Terminal.

Once upon a time there was a fine young man, Ali. In his school, he met a young kid, Ameen from the primary section. This young kid was really smart. Despite being so young, Ameen helped Ali get good grades. His smartness always helped Ali through thick and thin. So much so that nobody ever noticed any of Ali's shortcomings because of his at par excellence at everything. All because of young Ameen's brilliance.

Ali had grown extremely fond of and attached to Ameen.

One day, Ameen was diagnosed with a terminal disease. Ali knew nothing could save him and that eventually one day, his young friend has to depart. It was astounding, shocking, frustrating but more so depressing. A feeling of utter despair fell over Ali. But his maturity kept him intact and strong.

Ameen on the other hand was desperately seeking solutions. Ways to heal. One day he came to Ali and revealed how he, despite being a little kid, has always been in love with a caveman who lived in the caves up in the nearby mountains. He told Ali how he has never met the caveman but always has had a growing sensation to and see him. It was an unexplainable kind of emotion he exclaimed with a sober face.

Upon his insistence in meeting the caveman, Ali readily agreed. What was disturbing however was Ameens faith that the caveman would heal him. He wanted to meet him. No matter what.

Ali was afraid. Scared that little Ameens hope might break upon not finding the caveman. Nevertheless, he agreed to accompany him. Ameen excitedly gathered his best fruits, decorated a little basket to flatter his love and set off on the journey.

Upon reaching, as anticipated by Ali, the caveman did not open the door of what seemed like a small dingy hut. Knocked and knocked but no response. Ameen wasnt disappointed. He kept trying. Kept knocking. Each evening, with undying enthusiasm he'd go. Ali would fight, would try different techniques to distract his little friend's growing obsession. He would lie, trick, force, plead and even brutally slap Ameen to shun away his wish but to no avail.

Each evening, forced by his own love for Ameen he would carry him till the caveman's hut but no response. Dead silence.

To an extent that people started labelling Ali as crazy. As fanatic. It was embarrasing but Ali couldnt help but stay with Ameen and support him.

Ali wasnt delusional, he wasn't weak but he often had no option but to stay by the side of Ameen and take him to the caveman's hut. It was as if Ali was carrying something and knowingly running after a mirage.

After a few days, finally, Ameen passed away.

We all are Alis, humans. And we all have Ameens in us- call it a brain or call it a heart. And while all our ameens help us grow, they often too fall victim of terminal diseases - diseases of whose cure they despararely look for in mirages, in unexplainable experiences. They then force their alis to undertake the embarrassing journey inviting disappointments and surprises from the world around. And while the world labels all of us as crazy, we knowingly run pick up our ameens and take them to mirages of money, success and people in the hopes of a cure.