The straphangers were dancing as the trunk moved. The dim blinking light reflected on the windows, and dusk orange rays penetrated within. The inside was capacious.
A mother with a child, a middle-age man trying to keep himself awake, and the lad who was busy in his world of books, his grey bag on his lap. The truck reached its designated station; she got off the platform with the rest of the passenger.Flowing with the crowds, she walked up the stairs with them, and entered into a more bustling life. She was amazed by the sparkling, eye-blinding light, though the sky was clear as water with small cotton floating with the wind.
Making her way, among the perfume, sweat and different texture of clothes. She came to a halt near the pole, waiting for the light to turn green; until the light blinked. Skipping her way on the zebra crossing. Gripping on the blanister she twirls and runs up the metal stairs, but her feet didn’t make any sound. Something impeded her. She threw herself towards the railing, she gazed in bewilderment and glanced at the ongoing cars, the flyers distributor, and few blinding lights as a gentle breeze blew, her hair straightened .
The thrilling sensation shoke up her body and climb up on the metal yet rusty railing. Having no fear of the scars, she spread her delicate arms; nobody stopped her. Extending the leg onto the air, as there was a translucent flooring. Next thing you knew. She was standing in mid-air.
No one seemed to notice her, everyone was busy with themselves, friends, phone calls, or just making fun of people as they walked past them.
A gust of wind made her hair dance in the air; it came from the north. Taking languid steps and still floating. A flurry overwhelmed her within, as she started to run towards the direction of the wind; the wind speed was slowly decreasing. Her hair swayed as she jumped and ran, and witnessed the breathtaking sight of the sunset. The sky turned from orange to pink to purple to blue. Enough to make any toddler amazed.
The streetlight, the boards, the shops, and the apartment were filled with more lights as the sky got darker.
The musical scorn waved, echoing on the walls, carried by the wind and onto her ear, the sound of string being hit with the hammer. She turned left; from where it travelled to her. Peering through the rusted window, she saw a lady cooking, siblings playing, a college boy doing homework. Hearing the melancholy of the piano playing; she moved to the other window.
Her hands pressed against the window; it penetrated through. She was standing behind him. He was playing delicately. In a blink of an eye, she was sitting on top of the piano; his slender fingers were so sickly. His eyes were closed; fully focused. When he opened his eyes,the hem of her dress came against his sight; he looked at me, jolted back and fell on his back. She was flabbergasted, then chuckled. He crawled back, eyeing her warily.
“What are you?” His voice shocked and his Adam apple moved up and down. A soft smile appeared on her lips, as she jumped off the piano and walked towards his wardrobe. Holding the photo frame, which was on top, on her hands, she creased on the glass that protected the photo. A young boy with his adorable baby sister.
“Hey, give it back.” His eyes widened, and he struggled to get onto his feet. He tried to catch it from her but she capered away from him and sat on the piano.
He gasped, clutching onto the shirt. “You will break it.”
“You don't need to worry about that, dear. My weight is non-existent.” she examined the photograph with adoration in her eye. “But have you mended your bond with your sister?”
His eyes trembled against the light, he turned his on the other side. “How do you-” He paused. “It isn't your matter, and get out of my room.” He spoke, still looking at the other side.
“I wish to do so, as I have limited time here.”
She came into his field of view, and the young man leaned his head back. She spoke,”So before I go. Let me tell you a few words. You may never know when someone's time is up. You might die tomorrow or your sister. Someone has to make a move and I think you should be the first. Even if you are angry,”
She sighed, closed her eyes, and shocked her head. Turning around, she walked towards the window.”You are calm, sensible and reasonable. Fix it. At least you tried, if it doesn't work out, that is another thing." She looked at the bright city light. “Atleast you tried alright.”
She walked back to him and creased his head, messing it.
Glancing at the door, then looked at him, and the piano. “Oh my time is up. I must leave.”
“What are you even?” She turned towards him. She placed her finger near her lips and said, “It's a secret.” with that she leaped through the window, jumping over buildings and street lights.
He stood there in shambles, until a soft voice made him snap.
The photo frame was on top of the piano.
She stood on top of the streetlight in the park.
The man was smoking his cigarette; sitting on the bench, leaned forwards, and hands rested on his lap. He looked exhausted, and dead. Eyes blank, he brought the tip close to his lips.
“You will damage your lungs.” She spoke, and the man jolted up and looked here and there. Then he looked up and shrilled; stood up. Later, he relaxed, rubbed his face with his hands, and sat down; leaning back.
“It's late, young lady? You shouldn't be out?” He was mindful at first then became perturbed.“ Wait, why are you up there? You will fall, young lady.”
The small smile never left her face, her eyes with fascination, as if he knew who she was. She leaped, and landed smoothly on the ground, her bare feet, and jingles visible. The man was dumbstruck, his pupil widened, and his posture stiff. Shaken by a sudden revolution.
“And you sir.” She capered around him. “It's quite late, and you are sitting alone, smoking 20 cigarettes in one go.”
