1 The Forest's Embrace

On every Diwali night, I remembered one thing. My mother used to say that I had something special in me. In my childhood, a question would come up again and again in the back of my mind. What does this special mean? In reply, my mother used to say that special means those who came rarely. I also came to this world as the special one. My mother had painted the hopes for each moment of my life before I was born to capture the joys of my life on the canvas of the future. Before I could open my eyes, I had become my mother's life.

Twenty years had passed, but I still remembered my mother's words. My mother was not here today, but even today, her words seemed to show me every path of life. Mother's love had always been the light of hope in the back of my mind. On every Diwali night, the lightened sky illuminates my mind like the smile on the happy face of my mother.

Mother died nine years ago today. Since then I had grown up in an orphanage as an orphan. But I didn't feel very alone. My friends were the witnesses of every happiness in my life, love, and family life. Before her death, my mother gave me a necklace that my father had given her before their separation. That was very dear to my mother, so it was also very important to me. Many years have passed since I saw my mother. However, the days of the black-and-white moments of my life were being spent with her memories. My mother told me never to feel alone. When I saw the moonlight in the night sky, I could recall it as my companion.

But now I was not alone; I had my love with me—Abhi, Abhishek Singh. He was a little different in many ways. In this human world, people often feared him, but I never did. His presence was a soothing balm that healed the wounds of my soul, which had carried years of latent pain. Abhi's touch, though cold, had the power to paint a rainbow of love on the canvas of my life.

Our love story was not ordinary. We came from different walks of life, and our differences only made our connection stronger. While others saw darkness in him, I saw a unique light that illuminated my life. Abhi's unconventional aura intrigued me, and I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Our souls recognized each other's essence, and we forged a bond that transcended societal norms.

In a world where the colour Red represented both love and blood, Abhi introduced me to the profound secret hidden within its vibrant hue. His love for me was intense and passionate, like the fiery red of a rose in full bloom or like red fierce blood. It was as if he had unlocked a dormant part of me, igniting emotions I never knew existed.

Our journey together was not always easy. Society's disapproval of our union casts shadows on our path. But we held onto each other tightly, knowing that our love was worth every struggle. In Abhi's arms, I found solace and strength to face the challenges that life threw our way.

As we walked hand in hand, we experienced life's vivid colours together. The world seemed brighter and more enchanting with Abhi by my side. He introduced me to new perspectives and opened my eyes to the beauty of diversity. Our love knew no boundaries, and we revelled in the richness of our differences.

Abhi's passion for art and literature mirrored my own, and together we explored the depths of creativity. His poetic words painted pictures of love and longing, stirring emotions deep within my heart. In return, I poured my emotions onto the pages of my diary, capturing our love story in a tapestry of words.

But as our love grew stronger, so did the challenges we faced. Some questioned our relationship, unable to understand the connection we shared. Yet, we remained resolute, knowing that our love was beyond the comprehension of those who judged us. In each other's arms, we found acceptance and a haven from the judgmental eyes of the world.

Abhi taught me to embrace my uniqueness and cherish every aspect of myself. He loved the parts of me that I once considered flaws and celebrated the individual I was becoming. With him, I felt like I was flying free, unburdened by the weight of society's expectations.

As time passed, our love only deepened. We created a world where love and understanding reign supreme. The colour Red, once a symbol of pain and passion, became a representation of the love we shared. It was no longer just a colour; it was the embodiment of our story.

In Abhi's love, I found the courage to be true to myself and to stand tall against adversity. He taught me that love is not bound by rules and conventions but thrives in the realm of authenticity and acceptance.

Today, as I look back on our journey, I am grateful for the day Abhishek Singh walked into my life, unlocking the secret hidden within the colour Red. With him, I found a love that defied norms, a love that celebrated our differences, and a love that painted the world with the hues of our hearts.

So, here we are, hand in hand, ready to face whatever comes our way. Together, we embrace the colours of life, knowing that our love will always shine brightly, like the Red in our hearts - a symbol of love that knows no bounds, that knows no limits, and that knows no fear.

It's winter time. I grew up inside the four walls of an orphanage, so I was very interested in the outside world. This interest led me to meet Abhi. Phulbari was a small town in the beautiful forested valley of Darijpur. But there was a famous college named Mountain Zee College.

Also, many tourists came here for its natural beauty. The noise of tea gardens, orchards, and various wood mills seemed to have made this small town lively. On one side was the dark forest of the adjacent old Zamindar's house, and on the other side were the splendid mansions and bungalows of the city, making it a little more attractive. Phulbari was famous as a place of travel for many rich businessmen and Native Kings. A river flowed through the middle of the town, dividing it into two parts. On one side was the abandoned Zamindar's house and its adjoining secluded jungle, and on the other side was the bustle of life covered in the busy light of the main town. This was Phulbari. I did not know before that this small town would bring an unimaginable change in my life. It was the town that changed my perception of the world. How many things are unknown today in this world behind the knowledge of this civilised human society? In this forestry-hilly town, Mountain Zee College was famous. Every student's dream was to study at this college. But for a girl like me who lived in an ordinary orphanage, going to this college was nothing but a dream. After a lot of hard work, I was admitted to this college with a one hundred per cent scholarship.

