ACT IV
SAYING GOODBYE
When has love ever remained hidden?
Leaving traces on skin
Like sweet honeydews
A longing that consumes
To bewitch and possess for eternity.
All this time, Jiro was meeting an underworlder. He never considered that one day his father would find out about his relationship with Yen. He knew of the consequences and still avoided the idea as a far-fetched concept. But his father found out. And he came to know about it in the worst way possible.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
Jiro stopped. His hands outstretched in expectation of hugging his lover.
Yen was rigid, his hands folded, he was on guard. It confused Jiro.
“The General visited our slums last night. He had threatened to kill off my entire family.”
And Jiro understood.
“He was just trying to scare you.” This statement was a plea, a hope that they can overcome this. “I will talk to my father. He always gives me what I want.”
“I am not a toy you can demand.” There was a fury in Yen’s voice.
“We can run away together.” Jiro tried to reason again, “Away from here, from everything. We can live on our own, just the two of us.” He tried to touch Yen, who just shook his head and took a step back.
“Why are you so unreasonable?”
“Unreasonable?” Yen was bewildered. He couldn’t believe Jiro would suggest this. “If I ran away with you, your father would send his troops to our slums and slaughter us all! I will not play this infernal game.”
“But I love you,” Jiro whispered.
Yen looked at him for the longest time.
“Please, let’s just leave everyone, everything behind.” Jiro felt like crying.
“I…” Yen started, but then, looking at Jiro, he stopped. “Come here.” He beckoned him close.
Jiro went easily. Nestling in his arms, he melted. His mind was going over all the places that they could go. Pangon was called a city because it was the only land left safe after the nuclear fallout, with the minimum radiation. But it was large enough to hide them both. He would smuggle Yen there and they could live in hiding. Or they could travel west. He had heard the rumours of some survivors in the small islands that were all that was left of what used to be Asia. It would be dangerous, but they would be together.
“I am part of a resistance against Pangon.”
Jiro froze.
Yen tightened his hold on him and he felt like he couldn’t breathe.
“I have been part of it for a while, since before I met you,” Yen whispered, “I had been coming here for months before I met you, to meet some people from the city.”
“There are traitors in the city.”
“Traitors!” Yen repeated, loosening his grip and Jiro moved away from him. “You think that those who believe Underworlders have an equal right to live are traitors.”
Jiro said nothing.
“I shouldn’t be telling you this. I should not have met you at all. It was foolish, so foolish of me.”
“You can’t say that,” Jiro said, hurt. “How could you say that? I am ready to run away with you. I love you. Why are you being so mean to me?”
“Then help me. You can help us, Jiro, fight with us.”
Jiro recoiled from Yen. He could not fight against his father. Or be part of a rebellion against his own family. If the Underworlders won, it would mean the death of his family. Of everything, he had known till now. He could not be an instrument for this.
But his silence spoke volumes. It was at that moment when they both realized that everything was lost.
‘Hide behind your father then.’ Yen shouted. ‘Tell him all about the traitors and rebellion. But we will still come for him. We will tear down his world.’
‘Yen.’
It was the softest whisper, and yet Yen felt like his entire world was crumbling. Desperate to hide his tears, he turned his back to Jiro. “We can’t meet after this.”
Jiro was numb.
Yen fled, disappearing into the trees, leaving an equally heartbroken Jiro behind. In the stillness of the evening, Jiro realised he was alone. Yen was never coming back.
He ran after him, shouting his name. There must be some way to make everything alright. But enveloped in the darkness, Yen was gone. Jiro fell on his knees, sobbing.
The afternoon sun dimmed as the fog started floating in and covered the entire forest in its gloominess once again.
Act 5 is Here!
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