Quest for Origano. Unfinished.

 June 25 2021 Fri (Final)

It all started at the cyber lab because we were inside this old school (probably a government school built in a village area with a tin roof) Me, my friend Robin and a bunch of people were there doing work on the computer. It was time to leave and everybody was settling to go home. Robin called me to go but I was still doing something on the computer. 

After some time, I stood up to leave and saw everybody was gone and the TV on the wall was still playing some songs. I decided to switch it off and head home. When I went out, it was already night. It was like 9 o'clock or something? The moon was way up along with clouds and I didn't know my way home. looking down on the muddy path, I saw a man. He looked like someone I recognized, so I followed him.  

The road ended up two ways , one leading straight and the other was up the hill.  He took the inclined way  and so did I. Upon following him, I saw strange people around me. Little monks , maybe Chibi monks, walking in formation like soldiers crossing the unpaved path. I waited for them to pass. After that I saw a couple riding bears with circus costumes. The couple were in normal clothing but the bear had this purple star-like with golden edges. I don't know why. Anyways ,  while looking at these things , I forgot about him so I was on my own at home.

I lost my way so I approached one girl and asked her around there and she pointed me to the tree in the middle of the junction. Go straight and cross that tree and you will reach your home in no time, but what about your friend? Will you leave him alone here? I was shocked that she knew the guy I was following.

One word of advice. Never ever lie down in the bed of others or else you will turn into an animal. What!? I was confused as hell. She explained to me. There was a wizard who had a serious issue with something , probably something related to bed and then he cursed the bed. But every other bed around the world got the curse. Pretty strange though. Now whoever sleeps in another's bed turns into an animal. The only person that can sleep is the owner of the bed. I thought to myself. What kind of silly whimsical shit is this? 

Your friend , she said. Your friend doesn't know this and soon he might turn into an animal so save him.  I don't even know him and where he went but as I looked around I saw him with a woman in his arms lying in the bed on the front porch of an old house. It's too late now. she said. You go on your way. He will stay here forever now, or you can save him but that's too dangerous. 

I thought that's not my problem. I will go home and forget about it all. But  she mentioned him as my friend and I knew him from somewhere. I  should rather help him or else this burden of not knowing him and not helping him will haunt me forever. I quickly reached the front porch but he was already turned into a puppy. I don't know the workings of this place and why are all the people okay with it? This place is weird. The only person that can help me is this girl. She took me to the café beside the hill. She told me that there is a thing called Oregano ( it was called something like that). You have to give your friend to eat that and he will turn back to human again. Okay , sounds easy enough, so where can I find this Origano?

It cannot be found, she said. I was like what?

Yes, Origano cannot be found , it takes years to cultivate and is illegal to harvest.

Wait, who makes these rules here? I asked.

There is a person named Don Chong Li , he is the only person to have cultivated and produced Oregano in numbers. 

So where can I meet him?

I don't know ?

what?

That's the problem. He is nowhere and everywhere. If you're lucky, you might find his goons who will tell you his whereabouts. 

Now that's one difficult task to do. Can you tell me anything about his goons?

I have not encountered such people yet. but you will know.

Just then a wildly dressed person with this huge bag enters the café. He went to the corner with a lot of space, then he opened the bag and popped out a table with all the weird stuff. His table is full of fruits and trinkets. His bags popped open a curtain where he hung his merchandise. I think he is a traveller merchant? A fancy one of course. That small corner turned into his own private stall. He began to speak out loud.

Sweets, Books , bags , fruits! Anything you want is right here , just ask and I will provide you right away. There isn't anything in the world that is not in my inventory!

I think this just turned out to be easy, but I doubt he will have what I need. There's no harm in trying.  I went to his stall and asked for the Origano.

Do you happen to have any Origano?

What? You mean the Origano?

Yes, the one that can turn animals into humans.

His face turned from jolly to suspicious.

Sorry kiddo I am afraid I don't have what you're asking.

Then he packed up everything and took out a desk and just acted like a normal being.

Ohh man ! I think I should follow what she said. Go out and find Mr.Don chong Le.

You know him? he said.

Of course I do. I played along.

Then he began to spew out every information he knew about  Don Chong Le. About how the Origano is produced and supplied in powders. That it has to be eaten with something.  Suddenly, there was a gunshot and the merchant fell down the floor and blood all over his body.  I was like what the hell just happened. I was going all blank, unable to grasp the gravity of the situation. Then she grabbed me by my arm and pulled me into this room and closed the door. Just before that I saw people in a gunfight. People are firing in mayhem. Once a peaceful café turned into a war zone of rampage. we just cramped into a corner waiting for all this to end. Then suddenly, a guy broke the door and barged in. Started shooting randomly at us. I don't know if he didn't see us or was he blind? bullets were raining down on us but none with an accurate target. Then he said something, put the gun in his temple and pulled the trigger. The blood all splattered in the wall. It was all confusing. Then there was this pendant shining in his chest. The girl went to the body and took the pendant out of his neck.

