When the path disappears and the sky stays silent, sometimes all it takes is a hand in the dark to remind you…..you are not meant to be lost alone.
~~~~~
She is taken aback...but now, it all makes sense. The people, the place, the absence of mobile phones… this is Mawphlang, but it isn't the Mawphlang she knows. Meghalaya doesn't even exist yet; it is still part of Assam.
She is in disbelief. Tears spring to her eyes as she walks out of the university gate. This can't be real. She starts smacking herself, trying to wake up. But nothing changes. She picks up a stone and throws it at her own toe. Blood trickles down — and still, she doesn't wake up.
Frustrated and trembling, she breaks down sobbing. Her mind is spinning. She doesn't understand what's happening. Am I going insane?
She starts running again, barefoot, her wounded toe leaving small red marks behind — until her legs give out beneath her, and she collapses into unconsciousness.
A shadow comes through the darkness and lifts her gently.
When she open her eyes, she finds herself in a room made up of bamboo and wood. There are no lights, only a large window letting in the light of early morning.
Startled, she tries to sit up, but her body does not cooperate. She's still too weak.
A woman enters the room, dressed in gho and kira, just like Ahmaya.
"Oh, you're awake," she says kindly. "My name is Rupomoi. Do you wish to write a letter to your family members that you are safe and sound?"
"Rupomoi, who are you, and what are you doing to me here?" snaps, defensive and on edge.
Rupomoi replies calmly, "Our master said a girl with long hair and pale skin, wearing yellow kira, was seen wandering near the university, in need of help. We found you unconscious and brought you here. A doctor is on his way."
"I don't need a damn doctor; I just need to go home." Her voice breaks.
But how am I supposed to go home? Her panic gives way to fresh tears.
Rupomoi gently places a hand on her shoulder. "If something terrible has happened, you can tell us. Please don't cry. I'm sure our master will help you." Then she quietly leaves the room.
A few minutes later, the doctor arrives, performs few tests and then exits without a word.
Later, the young man from before.... the one with the bullock cart, enters the room along with Rupomoi.
He sees Ahmaya sitting by the window, wiping her tears.
"What is your name, and what exactly is the problem?" he asks.
Ahmaya is crying softly, her gaze fixed outside the window.
"Ahmaya," she says in hushed tones.
Then louder, the boy asks gently, "Ahmaya, tell me your address."
She turns slightly, "What year is this?" she asks her voice, still distant.
"1935, why are you avoiding my question? Just give me the address."
"It won't make a difference if I give you...." a faint sad smile appears on her lips "My address."
"Stop crying", he says quietly. "Tell us how we can help you?"
"You can't help me."
"The doctor says there's nothing wrong with your mind. So there must be something we can do. You're in my land — that makes you my responsibility," he replies calmly.
"Thank you," Ahmaya says with a sigh. "For telling me I'm not insane. But… honestly, I wish I were. It would be easier to believe all this." She pauses, then asks, "By the way… what's your name, sir?"
She turns her head to look at him more clearly for the first time.
"I'm Kitbok. Kitbok Marak," he replies.
"Thank you, Kitbok," she says softly. "I need to leave now."
"Tell me where you want to go. My men will drop you there."
"I'm not sure…" Ahmaya hesitates. "Is there… a red sandalwood tree nearby?"
"There are a few red sandalwood trees in the area," Rupomoi answers.
"I need to find one. It's huge… dense… I think it can help me go home." Ahmaya speaks slowly.
Kitbok interrupts her thoughts. "My men will take you to every red sandalwood tree nearby and leave you wherever you wish." Then he walks out.
Rupomoi returns with a fresh set of gho and kira, laying them gently beside her. "Please change into these."
Ahmaya stares at the clothes, uncertain. She picks them up and tries to figure them out, but her hands fumble helplessly.
Swallowing her pride, she calls out, "Rupomoi? Could you come in, please?"
"Should I come inside?" Rupomoi replies, surprised.
"Yes, please," Ahmaya says with a hint of embarrassment.
Rupomoi enters. Ahmaya holds up the garments. "Can you help me wear these?"
Rupomoi looks puzzled. How could someone not know how to wear a kira? But she says nothing, only nods, and begins showing Ahmaya how to wrap and fasten the outfit step by step.
.
She climbs into the bullock cart, quiet and hopeful. The bullocky drives her along the path until they reach the first red sandalwood tree.
"Madam, is this the one?" he asks.
She studies it carefully, then shakes her head. "No."
They continue. The second tree, then the third… the fourth… and the fifth but she cannot find that tree which was outside her house. With each stop, her heart grows heavier. The sun has begun to set, the forest is becoming darker.
"This is the last sandalwood tree near here," the bullocky says.
She stares at it, her chest heavy with anxiety . This tree, too, is not the one.
Her hope collapses. Frustration bubbles up in her throat, and she wants to scream at the universe. She presses her lips shut, holding the anguish back. "Please drop me here," she says quietly, stepping off the cart.
She is alone once more, surrounded by forest. Knees drawn to her chest, she sits beneath a nearby tree and begins to cry …..quietly and helplessly.
She can't understand what is happening. The tree must be nearby. It has to be. If it existed at all, the bullocky would've known, wouldn't he?
But maybe it hasn't even been planted yet…
The thought shatters her.
She buries her face into her knees. Tears soak her dress.
And then, she feels something — a presence. A hand reaches out to her through the gloom.
She lifts her head.
It's him.
It's Kitbok.