CAUTION:  THIS STORY IS A BIT LONG. 

The Rise of the Phoenix

                                                                                                                          

 

“Grandma what’s that” I asked unable to keep my 7-year-old childish curiosity in limit, pointing out to a golden glittering inside a glass box safely kept in velvet. It was unlike any award I had seen till now. “It’s a medal dear child…” she continued “a medal full of honour, bravery, and courage”. “How come a medal be full of bravery grandma?” I blurted out seemingly confused than before. “Hahaha the medal is not full of bravery, beta, the story behind the medal is full of bravery”, “Do you want to listen it?” she asked smiling. “Sure, I do, grandma” I replied. “Then I will tell u all about it at night. Now bring me my medicine box and drink up your milk”.  I brought and gave grandma her medicines, and finished up the milk quickly in excitement of listening to a new story. Soon the afternoon sun melted into the horizon and gave rise to the full moon and the twinkling stars of the night. But my mind was still focused on the medal. When I looked up at the sky through the window of my room, I even thought I saw the stars making patterns in the shape of that medal. I chided myself for being so absorbed in that award, and hallucinating it everywhere. Finally, after a long day, doing all the chores I dislike, the time came up for what I was so fervently waiting. Dadi came up to my room, tucked me inside the bed and began the story. “It all began on a full moon day just like this one, right here in this bungalow…” “Get up Sanjog bhaiya get up, there’s an odd smell coming from somewhere, and the electricity went off. I can’t sleep.” “Let me sleep Ritu, and you go to sleep too” he replied. I slept for 10 minutes but that smell came again kept bothering me. I again said “Wake up na bhaiya... wake up”. “What happened? Why aren’t you letting me sleep?” “Don’t you smell it bhaiya? “What smell?” he chimed. “Smell the air, how can I tell u what smell is it? There’s no way to say how a smell smells, is there one?” “It’s a peculiar smell, haven’t smelled it before. Do u perhaps know what is causing this smell?” Sanjog bhaiya asked. “If I knew the cause of this, why would I take the burden to wake you up bhaiya?”  “Good point” bhaiya replied. Honestly, my brother was 1 whole year older than me right now being at 10 years, but now and then, I felt I was the bigger one.  “I think it’s from the kitchen” Sanjog bhaiya said. “I don’t know, let’s mom and dad”. “U stay behind and watch over Simi, I’ll go and inform mummy”, Sanjog bhaiya said. “Okay, but come fast.” He went with his phone, switching on the torch light. Here I was alone, afraid in the dark, sitting beside Simi, our 3-year-old sister who was sleeping all too peacefully like nothing happened. Coming back to present, Dadi asked me to give some water. I gave it grudgingly because she had stopped the story in between. “At that time, I didn’t know what Sanjog bhaiya had talked with mummy and papa and what all things happened, but I got to know afterwards, but for your ease of understanding I will say it from Sanjog bhaiya’s point of view from now.” “Okay” was the only thing I could say before Dadi delved back again into the past taking me with her.  I walked slowly towards mom and dad’s room. The pungent and acid smell made my nose twitch. The only light I had was the torchlight of my mobile, as electricity wasn’t there. I thought I saw some shadows creeping. I told myself it was nothing. In the inside I was utterly scared; I had constant fear of ghosts and Ritu constantly teased me because of it. I suddenly felt a cold eerie feeling in my neck, my hairs on my hands and neck stood above, like something bad was gonna happen. I ever – so slowly reached mom’s room and opened the door. A wisp of that bad smell came up with a blow of air. Their room was filled with that bad smell. I crept up to their bed, started to wake them up. “Mom, Dad, wake up wake up, something’s happening, there’s some kind of bad smell and electricity’s gone.” Then unexpectedly electricity came, and seconds later there was an explosion loud enough to wake up the whole colony. Mum and Dad woke up so abruptly they banged their heads. I couldn’t help but giggle a bit. Dad first regained his wits and started bombarding me with questions “What just happened? Why are you here? Where are Ritu and Simi? What is this smell?” I replied to his questions as fast as I could “Dad, there was an electricity cut and some bad smell was coming from