Kunkumapoove: The Saffron Flower, Part 1
Through the dense, gloomy forest she walked, crushing the dried leaves and twigs under her shoes. The darkness pressed in close against her yet her steps were steady and her eyes looked ahead. There was only a bit of light visible at a distance. She struggled to look through the slit of cloth, which covered her whole head but the eyes. They kept widening as the light was too dim. Her pace was steady yet quick. Beads of perspiration appeared on her neck, the cloth suffocated her; she wanted to get out of the forest as early as she could. She lowered the cloth a little, letting in a breath of fresh air. Then, she lightly touched her nose and cheek; a painful tingling ran all over her face. The cut wouldn't be that deep, she thought. The blood will get smeared all over. She felt the blood on her fingers; its sight would fill her heart with fear but now she only found it tangible—warm, water-like. My blood, and her—no. Not hers. She shook her thoughts away and continued to walk....