[A short story by Mr. Ashmit Malik titled ‘Darkness’.]
That day the fog in the forest was denser. The rain had rhythm that day. The droplets falling through the forest slowly, gathering on the leaves, dripping from the moss.
Beneath the mist was a bird – Bluebell. She had these beautiful feathers which spread throughout her body making her bright as light in that dense green forest.
But not that day. That day beneath the canopy she found herself in darkness. Overwhelmed by the foggy greenland. Her left wing was stuck in a fishing line. She found herself helpless as she saw her friends flying above at the endless sky but she was buried below. She let out a cry. A sound unlike the rain. That thin and desperate sound was found by a mouse – nutmeg.
Nutmeg collected wings. She didn’t hurt those who were in possession of them. Just picked the ones left behind by the wind, shed in storms, wandering endlessly before they ended up in the nutmeg’s pocket. To her they were a relic from the place she wanted to go to.
Bluebell saw the little mouse, her paws damp, her fur covered in mud and pocket full of feathers. Nutmeg slowly whispered “Don’t move.” As she slowly made way near bluebell and chewed through the fishing line till it gave away. “Go away” said bluebell in a whimpering tone. She must be feeling embarrassed being seen like this infront of a land creature. Nutmeg took a step back to give bluebell some space. Bluebell tried to spread her wings hoping for the air to catch her and lead her back to her flock. But instead of flying she stumbled instead. Pain flashing like lightning in her eyes. She called for her friends but the voice was too soft like a fading memory of last spring. Nobody heard her, except Nutmeg. Nutmeg couldn’t bring herself to leave Bluebell behind. So she decided to take her home.
Nutmeg and Bluebell starting living together under the oak tree. Where Nutmeg would nurse her wing with moss and patience. She would look up at the sky seeing others flying. Sometimes she would smile and then cry when Nutmeg wasn’t looking. The darkness Bluebell had fallen into was vanishing because of the sound of rain, the soft wind but more importantly because of Nutmeg. Nutmeg would show Bluebell her feather collection, talk about the sky with such childish passion in her eyes. She would ask Bluebell what it felt like to be above it all. Bluebell would tell her stories from her flights.
Nutmeg confessed to bluebell “It’s my biggest dream to fly high up in the sky one day! As child i wanted to be the first mouse to do so. Mom told me I’m the bravest girl in the world to dream that and that is why I started collected wings.” She laughed “I know how childish that sounds. But yeah. In another life. Maybe”.
Two seasons passed and autumn approached. While the feathers of the trees were falling, a little ray from the sky was ready to spread her’s. Bluebell spread her wings wide open and took a leap of faith. This time wind caught her and she started flying. The dark green of forest started fading as she approached the blue sky and there she was completely free from the darkness which once held her for what felt like eternity. But the eternity was survivable because of a friend she had made. Who was still down under that oak. Not feeling happy or sad. Nutmeg just felt the quite ache of letting go.
Bluebell circled back realising now it’s her turn to bring light to her friend’s dream. She landed back in front her and reached her wing towards Nutmeg and said “Come with me.”
Nutmeg hesitated saying “I don’t have wings.”
“But you have me.” Said bluebell as she lowered her back so that nutmeg could climb on. Nutmeg held tightly as they pushed the wind below, leaving behind the oaks. The first breath of wind above the dark green forest felt like heartbeat.
Nutmeg slowly opened her eyes and realised why birds never stay still. She realised the sky wasn’t empty. Nutmeg let out a laugh with tears in her eyes. A emotion even she was unfamiliar with. They flew till the sun sunk and blue turned gold.
After they came back home, Nutmeg reached in her pouch and let go of the feathers one by one, setting them free to drift into the wind. As the last feather drifted away Nutmeg said “You see Bluebell.”
“I see.” Agreed Bluebell “You lifted me above more than the wind ever could.”