somewhere, Ritu and Simi are in our room right now.” “But what is this smell”, I asked? This time mummy replied “Seems like gas cylinder leak to me”. Suddenly their faces went horror – struck. I knew something bad had happened. “That explosion, I guess, the refrigerator had burst up.” Mom told me and Dad. “We need to get out now” Dad spoke in a commanding tone. They frantically got up grabbed their mobiles, some money, a bottle of water, took hold of me and ran outside in the room only to find out that there was no place where we could step out. The whole house had became a raging inferno. Flames leapt everywhere. The heat from the fire was intense. It singed the hair on my arms. My father hurriedly called the fire department and told them about the situation. Then we rushed back into the room. Mum took out some clothes of hers, soaked them in water from the sink and wrapped one over my head and mouth. Then she did the same with her and papa though leaving the mouth. They dragged me again outside and we rushed to get out of the flames. We were just about to reach the door to exit the house but one giant leap of flame scorched papa’s left hand. He bellowed in pain but kept going. We were finally able to get out of the house. But we weren’t unscathed. Mom had many burns, and I too got a good amount of them. Our neighbours had gathered around and started helping Dad. Out of the blue, I remembered about Ritu and Simi. I felt sooo reckless and careless to forget about them right now. I made a hasty decision and rushed back into the flaming house. Mummy yelled my name again and again but I knew I had to save my sisters. I rushed inside dodging the fires. I went back to mummy’s room first, and soaked up four of her clothes in the bathroom. Then I raced down the hall where the fire wasn’t much, and barged into our room. There Ritu was cowering besides the bed and in her lap, Simi was there crying ever so loudly. I quickly explained the situation in brief to Ritu, and used to clothes to cover her head and mouth. Then with the remaining two clothes we wrapped up Simi. I hauled Simi over my neck, and began to escape from this raging fire prison with Ritu. We crossed the hall without much damage. But the real trial was from here. The house was crumbling and falling apart. I knew I couldn’t lose my nerve, not right now. I grabbed Ritu’s hand and warned her to follow my steps and do it swiftly. I ran, and turned and ran dodging the fires and crumbling pieces of wood. I made a mental note to decrease the amount of wood in whatever house I reside afterwards, if I get to live up until that time. We were nearing the front door. The heat was becoming insufferable. Both, Ritu and I were drenched in sweat. Ritu had a burn across her arm, but either she didn’t seem to notice it or she didn’t let the pain show. I knew I had to get us out as fast as I can. I strengthened my hold over Ritu’s arm and ran for the last time to reach the door. It was a final move, everything depended on it. I thought we’re going to make it. That’s when everything went utterly wrong. On the way to make a final run I made a dreadful mistake. I didn’t notice the upper portion of the door frame had come lose and was going to fall. I, in a desperate attempt to save Ritu, pushed her forward with Simi and slided myself. They made just by the door, as the frame fell on my legs. With an utter realisation of horror, it dawned upon me that I was trapped. I tried to struggle but I wasn’t able to get the heavy frame away from my legs. My upper body was just past the door, but my lower half was still stuck inside the house. The smell of my burning flesh made me desperate to throw up, but I resisted the urge. Finally, when I couldn’t bear any more, I blacked out. The next time I woke up i was in extreme pain. I couldn’t make out anything about the surroundings. The pain overwhelmed me again. My consciousness took the back gear again. Finally, I woke up again to see my legs plastered. When I turned around my head and saw the surroundings, I noticed I was in a hospital possibly. A doctor, came in minutes after. He seemed happy to see me awoke, the joy clearly noticeable in the gleam of his face. He beckoned for a nurse and asked her to increase the dose of the medicine they were giving to me. He also asked her to call my family.  