Water

“You can trust me Chuyia. I will never hurt you,”

“No! You all lied to me! Kalyani is dead because of all of you! I don't want to be like Kalyani!” she screamed. Chuyia, once again, started running as fast as she could. However, this time, there was no stopping her.

“Chuyia, come back here! You can't run away forever!” Shakuntala cried.

Chuyia didn't listen. She pushed everyone aside and tried to find a way out. With each second, she kept turning and changing her mind. She knew nothing of the place and she couldn't trust anyone anymore. Worst of all, she could no longer trust herself. She tried to adapt to a new life. She tried to trust in herself and her belief, but her she could no longer trust her own mind. Kalyani was dead and she had no family. But at the same time, knowing that she was alone, she couldn't help but go back. This act of rebellion left everyone around her speechless. They were staring at her as all hell broke loose. She ran and ran until she stumbled upon an old man.

“Who are you running away from?” he asked.

Chuyia stopped for a second and thought of his question. She wasn't running away. There was nothing to run away from. There was no place to run to. She was caught in between.

“I just want to go home,” she looked down and stared at her feet.

“What's your name, young girl?” he asked.

“Chuyia,” she mumbled.

“Well, Chuyia, this is your home,” he answered with no hesitation. He looked down at her, but Chuyia refused to look back.

“I'm never coming back home, am I?” she asked.

“Sometimes you just can't go home. It's hard to explain, but I'm sure one day you'll understand that you're already home. This is the safest place you'll ever be.”

The man was right. Chuyia didn't understand what was happening. There was much talk about the movement, but she knew nothing about it. There was much talk about changing India but she saw no action being done. She was just an onlooker, trying to find beauty in a world so flawed. She didn't know what was truly happening, but whatever it was, she had to put her trust into someone. She wanted to argue and keep on running away, but she swallowed all her words and anger. She was getting tired. She walked away and cleared the thoughts in her mind.

She found a river near the courtyard, sat down, and took it all in. She looked at her reflection and reached for the water. The river seemed to flow endlessly, giving a sense of life-source and purity to her world. For now, the river becomes her source of hope and faith, but no one really knows for sure when the waters will run dry.