I was dying of thirst and hunger. I couldn't withstand them anymore. I was struggling with my steps but this time it wasn't because of drugs and alcohol.
I never had even dreamed of such a situation.
I was very sure that it was my end . I made up my mind that I won't survive. I couldn't walk anymore , all I could see was my empty and pathetic self.
My life was flashing right infront of my eyes. Everything I did, my every sin , every laugh both wicked and innocent. My lovely and innocent days back at the countryside. I used to be so energetic. Then the amazing turn in my life took place. I wished , if I could return to my village and once again play in the meadows. I wanted to go to the olive orchid and pluck some and ask my mom to make pickle. I loved the olive pickle prepared by my mother. I knew that I would die and nobody would even come to know.
Maybe someone would cross this path and see my dead body. There is a possibility that the person wouldn't even bother to scream. He should show sympathy towards me. He might assume that I am a homeless beggar who died a pitiful death. He might also pray to God for my soul to rest in peace and might also thank God for ending my sufferings.
I was surely looking like a homeless beggar , I always used to throw such people out my office area and also kick them off if someone ever showed up to my house. I always felt that such people are a disgrace and would be a hindrance to lavish pride.
I laughed at my situation as the most luxurious man in the city. The man who ruled over people Mr.Robert Brown. The man who was surrounded my money and ladies. Who swimmed in the sea of alcohol and ofcourse those lavish velvet overcoats which were my trademark . Now both me and my lavish overcoat were lying on the ground in our worst condition.
I was lying on the ground and waiting for my death.
I could feel that my face was muddy and dirty.
Those ladies used to say too much about my handsome face.
My eyes were very heavy and painful. I wanted to close them once and not open them ever again.
I decided to look around one final time. I was dizzy and my vision was blurred. I somehow lifted my head of the ground and took a look around. I saw a small cottage at some distance. I was so exhausted that couldn't figure out the exact distance but I wanted to make a run for it.
I managed to get on my feet and took a few steps to get still. I with everything I was left with dashed towards that I house. As I got closer, I could that the cottage wasn't in a good condition but one could hope for a few drops of water and a few crumbs of bread. When I was only a few meters away. I became dizzy but I pulled myself together and dashed again.
The last thing I remember was that I hit the door with a jump. I think I fainted leaning towards the door.
I had many dreams and when I say many ,I really mean it. I had a headache. I dreamed that I was running to my mom with olives in my hand. It was my old house in the village. I wanted my mom to make pickle but suddenly I fell down and opened my eyes shouting " Mom !!!!!! " like she was going away from me then after a moment, I realized that she had already gone very far. I sat facing down being gloomy. I didn't even realize where I was.
" Are you okay Mr. !!!!! " I heard the world's sweetest voice.
I turned to my side and there she was standing with a water jug in one hand and a glass in another. Mark my words I SAW BEAUTY IN PERSON. She was looking so innocent.
She screamed again " Thank God!!!! Just thank God!!!!
You are alive Mr.... , I thought you were going to die.
You know I was praying so hard !!! You were just leaning lifeless against the door. I took sometime to open the door as I was scared after listening to that banging sound. Then I cautiously opened the door and you fell down on the floor. I screamed aloud, I was very scared. I thought you were but I am glad mmmmm !!!! I just glad and grateful to God ".
While she was saying all this, I concluded that she was the kindest soul I have ever met. She literally had tears in eyes. She was crying for a stranger , a man she just met. She didn't think that I could be a bad person which I was indeed. Who could harm her as she seemed to be all alone in that cottage.
" You can speak so much in one breath ". Those were my first words to her. She laughed after listening to that and responded ' You're not the first one to say that but the first one to say that with a smile '.
I didn't even know that I was smiling. I checked on myself then. My head was heavy and eyes were too.
She was so beautiful that I forgot my urge to drink water. When I remembered everything that happened before fainting. I snatched the jug from her hand and drank it in one take. I felt so relieved, I was alive.
' You seem to be so thirsty, let me get some more water wait a second ' She went inside for getting more water on her own ,without even asking if I want more or not. I took a look around the cottage in the meantime.
