CAUCHEMAR*

Contd...

We were almost back to the bus when an angry roar over the drove of the rain reached our ears. The small playful stream had undergone a metamorphosis into a violent and treacherous torrent, its power sending dirty plumes of spray from the submerged rocks which only hours before had been our dry safe passage onwards.

There was to be no crossing there, so we forged to our right and soon reached the banks of the river. The village of Kallar on the bank was silent. It was still raining and everybody was thinking about the possibility of crossing the stream. They had brought a cake to celebrate their class anniversary.

Halting for a moment, we studied the water briefly. At this point it moved downstream but not with the anger and violence which we had just witnessed. As the water level was not so high we thought we could easily scramble through. All of us had no qualms about entering in to the water, the water being below knee level.

A human chain was formed as the river swept around our legs, it pressed against them but the force was easily overcome. Grasping the hands of two of my companions I tested my footing on the uneven riverbed before wedging my sand shoed foot firmly on the next step.

By the middle of the river I had realized that we were moving very slowly. As we proceeded, the water level grew up, the strength of each wave, which hit our legs, increased several folds and by now my friends became tensed and were frightened. By now the villagers who gathered at the banks started shouting, sounding alarm, waving hands exhorting to us come back. This added to their feeling of helplessness, augmented the anxiety and mounted fear. They were all pulled back by some ineffable inertia, started to pray loud calling out the name of the merciful messiah, whom they have never seen, the unfailing trouble-shooter to help them out of their crisis.

I saw Adam, depositing the backpack on a large rock. He left the thing to try to help the hesitant to cross. The urgency of the situation pressed on to me. I still remember the moment with horror, the rain drenched atmosphere my friends immobile praying loudly; the villagers adding to the distress, shouting, crying, hysterical women waving their hands frantically. I couldn’t escape the panic, which had started to take hold of me, and adrenaline was coursing through my body. Then my recollections from this point were disjointed. My sense of time was totally impaired. All I knew is that they were frightened. We reached the bank of the swollen river. I saw Adam’s back pack being washed away from its perch.

I heard Adam shouting at Anne to stay where she was. The rock in the middle was now the only safe place in the river. The rapidly rising water had cut off both advance and retreat. I stood in the water, though deep, at the bank. I felt so helpless. Ropes were being thrown but were falling short. I saw one of my companions holding onto the rope, as it was being pulled towards the shore. As he reached, I put out my hand towards him, which he could take hold of at the precise moment the rope broke, and he was pulled ashore to safely.

I was frantic. A swirling monster laid between me several of my friends. What I could do to help?! I collected all my courage, (the little which still remained). As I lowered myself, I saw with great horror a girl, one of my companions, being swept away, so fast that I could now see a glimpse of her and then, no more….

I then saw another rolling inside the water, submerging and resurfacing. I ran to the small bridge above the river and was about to jump into the water when he held on to a tree trunk that hung on to the river.

I saw Anne struggling with her backpack. She threw it away as it was dragging her own. She was strong but the awesome power of the enraged river was overcoming her. She had seen others on the rock being, swept away. Some were rescued, others not.

I was trying to pull out the others remaining on the rock. A gush of water broke over the top, washing them off and I saw Anne caught in the current racing down stream.

Adam shouting at the top of his voice, rushed, snatched a rope lying at the shore, sprinted towards the bridge trying to do something. All the time he was screaming and praying. He rescued four of our companions.

Anne, had been swept straight towards a man hanging from a tree branch. She caught on to him with both arms and one of my helpless companions, got hold of Anne, grabbing only her clothes. Her shorts were ripped off and a sudden wave hit her, and she was swept away. Anne with the help of two men on the over hanging tree, was rescued and was guided through the branches safely on to the bank.

A kind of reactionary shock got inside me. I was emotionally and mentally blank. I felt strangely thrown out of this world. So alone, speechless and immobile. I was numb and even the fire lit to warm us couldn’t melt the shock of the great tragedy I just witnessed. It swept away the lives of eight of my companions.

Such events occur in every person’s life, at least one incident, when he or she faces his or her helpless human self. And this is one such incidence for me when I saw death so close, in its most menacing manner. Few years later, I went to Kallar, the memories of that dark Sunday very much fresh in mind.

I couldn’t help thinking, with a tinge of regret, that this beautiful place would only evoke sad memories in me. The Kallar flowed quietly with remarkable innocence…. a silent witness to many shattered dreams…  “C’est la vie!”

*Nightmare
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CAUCHEMAR*

Sunday, the 13th of October 1991 is deeply etched in my memory, ever to haunt me, ever to dim my eyes, ever to make me pensive. I can never forget that day because of what had befallen me.

The previous day it was bright and sunny, as I set out for Ponmudi with my newfound Australian friends- Adam & Anne whom I had met only two days ago. I was happy sitting beside them and sharing this joyous trip, for Adam and Anne were infectiously happy and full of laughter. As the bus proceeded towards our destination, I noticed with pleasant surprise that a cool breeze had taken over the moist heat of Trivandrum, and rubber trees and had taken the place of banana and coconut trees.

The mist swept towards us gliding over the rugged slopes before enveloping the three of us and passed on. The quiet strength of Ponmudi amplified the awesome power of nature. We reached the guesthouse, but were told that there is no room. Eventually management found us one room, which looking back reaffirms my belief that I was destined to witness the tragedy next day. Later, the light rain that drizzled cleared as we retired late that night. The weather was perfect, cool and held a promise for a great morning to follow

The dawn of 13^th October 1991-Sunday, I remember, was very chilling. The Morning warmed us as we walked past the buildings by the roadside and over a bridge. Sunlight played on the water below as it gyrated over the rocks on its way downstream.

A small bus pulled into a clearing near the bridge and out descended my friends in the college who seeing me started shouting at the top of their voices, a nickname by which I was known in the college. I was happy on this coincidence and decided to join them. Adam waited a short way from the bus by a stream, which crossed the track, as it bubbled and gurgled through the rocks, which lay in its bed, and for us, young enthusiasts, it took no time before we crossed to the other side.

The trek towards Meenmuty was very exciting. The warm sun filtered through the vegetation and drew sweat from our bodies. The river to our left was cool and inviting, and a rest by the river we all agreed, was not unwelcome. Everyone was happy-and naturally so-considering the warm sunshine, the feeling of being together and the newly found, although, temporary, respite from the monotonous college hours.

We proceed on and came out of the vegetation to witness a spectacular waterfall feeding a deep green pool of water, which enveloped my body as I swam. My energy renewed it as pulled my self through the water, refreshed and content in this little part of paradise, in its rich share of beauty. After lunch, the clouds rolled over the sun and broke, pouring water on to our already wet bodies. And till date I have memories of the warmth we shared, the laughter we had.

I stood a long time on the riverbed savouring life. Crash! A tree on the other bank splashed loudly onto the water. It was truly spectacular sight to see it fall. But now looking back, it must have been a prelude to more unfortunate events destined to unfold.

To be continued..

Courtesy: Dr. Adam J Hodgkins

* Nightmare

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