What is this?

This is the pendant that will help you find him.

Okay. Why didn't you tell me then?

She looked at me, narrowing her eyes with anger.

You didn't listen. "You went straight to the merchant before I could say anything. You're too naïve. If things worked as you wished to be, this world would have been a better place a long time ago. But things don't work that way and now you have caused such havoc!"

Damn! I never knew that my actions could cause these extreme consequences.

Nevertheless, she said. It helped. We have found one token among the three.

There are three tokens?

Yes, and to make it easier for you, I got one. That totals two. Now you have to find the third one.

The pendent, the sun  and the one remaining is the crescent moon.

Okay. So how do we decipher this thing? Is there a magical spell?  code or something that works? 

You have to figure that out for yourself.

Wow. But why are you doing this? Is there any beef with that guy you want to settle with?

No time for conversation. I have made you a bag.

She pulls out another bag from her backpack. The bag was all black except the word Kung Fu written in all white and stylized as if  a wild animal just pawed the bag with its sharp fingernails. It looked like a backpack we usually take to school or college.  

You will need this bag, trust me.

But. How can you trust me? and how did you know my friend?  We have just met and you're giving me this huge responsibility. What the hell is going on?

I know you. she said. You have passed through this place several times without even realising. I will tell you everything if we get a chance to meet somewhere peaceful. For now , you should go. There is a village somewhere between these hills , there you will find someone who knows what to do with this.

She handed me the pendant and the sun token.

What the hell did I put myself into? I thought it was going to be easy.

The war subsided and people were screaming with pain. I could see the horrors but I was too zoned out , drowned in my own confusion. I wanted to go home but this was all because of my foolish act and I must do something to stop this madness.

"Okay thank you for your help"  I said and then I just started walking across the street leaving her behind. Wait! she said. It's dangerous to go alone. Take this with you. And she gave me some cashews. Eat this only in times of trouble, this will aid you in your journey. Okay. 

Chapter 1 

Walking up the hills, I met several people telling the tales of the forbidden bed. Some claim to have turned to animals and back to humans and some even to have spoken with the wizard. Their strange stories don't seem to fit into the continuity of another and yet they all feel similar.

One cold morning I sat outside an old shop table , drinking tea to warm up my body and get prepared for the journey ahead. I listened to the tale of an old farmer telling me his story about the dense jungle we could see from the shop below.  There was this village across this hill but I had to cross this huge jungle.

There lives a ghost in this forest and you might encounter her along your way.

What!? Ghost!?? Are you serious?

It’s nothing to be afraid of, it’s just a ghost who is in search of his husband. She will do you no harm unless you let her travel along with you.

I was shocked, confused and mentally exhausted after experiencing the previous mayhem. And now ghosts? But I don’t see any way to return back home and she is gone so I got no choice but to reach the village across this jungle. 

So tell me how to avoid her, I said to the farmer drinking tea.  

“First, I will tell you her story” and then he began. 

In an old house lived a woman who waited for her husband who went lost in the woods. She still waits ever knowing the truth. It was before the wizard cast the spell. Day by day, her impatience grew. One day she went in search of her husband in the woods. She met many woodcutters and asked them for their aid but nobody had seen him. She returned at dawn tired and heartbroken. Near her house , she could see the blood trail and knew someone's home. She  quickly opened the front door thinking husband might have had an accident and wounded himself. But to her shock and fear , she saw a big wolf with blood all over its  body and especially mouth as if the wolf had eaten something or somebody. The woman got so afraid that in her fear she picked up an axe beside her and  smashed the head of the wolf. The wolf began to bleed and ran away. Night fell and she could hear the wolf cry that disturbed the silence. She was really worried about her husband and waited all night hoping he would return but all she could hear was the wolf cry that slowly died down. Now all she could here is silence and a dredge feeling. In a pitch black darkness, she remembers hitting the wolf. What could she do when there’s a dangerous animal in the house?  Had she not done such a thing , the wolf could have eaten her alive. Next day, she saw the wolf dead in front of her house. She was the one who killed the wolf. She decided to bury the wolf as she thought it was her responsibility to do so.  She felt sad for its family. Wolf usually roam in packs but it was alone. May be the wolf got lost by accidently and entered her house. All this thought came into her mind but there was nothing she could do because the wolf was long gone. She returned home after the burial with this heaviness in her heart she could just not contain herself so the next day, she died.

