A siren's beckoning

The sun had  just set, but there was still a golden glow in the horizon. A girl could be seen walking along the beach. Others had walked the beach before her and many would still be walking even after she was gone. The difference was that she was walking in the after hours. People went into their homes after the sun had set . It was the time for different people to be about; people mortals had no business mingling with. Hind seemed to defy such superstititions. She relished the privacy she had here. The beach was her sanctuary. 1

  She would sit for hours in the warm sand watching the waves hypnotized. Sometimes she sang haunting melodies that ended with her laying her head on her arms as she surrendered to the sobs that racked her slender body. Unknown to her, creatures in the water watched her with curious eyes. They argued and debated about her. She had caught their interest. They had gazed into her eyes and saw something they wanted. A story worth telling, but when this story should be told. That is what they debated so furiously about.2

  Hind would walk there everyday and everyday the eyes would watch her anxious for the day when she would belong to them. They were waiting for the right time. They didn’t have to wait long…3

   4

    5

      The sea raged and roared like a caged lion. Its waves pounded violently against the shore, almost swallowing it up in its wrath. The night was inky black and neither stars nor moon could be seen. It seemed like even they hid in fear dreading what was to come. The night itself was alive with unholy beings plotting for mischief. Beings like the Sirens, fey creatures with features of both woman and fish. 6

   On Stormy nights like this they would sing luring many a fisherman into a watery grave, but tonight was different. The menacing mermaids sang into the darkness lending their voices to the howling of the wind. It was the girl with half a heart they meant to lure. 7

  Hind was asleep in her bed, tossing, turning and thrashing in her sleep. The nights were rare in which she found rest. Her nights were a torment of nightmares and dreams of long ago. In this dream, she saw herself chasing after that lover of long ago begging for a fleeting word or a look. God! What she would do for just one look!8

 In reality, she was walking towards the beach answering the call of the menacing mermaids. They ruthlessly invaded her dreams rummaging through her memories and recollections bringing them to the surface with aching clarity.  She swayed as she walked. Her nightgown billowed in the wind baring her white legs to its cold fingers. She shivered as the fingers tangled and twisted her hair. Her eyes were open, yet her gaze was unseeing. She was spellbound. Thunder rumbled as she walked on the cold sand. She walked slowly, one step then another until foamy waves swept under her feet. She stopped then, uncertain whether she should continue.9

 The Sirens were unfazed. They wove their enchantments swiftly. The pain the girl had kept at bay for so long was unleashed. They said time heals all wounds, but this girl’s wounds have never healed. The pain was still as fresh as it was years ago when Hind and her lover parted ways. They had no choice. 10

 The waves grew higher and higher beating at her bare legs and soaking her nightgown. She wept, her tears mingling with the salty spray of the sea and the rain that was starting to fall. She sobbed in helpless grief and gasped a name over and over like a charm. 11

 She saw herself years ago when her parents refused her lovers suit. She had locked herself in her room for days weeping and chanting that same name over and over. Her parents didn’t relent, not even when she swore she would have no man but him. She had many suitors, all of whom she refused. They may have been up to her parents standards, but Hind’s standards were entirely different. A heart who has loved once can never love again. 12

The Siren’s were well into the game. The night’s mischief had them in high spirits. When the girl was within their reach, they grabbed her pulling her down to the sea’s murky depth. Another force intervened and the girl came into her senses. Instinct took over. The instinct to survive and she swam to the surface. She fought with the waves that seemed to want her dead. She struggled helplessly to stay afloat as the waves battered her tired body. 13

Hours passed and still no sign of rescue. Hind was tired. She could no longer keep her eyes open. She meant to rest them for only a minute and then everything went black… 14

                                                                                                ***************15

  16

   Hind woke up to the sunlight streaming on her face. She rubbed her weary eyes in amazement. She was back in her room! Had it all been just a dream? She wet her lips as she gazed around the room in amazement. She licked her lips again. They were salty like after she had been swimming in the sea. Could it be? 17

  The dream had been so vivid. She could still feel the Siren’s claws pushing her down between the rampant waves. Most of all she remembered her frantic will to live, and the way she fought the waves to stay alive. 18

 “Live” someone had whispered “Your life is just beginning”19

  She could still hear the whisper echoing in her ears, and the slap of the waves as they beat down at her, almost crushing her. She felt the pain all over her body. God! It can’t have been real, or could it?20

 Hind was confused. She got dressed still pondering this question. 21

“ Hind” her mother called “There’s a suitor here”22

“oh mother I told you no more” started Hind but stopped in mid-sentence when she saw the suitor. She stood rooted to the spot gazing at him in wonder... Their eyes met and spoke again for the first time in years. 23

                                                                                         ***24

Years later, Hind and her husband have grown up and were blessed with many children. Hind still doesn’t know what happened that fateful night, but she thanks Allah for her many blessings. 25

                                                                                    The end26