He looked at her with his prepexled eyes, before he answer, “It helps with stress dear.” He threw the cigarette on the ground and samahed with his feet. He eyed the girl in front of him. His eyelashes trembled, moist made onto his eyes, and a glossy was visible because of the light
“But it ruins your health, good sir.”
The man smirks, mockingly, " I can't even be a better husband to my wife, that's why she left me. How am I good?” He fell back on the bench. Head leaned back.
After a pause. He started to speak, in that same position. Though she already knew about the whole event.
The man looked at his feet, his fingers intertwined as if trying to keep his cold hands warm, on the sudden chilling night.
“You were good sir. Your wife was blind. You did everything for her, so she has not to worry about anything in the world. You wished that your wife would pay more attention to you when you came home. You would have liked to be greeted by your wife when you came home, after hours of work, just like your mother did with your father, am I wrong sir?” She stated it in a demure tone.
“You know so much. Wait, how do you-” He chuckled, then uprighted himself. “Then you should know that she is happy.’
“Hmm.” She jumped up from her seat and languidly walked ahead, hands clasped behind her back, when suddenly she turned around to look at him.
In his hazy state, he saw a glimpse of the universe in her eyes.
“Dear good sir, you are like a rare gem; once found a lifetime.” The wind began to blow at her right. “Don't let the past drown you. I believe you will find someone who loves you, dearly.”
He looked down, moved. “Then.” He looked up, she wasn't there. Standing up abruptly, he went to the position she once stood; looking around.
“Hey!” He looked around in bewilderment. “Where did you go? “
She saw a little girl crying near the post box. It was really late now, and the time was ticking. She went towards the child, bent towards her level, and poked her head which sank to her knees. When she saw her, her eyes sparkled with tears and she got on her knees and jumped on her lap. She creased the little girl's hair, which was in a ponytail.
“I can't find my mummy.” She said with her stuffing nose .
“I see, let's go look for her.” She carried her in my embrace and leaped on the wall, then on top of the streetlight. She espied around, but it was dead silent. The air began to chill,treacherously.
“What does your mother smell like?” She looked at her, and squinted her eyes as she thought about it.
“My mommy likes wearing lilac perfume.” she said with excitement.
She nodded, and took in a deep breath. Sweet smell of sleep, ground smell, and hint of lilac and chocolate. It's quite far. They were between the city centre and residential area, and the smell was coming from within the residential area; which was the opposite side from where they stood, but how? Getting worried she examined the girl and cautiously questioned her, and she saw no harm in the girl. She gazed at the direction, her face became complex; the footstep was getting closer, and it was hasty not desperation. She jumped up on the street light, and looked down on the road, where there were beasts dressed in men and women clothing looking franctly around, and ran off to the other side. She snapped her finger, and waited for a while.
When the wind started to blow again, she followed the smell and it was starting to get further, further away.
“Hold on.” Holding her tight and the child grabbed onto her clothes, when the words were utter. They leaped through the distance; from the streetlight, to the overboard, to the rooftop, until she stopped above another streetlight. The scenery changed and the houses were much different then the previous area. They saw a woman and a man calling out the girl's name, with dogs and policemen, along with a countable number of people. The smell of lilac and chocolate were strong; almost like an irritation.
They floated down to the ground; opposite to them, and the girl, named Farren, placed her feet on the ground, as she held her delicate hands.
“Go now, they are waiting for you.” She spoke close to her ears.
Farren ran towards her parents, hands spread like wings. Both the wife and husband turned and saw her. Next thing you know, The three were in each other's warmth; the father shrouded like a blanket to his beloved. The night shower did not cease immediately.
The gust of wind blew, but it was powerful, and cold.
It was midsummer, yet the air felt chillingly unseasonal.
Farren turned around, but no-one was there in sight.
“You are late.” said the train conductor, as he punched her ticket.
“Sorry, caught up in stuff.”
“Well I have been waiting for you.” He said in a monotone. “You are the only passenger left.”
“Oh everyone left early.” She said as she looked around. “Looks like you too have a wonderful day, mister conductor.”
He looked down at her, raised his eyebrows, and said, “Please take your seat madam. We are about to depart.”
The conductor turned about to enter the control room when he heard her demure voice.” It was kind of you. Thank you for waiting.”
He slided the door fully. “Sit down, we will take off, and I am in the cabin. Call me for any urgency.”
“Sure will.” She gave a soft smile, and gaze at the closed door.
“Oh, what happened to them?”
The conductor looked at her, and turned, “They all are dead.”
The engine started as the truck started to move. It jerked, and moved forward. The sound of the wheel rolling echoed.
“We are taking off.” He shouted from the cabin.
She held onto the rails before the truck jolted and slowly lifted up in the air, and among the night sky, stars and clouds. They pass through city squares, residential areas, parks and apartments. She glimpsed down and saw a graveyard, and a particularly small grave had flowers, and small green blooming within.
“Weird. I don't see my name on my grave.”
“Don't worry you will have one, once we go home.”
