Late that night, as Zara followed the west wind through the long and unending forest, thorns biting into her skin, she stopped for a moment, tugging the west wind by her hand, and looked back in the direction of the banyan and the pond.
It was pitch dark.
‘Is it wrong, Windy, to fall in love?’ Zara asked, images of her desperate dash to save the elephant flashing through her mind.
‘Keep looking, Zaru,’ the west wind said in a calm, collected manner. ‘Love others as you would love yourself. But delink your emotions from physical attachment.’
‘The elephant, Windy,’ said Zara, tears rolling down her cheeks. ‘I miss Elly very much, just as I would miss you if you were to leave me now.’
‘Zaru, know this well,’ the west wind said. ‘The basis of all existence is love. Do not judge, just love. And do not live in doubt.’
‘I do not live in doubt. It’s just that Elly and I grew up together.’
‘What’s the use of past, Zaru? The past is dead. As for what will happen tomorrow, if I were gone? Well, nobody really has seen the future . . .’
‘Live in the present, Zaru. Live now!’ the west wind said.
‘I know . . . I know,’ said Zara.
‘Be calm, Zara. Be patient. Do not hurry!’ the west wind said, kissing Zara, moistening her face.
‘It is essential that you do not break anybody’s heart with your words. Do not give. Just love, Zaru!’
And all was quiet again.