Sandip

Part 1

Sandip moved from crop to crop, pulling them out of the ground and putting them into the woven basket he carried. The river nearby had been unusually consistent throughout the spring, and now he was reaping the harvest.

Pausing to rest, he wiped the sweat from his brow as the summer heat grew worse. It was impossible to stay cool in this weather. The only thing to do was to finish pulling the crops from this field and get back inside. He looked up at what was left. Only two more rows, maybe another hour before he finished.

After another minute or two, he stood back up and stretched his aching back. As he looked skyward, he gasped and dropped the basket.

"Priya! Priya!" He yelled for his wife, who came rushing out of the house, looking at him worriedly. Before she could say a word, he pointed skyward.

He saw her look up and her hand went to cover her mouth. He hadn't thought he was hallucinating, but now he could be sure. He rushed over to her as he kept an eye on that thing, whatever it was. "Let's get back inside, hide in the cellar." he said. Priya nodded, her eyes still fixed to the sky, but she went back inside followed by her husband.

Sandip opened the door to the cellar and lit a torch in the fireplace before making his way down, with Priya following soon after, shutting the door behind them. Together, they sat there, listening for any sound from that thing.

Their breaths were quick, but as quiet as they could make them. Above was only silence for a time, followed by the sound of a gust of wind that seemed to last forever before subsiding into silence again. Suddenly, the gust rose up again, but louder this time. Sandip and Priya exchanged frightened looks, until there was a sudden bang! that shook their house and made their ears ring.

There was no sound after that, and they stayed in the cellar for another hour before daring to leave.

Part 2

Eventually, Sandip stood up, torch still in hand, as he made his way out of the cellar.

He opened the door and was blinded by the bright light of the sun as he looked up. The roof of their house was gone, smashed into pieces that now lay scattered on the floor. Several items were strewn about, thrown from where they lay by whatever that thing in the sky was. Priya followed him out, mouth agape as she gazed around the house.

Sandip opened the door and looked outside. The field was mostly as he had left it, with the exception of a small crater near to the house. He and Priya exchanged wordless, confused looks, unsure of what to say or do.

Eventually, his wife broke the silence. "What was that?"

Such a simple question, but not one he could answer. "I don't know."

Priya nodded and began clearing debris from off of the floor and putting many items back where they belonged. It was the dry season, so they could go without a roof for a time, but Sandip suddenly felt a question ring through his head. What if it came back?

What had it wanted for that matter? Did it want anything? It looked as if it just came, destroyed their roof and some crops, and left. Sandip took stock of how many crops were lost, fortunately not many, before returning inside to help his wife clear the mess.

After a time, everything was back where it belonged except for one thing.

"Where is the water basin?" Priya asked. Sandip looked around the room. Most items had simply fallen to the floor and were easily found, but that was the one item they couldn't find. "Did that thing take it? Why?"

He thought to himself. It made no sense. It had been a simple clay basin with a design around the outside. There were many items more valuable if that was what that thing wanted, and yet it was the only thing missing. "I don't know."