When we were little kid, my brother and I used to go to a
river side few km away from our home. It was one of the major rivers of our
zone and there were huge open grassy fields all around it. We used to take our
cow to graze in the field, tie it to the nail and go to the river banks. It was
like the ultimate destination of excursion for us. It was our picnic spot, our
playground and our safe haven when mom used to chase us for the mess and mayhem
we used to create. We used to play in the sand, make pictures, write names and
then fight with each other, rubbing each other’s art. We used to run in the
bouncy sand and get to different islands of sand in the river. There was a
strong connection of the river with us. It was very childish like us. Someday it
would be real happy and calm like us. We used to get into it and feel the water
passing through our legs. We would feel so strong blocking the river. Some days
the river would grow in size and be real big and messy that even adults fear to
come near. The river used to play with us, take us in its arms and throw us to
the other side. There was nothing special on the other side, more grassy
fields, thorns and vermin. Even though going to the other side challenging the
river was our greatest expedition. My brother was my best friend and since he
was much younger than me he used to follow all my directions however crazy it
was. We had many cousins and we all used to live together but I remember only
few instances going to the river with them. It was always my brother and me. To
be honest we were restricted to go there. Our friend, the river was considered
danger by our parents. We were strictly instructed not to go there, but no one
could stop me at that age where logic was just a word and my brother never left
me so we both used to go to the river regularly. So since we were anyway going
they used to send the cow with us. And taking the cow with us was another
happiest thing for us. The cow we had been considered the real devil. No one
could come near it. Once it fractured my father’s leg hitting by its horn. But
it was for the surprise of us all; it obeyed every word of my brother. And I
must tell you my brother didn’t even have learnt properly to speak. I wonder
now if they had any telepathic connections. The cow was our protector from
stray dogs and other cows and buffalo we used to encounter in the way. Some
days when I used to be in school and if other cousins won’t let my brother to
play with them, he used to go the barn and talk with the cow. He used to tell
the cow how bad the cousins were and he would complain me about them in the
evening. The cow was the real enemy of the cousins, it used to chase them
anywhere it saw them. And I was always there for my revenge seeking little
brother. We had a different way of revenge. I was the eldest among all the
cousins so I used to prompt them to go to the river in the evening and they had
to obey me. I used to tell them the stories about the ghosts we saw the other
day in our way. After reaching the river my brother and I used to hide in the
tall grasses and make ghostly noise. The river used to help us in our revenge
by making noises. After scaring the hell out of them we would laugh our stomach
out and take them home. Once due to that act one of my cousins fell terribly
ill and I got the scolding of lifetime. My parents never hit on me but that
night I saw fury blazing on my dad’s eyes. It was scarier than the river ghost.
I cried the whole night and my brother also cried for no reason, maybe to give
me company. Then we never took the cousins to the river but we went regularly
till this event happened.
It was a normal Saturday, there was no school so my brother
and I took the cow and went towards the river early. In the way we found the
cousins who had bought new dummy guns for the Tihar and they were showing us
cockily. We had been arguing with mom for such guns but she wasn’t buying us so
we were raged when we saw them boasting. My brother and I cursed them the whole
way. After reaching the bank we tied the cow to graze and went to the river and
started collecting white pebbles. The river had grown in size due to last night’s
rain. We couldn’t find much white pebbles this side of the river. So we decided
to go to the other side. My brother signaled the increased water level but I was
just unstoppable. I steely signaled him to stay there if he was scared. But I knew
my brother was not going to leave me. As always we hold hands and went inside
the river. Slowly we started to cut the water current. We didn’t know how to
swim but were experts on crossing the river. We were moving very slowly and
blocking the water flow with all strength. But our strength was nothing
compared to the water current and suddenly my brother slipped and we both were
flooded with the river. Our hands hold was split and we both were doused into
the water. I was stunned of what was happening and struggling to breathe. I was
trying to go upward but the weight was pushing me downwards. My head was
inflating and my eyes were shut and hurting and the cold was piercing through
the skin. Then I suddenly remembered my brother. I realized he was inside the
water and going through the same situation. Glooms and fear surrounded me and I
felt the most desperate. Then I used my all strength to move and suddenly I felt
like I was given a big push and I found my brother’s arm and next moment we
were in the bank on the other side. We had crossed the river but we had floated
a huge distance. It was a miracle that we were alive and unhurt. It took a
moment for me to come to my senses. Then I looked at my brother, he was sobbing,
and trembling with cold. I knew he was angry with me, because he had warned me
about the river, but he didn’t say anything. He just looked into the river and
cried. He knew that the river had saved our life. I was going to get into a
bigger trouble when I would reach home. But I wasn’t scared, I was grateful
that we both were safe. I felt sorry for my brother and for myself. I felt
guilty for my stupidity. I looked down to the river. Our friend had saved our
life.
Then we walked through the bank and finally found the place
where the river wasn’t so wide and we crossed. We went home and I told mom
everything. My brother was surprised because he was seeing the honest side of
me for the first time. My mom just holds my brother in her arms for a while and
started sobbing. I felt different that day, I hadn’t felt ever in that way, and
I realized that was a change. After that we never went to river again. But I never
forgot that it gave me a second life. And it will remain my friend and savior all
my life.
Inspired by: To Kill A Mockingbird
Tribute to Late Harper Lee.