Cabin by the Azure Lake
short story
You might love lakes perhaps. I do. For their profound solitudes their surroundings and sometimes for the stints and the seasons and the people with whom we went there. I may love lakes for all these logics. here is such a lake wrapped in a forgotten story of yore. the lake was placid and here in this instance, a row of mountains held its background, majestic and powerful so that it brought with them all that the lakes didn’t have in their time of life. Loftiness, distant disdain and authority. But the lakes are otherwise charming and potent with a deep sway that a woman has over her lover her mate her friend. The peaks never compete with any lakes anymore at any spell or station. If he does that it is for his doom. The elevations are knowledgeable, they know their seclusion, their stature and the myths that mantle them and above all their loneliness. So, the cliffs submit internally, sometimes covertly without conceding its inward fragileness. A woman learns these things as time passes by. A guy too albeit occasionally in dismay, fretting how to save his inner room in order which was and had been and is in chaos and obsessive. But we don’t go into that in this tale. We will talk about the lake, the azure lake and the family who lived in a wooden cottage by the lake, I mean half a furlong from the water. A man a lady and a lovely daughter. Because their account seems to me now more gripping than all the things around them. ……………..
The cottage was very beautiful and clean. it was overseen by a watchman and his hut, who was also in charge of other similar cabins on the other side of the billabong. there were eight cents of grassland with small rocks and Potrero. the earlier dwellers made it for pasturing or raising chickens or rabbits.
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Part -2
How can you be so sure about it; her husband asked her. I was female, she said that is your imagination- he retorted I least I wanted to be that woman she said finally without having to his arguments. and you in the position of that man. She said she made it as if he had won something. he only told this- Anne, you are seeing so many flicks these days so your mind has evolved into a picture palace-. They both laughed. but she felt inside I had made my point. it is his burden to discover the core. but after tea and supper when the kid had completed her homework for which she sought his help and not hers she was again hurt. what is the benefit of compiling all this information if you have no will to act for the advantage of others? we must do something. we all must do something worthwhile if not outstanding before we make our exit. Perhaps that is the purpose of life- she said. Don’t be a philosopher, Anne, there are so numerous already, her spouse taunted. Then they turned the lamps off and retired. but before they slept, he did not fail to tell her that she ought to be rational rather than a slave of sentiments. he also thought inside his head that he had made his punch. again, after a couple of days while they were grooming the goat, they had newly bought from the Wednesday market]. on Wednesdays, there is a market in open ground where cattle of all breeds are traded for domestic purposes, feeding tending or butchering]. it was a licensed trade and the place was quite a favorite around in the adjoining villages and customers with the escort of their connoisseurs came in large vehicles, and lorries to purchase the goods. They examined the animals very closely each part of the body and many animals might not have the least inkling that this is among the last days of their life. The buyers and the sellers were satisfied. and some with the great cash they gathered that evening went to the booze store quite nearby and drank. ……………….
After her dad’s passing her mother had another man. though the matter was quite public it took time it reach Anne’s ear. then they stayed in another town and her husband also didn’t know about it. When she found it out, she was shocked and one afternoon suddenly barged into her mother’s house. Dad with great effort had purchased this bungalow for her mommy and she lost her control” You fool, you varmint, you hypocrite”, she yelled at her mom. Her mommy was unflappable. It was as if their mommy foresaw this set today or hereafter. Why did you do this to us, Anne questioned looking intensely into her mother’s eyes. That is my wish, her mama declared calmly. This disturbed Anne, why did you coach me otherwise, she was more uneasy about her old schoolings. if you had acted in this manner, I would have opted for some other path in my youth Anne said, it was not that her momma had a liaison with another guy that worried Anne, but the fact that her mommy had tricked her. Time modifies everything, her mom said. Perhaps I will wed that man, her mama said. Father’s spirit will not absolve you Anne said. I don’t believe such things. My life is my only thing, her momma told her. There was special valour in her phrases. I must live, she repeated. After that, Anne didn’t come to see her mama. When she informed, her brother who was in another land about it, he took it very casually and when she nudged him, he only said. That is her life, you don’t intrude. And that was the ending of he that conversation. Eventually, she married that guy. He was a retired officer in the navy and was a widower and had a family of his own. When her merger died after four years of this incident Anne didn’t attend the funeral. Her brother also didn’t come. the funeral was conducted by the family of her second man. Anne got a rumour late that this fellow married another woman in due time.
