The Prison

Prisons have almost always been successful in creating a fear within us- be it the school going child, the courageous soldier or the veteran doctor. Prisons necessarily imply the deadly absence of freedom. Such was not the case with Trina. The prison was a lively place where she enjoyed her freedom in her way.

She loved being within the prison cell, locked up. It was surely dark and cut off from the rest of the world. Yet she enjoyed a solace to be secured from the evils of the outside sphere. The cell in fact made her feel warm and protected. She felt at home. She had a regular supply of meals - though mostly tasteless and bland, but it kept her satisfied.

This cell is different. Mornings were musical. A soft light spies in as music starts filling the room. It no more feels as dark. She smells happiness all around. Someone outside this prison plays some heart-melting music early every morning, letting the rays of the tune seep in.

With daybreak, as she tries to digest her breakfast, her body craves for a swim. She is allowed this luxury. A simple way to keep fit. She pours her heart out to the faint beam of light that brightens her day as she swims to her heart's glory till it gets dark again. Bedtime it is. She feels warm, healthy, happy and content as she sleeps in peace. It is the most secure place of her's.

The only punishment here is not being allowed to venture out. She cared a damn.

Little did she know how the meanings of words change outside this cell. Prisons would no more connote the same homely dark place which protects. It would mean to scare her as the elders assign 'their' meanings of the word to teach her the same.

She knew she would have to leave this cosy cell once she was nine months.