What? She died? Like how? And how did you know the story when she died the other day?

I was the one who gave a burial to the wolf. He said sipping his cup of tea and smoking the tobacco straight out of the roll leaves. On the other side of the table, I was listening to his story with suspicion and also with curiosity. He continued. I was concerned for the woman as I could see all the pain and suffering in her eyes. I could not sleep that night so first thing in the morning , I went to meet her and she was lying on the front door. I rushed and picked her up but she was cold dead. I had to bury her beside the wolf. Later that night , she thanked me for having buried her next to  the wolf.

You mean she came into your dreams or in the form of a ghost?

She was no ghost but I could not call that a dream as it was so real.

But people around here say they see ghosts wandering in the woods of the hills asking for her husband?

yes they do. She is still  in search of her husband in these woods, at least her spirit. But only on the rare occasion you might encounter her.

So what if I encounter her.

She will ask about her husband And you can simply tell her that you have not seen him. She will thank you and will be on her way.

but remember one thing. Once you turn away , Never look back! or else you will die.

Die? Seriously ? right there? Like , is it not a bit extreme that you will have an instant death?

No, you will probably die with a disease that might kill you in a week or a month. Some have died. Most survived. But the symptoms are usually the same.

Okay , thank you for the information.

I took a last sip of my tea. I packed my bags with necessary items I bought at the shop , stood up and said goodbye to the farmer and went on my journey.

So many things are happening even in the village. I may not have been travelling so far from my home or else I could have known the mystics of these kinds of unknown places. I don't think travelling was the key to my answer because I have reached places far and wide but never have I stumbled on such a place. This place is different. I can tell by the sense of aura it gives , the gloomy vibe in the lush trees, the mysterious haze passing at the top of the hills and disappearing while settling down, something always feels like looming around the corner. I can see isolated houses scattered around hills and question myself why they build houses in such a way? Did anyone live there? 

I could see with each step, the path getting narrow. I walked up the hill and as I watched down , I could see the place where I had my tea and a conversation with the farmer. I came a long way up to the entrance of the jungle. It seemed like it. Because there were these bushes that I had to get through to get to the woods. As I marched forward, the bushes began to grow taller, touching my legs and my torso. I felt my whole body engulfed in the closing bushes. It felt like I had crossed a barrier of a different world because once the bushes were cleared, I could only see infinite numbers of trees in the midst of the unknown. Far and wide, nothing but trees.   the houses , the landscape , the tea shop, everything was gone, just ghastly fog flowing slowly against trees, making grass less greener , trees less alive. I could sense the presence of cold shivering inside me. maybe It was cold, maybe I was afraid.

I should have requested her to come along with me. But who would take care of my friend? I don't even know who my friend is and  I didn't even ask her name. Dammit!. How can I be such a fool? Now there is no turning back. I have to cross this jungle. I Clutched  the pendant I was wearing. The same pendent she took from that dead person. Why am I wearing it in the first place? I never knew things would turn this crazy and why is suddenly everything's going all crazy, not just the bed , café , the shootings but this jungle too. I should have turned my head and said no when she mentioned the bed. But no no no I have to be a hero. damn! I regret it now.  I tapped my pocket and could feel the presence of the Sun token.

Now I have to  find the Crescent moon. I have no idea what to do with it but I am trusting my instinct. This mission of saving my friend, I feel like more of a responsibility   Now the only goal in this dense jungle was to find a woodcutter and follow him to the other end of the jungle. 

Jungle

It's been two hours and I feel this jungle is empty because I see nobody. I ran out of songs to sing. Some songs I rather hum. What the hell is going on here? I thought I should meet at least one woodcutter but I saw not even a single soul. I feel like the world has abandoned me in this lonely forest. I feel like I am the only person alive in this god forsaken world. Could it be that I am just alone? The thing is that I feel something is lurking in the white shadows of thick fog. This jungle disappears inside the foggy sheet no further than ten feet away. I kept on going because I knew there's an end to this forest and towards the end, there's a village and a person waiting for me to show him what I have got. Things might go bad or good. I will know once I get there but I will never let the cafe incident happen ever again.  

Finally I saw somebody. Now I will have to ask her for a way out of this mysterious jungle. She was lying probably asleep under the tree.

