The Lost Time - 3

 A profound silence engulfed the surroundings, broken only by the rhythmic murmur of the river’s flow and Sia’s labored breathing. Her chest rose and fell in sync with the pulse of nature, her mind still reeling from the imminent peril she had imagined. Slowly, she lowered her trembling arms from her face, cautiously realizing she was unharmed.

Her tear-streaked face, framed by disheveled locks clinging to her damp cheeks, radiated a mix of disbelief and relief. Her soft woolen shawl, now streaked with dirt, draped loosely over her shoulders, swaying gently with the breeze. The muted colors of her cotton kurta peered through the shawl, blending with the earthy tones of the forest. Sia’s eyes, still wide with fear, darted to the side, seeking answers.

What she saw next struck her like a bolt of lightning.

Before her stood a sight that defied reason. The tiger—an embodiment of raw power and ferocity—was nuzzling the man’s feet, purring softly like a docile cat seeking affection. The man, cloaked in a flowing white robe that shimmered faintly in the dim light, leaned forward, his hand gently stroking the tiger’s head with an almost paternal tenderness. His unkempt hair framed a face that bore both rugged strength and unyielding calm.

Sia couldn’t comprehend how such a creature, capable of untold savagery, could exude such docility in his presence.

Breaking the silence, the man spoke, his deep voice resonating as though the earth itself lent him its power. “Cruelty does not reside in this soul, whose existence has been confined to a fragment of this vast earth by humankind. True cruelty thrives in those blessed with intellect, yet driven to dominate rather than nurture the world.” His words struck her like an echo of her own thoughts, as if he had reached into her mind and plucked the question from her very soul.

Curiosity ignited within her, burning with an intensity that overshadowed her fear. Who was this man, radiating an aura of mystery and command?

Before Sia could voice her burgeoning questions, the man climbed onto the tiger, urging it to rise. The beast obeyed, towering over the riverbank like a living monument of majesty and might.

“Who are you?” she called out, her voice a tremor of urgency. Her gaze lingered on the man, his silhouette framed against the backdrop of cascading water and verdant forest.

He turned slightly, his eyes gleaming with an enigmatic smile. “Who am I? You will know in time. For now, remember this: not all that you see is as it seems. Just as moments ago, you believed the tiger would end you, yet here you stand unscathed. Life is a master of illusions, offering surprises at every turn.”

His words flowed like the river behind them, profound and unyielding. “What if, armed with assumptions, you had pulled the trigger on this tiger? Pain, whether inflicted or endured, is meaningless without understanding the truth. Never let appearances dictate your actions, for even the calmest ocean can conceal the tempest of a tsunami. Lies may surround you, but the truth will emerge like dawn, bringing a new beginning.”

Sia absorbed his words, sensing their gravity without fully understanding their purpose.

The tiger turned, its amber eyes glinting in the twilight. Desperation welled within her as the man prepared to leave. “At least tell me your name!” she pleaded, her voice tinged with urgency.

Pausing, he lifted his gaze to the sky, his expression unreadable. “Kaal,” he said simply, his voice reverberating like distant thunder.

The name sent a shiver down her spine, as if the universe itself acknowledged his proclamation. The once serene sky rumbled ominously, dark clouds swirling as lightning illuminated the scene. Sia’s breath hitched. This man—this entity—was beyond mortal comprehension.

Before she could utter another word, the tiger unfurled colossal wings, their span eclipsing the heavens. With a mighty leap, it soared upward, carrying Kaal into the stormy expanse.

Sia stumbled back, her bare feet skidding on the wet earth. The sheer velocity of their ascent left the world around her trembling—trees rustled, rivers quaked, and birds scattered in startled flocks. Rain began to fall, the droplets striking her face like cold truths she wasn’t ready to confront.

She stood frozen, her eyes locked on the fading figure of Kaal, now a mere speck against the swirling clouds. The tiger’s wings expanded further, shielding its rider from the rain like an unbreakable fortress.

“Sia!” The distant voice of her friend Sanchi broke the trance. Sia turned, her face pale and drenched, to find her companions approaching hurriedly, their expressions painted with worry.

Relief washed over them as they saw her unharmed, though her vacant expression unnerved them.

“Sia, what took you so long? We’ve been searching everywhere! And what are you doing here, in the rain?” Sanchi’s voice brimmed with concern.

But Sia remained silent, her senses overwhelmed, her consciousness tethered to the image of Kaal. Her companions followed her gaze to the heavens but saw only darkened clouds and flashes of lightning.

“Sia, what are you staring at?” Sanchi asked, confused. “There’s nothing there.”

Sia’s breath hitched, her mind reeling as Kaal’s words about illusions echoed in her ears. Her knees buckled, the weight of the day’s events crashing over her. Darkness enveloped her vision as she collapsed into Sanchi’s arms, the tumultuous encounter too much for her fragile psyche to bear.