The day was June 17, 2018. Until this morning, I did not know that today my life would take a new path. The path I did not find myself on, But fate chose the path to walk on.

The railway station in Phulbari town was a little out of town. At the sound of a huge whistle, my train entered the platform. However, the train was a little late. The reason for this delay I will tell later. But when I reached the platform, it was almost night. The sheet of darkness all around was eager to meet the existence of light. And the fog of darkness as his brother seemed to be busy hiding everything in my vision and this world like fuzzy rubbed glass. Only the streetlights across the street seemed to be illuminating the streets like the last moon of hope. When I came out of the station, I saw that the market was fading in the shadow, and was almost silenced, expressing the silence of this hill station. But at the end of the market, where the bus station was, a tea shop was still open, waiting for me as my last ope! But today it seemed that the shop was open for writing a new history in my life. My mind became restless when I saw no bus coming to the bus stand. I hurried to the store. I went and saw a small child brewing tea in a kettle. And an old gentleman in front was trying to warm himself a little in this cool environment by lighting a fire. The coil of smoke from his blazing fire seemed to darken the hazy form of this foggy night.

"Uncle, where is the road to this Mountain Zee College? I have been standing here for a long time, but no bus has come yet," I told him.

"Look Beti, there are no more buses now. If you stay here at night, there was a bus in the morning that will take you to Mountain Zee College," he replied.

"I can't wait that long," I replied. And I asked if there was any other small road.

"Beti, listen, there were two ways to get to Mountain Zee College. One is the straight road; you have to wait for the bus to get there and the other road is through that forest. One small road was going through that forest to the college, which ends in front of the college. But it's better if you didn't go down that road. That road was very dangerous," he said.

Having been alone since childhood made my mind hard enough. And I remembered the indomitable courage and willpower to fight any danger, which made me go down alone amid any danger. I thanked the tea shop gentleman and ignored his warning and headed for the dark jungle.

As I walked deeper into the forest, the moonlight struggled to penetrate the dense canopy, casting eerie shadows on the ground. But I was determined to reach the college and embrace my dreams. As I moved forward, I noticed strange sounds emanating from the foliage. My heartbeat quickened, but I brushed it off as mere imagination.

The forest seemed to have a life of its own, whispering ancient secrets and untold tales. With each step, the darkness grew thicker, making it difficult to see the path ahead. But the necklace my mother had given me glimmered faintly, guiding me like a guiding star. I clutched it tightly, seeking comfort and courage in its presence.

As I trudged on, an eerie silence enveloped the forest. The chirping of crickets and rustling leaves had ceased, leaving me in an unsettling stillness. My instincts screamed at me to turn back, but my determination pushed me forward.

Suddenly, I heard a low growl, and my heart skipped a beat. Fear gripped me, and I regretted not heeding the old man's warning. But I couldn't let fear paralyze me; I had to find my way to the college.

A pair of glowing eyes emerged from the darkness, and a wild animal, possibly a wolf, appeared before me. Its fierce gaze locked with mine, and I felt a surge of panic. I knew I had to stand my ground, and so I did, holding my breath and trying not to show my fear.

But to my surprise, the animal didn't attack. Instead, it circled me, almost as if inspecting me. At that moment, I remembered my mother's words about being special. Perhaps, in this forest, my uniqueness was recognized even by the creatures that roamed its depths.

The encounter with the wolf served as a turning point. I felt an odd sense of companionship with the forest as if it had embraced me as one of its own. And as I continued my journey, the forest seemed to reveal its secrets to me.

After what felt like an eternity, I emerged from the dense vegetation, and before me stood the majestic Mountain Zee College, bathed in moonlight. Tears of relief and joy welled up in my eyes. I had overcome the darkness and dangers of the forest, just like I had overcome the challenges in my life.

My time at Mountain Zee College was transformative. The education I received there nurtured not only my intellect but also my soul. I made friends who became my family, and the college became my sanctuary.

On every Diwali night, as I looked up at the illuminated sky, I thanked my mother for instilling in me the belief that I was special. I realized that being special didn't mean being extraordinary in the eyes of the world; it meant embracing my uniqueness and using it to create my path.

The forest had taught me that the world held countless mysteries and wonders, waiting to be explored. And like the forest, life could be dark and unpredictable, but it was also filled with beauty and revelations.

I graduated from Mountain Zee College with honours, carrying with me the knowledge that my journey didn't end there. Life was an endless adventure, and I was prepared to face its challenges head-on.

Years later, as I stood at the edge of the forest, I looked back at the path I had once taken. The memories of that fateful night remained etched in my mind, a reminder of the strength that resided within me.

With a heart full of gratitude and a spirit of adventure, I embraced the future, knowing that my mother's love would always be my guiding light, just like the moon on every Diwali night.