AN ODYSSEY (ongoing)

In the land of ghastly smokes and dying rivers, a rumour flew like a lonesome leaf in an autumn morning. There was a certain whisper about a probable paradise that existed somewhere. This land was nothing short of materialisation of the fables of ancient times. Some said that the green in the woods is like the panacea for the eyes, the omnipresent gush of juniper scented air scintillates one’s body in every breath, while some said the water runs through the river like molten crystal and reveals its heart as clear as day.

The rumour didn't escape Jwi and the other rivers. She was one of the many rivers that were almost reduced to streamlets; the water in her almost dried out and the life within her was at the cusp of eradication. Nevertheless, Koju, a young man from the region was in unconditional love with her. One afternoon, when he was lying with her, resting his head on the weary lap of Jwi, she brought forward a proposition: she wanted to elope with Koju to the so-called paradise. She said, ”Find me that mystical land if you may and if you succeed, I shall defy the very fabric of nature and change my course to be with you!”  The drive for her in Koju made him agree to it in just a heartbeat. The chap, oozing with the thrill of being with his beloved in paradise, wanted to start at the first light of the next day. Thusly, he bid farewell to Jwi and promised to return only after uncovering the location of this paradise.