Mindscape

Shresht sat on the side bench of a playground watching the other children play football. They were his friends from the neighbourhood and he enjoyed being part of the game as well, but a sprain on the leg had limited the scope and extent of his physical activities which involved his legs.



Shresht felt something in his pocket, he pulled it out, it was a wafered chocolate which his mother had given him before he came out to park. It was not in its best condition and even though the chocolate itself was not visible but its condition in pieces could be felt from outside.



Shresht opened the wrapper and slowly pulled out the first broken piece and placed it in his mouth to bite into the crunch. He kept watching the game and kept eating and then towards the end he turned the packet upside down to allow the remaining crumbs of chocolate and wafers to fall on his hand and then be consumed. 



Shresht caught sight of his friend Bahul watching him eat and then when he noticed the empty packet in Shresht’s hand he went back to focusing on playing with a disappointing expression.



A passing wind forced the wrapper out of Shresht’s hand and Shresht moved sideways to get hold of it and while he was doing so, he heard his name and looked towards a few of the kids looking towards him with an expression which showed they were worried and terrified of something happening.



Shresht understood the situation, only that it was too late and the ball hit him on the face and Shresht fell himself falling on the bench and then slipping down to the ground.



Shresht opened his eyes to find his friend Bahul helping him get up and sit on the bench.



“Are you fine? Do you want someone to get you home?” asked Bahul holding the ball



“I am fine,” replied Shresht, “I will sit here, I don’t want to go home yet.”



“All right,” said Bahul holding the ball, “the match is about to get over, I will come back to you when it does.”



What happened next, put Shresht’s mind in a part confused and part amazed state. Bahul did not run or walk back to where he was playing, he flew back.



‘How is this possible? What happened?’ thought Shresht as he saw his friends play, sometimes walking, sometimes running and sometimes flying.



“I have not woken up from the fall in the real world,” Shresht said in a low tone which only he could hear, “but this is pretty cool, I have to learn how to do it before I wake up”



Shresht got up with excitement, he noticed that he had no pain in leg but several other places like on shoulder and back and then he thought, ‘these must be from the fall, this is some realistic dreaming.’



Shresht noticed one of his friends Jagvi landing near the swings. He rushed to her and Jagvi noticed him coming.



“So, Jagvi, you can fly too,” said Shresht



Jagvi looked confused and said, “Every body can fly. Is something wrong?”



‘Oh right, I have to act as if its a usual thing,’ Sresth thought



“Actually, I am facing difficulty in flying. I was hoping maybe you can help me,” said Shresht



“I don’t know, maybe you should see a doctor. You know how risky it can become if your ability to fly is affected,” said Jagvi



‘Doctors? Is this all in my mind somewhere? Maybe there is a process of learning to fly but I cannot recall it,’ thought Shresht



“I have an idea, hold my hand and fly me upwards and then let go,” said Shresht



“Are you sure? Have you done this before?” asked Jagvi



“Yeah, I am sure. I have done this before and it worked. Trust me,” Shresht extended his hand forward



Jagvi held his hand and flew upwards, Shresht felt a painful pull on his arm, ‘why does it hurt so much in the dream. Well in a few moments either I will be flying or I will be back in consciousness,’ thought Shresht



Jagvi struggled to fly upwards while holding on to Shresht, but she did manage to fly three times the height of the surrounding houses before Shresht’s hand slipped through and down he went.



‘This is it,’ Shresht thought with fear and excitement as he approached the ground. He closed his eyes to ignite his supposed dormant ability to fly in this dream or imagination that he had been in for a while.



The ground never came and neither did the flight, what came were two arms which broke the fall.



Shresht opened his eyes and found Bahul once again helping him stand on the ground.


“Shresht! What is wrong with you? Are you trying to hurt yourself? Why weren’t you flying?” screamed Bahul.



“He told me he was having some problems flying. I told him to see a doctor, but he thought he knew better,” said Jagvi flying down.



“Relax both of you,” said Shresht, “None of this is real. This is all my imagination, I fell down when the football hit me and now I am dreaming about all these things. I will wake up in a while and everything will be fine, there will no longer be any imagination. So, I would really appreciate it if you guys tell me how to fly before I wake up”



“He definitely needs a doctor,” said Jagvi to Bahul



“Shresht, listen,” said Bahul, “you did fall and I saw your fall, but not from a bench, you fell down when you flew to get the football and crashed down when you couldn’t balance your flight. This imagination you keep speaking of isn’t this one but the other world you think you will wake up into. Now, go back home, I will come along, Jagvi is right you need a doctor”
Written by Anuran Chatterji

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