How Are You - A Short Story

 How Are You

     There was a Shiva Temple in the village Trishipur. It was a fairly large village. Almost all sections of people lived there. Their occupations were also different. Rama lived in the village. He was the son of a cobbler. His father was following his family profession. Rama had two sisters. All of them were reading in the local high school. He was good in education.

       The temple of their village was the heaven to the Children. They used to play there throughout the day. In the compound, there were many fruit trees, like mango, berry, guava etc. They were the main attraction to the children. Besides, children liked the flower-trees very much, not for their sweet smelling flowers but for their plays. They used to climb on the small bush-like flower-trees and played interesting games. Rama's favourite place was the garden. The huge banyan tree was the main shelter of the villagers to escape the heat of summer. In short, the temple with its adjacent area gave up pleasant feeling. 

      As days passed by, Rama became dedicated to his study. Now he did not play to save time, though he missed his games in the temple very much. In course of time he became introvert. His family poverty also played a role here. His study was benefitted a lot. He passed his high school with distinction. Then he got admitted in a college. He became more and more dedicated to his study. In his heart he cherished his playtimes in his village Temple.

      The beautiful sight of the temple preserved in his memory always pleased him. But, unknown to him the temple lost its sheen. The temple administration looted the temple of its beauty. The mango trees were felled. The money was devoured. The open field was tilled and so the children lost their playground.

    One day during Shivaratri, Rama went to the temple and was shocked seeing its condition. He did not found the old beautiful temple. His memory of the temple and the present temple were different. He felt sad seeing its condition. His feeling went beyond expression. He became wordless. He managed to utter in a subdued voice, "How are you?"

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