The Storied Memory

When Laban was ten years old, he had to move to another city along with his family. His father had been transferred there, although temporarily, but no one knew for how long. Since they were a nuclear family with Laban and his parents, hence everyone had to move together.



They lived there for a little more than a year. It was a quiet city, fewer people than the previous city, but very clean. The silence was rather soothing than haunting. I wish it had remained just like that, given the kind of human congestion it has become affected with presently. I would have personally loved to visit such a place.



Laban was lacking in social skills; thus, he spent his initial month barely going out of the apartment, playing games on his computer. His mother Mrs Johal thought that she might have to do something about it.



So, when Mrs Johal went out to market with Laban one day and on her way back spotted a boy around Laban’s age, she was quick to introduce them to each other and she was right in doing so because Dev and Laban became good friends and they still continue to be to this day even though they live in completely different cities. The memories of that time had framed itself in a special part of their minds and hearts, and it wasn’t just them who were responsible for it, but it was also the time and the place, something we sometimes forget is just as essential as being there.



One of the things Laban always remembers from that time was the stories Dev’s maternal grandfather Mr Nair used to tell.



“This story he told me; I just keep thinking about it. How it could be different,” Dev had told Laban once during the childhood days of their friendship while they were sitting on swings



“What’s wrong with it?” asked Laban



“In the end, it’s all wrong,” said Dev



“Why?”



Dev looked at Laban and repeated the story to the best of his recollection, “There are these groups of demons who disguise themselves as humans and they kill and eat other people. So, the people go to the King for help.”



“King of where?” asked Laban



Dev tried to recall but, “Just think of any kingdom, I will tell you its name later. So, the King sends some of his strongest warriors and they are defeated. The King is now doubtful whether he can deal with this problem and decides to keep all his men around and on guard if these demons ever decide to attack him.”



“I thought the King would be the one to go and defeat the demons,” said Laban



“I also thought the same, see I am telling you the story does not make sense. Kings are supposed to go out and fight right?” said Dev



“Yes, but maybe he has a son or daughter who does it,” said Laban



“I thought that too, but no”



“Then what happened?”



“A group of men gathered to deal with the problem. They had some combat experience, they gathered more people and taught them how to fight,” said Dev



“That is fine too I guess,” said Laban



“Yes, but not all of them had proper weapons, some even carried sticks and household knives. Some found it even hard to learn the combat moves,” said Dev



“They did not defeat the demons, did they?” asked Laban



“No, they didn’t, they couldn’t do anything”



“So, who did?”



“No one, the demons took over the Kingdom and the planet and they settled down in their own ways. Humans became extinct,” said Dev



“Extinct? Like dinosaurs?”



“Yes, like that”



Laban thought about it and said, “you are right, the ending is wrong.”



It was just one of the many such stories of Dev’s grandfather which were discussed among the two friends and they still laugh about it sometimes on a phone call or when they meet. 

Written by Anuran Chatterji

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