Only Hope, It Is!

I was looking at the broken mirror in front of me. "Where am I? Is it my bedroom?" The painting on the wall was lying on the floor; its broken glasses were scattered all over. A part of the wall had become hollow, revealing the corridor from the other side. A massive pile from the ceiling was hanging and blocking my bedroom door. "What happened when I was sleeping? Is it a nightmare, or was there a bomb, or maybe an earthquake!" I had no idea. Somehow, I returned to my senses and went to the corridor from the hollow on the wall. The living room had turned into a pile of bricks and dust. The sofa set, TV, and wooden furniture- all I had collected over the years with passion- all turned to dust. There was no door to the exit. I could see the outside massacre. The neighbourhood houses had also faced the same fate. I came out to witness a destruction similar to what I had seen after the Atom bomb explosion in pictures. There was not a single soul in that place where, until even last night, it used to be a peaceful neighbourhood with some lavish houses. I often took pride in myself for being able to book a property in such a plush area of the town. I sighed. It is true- Nothing is Permanent.

In times of distress and danger, our senses become more aware, often awakening the Sixth One. And that sixth sense of mine urged me to walk toward the lake at the back of our town. I walked through the remains and reached the lake. Nothing was left, and I was in search of a living being. But the banks of the lake were empty. Not even a bird, a stray dog or a rabbit were to be seen. I came and sat near the bank and saw my reflection in the streaming water- "It's only me now, with solitude by my side."Tears rolled down my cheeks, " So, is it the end? I had never imagined such a frightful ending, even in my worst nightmares." My mind was clouded with such horrific thoughts when suddenly I was distracted by a flapping sound. I turned to find a fish on the bank's side, trying its best to flap back to the water. I immediately took it in my hand to lightly put it back into the water. "Oh no, what did I do? I could have had fried it; no one is serving me a 3-course meal now." I muttered. However, secretly, I was glad that even in this time of distress, I was left with a bit of humanity. 

I was starving and feebly walked toward the array of bushes that led to the woods behind the lake. I had never had time to venture to this part but had heard it was filled with wild berries. After reaching there, I found berries and was happy like a child. I had berries to my heart's content till I burped. I found my strength back. I went back to the lake and drank water. I could see that the lake was filled with fish. "If the fish are alive, somebody must be out there, some human being. I will surely find someone soon." This mere idea doubled my strength, and I knew I now had to find a shelter for myself. I ran back to the remnants of the town to find tools from the debris. " Yes, I will build a house for myself."Finding bags, poly sheets, nails, axes, and other tools was relatively easy. I could also find some canned foods, biscuits, and milk packets lying here and there. I collected as much as possible and carried those near the lake. " My first task is to build a cabin by the lake." I smiled as it reminded me of some movie. Inch by inch, brick by brick, wood by wood, I worked incessantly to build my own house with my own hands. 

After a whole day of work, I had to sit for a break before finishing making the door. I was dozing when I heard something approaching from the hustling of leaves. I saw a small puppy coming towards me. My heart was filled with joy, "We are never alone, are we?" I picked it up. It was covered in dust. " Hey, little one, you are my Dusty from today." I cleaned it and fed it some biscuits and canned tuna. And started working on the door again. " When Dusty is alive, I am sure there is somebody out there, a human being." thought the optimistic I. The human mind is a goldmine of possibilities. 

The following day, I got up to Dusty's bark. I had gathered some dried leaves to make a bed and made fire with bricks and twigs to spend the night. Dusty lay cuddled to my chest all night. Now, all charged up by the morning sun, it was barking at some doves nearby. I was glad to see the birds happily flying about and playing on their own. Was life coming back to normal? Was there a chance to find someone like me, a human being? I had some food, bathed in the pleasant water of the lake and walked towards the town once again in the hope of connecting with humanity with Dusty next to me.

When everything ends, only hope is what keeps us alive.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Blog Hop

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla

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