Keya

Keya sensed something. She felt. She could not see; could not touch; but she felt. She had become conscious. She did not know what her form was. She did not know who she was with. She did not know when she became.

And then she broke out. Her form expanded. Gorgeous colours of orange, yellow and blue emanated from her form. As her petals broke out, she saw the world. Her sisters were beautiful. Was she as pretty? A divine fragrance permeated all around her. She gently bobbed as the wind rustled her petals. The bright rays of the sun at once welcomed and blinded her. She laughed with gay abandon and looked around.?

‘Hello Sisters!” she called out. ‘What's going on?”. "Hello there Keya! Beautiful day isn't it?” "Yes indeed!" She looked about and took in the sweet scent of their essence. She closed her eyes as the sun grew stronger.

“Whats that sound now?” Keya wondered. The faint buzz started to get stronger as she felt a heavy weight sit on her. She opened her eyes. “Who are you?” She asked , “And why are you drinking my nectar?”

“Iam a bee” the being said. “This keeps me energised. I need to drink your nectar to keep me going.”

“And where are you going?” Keya Asked

“Iam going to another flower and drink more nectar. I may take some home to my family as well” the bee replied.

“Is that all you do? Go from flower to flower and drink? That’s such a meaningless existence” Keya observed.

To which the bee replied , “Well, I also bring some seeds and help you become a fruit”?

“Oh thanks” said Keya. “But do I want to become a fruit? It’s nice being who I am. Why should I change?”

The bee replied - “I dont know. I just do this because this is what I know to do. And I guess you are destined to be a flower and then a fruit”

The bee flew away and Keya looked around. “Oh! It was all so good until this bee came along. Now things are so fuzzy and uncertain.” Her sisters called out - “Hi Keya! Why so serious?” She looked at them smiling. She shouted back; “No nothing. It's getting a bit chilly, no?”? “Yes indeed!” they responded back. “ Wonder what the night would be like ''.

As the sun went down, Keya closed her eyes and lulled into a sweet sleep. The next morning as she got up, she felt heavier. Her petals were falling off. She looked around as her sisters seemed to be taking on new shapes. Bigger and heavier, they were all drooping from the branches. It was a bit scary, she was facing the ground now. Her bright sky view was gone and she was seeing the brown earth dotted with green shrubs and grey rocks.

The wind seemed heavier on her as she grew in girth. Her eyes opened wide as she started seeing the land below with greater clarity. It was definitely not smooth. A hole here; a fresh sprout there; and some of the soil grains were gently moving. Was there life under earth? Who is moving those grains?

She could feel the dew sliding gently down her smooth body; dropping with a pat. Making the earth darker one instant and gently letting her regain her old colour.

“Oh! What’s that sudden piercing pain? Who is this winged being tearing me apart?”?

The being said "I am a bird Keya”.?

“Why are you hurting me?” Keya asked.

“Iam sorry. I don't mean to. But I have to eat. That keeps me going. It gives me energy.” The bird said.

“You too?” Keya asked. “First it was the bee and now it’s you. Am I here only to provide energy for others? Is this my only purpose?”

The bird responded; “I don't know about that. But one day, one of us will take you far away when you become smaller and drop you on the earth”.

Keya:- “But why? Why cant you let me be?”

Bird:- “I dont know about that. But this is what we do. This is what we have always been doing.”

Keya felt lighter as the bird flew away. She had been opened out on one side.

The wind got stronger and Keya swung wildly from one end to the other. The wind hit them mercilessly. She heard some of her sisters fall down with a thud. “Oh God! Will I fall down here itself. Will my stalk hold on? “

Rain drenched her as the water hit her and gushed down. It was good that she was facing down. If she were a flower, the water would have hit her eyes blinding her in its torrential blast.

Respite arrived along with the morning, as Keya felt the warm rays of the sun over her. Below she could see brown pools of water; bubbling out at various points. Beings she never knew existed emerged and slithered smoothly over the waters.

It seemed to be a moment of peace as the whole world was catching a breath from yesterday’s fury. And then she heard them. The squawks of birds as they flew down. Their wings rustled the leaves around even as they swooped down.?

She sensed the shadow over her, and the next moment she was soaring in a jerk. The earth beneath her started rushing away. The tree where she was born got smaller and smaller.

Where are you taking me bird?” Keya asked.

“To my nest. I have children to feed. They are hungry, `the bird replied.

“Oh! Will they eat me?” Keya asked

“Yes, it will make them happy”. The bird replied

Keya said ,”I am glad, I have been of use to the bee, the bird and now its children”

The earth rushed forward as she descended rapidly on a tree. The birdlings were cackling raucously even as she dropped on the nest. She felt their pecks everywhere. Before long she felt light, hard and almost weightless.

She sighed in relief, it seemed the worst was over; now she can rest. However the birdling continued their squawking and jostling in the nest. Their feet hit her. She started to roll forward, backward and to the sides. Her eyes went to the side of the nest. It was a rather steep fall if she were to tip over.

“Watch out!” she cried out. But no one was listening. She hurtled to the ground still wet from the rains yesterday.?

“Oh My! Will I survive this fall?” Keya thought. She landed in a splash and thud. Before she caught her breath, soil and water rushed over her. She had to close her eyes. “Oh God, is this the end? Is my life over? Was this how it was supposed to be?”... were her last thoughts as darkness descended.

Kyla the sapling sprouted leaves.