She was this middle aged woman with messed up hair but still braided and made a bun. Her clothes were of farmer types and as old as herself. She looked 40 across. She must be tired carrying this grass covered doko which she put beside the tree she is resting on. I didn’t want to freak her out by suddenly appearing in front when she opened her eyes, so I made a coughing noise to wake her up.  I don’t know why but she was so happy to see me. Her eyes lighted up and smiled gracefully. Maybe she too is lost in this mystic forest, but I was wrong to assume that as soon as she asked me the question. 

Have you seen my husband?

I could not believe my eyes. I thought ghosts would appear in a wandering spirit and scary looking, just like in a movie. But she is nowhere near ghost like. Her appearance , her attire does not resemble ghost like or anything. Why do we even think of ghosts or spirits to be translucent, like  see through, a soul without a body that floats around. Am I a ghost stereotype of something? My thoughts don’t matter because she is here and I know her. I know her search for redemption, her search for hope in despair .  I  Remember farmer’s advice to never turn back no matter what! She asked me again , Have you seen my husband? He is lost and I could not find him. her voice began to crack. I have searched every part of this entire jungle and I am worried for him.

She looked straight at me and I could not stand the misery in her eyes. I know what she did was justifiable but I don't want to shroud her in the lies when I know the truth. She looked so innocent. Her eyes were searching for something within me. I can tell that by her look. I know she is a lost spirit lingering in the forest. But she is more human-like than anybody I have ever met before.  Nobody ever questioned her senseless search for her husband. Her dead husband of course.  I could not contain the truth hidden from her so I spewed it out, closing my eyes tightly and ready for the consequence of speaking truth, I spoke at top of my voice.

YOU'RE HUSBAND IS DEAD AND THE ONE WHO KILL YOUR HUSBAND IS YOU.

THE WOLF WAS YOUR HUSBAND. I AM SORRY BUT THAT'S THE TRUTH. I AM SORRY!!

I closed my eyes for a while thinking I will die now. But nothing happened. As I slowly opened them. I saw tears bursting from her eyes.

She cried and cried, raining tears down the grass. With each teardrop turned into the crystal and shattered with the touch of grass , she began to glow from bottom to the top until she was nothing but sparkling light . She thanked me for speaking the truth. All this time , she was not looking for her husband because she knew he was gone long ago. She wanted someone to confirm the bitter truth and free her from the burden she carried for so long. She knew people were hiding the truth and that is why they were suffering. It was not she who made them sick and suffer death. It was their doubt and worries that harmed their health resulting in weakness in their spirit and sickness in health. We lie to ourselves doing things we don't want to and we comfort our soul for whatever we did was right but deep down inside, we know it's not. That is how we fall into our own weakness. Some were  so weak that they accepted death to stop all this suffering. I too am a victim of such suffering. I thank you for telling me the truth. I bless you for your journey ahead. As her spirit began to glow brighter, I got my eyes blinded as if  I just  got hit  by a flash grenade in front of me. and she was gone.

I stood there for a while, my mind completely blank, unable to accept the bizarre situation that just occurred right in front of me. Everything felt utterly peaceful. I felt relieved to have been told the truth.

Damn! I think I was going to die there.  My throat was dry , so I took a bottle of water from my bag and drank until I got back to my senses.

I don't know if it was my own imagination or something but after that, the forest seems to feel more open with grass much greener and trees more alive. The fog began to clear out as I began to walk slowly. 

Doggo

“I don't believe in such fairy tales' '. Said the woodcutter while binding woods collected from day's work. 

But you have seen her ghost , how can you not believe her husband turning into a wolf.

Because nobody in this town has turned into an animal upon sleeping in somebody's bed. Heck I had slept on my friends bed when I was too drunk to go home.

But the rumours and the people?

Yes, I know. They say whatever they believe. I am not like them. I have to see them to believe all these.

I have heard the same story from the same guy about different versions. Sometimes wolves, sometimes tigers and even elephants! Can you believe such nonsense?  And I know some people have disappeared in the past few years and they make up stories that they have been turned into animals, only later to find out that they're dead, falling off cliffs or something like that.

If you start believing everything they say, you will go crazy.

Did you turn back when they said not to?

Yup, several times, and still nothing.

But I have seen my friend turning into a puppy.

Then you, my friend, have been eating this. He plucked some mushrooms from the cut wood he stacked in a Doko(Bamboo V-shaped basket).

It's a mushroom. or is it?

Yes it is a mushroom, but if you eat this , you will start to see all kinds of crazy stuff. Maybe our villagers have been eating this lately, that might explain such stories.

So you mean to say, if you eat this, you will start seeing stuff that is not real or out of this world?

You can try to see it for yourself.

