Hark! The rhythm

Hark! The rhythm. The pellet drum rattles. The dance begins. The creation, the annihilation, the fleeing in-betweens, and beyond these appar...

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

A Travelogue


She had put in a long day at office and was about to begin the homeward journey – same route, same hills, and same river that she had travelled in the morning. Only, the twilight was making the hills looks sinister, the sound of the rushing water scary, the unplanned bus halts irritating, and the loaded bus suffocating. Relief would not come what with the meandering roads, the treacherous turns, the unruly drivers and the narrow paths. This was not the way it looked on the other days. But she was good two hours late today. And it was almost night – almost. She shivered at the thought. She looked around her. No feminine silhouette visible.  Only rugged and unkempt males – they had all put in hard labor during the day, some of the persons in the back seats appeared drunk, the one who sat behind her smelled strongly of tobacco. She clung to her handbag a little more tightly. She was scared.  She tried to busy herself with the scenery outside but with dark coming in rapidly, her thoughts returned to her fears. She counted three ravaging forest fires – the bright orange against the black night. She saw the lights of the temples and the echo of the evening prayers and felt some of the strength returning. It would take just half an hour more from here on. And she counted almost every second in that half hour. Finally, the bus was circuiting the familiar turns of her hometown. She disembarked at the rather empty looking bus stand. Her father was waiting there for her to take her home. Once inside her cozy nest, they all laughed and talked and ate and watched TV. Her fears were gone - at least for now - only to return in the night when nestled under the covers, waiting for the fan and sleep to silence her thoughts – she would wonder – if her new job was worth all the travails?

Linking with the Trifecta : Week Thirty

19 comments:

  1. Well written narrative. I could imagine her fear and then relief.

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    1. Thank you Carver. I am glad the narrative could bring out her feelings.

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  2. Brave woman. I would be thinking the same thoughts. I hope a good solution will be found.

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    1. I hope the same. It is good to see that our thoughts match. Thanks for visit Cathy.

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  3. Well done Ruby, it was so real and I felt scared along with the bus driver! It also reminded me of driving along a hilly road with only green and the sky around!

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    1. Thank you Maya. I am glad I could do justice to this piece.

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  4. I would think along the same lines...its it worth it? I'm a scaredy cat so this made the hairs on my neck raise.

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    1. Thank you Gina, it is a great compliment to see you feeling what the protagonist was going through.

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  5. You do a great job conveying a sense of fear and isolation -- it made me nervous! I was relieved when she reached home at the end.

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    1. Thank you for reading and appreciating the emotions of the story, Annabelle.

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  6. nice narrative ruby.
    it has been a good experience reading your blog.
    i am subscribing to it.
    cheers.

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    1. Thank you Raghav. Your words are so encouraging and inspiring. I am glad to have your company in this blogging journey.

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  7. I'd have to wonder if it was worth it, too. I've ridden a bus in the city, so I can relate to the uneasy feeling she had on the bus. So glad she ended up home safe and sound!

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    1. I am glad her feeling filtered through to all. It is good to have such an appreciation. Thank you for reading this.

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  8. It sounds like quite the exhausting and harrowing trip. This week we were looking for the third definition of the word new as defined on the Trifecta website.
    Thanks for linking up and we hope to see you back tomorrow for the new prompt.

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    1. Thank you editors. I would be more than happy to join in.

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  9. The tension here was gorgeous. I feared for this woman on a crowded bus, and I was so glad someone was waiting at that deserted bus stop.

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    1. Me too. It is good to have a comforting hand when you need it the most. Thanks Jessie.

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Since every thought is a seed, I am looking forward to a delicious harvest.