It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. - Charles Darwin
I am drowning in the deepening night. The darkness is heavy; I'm sinking into this abyss of blackness. "GOD, save me", I'm wailing. Who will be my light? The feeling of my heart beating rapidly in my chest is imminent. As I am being sucked into my own despaired doom, a gasp of ragged breath jolt me up.
"SAVE ME!" I screamed on top of my lungs. My parents came dashing into my room, my mother cradled my teary face into her warm palms; soothing me with sweet nothings. Another nightmare tossed my life into wary. My mother's soft voice was ringing into my ears like a lullaby and my father's protective fingers caressing my hair, eventually leading me to my dreamless slumber.
A catastrophe is like a scar, it may fade but never really gone. The trauma as doctors put in medical words "PTSD" relapses even by a glimpse of the tragedy. This happened to me about 3 weeks ago but the memory is so fresh, that it suffocates me today. I, with my 5 friends, decided to explore the nature's trail in monsoon. There is something about rains; it makes a barren land look alive.
Early morning of Saturday, we started our journey under the grey clouds but there no sign of rain. The adventure which was supposed to be filled with fun and stories, little did I know, would turn out to be my living nightmare.
As our trail accelerated, natured blistered it's wrath upon us. The route started to look unfamiliar, maps lost the grasp from our hands. We found ourselves in middle of nowhere.
Disaster came as a slap, imprinted on us forever. The rain soaked us and harsh wind blew past us making us desperate to find our safe haven.
Nature left a muffled cry, making us shed tears. Apprehension descending on us. Suddenly, someone shouted, "I think I found something for shelter. It looks like a cave." We all bee lined towards it, being vigilant in our steps. Flashes from our torch illuminated small dark parts of cave. We moved further inside for some warmth. Our backpacks felt heavy or was it my gut warning me about a disaster waiting to happen.
The cave was elongated and we did not even realise how further we had come and how narrow the passage had become. Finding a dry corner, we all sat, aligned to each other. We have enough water to survive a day or two. It dawned upon me in that moment - it was not the basic necessities that I needed for survival but strength and a presence of mind to make it back home.
Future, is an uncertain possibility, that's why people live in their past. Irrespective of past being good or bad, it gives us some kind of familiarity and sense of security. Incessant thunder and lightning felt like gates of hell had opened on earth. Fear took it course in our mind. There was some rumbling coming from a distance. The sound of stones rolling from top grew as it came near to us. We sprung up to our feet, alert. Suddenly, with the loudest thud, a huge chunk of land falling on the mouth of the cave, crushing our hopes in process.
We all plunged towards the entrance of the cave, but alas, bad luck was in my favour, and my shoe got stuck in the muddy water. I struggled to remove it and out of nowhere, nature in its soiled glory stood in front of me separating me and the rest of the world.
I could hear the desperate pleas of my five friends. Relief flooded in me as there were safe and sound. But the question was for how long? We were amidst nature where civilisation was scarce. Portable water was minimal and food would not suffice. I felt like imprisoned by all four sides of the darkened cave; no connection to the outside world.
Meanwhile, the parents of all the six boys were getting anxious due to delay in their arrival. It had been more than 24 hours since they had been gone. They say a mother’s intuition is never wrong. Police complaint about the missing boys was filed. Due to the severity of rainfall; police, parents and forest rangers started the search operation. Upon finding the footprints, near the gambit of cave and agony of helpless boys, rescue operations personnel were descended to the tragic cave.
I jerked up from sleep as I heard a shrill voice. "How many of you? Asked a man who’s voiced held authority. One of us said, “Six." "Brilliant!” was all his reply. Rescue operations personnel and military were on their toes for our safety. They provided us with food and crackers. They dug up tunnels from the vicinity of the cave. They poked small holes for camera and voice wires that would lead to us. The paths crafted was small and narrow, rains seeping in with a greater speed. Small tubes were inserted in our cave to pump water out
constantly to keep us from drowning. One week went by and the 5 of my friends were securely evicted; after hard labour. Rains always made me feel calm but today; it was falling like a curse on me. The walls of the cave framed around me like claustrophobia. 'Survival of the fittest' became my mantra.
Personnel were hand-digging the filthy mud and leftovers of havoc. The evacuation was a careful work, need to be done with precision; one wrong move and I get to have my burial in a muddy land.
The administrator asked me, "Are you hungry?”
"Not for food", I urged.
Medics and counsellors visited me to keep me stable from losing my mind. Never in my life had I craved for freedom, as I do right now. Freedom comes with a price, mine will be peace.
Lonely. There are hundreds of people out there helping me. But, all I feel is loneliness. This emotion is eating me alive. I am losing myself. I felt like ram-pike. With an excruciating slow pace, I am drifting away from this world. My heart is hollow. I can feel myself loose hope. I want to fill this void somehow. These inhibitions are getting in my way of survival.
Like the pile of cards tumble down, the same way muddy land freed the wall and became a window. That window became my freedom. Rescue operations personnel motioned his hand toward me. I tightened the union fearing he would let go. He guided me meticulously through the narrow curvy tunnel they created. As I stepped out of the cave I felt as I was resurrected in the world. I was immensely grateful to all those people who aided my rescue. 'Thank You' would be just too small. They were the beacon of light I was searching to erase my solitude, the pitch blackness that had become my world.
I was in my hospital gown when my mother's sobs echo through the busy hallway. A single glance towards me and her dull eyes got the shine that would put stars to shame. Her affectionate embrace and my father's reassuring smile was all I ever wanted. And, in that moment, I was alive, again.
Image courtesy - The Indian Express
Writer - Dhwani Dedhia (https://theabstractwriter.wordpress.com/about-me/)
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