I began inspecting the mushroom. looking closely there is a blue dot in the middle of the head and the ring around. Hmm, a bull's eye. And then I sniffed and gave a short lick. It tasted terrible.

He quickly took away the mushroom. That's not how you eat. You have to cook this.

I was just testing.

Well anyway, it's getting dark so I will be heading home now. You go all this way up this hill and down the stream, cross the river bridge and you will get to the other side in no time. If nothing else, Shere (the dog) will guide you.

His name is Shere? But I named him Doggo.

Shere, doggo, Tuntun, sweety. What's the difference? To him, you are a human, and he is a dog to you. Just feed him, and he won't leave you.

He carried his basket full of wood and went in the direction where I came from.

We went the other way and did exactly what the woodcutter said.

Let's go Doggo.

I refilled my water bottle in the river and drank some there. The water was crystal clear so I didn't have to worry about me getting ill. After I encountered the ghost, the eerie feeling of someone following me had gone. Besides, I had my friend Doggo to defend me.  He took the lead as I torched the way. The woods clear a little with fewer trees. Birds returning to their home. Thank god I live apart from my family, or else I would have them worried. My phone’s got no signal to call anyone. My only option is to reach the village first and think about calling my friends. 

Even though it was getting dark, I felt less scared with the Doggo. At least it's better than being alone.

You know Doggo. I want to try that mushroom someday. Not for the taste but for the things I could see. What will I see? Will I see the love of my life? But she is with another guy. Yes, Doggo I did propose to her and she thinks of me as a friend. I wanted to show her how much I love her But I was unable to because she was already in a relationship with this guy.  I took a deep breath and released in sight knowing my love was with another guy. It's so heartbreaking. Things we do for love. right? What do you understand? You're a dog. I wish I was a dog. No worries, no love, just bark at the trees , birds and stuff like that. wig my tail when the master arrives. Such an awesome life.  Do you think the girl who set me out on this mission is cute? She was deadly cute. I mean she was deadly but still cute. I smiled. What would you know? you were not there. Crazy stuff happened before I met you. I gave him some biscuits from my pocket. and brushed his head giving a massage with my finger.  I feel like we're about to reach the other end.

Chapter 4

Needs retouch 

It was completely dark. and my torch was getting dim. I was exhausted and hungry but I kept on walking slowly hoping to see the glimpse of the village, then I would have my snacks on relief. For now all I wanted to see was the village. The air around me suddenly changed into a sweet aroma. It smelled  like someone's cooking out in the jungle.  Upon inspecting the jungle, I saw a small glint of light. I followed and soon the light became a window of an old cottage. It was a small  cottage made from log and mud with thatched  roof.  Something delicious was cooking inside. I was not sure about staying the night there. I wanted to reach the village as soon as possible and we were still in the jungle. A cottage in the middle of a jungle? On top of that, someone's cooking inside. Am I dreaming or is it real? I tasted the mushroom but this certainly can't be hallucination.

Should I go or should I stay? I spoke quietly to doggo as I was sitting with my doggo just below the window. The smell of the food was so tempting that my stomach couldn't resist and it growled, squeezing every bit of inside me. My stomach grumbling disturbed the peacefulness of the jungle and probably somebody's cooking inside.

Who's there? A woman, probably in her 40's lunged her head out the open window.

She lowered her head and saw us cramming down between earth and her house.

Ohh it's you. My poor little Tuntun.  I see you have made a new friend. Well come on in.

She opened the door and we went inside. I was a bit sceptical of the house in the middle of the jungle but I realised I have faced ghosts and other worldly things, so I was calm. It was cosy inside and there was a wooden table and chair roughly the height of my knee. it was pretty small I guess. There was a wooden floor cut from the log all over the ground. It was better to walk on. The candle light on the table was big enough to emit the whole area. Doggo comfortably laid in his hay made bed or maybe nest, it looked more like a nest.

You got a beautiful house miss.

Elisa. Myself Elisa and you might be.

I'm Peter Dingleberry.

Nice to meet you Peter. So what brings you here in this dense jungle. She spoke from the kitchen while I was resting on the chair. There was his wall of log dividing the tablespace from the kitchen, giving the kitchen its own private place.

I am on a mission to find the crescent moon.

Ohh you're one of those who wants to defeat the Lord and take over his world. Kids these days are trying to accomplish everything at once.

She brought a bowl full of soup and I thanked her for the soup.

Careful, it's hot. She said and went back to the kitchen for some more cooking.

