One winter morning the solstice arrived. For the first time in his life, he had not even heard the name of the village before. Come to the source of the work, to do some kind of survey. Instructions from the government, this village should be investigated. Ayan was thinking, how will the survey work in such a secluded village? But when he came here, he entered another world.
After coming to the village, I had to go to the chairman's house first. Although the village is small, the chairman is quite an influential person, his house is also big. There are various plants in the front yard and a mango tree in the middle. The chairman was sitting on a chair under the tree. White turban on the head, Punjabi on the body, red towel around the neck. Seeing Ayan, he smiled and said, “Come, come, you are a stranger in this village. What are you here to do?"
The chairman became serious as soon as he talked about the job. “Survey in this village! What to survey here? People from the city come and see, then nothing happens. Still, since you're here, get on with it. If you want to work alone, I will call Shyamal, he will help you."
Shyamal, a young man from the village, is in his early twenties. Although close to Ayan's age, the village boy is said to be quite hardworking. He took Ayan to show the village. There is a pond on one side of the village, and some straw piles next to the pond. Shyamal said, "We catch fish in this pond, and people gather here when there is a village fair."
Ayan looked around, he had never seen such a place before in his life. This solitude, being close to nature—everything was getting ingrained in him. He was thinking how artificial the city life is. Come here as if the true form of nature was seen. Shyamal took him to the pond and showed him a boat. "This boat is ours, sometimes we go out to fish."
The boat is small, but sturdy. Ayan thought, what will it be like to ride this boat in the middle of the pond? Shyamal said, “Come on, I will take you to the pond this afternoon. Sunset is very beautiful.”
In the afternoon they went to the middle of the pond in a boat. The sun has set just overhead in the west. The sunlight is falling on the water of the pond, and in that light the water particles are shining like gold. Ayan was watching the scene around with his mind. The quiet atmosphere of the village, the water of the pond, the gentle hum of the boat—everything seemed to transport him to another world. He was thinking that maybe the human mind can find the hidden corner of nature in this way.
Shyamal suddenly said, "Brother, if you want to stay in this village, you can stay. We will all adopt you.” "It would be nice to stay, but we have to go back when the work is done," Ayan said with a smile. Shyamal gave a sad smile. “Our village is quiet and secluded. No one wants to come back here. But everyone has to go back."
Ayan didn't say anything else. City life, work pressure, everything he knows, he has to go back. But his heart was saying, if he could stay here for a few days! He touched the water of the pond. The water is cold, but warm to the touch. Shyamal started sailing. They started moving towards the shore of the pond. The sun was slowly setting.
The crowd of the fair, the colorful shops, the smiles on the faces of the villagers—everything seems to be filled with a different brightness. He understood how simple the people of this village are. The complications of the city, the lies—none of it.
After dinner, Ayan went to a small room next to the chairman's house and slept. The room is quite simple, but comfortable. Mud floors, jute mats, and cots with mosquito nets on top. Outside the window I could hear the sweet smell of the village, and the chirping of birds. Ayan was thinking to himself, staying one night in this village is like a rest.
As the night deepened, silence fell around. Ayan looked through the window and saw the stars shining in the sky. He thought that life might be found in this way. Maybe the mind finds true happiness in a quiet village leaving all the glitter and busyness of the city. But can he stop in this way? The realities of life, the responsibilities—everything would drive him back.
The next morning, Ayan left. Shyamal came to see him off. Ayan said, “Goodbye, Shyamal. I will remember the village.” Shyamal said, Don't forget this village in the busy life of your city, brother.
Ayan stepped onto the road, heading towards the city. On the way, he thought, this is the way of life - moving from one place to another. However, there are some paths that are never forgotten. That quiet morning in the village, the sunset light on the water of the pond, the simple words of Shyamal—everything will be in his mind.
Ayan knows, this path has shown another new direction in his life path. He knows that even if he goes back to the city, the peace of this village and the proximity of nature will always live in his mind. Maybe those thoughts will one day lead him back to a path where life can truly be found.