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She felt that the universe had conspired against her to fetch her life to that juncture, this blind alley. She felt she just recollected her first passion when she broke. She felt like reaching him but she could not obtain his number it might have been in one of the dozens of diaries she had burnt before the nuptials. if she had understood this earlier, if she then had thought her mommy would have acted this way, she would not have assented to this wedlock. How her mama had changed over time, especially after Dad’s demise. What would Dad have thought if he were alive? Suddenly she recognized that there was a great deal of incongruity in her thinking. As her husband says she takes things too personally. But she also knew that she was right because she was dealing with a hypocrite- her mummy. This marriage is not her choice but she likes her husband he is the finest of men. Honest but a little maverick here and here that is ok that is good. It can add pizzazz to a really honest dude who has nothing to conceal from him and the globe. Where will to earn a hubby who is an open reader. So, she must be grateful. Though distinct from other gentlemen. A family man she was pleased with him
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Part- 3
”I had a habit of writing journals from school days”, she apprised her husband. and I used to read them every now and then for self-improvement. I even quoted from these journals in the elocution contests in the seminary. it was a new piece of information to Anne’s husband -her composing the logbooks and citing from those journals in the elocutions. he thought that she was a lethargic lassie in her juvenile. I would like to read some of these diaries, he finally told her. it is too late. I have burned them before betrothal. ”why? he asked now in great awe. My papa told me to do so. he said that my future hubby may not be accepting such openness on these pages and must misconstrue my position. Anne’s hubby kept thinking when Anne added these words.” I couldn’t foresee then that I would get such a broad-minded groom as you”, she said. he didn’t speak now. He then thought of himself as a permissive guy. he thought himself more radical than Svidrigailov[” To what a pitch of stupidity a man can be brought by frenzy!”] He has seen everything in life. blood, apprehensions, death, wailings of minors, bemoaning widows, and best buddies getting killed on the battlefield. the other things are not the most premium issues in life. he had almost seen the virtual Twilight of the Gods, Ragnarok, and the Gotterdammerung in a few fractions of seconds. Life happens somewhere else. Or the heart of life is not where expects it to be. It is somewhere else
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It was her dad who encouraged her to keep a journal. He was in the civil services at a lower foothold of the hierarchy, and he had said that he skipped many metiers in his youth because he was the least methodical lad. he had to pay back dearly for his dearth of order. And later discipline and order became his motto among his subordinates who treated and admired him like an elder brother cum consigliere. It was he who inspired Anne to write the annals. When she began, it was like she was mastering a new medium, a new lingo a novel fenestella to the galaxy. She wrote very openly in her diaries and kept them on her shelf thinking that nobody would be interested in the diaries. But her brother found it out by chance and was in a gale and discussed it over the dining table. ‘What all things she wrote’- her brother ridiculed. ”Really?”, her mama was astounded and it made her redden. ‘I want to read it’, her dad said and unwillingly Anne had to give the logs to her daddy. She was scared of what would be the aftermath because she wrote everything as if these folios were her mirror and she was standing in front of them bare. and to her amazement, her dad just chuckled after leafing a few pages and kept it on the Davenport. he didn’t talk about that day but after a week when they moved to the newly launched cafe and she liked to devour her favoured dessert, Gulab Jamun [ her brother had already moved to university in the distant city and was staying in the hostel] after eating the Gulab jamun he said. Was it all true? ”What ?”, Anne asked. ”I mean the things you wrote in these journals, is it all true or just your imagination?”- her dad asked. She didn’t know what to say. Half truth and half imagination- Finally she summoned courage to utter these words. ” I thought so. I thought so”, he said laughing in alleviation. At that moment she sensed her father’s vulnerability. He is just a rung below the man he professes himself to be. it was a great discovery for Anne. and later she could feel every man’s vulnerability at a moment he could never foresee. And it became the most cutting arrow in her quiver as every other intuitive woman learns by the no-frills reality that she is a great creation of life, somebody by birth possessing those unique traits alien to other species of life. he laughed and resumed devouring the Gulab jamun. All those words in her journals were total truth and for the first time, she felt guilty in front of her dad holding false facades before such innocence. half of the confectionary stuck in her gullet, and she gulped two glasses of water. Drink more, her dad spoke. Enough, she said. On another occasion, when the topic emerged she tried to dodge it. but he said only this- you have a lot of imagination. you will one day become a great poet. But she didn’t become a bard. instead, she became a daydreamer.
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One day Anne’s daughter proceeded to the school with a boy two years senior to her and was in the vicinity and studied in the same academy. The school was twelve kilometres from her cottage and first, she would trek to the pick-up point where the academy van would come this is at a reach of one kilometre and on their way the kids would see little areas of paddy fields a barren ground miniature pitches and spots with chaparrals and trees. The boy studied in the English medium section and Anne’s daughter studied in the regional language medium the school had two sections with different mediums of instruction. On the way to the bus stop the boy would amass blooms buds and leaves as the boy was interested in natural sciences. Anne’s daughter will engross herself in a daydream, linking all that she glimpsed and heard to the sagas her mama had recounted to her…
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Anne looked at the clouds for a long time and she felt that they were speaking a new language unknown to her which might have been taught in another globe of the universe where only a selected few are admitted. She laughed at herself telling herself that she was again delving into her imaginary mental palace as her hubby usually reminds, that she may need more balance in life.
