The War of the Isles

26. Dhara

Tangerine Tangerine, be mine, be with me,

You flirt with the sun for my eyes to see,

You talk to him when he's about to sleep,

Sweet Tangerine, you make me weep.

Tangerine Tangerine, I can taste thee,

The sweet fruit borne by your tree,

You make me wait for autumn to creep,

Darling Tangerine, you make me weep. 

Tangerine Tangerine, you amaze me,

You are everywhere in this nature to be seen,

In Fruits, in the Sun, in Nature, you seep,

Oh Tangible Tangerine, you make me weep. 

Tangerine Tangerine I have a confession in me,

I close my eyes to reflect and see the glory of thee,

My quest for God is far too deep,

Divine Tangerine, hope I find you in my Eternal sleep. 

"Dhara!"

I opened my eyes to find myself in a camp. Ursula and Sammy knelt beside me beaming.

"She's awake!" exclaimed Sammy.

I heard many footsteps and a number of soldiers came rushing into the tent.

"Our Hero!"

"You saved us, Dhara!"

"The Black Diamond of the Isles!"

"How did you do that?"

I looked around in confusion, unsure of how to react. The last thing I remember was my Mother's face. 

"Don't worry my little one. The battle has been won!"

That was strange. I had no memory of her saying things like this. My mother despised battles.

"You were Amazing Dhara!"

"Show us what you did again!"

"SILENCE! CLEAR OFF ALL OF YOU! SHE NEEDS REST. Somebody, please go and inform the healer that Major Von Fiedler has regained consciousness."

It was Ursula. Perhaps, she had seen the frustration on my face. I looked at her and smiled faintly, in gratitude. Ursula nodded and beamed.

"Welcome back to the land of the living!" she squealed.

"Was that a Bluebird's composition that you were muttering in your sleep?" asked Sammy. "We decided to wake you up, thinking that if you can sing in your sleep, you might as well do it awake."

I nodded. "Yes, it was composed by King Dev." 

My chest began to ache thinking of that song. It was one of my mother's favourites.

"I would not hear this song from anyone else other than you! I cannot wait for you to become a wonderful musician my darling!"

I heard a gentle squeak near my cot. I looked to my right to see Vibhava waddling about on the shelf.

"Vibhava! You're alive! Thank the Divine Mother! Come here, baby!"

I picked her up and kissed her on the bit of tuft on her head.