Ajani, The Scholar
And yet again in the cradle of dawn, the cocks crow. The frog lift themselves, and soon the light arrives, announcing the day in its infancy. Just up from the bed, Ajani, the only erudito in the village, watches Tanto forcefully wiggling her butt in luscious fashion as she tidies the yard as usual. Reminiscing the sweet experience he had with her a night before, Ajani licks his lips involuntarily and wishes for another night to come in no time, and then dashes back to his hut to resume his sleep.
Not quite long, the farmers who woke not so early beat their path hurriedly to their respective farms, and in the like manner, the hawkers resume their daily routines.
Not too far, the sun regally appears, ushering the day into its noontime. The clouds converge and look threatening. But it's just another bluff from the rain - it didn't reign - but it ensures that its dullness takes over the exquisite bright blue sky.
The day is then disengaged from the grip of the noon and the night, watching in offing, came just too soon for its own marks.
On his mat, in his mind, and after having long sleep, that's only punctuated by breakfast, lunch and dinner, Ajani, yet again, revisits his own dreams and ambitions. He can't yet find a fertile ground to nurse them. He wants to become a pilot or at least a big business owner. The former seems so tall and even the latter can't be actualized here in the village. He shakes himself off the thought of a small beginning. It's either big start or nothing. That's his resolution. Though he has always wanted to go to the city, who does he have there!
He fantasizes about the beauty of his future and even takes some steps in his utopia. From there, he passes to a sleep state.
After endlessly waiting for his call, Tanto tiptoes to his window, only to discover that he's travelled far in his sleep. His snoring adequately points that to her. Disappointed, she turns around and tries to head home but her "thing" itches and it needs to be scratched. So she goes into the dark night in search of a victim or beneficiary.
And yet again, the morning arrives, fresh and fine. Ajani Springs up from the bed as usual and rushes out to catch a sight of Tanto's wiggling butts. But horror awaits him. He is taken aback to see more than half of the villagers converge in front of her house, wearing mournful looks. Upon asking, he discovers Tanto had been killed by a snake that bit her last night.
He cries out in anguish and reduces himself to a kid. His tears even outweigh those of Tanto's parents.
Comments