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Part 4
Another day Anne went by the side of the lake and saw the boy who was wearing a black tight suit just close to his skin and Anne looked at him from top to bottom and saw a little friend and told him Are you crazy, there is a crocodile It is a myth the boy said No Then tell me did you see The boy said Then did anybody see My daughter saw it one evening when she accidentally went by the lakelet to collect pebbles for her science classes. What time was that around six pm she said. By six pm here the lights are dim by this time. then the boy gave a class to her about the. the boy told me about the tropic of cancer and the tropic of Capricorn. However, the boy said that since then Earth’s axis has wobbled around from Gemini, and then, [in 1989] to Taurus the Bull, where it’ll stay for the next half millennium, these estimations are not one hundred per cent right since it is in the first week of December and we are the fall equinox the day is short, much short. in fact, the lights will be off before six p.m. so the evidence of the human eyes can be believed. Anne was. the equinoxes are due to the earth’s tilted axis surprised by the boy’s knowledge of such items in an early stage of life. Is the son set? Most probably your kid drew something else the sun sets on a particular day around a quarter before six. The boy said. Of course, she said on further asking the is not very sure about it and that might be a risk as well the boy suddenly laughed in great mockery. But Anne was the least offended; she was observing the orderly white teeth of the chap and the tumults of his body while he chortled. The whole province around the lake might have been tilted by the sound. A duo of ladies who were going to accumulate their day-to-day quota of bamboo stems stopped and after looking at the spit from where the sound came, they marched off.
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There is something to tell about the soldier’s childhood. He was the only son of his father and mother as his two sisters and an elder brother died when they were so small, say below one year due to an epidemic. After that, he was brought up with great care by his mama. His dad came after long treks to other states as a part of his employment. Earlier he would rove through different regions for seasons and spend time at home for seasons. Though these trails and tenures kept him away from the family for a major part of the year, whenever he was around he took keen care of the household, especially his only son. When his papa’s corporation crumpled after a financial crisis, the workers got a portion of the liquidated stake and his dad also received an amount. That was fit to purchase a few cents of land in the village and later they built a small cottage on that land and farmed crops. His mama was in government service and exhausted herself in tedious gruntwork expecting a promotion. So there was a steady income at home. Later his dad began his own enterprise in the construction field and though he didn’t become very rich, the family was comfortable with good food, moderate attire and austere travels now and then. His dad took a special interest in his son’s upbringing. The garden was ever viridescent with crops and blooms and his cousin, a usual visitor contributed his talent and time to the orchard. It was home to butterflies of different categories of birthing. The boy had the habit of catching dragonflies [An insect of the suborder Epiprocta-] and it became one of his hobbies. While capturing the dragonflies and damselfly flies, Hid right hand moved so fast that the darning needles could not sneak away from his clasp. Then he made the luckless critter lift a small pebble, without knowing, or as a way of fleeing, the dragonfly goose-stepped to the human. Then he showed it to the father as if it were a great achievement, he was a hero. His daddy didn’t appreciate his exercise. But only said, ‘Leave the poor creature. Man is not made to carry out such things. There are other heroic things he can engineer. If you repeat it, I will give you to the tigers’. In fact, there were no leopards or other felines around. only a few jackals and billy goats and stags and a lone elephant that makes his appearance emerging from the neighbouring forestry for want of food. but no cougars and catamounts.
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One day the retired trooper saw the youth advancing to the stank and further delving into the water. The water was ice cold nevertheless he didn’t bother it. The retired soldier came running towards the youth and was caught by his clothes as he came out of the water with his water dropping in small bubbles from his body. His muscular physique shone in the dim light of the sun. it was March and the beginning of a series of festivals in the village the village was a big conglomeration of several villages and there would be a contest among the groups as to whose festival was the best. It was the beginning of summer. Anne’s husband told the man not to do it again which the juvenile questioned. Never again jump in Anne’s husband told. why-the other asked. There are crocodiles. Anne’s spouse told the youth. Have you witnessed any, the boy doubted. No, the man answered. You are supposing the presence of an invented crocodile. The youth chortled in vigour and the atmosphere echoed with his voice. Anne’s husband didn’t say anything. He just recoiled to his cottage. What a ridiculous young man he told himself and then headed to his mattress. but there was still gossip of a crocodile circulating around the village, but nobody could verify it to others. One day the townlet head came to Anne’s cottage and cautioned her hubby that though it is not ascertained, according to the common people’s notion it is better to remain away from close to the lake. they then ceased carrying water from the lake by the earthen pot morning and evening for household use. the helping lady who arrived every day at about 11 am also quit going to the lake to fetch water. she became contented with the spigot water for the cleaning activities. recently the municipality had allocated a connection for the water supply but there was a clause that it is advisable to restrain it for drinking purposes. a new connection of water will soon reach for other services. much water was needed for the vegetable and flower garden that Anne had started. But nobody has ever glimpsed a crocodile. The man with a lamp came every weekend. He came with his pet which heeded him. There was a secret correspondence between them. the village people gave them small changes whenever the duo arrived.