I was so hungry that I wanted to take down in  a single gulp but it was hot as hell so I waited staring at the steaming hot soup. I kind of recognized the mushroom. It was Bullseye! The mushroom soup was made of bullseye mushroom.  I definitely wanted to have the mushroom soup but I was in no condition of hallucinating or even misbehaving inside this lovely cottage. She might not know the effect or I could have been bluffed by the woodcutter. Either way, I did not want to take any chances. I emptied my water drinking all along with my cookies and put the soup in it without her knowing. This will give me some energy. I should buy another bottle of water soon as I reach the village. I looked at doggo. He was looking at me with his suspicious eyes.

I know but it's disrespectful to throw food someone made you with love and care and beside I will to try this mushroom soup but not now. I think it's not the right time and place.

She returned and saw my bowl empty.

Oh you seem to be very hungry. How about you take another bowl ?  Thank you but I am full , I said.

Usually people like another round because it is so delicious.

Do you have any food for my friend doggo?

You mean Tuntun? Of course. He is my friend. Aren't you my little Tuntun. Who's a good boy? you're a good boy. She went near him and brushed him from head to the back. He wagged his tail in approval. I will bring you some cookies okay my love. Then she returned back with a bowl full of crumble cookies and milk. He ate happily.

He's your dog?

You might say that. I found him in the jungle. I fed him and kept him in my house but he likes wandering around. Since then He keeps coming to my house with friends , like you.

She stood on a stool and lit the candle that was resting in the candle stand just above the doorstep that made the room brighter than before.

I would like you to meet with someone. She said and went to her bedroom.

From her bedroom, She brought out a scarecrow.

Meet my husband. He's a little shy but once you get to know him, you will love him.

I was kind of confused. But, it's a scarecrow.

Yes, everybody in the village calls him by that name, But for me he's my sweetheart. Right sweetheart?

There was this awkward silence because I was trying to gather some sense of what the hell is she thinking? Could it be the mushroom effect? I don’t know but I should find out. Just as I was about to say something, she remembered she was cooking something so she hurried back to the kitchen which was just close by.

Oh I should get back to the kitchen. You gentlemen go on , I will be cooking pies and stew tonight.

The Scarecrow stood there beside the  table , leaning against the window wall. His whole body was made of straw that was covered with different clothing accessories. His head was made of a small jute sack with facial features drawn along with a beanie hat. He looked like Leon from The Professional but without any glasses. He wore the same coat covering down his knee , if it had one because it was standing with the support of a pole like stick  and brown socks for the hand.

Are you real? I asked Mr. Scarecrow. Of course not. What am I doing? I thought something was wrong with this woman. But doggo approves her then so will I.

Doggo my boy. This woman is definitely a mushroom. Doggo was asleep peacefully on the straw nest he made for himself. I have to figure out what is going on here. And you Mr. Scarecrow, Don't go anywhere. I will be back from kitchen in no time.  Why am I talking to straw man. He's not even real.

As I entered the kitchen asking for her permission of course. The kitchen was neatly maintained with utensils hanging on the nails of the wooden wall. The wooden table in which she was cutting onions was placed just beside the window of the kitchen and the mud stone stove was at the side of the table. There was this cupboard with a bowl full of fresh tomatoes , potatoes along with mushrooms and other various vegetables. I knew it , she was on mushrooms indeed.

He's quiet isn't he?

Yes , he's not much of a conversation type of person. May you share some ideas,  I would like to know him, you know.

Ohh is that so. You know ways to open up to people. I like that.

So can you tell me about Mr. Scarecrow and how you meet him?

You're a curious one aren't you?

You know it, curiosity is the mother of inventions.

and it kills the cat too.

Well , I'd like to deal with odd's sometimes.

You are something. Most people just run away after meeting my husband or tell me that I am crazy.

We all are crazy for something. Whether that be real or fantasy. I want to understand why you live alone when there is a whole village just down the jungle.

People think that I have been possessed by some witchcraft and after people started disappearing suddenly, I left the village and started living here. It's been ten years and still few are disappearing with no trace. They even began to worship priests , doing rituals, sacrifices and all this crazy stuff.

I saw no other choice but to live in this house.

This house was here before?

Yes, It was old and dusty , nobody lived here so I made this my home.

Sacrifices , rituals! They are going crazy and they think I am behind all these mishaps. Be very careful about your journey. There are some crazy folks out there who would want new members to their cult.

She smiled at me with this longing face. Recalling what she has almost forgotten but still that pains her to the depth of her heart.  I don't know what was it? was it onions or she was tearing up from inside. Was it the tears of joy she gave me when she smiled or was it just onions?

