In Govind’s Small Courtyard by Terveev Gill

Govind sat staring at the mango tree. The sun was in his eyes, but it didn’t deter him.

Tiny mangoes hung in bunches from the tree’s limbs that were thick with green leaves.

A warm breeze was passing through and it made the leaves and fruit sway. The gentle motion reminded Govind of the side-to-side neck movements of Bharatnatyam dancers.

There was a dance performance almost every other day. The man enjoyed them immensely. He would sit and clap his hands with the beats as the varying rhythms pulsated through his body.

There was never a dull moment in Govind’s small courtyard. But it didn’t surprise him. Life was better than it had ever been. He was in perpetual bliss and never wished for the old days to return.

They had been tiring, disappointing, too troubling to improve.

Govind had been wasted in surviving them, keeping afloat in the unforgiving turmoil that crashed into him like the waves of a furious ocean.

From the corner of his eye, Govind noticed the arrival of his friend, a moody one, always concerned with looking his best, forever calling out to his mates, dancing away his blues, spreading his colorful feathers to attract every morsel of attention he could get.

‘Bastard peacock!’

Govind’s greeting hadn’t changed over the years. And the hearty laugh that followed it went on till the thin man’s lungs couldn’t take it anymore and he nearly choked upon his own saliva.

The man then waited for the sound that made his heartbeat accelerate.

He would hear it any second.

Chhhun chhhunn chhhunn chhun

The musical anklets spoke to him, their wearer was his beloved, the reason for his joy.

Songs had been written in praise of such beauty.

Govind began to sing one.

‘Mere mehboob tujhe, meri mohabbat ki kasam…’

(My beloved, you have the promise of my love…)

Chains rattled as Govind moved his feet. The noise of a metal plate sliding upon the floor and an angry voice interrupted his ballad.

‘You crazy old man! Shut your damn mouth and eat! Or else…’

The woman retreated with haste, bolting and locking a door behind her.

Govind continued to look at the brick wall.

But this time he saw a meadow of flowers and butterflies hovering above them.

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