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Part 5
Her husband told Anne in another context-
Never be a cynosure anywhere any time,. It is like wearing a winter dress in summer noons. Bless your past, love your enemies unwind the conversations, put love instead of hatred,
Anne told her spouse one morning about the weird dream she had seen last night. She glimpsed a crocodile in her dream. The retired trooper said that seeing crocodiles conveys that the dreamer has some rare ability but is not poised in life. A crocodile dream embodies liberty, potency, and power and also warns of secret hazards and the indication that someone offering wrong guidance and pushing to flawed judgements. Also, one should not be too docile but ensure control of the situation. See, crocodiles can see others without being seen, just a pair of eyes above water
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One afternoon, Anne collapsed in the washroom. She was singing a new tune she composed when she tumbled. this was after a couple of times she had complained of a pelvic pang and shift of lavatory patterns. her hubby told her that it was just a minor problem and would go away soon. following the bathroom incident, she was taken to the hospital she was diagnosed with ovarian malady, and the test came after one week the results were positive for malignancy she was taken to a giant clinic in the metropolis the members of the congregation was a small horde of devotees. her brother penned to her that he would come from the States to see her, but after a week she got a letter from her sister-in-law that his brother had lately switched his career and would arrive after a month. but all during her stint in the clinic, her brother didn’t arrive to see her. he was so engaged with his latest position. after two months Anne got a cheque from her brother and she required funds and accepted. it was a fine relief. Anne did not say about the cash to her spouse but to her husband’s mate on the condition to take the wraps off later after she got discharged. the pal of her spouse convinced Anne that he would address it for the moment being it is not a great point but the issue is her condition and obtaining ease from the disorder. but when her husband eventually learned about it, he got furious. he fissured a few crocks in the dining enclosure. it was his ritual to damage the poor vessels when he got enraged. earlier Anne had precautioned him that if he persisted in smashing the containers in this fashion, they would have to eat on plantain leaves. but her hubby anyway got angry. he voiced lousily of her brother.” that son of a bitch- I don’t want his cheese and cabbages- he told. mind your lingo -Anne expressed sternly. she understood it was concerning her household. sorry, her hubby told her she would implore all my friends and collect the cash instead of hanging on that dude. then do that. her husband was worried for two days then he called just one mate with whom he had spent barracks nine years back from the in the major war. The buddy to astoundment of Anne sent that big amount. but Anne’s husband was not amazed. he only said- that a faraway friend is better than a cruel brother. Anne didn’t say anything. It was her husband’s day and not hers. despite all these ramifications, Anne’s progress was laggard, in fact, it was just further nought. the doctor sometimes gave a rosy validation to her hubby, but on some days, they held mum. Anne was in the hospital for about six months. after a treatment, she was brought back home. on another day in the same season, she went to the lake alone and she said after coming back she the crocodile. That was the first instance of the crocodile’s presence, as reported by Anne. After a few days, Anne died. her community of relatives came from her birthplace and brought her body in a dumper truck remodelled as a hearse. there her widowed mother was living with her nephew. They buried her in her mother parish. her husband remained frowsy and remained in the cabin for another two years. He waited for his daughter’s study to finish. Next ear they will move. In the meanwhile, the man with a lamp the man of the lamp also came with his pet. But same to be very glum this time and ferreted out an absence in the house. The house was speckless but the pet seemed disturned and looked out into every cranny and corner of the house. that day the pet did not eat any food from there which he would have done. the pet’s parents told Anne’s husband that there was a peculiarity in the behaviour of the pet. he could understand the pet’s behaviour on occasions when he failed to get something dear to him. Then after tea and biscuits, they left.
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His daughter asked -Will mummy come to see us. he said- Probably she would. Or not. She has her own modes times and frequencies. or we better go and catch her. I may go shortly. You follow us later- he said. what about the crocodiles, his daughter questioned him in full earnest. the crocodiles are comfortable here, or they are happy in another sphere. or sometimes, I don’t know, they may arrive to league us -he said. His daughter beamed and spoke. ”Then it is a happy story papa”. his daughter said. ”Yes, darling”- he said. ”I thought it otherwise”, his daughter said. “Me too”, he said. He sighed in solace.
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