THE SCARLET WOMEN

Story 1 - Vengeance

There was a widespread disagreement of that catastrophic event that happened that night and became the turning point for the eventual beginning of the war which was inevitable. The fog of war often makes it impossible to recognize the same faces which now wear the mask of faceless. That night steeled their determination. Ironically, the line of sanity was crossed and repressed rage came out in the form of war. I could see the same people holding arms that once consecrate for peace. His death was for a purpose and might be this was the one. Things were getting worse day by day. That night changed the face of our village and became a nightmare for all of us. Now the past turned to never-never land. The whole system was yelling at us to get prepared for the repercussion of war. The period of insurgency was declared. Each day we started surviving amidst the terror and breathing the air of revolution. Whenever I saw them marching around, I closed my eyes and pray for my family. I wanted to escape from here and leave all the scars behind. I wanted to start a new life with my family in the town but I know I can't leave because they were keeping an eye on us.

The terror of the unknown and unidentified was almost spread all over us. The whole rumor was that he was the new leader of this army but never showed up. Sometimes he comes out to address the conclave but still in disguise. Nobody knows him but everybody fears him. Nobody can envisage the world he promises to create but he carries the eyes of the devil which could cast a spell on anybody and induce them to follow him blindly. He got his name from news and papers of "Mr. X." But I could surmise who he might be. I never found the body of Mr. James. He can bamboozle all but me. I know he'll show up when the balloon goes up.

-I want you to take Emma with you to Aunt Helen and Uncle Sam. It's not safe here anymore. –I said. Since that night I didn’t let Nat and Emma hear more of the news. I don’t want them to be getting more worried about the worsening condition. Emma has stopped playing with her friends. She doesn’t say much. Most of the time she kept herself locked in her room. Nat just keeps her sleeping all night on her lap. The eyes of both were swollen like they cried a river and voices gone plaintive and weak.

I sat in the same place where the Father used to sit carrying his radio and start remembering those days when everything was perfect. I still could hear the echoes of laughter and giggles of both Emma and father when he used to carry her coming back from school. How Nat used to serve dinner for all of us and Emma running all over to take a bite from everybody's hand. I still remember my father talking to me about mother. I miss you, Father, we all miss you. Look what our life has become without you. I could not stop falling of tears looking above the sky.

-But how could we leave without you? –Nat said. We're not going anywhere without you.

-Oh, Nat, you have to. –I said. You know why I cannot leave. You've to understand that if I too leave with you then they will again come for us. So I've to stay here to make them believe that we haven’t left. You've to leave for the sake of our child.

-No…No…I can't leave you all by yourself. –Nat said in a weeping voice. And Emma will never understand. She'll never go anywhere without you.

-You have to Nat…You's to…I'll help understand Emma. –I hugged her.

I didn’t notice Emma was standing there hearing us until she came and hugged me.

-I don’t want to leave you, Father, I'll not go anywhere without you. –she started weeping. I'll always stay here with you and help you with your patients.

-Yes, my angel, I know you'll always help me. –I knelt before her. But for this time you've to trust your Father. And it's just for a few days and I'll come back for you all after I finish some of my works left out here. I promise to never leave you after that.

The trauma of war and was not healing with time. Instead, it was growing more with it. It was not safe anywhere. They already are growing their strength more than I could imagine. From the news, it's clear that they are now everywhere. Now after my work I often visit Mac at his shop. We keep talking about the ongoing war and how to escape from it. I kept talking to Nat and Emma through the telephone at Mac's shop. But I'd to do it in short and hiding from those people keeping an eye on us. He invited me to dinner at his place most of the time. He was too more concerned about Sumi. I asked him to move Sumi too with Nat and Emma. But Sumi denied moving without Mac.

-Will you not come to meet us, Father? –Emma asked me.

-Yes, I'll my child. –I said. I'll be there very soon and bring you and mother back here.

-We really miss you, Father. –Emma said. Please come quickly and take us back.

-The situation getting worse here too. –Nat was speaking this time. I think you should come and take all of us back including Aunt Helen and Uncle Sam.

-Okay, Nat. –I said. Please wait for few more days and I'll try to find some ways to get back to you all. Just wait for few more days.

Immediately I hung up seeing those people coming to Mac's shop.

-Is everything all right guys? Who were you talking to? –One of them asked us in a threatening voice.

-Yeah, everything all right comrade. I was just talking to one of my patients if he was feeling better than before of medicines I prescribed.

-I know you're the son of our great commander who found a heroic death fighting for this cause. –he said. Go home, next time we'll keep an eye on you more strictly.

The wind of terror was blowing all over my head. It was full of fear and trepidation inside me. This tragedy had already put a hole in my soul and I don’t want to lose it completely. Oh God, help me and my family. Hey Lord, please show us the way to get out of this transgression, Please mercy thine child and protect us from every evil. I believe if you put us through this dismay and consternation, you'll show us the path towards our salvation. We're waiting for your divine intervention. We're waiting for your command. I always have believed in your divinity. I know you're testing my faith with all these utter distraught. You know for them its war but for me its crusade. They're waging a war against you and I'm waging it against myself. I'm just trying to protect those whom I love.

The next morning I was on my way to meet them pulling out all my courage but it already was too late. Everything I loved was taken away from me. Nothing was left except the ashes from which vengeance has risen in my heart.