🎶 রঙের এই দেশে রঙ কেন নেই🎵
An unfamiliar language, an unfamiliar scenario, an unfamiliar world. Risha found herself in it.
"Impossible!" Risha has seen the past world in historical documentaries thousand of times. Not once was there any mention to a place like this. It cannot be Earth,she won't believe it.
"It is Earth,Risha. The same one you lived in." Noah said that as he was nodding and smiling to the musicians and singers performing in the street.
"They are not robot trying to entertain people, they're real human beings trying to earn their livelihood."
"But why? The Karahan Authority always makes sure no one needs to work."
All of a sudden, Risha felt a lot of resentful gazes on her. Noah spoke in that unfamiliar language and then said,"Risha, if you don't wish to get mutilated this instant, never speak of that authority here. All people hates it passionately."
"Why?"
"Cause they are absolute trash?"
"Hey!" Risha almost jumped, "I know you're not human but talking about them like this is treason!"
Noah casually replied, "And you know everyone here is a traitor in that sense."
"But why? Everything is so good."
"Risha,my dear, this is a time prior to the great rebellion and you were born after that. In addition to that, you lived amongst the good side of the otherwise rotten apple. So It's natural you don't know. Nothing is good. It was never."
Risha paused.
'Nothing is good.'- It is something she has always told by her subconscious. Just what isn't good? And why can't she see that?
"Then you tell me Noah," Risha took a deep breath," Tell me what is wrong."
"I will show you, that is the whole purpose of bringing you here. You are going to join the rebellion."
"What!!" Risha gasped, "What did you say?"
"You heard me just fine."
"Okay. And what does that have to do with saving my family from Terra?"
"One of the rebels knew Terras will come someday. And he might have a solution. Previously he died in the rebellion. And even if he hadn't, he swore that he won't go anywhere near his research room unless the rebellion succeeds. "
"What kind of stupid logic is this?"
"Yeah it is stupid but It's not like we can convince him otherwise. He is one stubborn man."
"So your propose a list we approach this man under the pretext of joining the rebellion and coax him into helping us out? This is stupid! Can't you just brainwash him or something?"
"Unfortunately I can't, Risha. I am not omnipotent."
Risha sighed.
"Alright I will listen to you. It's not like I got any other ways."
"Good girl." Noah smiled sweetly, "First of all let's get you a translated tool."
"For what?"
"Without it you cannot understand what they are saying. In your generation, all people in the world uses one common language but at this point of time, different regions still had their own unique languages. That is why for inter-communication they had to use a translator tool. You too need it now."
Soon Risha was equipped with the tool. It had the shape a tiny dot and was placed above her left eyebrow.
"Nice, now you have a mole. You look so beautiful." Risha blushed at the compliment.
But soon she composed herself.
"So what now?"
"We wait."
"Wait?"
"Exactly, it isn't time for him to come, not yet."
"Who? The rebel?"
"He is a rebel but not the one we're looking for. This one goes by Nishat. Arafat Rahman,the one we need is his uncle."
"So we approach his nephew first and then him? Where is this Nishat? When is he coming?"
"In an hour. He too is a musician, a flutist to be exact. He comes here everyday at the same time. So till he comes, let's grab a sit and enjoy the afternoon."
True to his word, Noah sat on a bench and started look around in a realxed mood. Risha too sat on another bench and leaned her back. Now she can understand the song.
🎶Why oh why
This city of color is colorless
Why oh why
Life is but a mess🎵
A folklore, with no modern music, a few teenagers are performing. They set a box in front of the stage so that people can pay but most people are watching without paying. And yet the teens are pouring their soul into the performance. A human doing concert was something Risha read on history book and it said the custom was lost since the previous century. Yet she is witnessing it just 19 years ago. And it doesn't feel bad. Rather she likes it over the ones created through artificial intelligence. While it is imperfect , it has life,efforts and emotions.
Sun has set and the sky was blood red, here and there lies a lot of junk metal and someone used them as pots to raise some small plants. It was done awkwardly and ineptly but Risha felt good seeing it. It was a nice afternoon.
The singing stopped and soon after another music started. It was a solo musical performance. A boy in his early twenties stood against a piller and started playing the flute. He was thin and short, clearly the result of malnutrition, even standing was a hard work for him and yet the moment he started playing, the weak posture vanished. He was like a statue, carved on the hardest stone,sturdy and alluring. The musoc he played was otherworldly, it made Risha feel many emotions. Sorrow, hopelessness, exhaustion, heartbreak, hope,resolution and thrill- it made her drown in the whirlpool of his own emotions.
By the time Risha came back to reality, the show was over and she was weeping like a child. Noah smiled, "Let's go. Time to make friend."
Here in this peaceful evening in a nameless street, Risha met the last person whom she really trusted and considered as a friend, his name was Nishat.