It was really not in a good condition as it was looking from outside. There were holes in the corners of the room. The roof was in a well too do condition but surely needed some repairment. There no pictures of the lady on walls. There was a calendar with a scenery. There were some more sceneries on the walls and most of them were of meadows like mine. It looked like the lady loved such views and she entered with water and some food. I like a hungry dog jumped to eat and ate in a few minutes.
' Oh my ,you were so hungry . ' I have never seen someone enjoying food I prepared like you did.
You are giving me many new experiences '. She was emotional in her words.
" Why so ? You're so good. You seem to be so innocent and kind ". I said to her.
" You are so kind to say that. You are really very good.
Unlike all those other men. You didn't try to force to benefit from my body. I had this possibility in my mind to be honest ". She was all of a sudden very serious.
" I saw no lust in your eyes for me. You are not like those wild animals , who are always ready to eat my flesh. They don't give compliments for my beauty.
They aren't satisfied at all ". She was once again in tears. I got up from bed and went to her. I put my hand on her head like trying to pat her. I tried to console her and exactly as what she said, I felt no lust. I wasn't able to see her tears and I met her just now. I lived with my parents and couldn't feel the same for them. It was like I didn't do anything myself. It was God's will that's what she said afterwards.
I consoled her , I said to her don't be sad and got away from her.
I sat down on bed and asked who those people were. Why she lives alone in this cottage and in a deserted area like this. After asking all this , I asked her to tell me her name first.
" My name is Magenta and please don't be angry after hearing my identity. Sooo..rrr..yy in advance that I gave you water and food from my hands ". She was stammering in her words. I interrupted her and said why are you saying sorry, you saved me. I should be thankful to you, I am indebted to you.
" I am a prostitute ". She shouted , her face looked tensed. " Many people have touched me ".
" Sorry for giving you food from my hands. Don't get angry on me. I don't have anything to pay for my sin. You look like you are from a rich household. Don't please ask me for spending a day on bed. I am really her weak and I have quitted all this. I was worried for you ". She was once again broken in tears, she was shivering and folded her legs. It was real fear , I have seen this in eyes of every person Robert took down.
That man whom I chased that day also had such fear.
She shrinked while sitting on the chair.
I changed my expression and smiled.I didn't know that I could smile too before she told me. I came closer to her and I took her hand in mine. I kneeled down and said " Please stop crying miss , I request you please stop crying. You saved my life. That water and food were like ambrosia from an angel's hands.
You didn't do a sin. You seem the one who couldn't do anything wrong even when you try ".
" I don't mind that you were a prostitute for me ,you are an angel who saved my life. You gave me a new birth.
I am not any kind person, I am a heart of stone. I have killed many people , I have even killed my own parents. I didn't spare anyone and you saved my life. I am such a worthless person. You shed tears for a person like me. You're so pure ". I was looking straight in her eyes.
I told her everything about me from my early days in the meadows till my blood stained days in the city.
I told my every sin one by one. How was surrounded with people. I thought I am the ultimate king of the city. No one came to my aid. I was replaced by someone within a few hours. I told her how I watched my parents going away from me. How didn't I understand my mother's pain. I was holding her hand and then for the first time, I wept for my parents. I felt my mother's pain but I was too late. She patted my head and said " It's all past now, It's all past. You only said it's your new birth, a new life ". She wiped tears of my face. In just an hour I could say to her. I was all hers. I was in love and it was a whole new feeling.
I remember that evening, We were sitting at the door of her cottage. She was keeping her head on my shoulder and holding my arm. We were talking about what to do next. We were in love on the day we met.
It was all God's will or the writer who is writing my story is a romantic person and watches too many movies.
She lifted her head off my shoulder and whispered in my ears " You know , you are very handsome and good looking. You are a good person. You feel so comforting. I have spent time with many men but no one is as comforting as you are. You have no lust ".
" It's the starting of our new life. So , you should leave that name Robert Brown behind".
I looked at her and said ' Then what should be my new name. You have all the rights on this new life, if mine ".
" When I was small , I used to watch a cartoon show which was soothing to me. I felt relaxed. I want to give the name of the main character since you are as comfortable as him. YOUR NAME FROM NOW ON WILL BE MR. OSWALD ".
That's how this name was given to me. Magenta too has a great story. Now let me tell you the tale when the days were all sunny once again in the meadows.
The sun was bright and the SKY WAS MAGENTA.
To be continued.....
F.Frank