Together Forever

It had just stopped raining. The air was sweet, the sky, azure. Everyone was outdoors, enjoying the weather, and the inexplicable joy it inspired. It was then, that the ivy on the alley's entrance sprouted new leaves. On its topmost branch, however, only two came into existence. (Now, dear readers, you probably have read many literary pieces, and would acknowledge the benefits of naming characters. So I name them as Leaf and Leafie. This being done, let's now continue with the story.) How could it have been, that with such an air of joy and life around him, Leaf would stay put. So he yawned, and opened his eyes. As Fate would have it, the first sight of his life was young Leafie. He couldn't help admire Leafie's yellow-and-green form that looked so innocent, yet so breathtaking. Suddenly, Leafie opened her eyes too, and Leaf wasn't able to gaze into hers, with all the fire behind them. So he gave a slight cough and looked away, and when he heard Leafie's musical giggle, he was ecstatic.

Soon, both began to feel cold, and as if reading their minds, the sun came out, showering them with his golden rays. For some days, everything went their way. They got food, water and sunlight just when they needed them. Before long, they had grown into perfect leaves. Life was good.

But alas...! Fate had some other plans for them. The sun, whose daily arrival was celebrated by all, began to think that everyone was getting less of him. So it lengthened its daily rounds, and began to exert more power in firing those flaming arrows which had a big role in sustaining life on this planet. Soon, months' names started to shrink, and the sun started showing its true colours.

Leaf, meanwhile, was having a hard time. Not only he had to endure thirst, but every day, he died a thousand deaths when he saw Leafie lose some more of her emerald complexion for that parched look that didn't suit her at all. Leaf, bound as he was to the stem, still tried to help her. He found out that by enlisting the help of that scorching wind, he could position himself so as to shield Leafie during those hours when everyone's shadow hid beneath them.

Leafie was bright too. She has never forgotten the expression Leaf wore when she had first opened her eyes, nor could she ignore his efforts to protect her. She had always fancied him, but now, she adored him, and wanted to express it too. So when it happened for a week, that when Leaf would accidentally look into Leafie's eyes, he would find the fire softened, almost beckoning him, he finally got the hint. He looked her questioningly, and when she gave him a shy smile, Leaf knew that he was really lucky.

Now, every day, with a little help from the wind, they would manage to get close, hold each other's hands, and forget everything else. Even the sun relented a bit, on seeing this courageous display of affection.

Fate, however, was unmoved. The cruel puppeteer in whose hands we all are marionettes, had more in store for the young couple. Soon, the month with the longest name arrived, being given a mission by Fate. Before long, harsh winds started to blow, snatching leaves from their abodes, and hurling them to the ground. Leaf and Leafie were frightened by all this. Whenever the gusts of wind would bring them close, they would hold hands, and promise to be together, no matter what. They managed to hold out for some days against the wind's escalating intensity till it became too much for Leafie. She was plucked, and not too gently, was tossed around in the air to taunt Leaf, and then dropped unceremoniously to the ground.

During all this time, Leaf attempted to get hold of her, but in vain. His heart felt like being cut by glass when he saw Leafie's sad smile and the look of hopelessness in her eyes. It took all the pleading and requesting, before the wind tore him as well, and led him to a few inches of where Leafie lay, on verge of death. Leaf couldn’t endure the sight, so he closed his eyes, but the wind whispered to him to open them. He did so, and there was Leafie, looking at him, with a mysterious smile on her lips. She blew him a kiss, and breathed her last. Leaf felt that his own end was near, so he glanced at her beautiful form for the last time. As he felt his eyes flutter, he stared into Leafie's empty, dead ones. Then it hit him: Even thou they both would be dead soon, they were still together. So he breathed his last too, a smile identical to Leafie's playing upon his lips...

Photo credits: Verdah Javed