehension of some big storm,
Some grave disaster!
Slowly the colors faded away,
As the dark gained dominance,
The silvery rays of the moon put up a lone fight
And penetrated not only the depths the darks,
But also those of the lone hearts.
On the attic of an old-fashioned home,
The shadow of two figures was formed,
One which held the palm of the other,
And pressed it with affection.
He whispered a few consoling words,
But she turned her face away,
Not out of harshness,
But to merely wipe away the tears,
That involuntarily shriveled up in those beautiful eyes of hers,
He pledged : 'With the approaching dawn, blood will flow,
So much indeed, that it is incomprehensible to know,
However, my love, I shall be back,
Before the sun sets for the third time,
Should hell become an obstruction,
Should the heavens seek me,
I shall dodge them both,
And be back before the sun should set for the third time!"
"You put yourself in danger,
Take my wishes,
And now, pray, go!"
He could bear no longer; his hand clutched his bosom,
And he departed - barefoot, lest he should arouse attraction,
Or suspicion!
Not a ripple passed on the lakes,
The moon was the witness,
And fate bestowed justice!
As predicted by our youth,
Blood was indeed shed,
The water was red, for in it mingled blood,
But the mud was wet, for in it mingled tears!
On mere religious differences,
Skin tore away from flesh,
And even the bones were left shattered,
Our own gallant youth was fired four times,
Two bullets in the thighs;
One on the waist;
The last on his left shoulder,
None being fatal,
Yet painful;
But the sun was approaching the western horizon,
Lest the promise should be broken,
He mustered up all the will that his heart gave;
And all the will that his love gave;
And managed to drag his foot along,
Till he reached the house on whose attic three days before he had parted from his love!
She shut her eyes of agony -
But he fell on her feet,
To make an attempt to speak;
Alas, all strength failed him,
Out of exhaustion,
He made himself content by seeing the face of his love before his death!
Her father came up,
And recognizing the dead youth to be of
A class that was not his,
A caste that was not his,
A religion that was not his,
Adjusted his face to a grim smile as if to say that he deserved it!
"Father", said she, with a voice which was so sweet,
That it was a pity to hear it so full of distress & anguish,
"Do you still live in a world so full of contempt?
Do you still think these minor differences are worth so much turmoil & trauma?
Do you think it is worth so many lives?
Be ashamed! For today, it costs you your daughter's life!"
And then, with a movement swift & fast,
She stabbed herself, & breathed her last!
*****