THE HAUNTING WORSHIP

I woke up instantly at what could be called either a post-late-night or a pre-early-morning. I knew this wouldn’t have happened had it not been for the natural call, and headed for the washroom. Just when I entered, a scourge of mosquitoes was set in Brownian motion in the excitement of seeing a 6+ feet blood donor.

I knew about the seasonal change in the North and had already been warned by my native friends about the issue. Heading back to my room, my hands got hold of the fully charged electrocutor bat. Twenty seconds and multiple burst sounds later, I returned to my actual work. On any usual day, I wouldn’t remember this early morning routine, but today I did, thanks to the significant massacre.
Returning to my bed, I slowly drifted into sleep when I heard that same whining sound. For a change, it felt irritating as well as mocking this time. With so much rage, I switched on the light to grab my weapon once again, thinking that the day is going to have a bloody start. Just as my vision adapted to the light, I was shocked to see a swarm of mosquitoes in the corner. Cursing myself for leaving the room doors open before, I advanced and electrocuted all of them at a stroke.

Just like in a sleepwalk, I went back to sleep peacefully, only to be disturbed by a whining sound once again. It was a feeble and singular one this time, but the harder my brain tried to avoid it, the more difficult it became to sleep. Holding onto a last hope to establish my night’s peace against those buzzy flies, I lit up the room. To my surprise, there were no mosquitoes flying that I could see, yet the sound persisted. Looking even closer, I found an electrocuted mosquito in its last breath, struggling to convey something. Or maybe it’s just crying out loud in agony?.

Out of curiosity, I moved closer.

‘Ho sapien… weeeeeennnn!’

What did I just hear?! Struggling to keep up the breath, it started the conversation: ‘You’ve killed everyone, but I’m still holding my breath for a reason… the biggest mistake you’ve committed is because of wrong perception.’ At this moment, I was shocked not just by the fact of having a conversation with a mosquito but also by where this is heading.

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“Myself and others lying here are not mosquitoes. We’re non-biting midges and naturally don’t have the tendency to consume human blood. It is not the similarity in our appearance but your blind ignorance I realized today to be our fatal curse.” Like most sapiens, I felt natural and instant to defend my mistake and replied, “What do you expect from me? I just had to kill mosquitoes to have a peaceful sleep. Now, don’t expect me to suffer myself to ensure peace for insects.” The struggled talk continued from the other end: “No, I don’t. But can you state the exact reason you found dangerous in us to slay off?”.

“Well, your appearance and sound were threateningly the same, and so the reaction was instantaneous and justified, considering my past experience.” “Instantaneous, but not justified,” it replied. “Appearance and natural grouping are not in our choice but beliefs, behaviors, and actions are. Considering the similarity in our appearance, we never decided to go with those mosquitoes but chose to live by our own thoughts. You committed the biggest mistake in going by your judgments and not by your thinking or reasoning.” Without uttering a word, I continued listening. “I don’t know about you, but my job here is done. All this time I was whining to explain the same, and finally, you heard me. Now, I’ll die peacefully, and may God save the innocent souls trapped between people like you and those mosquitoes.” It died in peace, I believe, taking away mine.

I don’t remember how long I was awake there. Suddenly, I got interrupted by my mother’s voice: ‘Why are you sleeping on the floor and with the lights on?’ I just gave the instant reply anyone gives when they’re aware that the other person cannot understand them, ‘Nothing ma, just like that.’

Then we all got ready to leave early for the special temple worship. But the arranged vehicle got delayed for unknown traffic reasons. When we finally managed to leave, there was a huge traffic jam on the main road due to a sudden rally by the local residents. The driver then clarified to my parents about the hateful speech given by a member belonging to one social group against another. This outrageous act caused some sharp reactions from the local public on both sides.

Frustrated by the act, my father said, “Oh God! These individual acts are disturbing the whole society’s functioning.” He then heard me murmuring, “It’s the society’s functioning that has disturbed the individual’s act.” “What?”… “Nothing pa, just like that.”

My mother then spoke of disappointment: “All plans to worship went in vain. We came this close yet missed the divine moment!!”. I held her hands and replied, “I’ve already had mine. I just wish everyone gets theirs. May God bless us all.” With a disgusted look gazing upon me, she asked, “What has got into you?”.

Just a smile, and she knew what comes ahead, “Nothing ma, just like that.”

I think it’s not fair to lose a life to have this realization.

Unwarranted judgments and prejudices can kill our thoughts and reasoning. It’s in everyone’s best interest to always think clearly and by self before acting.