After my husband's disappearance, I was left with serving old folks of the town. I was young and I hated men who ordered me and even punished me for my behaviour. You know, I always wanted a son like you. Full of wonders. But I was unable to because widows like me had no place in society and only men had the rights to remarry. I was left to serve some men of my village. They did very bad stuff. I endured for so long but one night, I could take the violence's they did to me. so I ran away. I ran and ran until my feet were swollen , until my heart burst. I was all alone in the middle of the night and I stopped ,feeling all dizzy. There was nobody else to listen to my silent cry but him.  He was laying down on the crops where  I held him tight and cried on his soldiers. It felt warm  and the heaviness of my chest slowly lightened as I laid my head in his chest and hugged him. I felt relaxed and before I knew it, I was asleep peacefully. He reminded me of my lost husband. He was gentle, peaceful and always bringing me new stuff to cook. He knew I love cooking.

After that incident, I came here, made this my home and rest is history. People talk about me as some kind of witch who lives  in the jungle but there are people , In fact my friends who come to visit me time and often. They are my friends back when I was under the command of men.  We share a part of our lives together , our struggle together and now , things are going normal as they share their stories of the village with me. They got remarried and are living a nice and happy life with their husband.

She took a deep breath of relief and could observe her breath cleansing her poor soul peacefully but not completely. You know, some scars still remains even though the wound has been completely healed. I thought it was mushroom but this a whole new level of melancholy . I have heard about such people and their mental disorder. Extreme measures compel them to imagine things that are beyond understanding. When we don't get what we want from the depths. of our heart, we begin to imagine things.  For Elisa , she needed someone to cry tears of pain with her. Why am I being so analytical? It’s her life and I have no right to judge her lifestyle.

But are you not feeling isolated from the villagers?

I have never felt so alive. Their curse was like a boon to me and besides I have a friend Tuntun. He understands me , that is why he brings friends like you to talk. My husband doesn't talk much. It's always me who talks a lot of the time. I go to the bazaar sometimes. They all know me and are afraid of me. Only the shopkeeper and my friends greet me and treat me like everyone else. I only trade with him. I give him potatoes' and he gives me things I need. But the mushroom soup I made was specially handpicked and made from the mushroom I found from the jungle. How did you like my special mushroom soup?

I think I would like to have another bowl of your special mushroom soup.

Oh that would be my pleasure. Make room for pies too.

Okay thank you Mrs. Elisa. She handed me a bowl full of soup and I thanked her and went to my table.

Oh what the hell. I know I will stay all night here. Might as well sleep with a belly full of food and mind full of craze right Mr. Scarecrow? He stood still there beside the window, watching me as I gulped down the soup pouring down like a stream into my mouth. The soup was gone in no time. Delicious! For a while I felt peace and quiet. The rumbling of my stomach was all gone but the taste still remained intact as I craved for more but waited patiently on the chair.

Hey Strawman. I think I will call you strawman because scarecrows are for birds and I am a human. So yes, is it okay if I call you strawman? Hmm Strawman , sounds cool , just like Superman.

You can call me whatever you want. Besides, It's better than being called a scarecrow because I am no crow and I don't think I am scary at all.

Wow Strawman! You can speak.

Well of course I can. There is nothing I cannot do.

Can you fly?

That, I cannot.

Oh bummer. I always wanted to fly high and touch the sky, Surf on the clouds , say hi to eagles and owls.

You absolutely can do it. But it's nighttime and you won't see anything and will bump into trees.

Ohh. I never thought of bumping into trees. I will hurt myself if I fly at night. I will fly tomorrow morning. You are a pretty smart Strawman.

Follow me and you will find the path to Knowledge.

You know Strawman, Your wife is a wonderful cook. I could eat more but she is cooking right now.

I wish I could know how wonderful of a cook she is Peter.

Why not?

Because I am made of straw and can't eat.

Ohh. Sorry.

That's okay.

Elisa came back with a pan full of baked pies and smelled delicious. There were boiled eggs, smashed potatoes and a cookie for my friend doggo but he was fast asleep so she kept it in a jar. She also packed some for me to have it on my journey. We began our dinner.

While taking the shells of the eggs, she spoke. There are people out there who have been abandoned by their fellow villagers claiming to be a witch. Those people have suffered miserable lives. 

“Didn't you try to stop them?” I said.

I was too little to know right from wrong. I was just feeling pity for them.

I thought I was the only one with such life. I never knew that there are people like me.

You are a special one, you know that.

Nobody in these past ten years has had such a beautiful moment. You talked to me and my husband as if we are a family and like I am your mother. I am so happy right now. Her eyes filled with tears spoke to me. Thank you.

as were done eating. She went to the kitchen to do the dishes.

