The Swingers..

The long ropes did take another fling and the swing turned up higher in the air.. and back again falling to other side .. just a slight afloat felt like a longer buoyancy in the ethereal oblivion.. moonlight doted a thousands of tiny pearls around the moss and grass dusted green floor.. as the tree trunk grew longer the branches flared around in sparkling light from above.. and greying reflection of tree on earth floor kept up looking like a stone still cradle.. soft and warm and inviting.. Nytili thought she might fall.. if she did.. it wouldn't be as harmful as it appeared.. but.. as the swing set on speed.. it became impossible to fall..

Her house too shone stone silver in midnight moon.. and the lone tree standing in it's courtyard appeared taller than under noon sun.. the sky disappeared frequently plunging into bluish black vastness.. shifted through the grill of leaves stems and the rope.. it was the most beautiful vision Nytili had ever seen.. dark yet mesmerising .. she was captivated in the panorama and wanted to feel the sway instead of the observation of the scenery but she can't close her eyes.. and the pull grew heavier.. and sinking.. at last making her compromise on the part whether to see or feel the swing.. this swing was her favourite.. her mother had tied for her.. her father had brought special thick ropes and wooden board.. and fabric..

Nytili was an only child to her parents.. she didn't have any siblings.. she spent most of the time after school in neighbouring farm with her friends .. once she came home crying .. that her friend Radheya's elder brother Puro had pushed her off by swing while her turn.. and didn't let her.. play.. and.. instead took swing himself.. that night her mother asked Bhima to bring up material for hammock.. that she wanted to tie swings for Nytili.. she did forbid her to go play to Radheya's farm then on.. advising her to call Radheya to their place to play as to stay away from Puro.. promising her that her new hammock will be ready in couple of days.. Haamdi slept with her until she fell asleep that night.. worried.. before going away to other room to Bhima..

Later in the night Nytili lay awake restless.. thinking about whether it was wise that she had told her mother about the events.. Radheya was her best friend after all.. .. and.. and..

The sky appeared duller then dark .. with small bright spots.. gradually grew further away.. disappeared in golden wheat of her farms.. and she stopped paddling to go to bed.. before anyone saw her by sunrise.. tomorrow was holiday yet she didn't want anybody to find out about her wandering around in the middle of the night.. before she could back paddle.. the swing got slower.. she back kicked a couple of times and jumped off..

Puro: i will not push too far.. Nyti.. i promise..

Nytili: oh.. please don't .. no .. please..

Radheya: stay away..

Puro laughed.. running away.. after a strong push on Nytili .. before Radheya would reach her.. .. his voice filling the surroundings with a strange familiarity..

Radheya came to her house occasionally.. on holidays mostly she brought snacks.. Puro followed sometimes.. Haamdi tried to ... set peace between them smiling.. when the girls fought with him trying to shoo him away.. without any reason.. he set on slant lower branch of nearby tree watching girls.. never interfering.. Radheya's mother complained Haamdi that girls never been friendly to him even while he mostly was silent..

Maaya: Haamdi.. take care of him.. girls are too quirky.. they once did beat him .. i saw.. .. oh .. i don't know what the boy want with them.. he don't go with boys.. mostly he wanders off in farms alone... and farther away.. after his homework done.. and rarely get by to girls.. i .. i..

Haamdi: don't worry.. i will be watching..

Radheya threw a pebble on his back as he flew by tree crossing the lower branch of nearby tree in a leap..

Radheya: oh i am so sorry..

Nytili: it's alright.. it's your turn now anyway..

Radheya took up.. started on paddling..

Radheya: will you come by my place tomorrow.. ? We will go to.. tamarind..

Nytili: is dry one have fallen..? We will collect beads as well for the next year purvprass.. fasting..

Radheya: yes..

Nytili: i will be at your house by four..

Maaya cooked them spicy puffed rice and buttermilk as they set out to fields for beads collection..