She nodded, and left. That’s when I noticed my senses were returning back to me. I could sniff the odd smell of floor washer and roses in the air. Even though the hospital was large faint sounds came inside the room. I could feel the grumble in my stomach indicating my hunger. I started to look at my body, when I noticed my hands were badly charred, but atleast they were whole. My legs were still in the plaster. That’s when the nurse returned with my family. First entered mummy holding Simi in her arms and Ritu. Both of them were crying so much I was afraid they would flood the hospital. So, I noticed I retained my weird sense of humour. Then came papa. He was looking even worse than me. His left side of the hair was badly burnt, and where his left hand used to be, the air filled the space now. I managed to croak “What happened? How are everybody?”. Mom replied “You were so heroic and foolish to run into the fire like that. You managed to get your sisters out of the fire, but the door frame fell upon your legs and broke them. It took many firefighters to get you out and take control of the fire, but ultimately, they did it. We all suffered injuries, but, you and your dad suffered the most of them. We're lucky to be able to stand here. Almost, all of the credit goes to you for our survival. If you hadn't woken us up I can't imagine what would have happened. One week has passed since the incident.” I was shocked to know I was unconscious for almost one week. “You were just like a phoenix. Rising again from the ashes. Giving birth to a new person.” was all that my Dad managed to say before he fell because of tremendous pain. The doctor immediately called the medical staff and they took Dad away in a stretcher. Then the doctor, spoke, “I think we should let Sanjog rest. He deserves it.” My family reluctantly went outside. I was still in denial that this all things had happened with me. I just couldn't believe that our house had became a living volcano, our family was hurt so badly and I still could save them. Having this all thoughts in my mind I faded away into oblivion. After about spending 3 more weeks I was discharged from the hospital. I still had to use a wheelchair. The day I went home, I was appalled to see the response I got. It was like a celebrity is returning home. Our house was fixed up in that one month. That night when we all sat down to see the television, we saw the news of my heroics. In the next few days, our family members called gave their condolences, congratulated me and offered their help not everyone in the same order. Two weeks later, my father got a call from Government of India, informing that I have been shortlisted for The Bravery Award of that year. Everyone was delighted to hear the news. There was never as much rejoice in our family as it had now. It was totally beyond belief. The feeling was amazing. Once the whole colony got to know the news, they were enlightened. Everyone were so much content and jovial. This was a time of great joy after all the horrors our family had suffered. Grandma came back to present to check if I had fallen asleep, and feeling satisfied seeing I hadn’t, she continued “Now I am going to speak from my perspective.” And she again began. “It was an amazing experience, watching Sanjog bhaiya ride in the parade of Republic Day on a jhanki with other children from around the corners of the country to get the Bravery Award for their explicit courage and strong – heartedness. He was still in crutches. I still remember the day when he had tears of joy and pride in his eyes, my ten – year old brother Sanjog bhaiya received the Bravery Award from the President of India.” Coming back to present, “So, now you know the story behind the medal, Appu beta?” “Yes Dadi”, I replied “I want to be like Sanjog Dadu when I grow up.” I thought I saw a glint of tears in Dadi’s eyes, though I said nothing on it. “Ohh I am sure you will, now go to sleep my child.” “Goodnight Dadi” I said to her. “Goodnight” Grandma replied. “I have kept your legacy alive Sanjog bhaiya, your grandchild stays safe with me. Now he has known your tales of bravery. I will never let him feel the absence of you and his parents. Rest in peace Sanjog bhaiya. Oh how the tears of joy and pride left your eyes, when you received the award from the President of India, Sanjog Bhaiya…..”

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING WITH US TILL THE END, GIVING US YOUR TIME AND PATIENCE. HOPE YOU LIKED THE STORY,  ALSO PLEASE DO  COMMENT IN THE SECTION BELOW OF THE CHANGES AND MODIFICATIONS YOU THINK WOULD MAKE THIS STORY BETTER....

                                                                                                                                                                        

                                                               ~ Atraiu Gupta ~