Messenger

Colours were morphing into hues of orange and yellow.

Leaves were crunchy beneath your feet. The slightest tread and you could hear the crackle of the withered leaves, the outlines turning in on themselves.

Trees were laid bare and what was once thriving, was giving way to the dead. In the hope of a new future. But to pay the price, dormancy would ensue for a time before spring blossomed once more.

The sky was exceptionally clear.

Sweaters and hoods could be seen around, though some cotton too.

It was the time when everyone was exhausted from the day's bustle. Friends were sitting chatting, talking about all that had happened during the day.

And so was she sitting, with a group of students. They were discussing the assignment to be submitted the next day but she felt cut-off, far away. She couldn't point out the source of her disharmony when she should be paying attention to the assignment.

Someone at the back suddenly shouted, 'Look, look, a butterfly!' and sure enough, a small yellow-and-black butterfly was fluttering among the tall grass. The sight was strange since Fall was the last time you could expect to see the creature around. After the excitement had died down and she had turned back toward watching the sky, she felt a slight rustle on her pyjama. The butterfly had flown in and lodged itself gently on her knee.

Looking at the little creature, she realised what was troubling her. What it was that was keeping her from concentrating on anything. And she knew, he was somewhere around. How, why, she didn't care.

The butterfly had conveyed its message, and after a shudder of the wings, it flew away into the hedge.

She looked up without intent.

And sure enough, there he was. Coming out of the building with a friend. Laughing, somewhat boisterous.

He didn't appear to realize it, but she had seen him, sure as the sun was out. It was only after he disappeared down the lane that she realized she'd been following him with her gaze all along. In that single minute, she wanted to jump, shout with happiness, cry out the wild cry of joy.

She was smiling insanely into thin air.

The girls out back were questioning her on the sudden spacing out. But she didn't care. She had found what she was looking for.

She had no doubt in her mind:  the butterfly had been a messenger from God.