Strawman.

Yes.

Why do people hate what they don't understand?

they do. They just don't like to get involved in people's sadness. People like causing misery and pain in others. That's how the world is. Along with solutions comes problems. But people don't like to solve problems so they blame it on others creating more problems and the one who takes all the blame is the one to get kicked out.  That's the law of nature.

You know Strawman, you are a wise old man with a brain made of straw.

Is that a compliment?

Yes it is. I smiled. I was feeling so drowsy that I was unable to open my eyes properly. I think I will sleep now. And then I laid down on the straw floor beside doggo. The straw floor was so soft that I fell asleep instantly.

Paragraph missing………….

Chapter 5

It began to rain so I hurried down the village. I knew I could not make it in this condition so I  decided to take a rest under the rock. there was this huge rock pointed outwards so I went under there. I had nothing to do so I sang with the ukulele. 

My voice cracked when a girl came running to seek shelter at the same spot. I don’t know? Was it the rain? her wet hair? soaked clothes or her beautiful face, I was absolutely spell-bindied by her beauty.

She was all soaked up. her hair was all lined up with wetness straight down to her solder and back.  She had a blue flower pattern shirt with laces which was loose  showing  her cleavage. her  shirt-like apparel was made see through with the wetness from the rain that I could see her bra holding her beautiful bosom. She wore a brown curtain like a frock but they were all soaked with rain so she made a knot at the side of her thigh and kept it there holding it with her left hand. Her Legs were muddy but her thighs were clean and white. I could kiss her but that would be considered harassment unless she kisses me first and then I can kiss her. Damn! She was beautiful. That was my point.

She noticed me but she already knew I was there because I was singing my hearts out. She asked where I learned to sing like that.  

I was just making a sound. I don't call it singing.

You know. Everything is made of sound. The falling of the rain to the gusting of trees with the wind. how beautiful they are. And then we have crickets singing in the bushes at night. Then she noticed me getting lost at her face so she stopped. My name is Beth, what’s yours?

For a second I forgot who I was but I regained consciousness. I'm Peter Dingleberry. I am heading to the village of Wasruu and you? 

Mee too, I was in the forest to collect some wild berries but it started to pour really bad so here I am. 

And there we stood there waiting for the rain to calm down. But it rained heavily. I tried to hide the rapid beating of my heart but it was so loud that I could feel it all over my body. I don't know about her. We were standing side by side, she's holding her curtain frock and I am my ukulele. I want to look at her and tell her how beautiful she is but all my eyes see is her breast popping out of her laces. I am a pervert I know that but even the gentlest men could not resist her beauty if I say so myself.  What a curse and a boon to be a man. But I am a boy. 

Why God!? why she has to be so beautiful that every word I say gets stuck in my heart. Why, no matter how much I turn away, my eyes keep looking at her. If it wasn't raining I would have run a marathon because  my brain cannot function properly in her presence.  My hands begin to shake. My whole body began to shake. I knew I could not stay here any longer so I took a step out from the place we both were standing.

Where are you going? It's raining , you will get wet. She quickly grabbed my hand.

her touch was all that I needed to turn me into stone. I paused right there in the moment. My heart beating the hell out of my body and she could feel that. The nervousness.

Are you afraid of me?

No? But she could sense a blush in my face as I kept looking at her muddy feet. 

I should go , you stay here, beside , I am all soaked now , rain can do nothing to me. She ran out of the shelter and began to walk at a fast pace.

I stood there trying to understand the gravity of the situation. What just happened? Why did she sheltered here when she could just head straight to the village?

It took me a while to recollect all my emotions and after when I was back to normal. I began to sing a little song.

With my ukulele tuned right, I began to sing a song.

I for shall seek shelter in the trees

I walk down colliding with the breeze

and rain falling down on my knees

OH please rain oh please stop falling down

I must reach some God-forsaken town

On the road muddy as hell

I have some tales to tell

And when I reach the town

I will gather people around

In the forest, I have met

and the tales about the bed

so please rain oh please stop falling this instant.

Soon after I sang , the rain stopped. Finally ! Now I can continue.

While walking down the path, I could see the lush green forest. It was foggy before but after such heavy rain , The forest was more alive then before. The greenery of trees and bushes along with the wetness caused by rain made it so beautiful. Speaking of beautiful , I could still visualise her beauty and every time I do that, my heart shivers with excitement and with nervousness. Maybe it was because of the rain. Just like the forest that turned luscious and full of life, she turned into the Goddess of beauty covering herself with tears of heaven. Maybe. I should stop thinking about her and continue my journey but I will for sure see her in the village.