Born Everyday

Amy saw herself falling through a dark, never-ending abyss. She cried and shouted. But there was nobody to catch her. Nobody to stop her from falling. As if the world around her had suddenly evaporated.

She woke up with a start. Her heart was still pounding from the shock of the fall. Slowly the senses started coming back to her. She was still in bed. The cold sweat on her forehead and neck had soaked in through the pillow.

Slowly, Amy got out of the bed and tiptoed to the window. Not that there was anybody in the room who would be disturbed. But a dark room always gave her the feeling that it should be tiptoed across.

She drew the curtains aside and threw open the window. The cold night hit her on her face. It was still dark, but the darkness was fainter. Amy knew in an instant that it would be dawn soon. She went to the toilet, washed her faced, came back to the window and sat in a chair, waiting for the dawn.

Technically, it was already the next day, although the sun hadn't arrived till then. It was Amy's birthday.

And there she was, all alone in a foreign land, miles away from her friends and family. In a different time-zone altogether.

She felt depressed and lonely. She thought of calling her home. Then rejected the idea. They would be worried at this untimely call. She knew her loneliness would travel across the distance and her family would be sad for her. She didn't want to be an inconvenience. All she wanted them was to be happy.

Her mind drifted to the happy times she had spent with her parents and siblings, to the beautiful terrace garden at her home, which she had nurtured with her own hands, to the crazy shopping sprees with her friends at her workplace, to the numerous home parties they had thrown at each others' places. She sat smiling to herself, her longing heart growing more restless.


As she sat looking out of the window, a faint orange streak appeared on the near horizon. Slowly the orange melted into a soft golden yellow, which in turn melted into a softer blue. The lush green carpets in front of her window glowed in that tender morning light. The green of the grass glistened with morning dew like new. The feminine blue of the Hydrangea posed with the naughty purple of the Iris for a perfect picture. The Carnations flaunted their red boldly. The Gladioli were a happy riot of red, yellow, orange and white.

Amy could hear the world waking up from its deep slumber. 

The cold night air which had now turned into a cool morning breeze caressed her face. She felt as if the whole world had gathered in front of the window sill to wish her on her birthday. The early birds chirping in the not-so-far-away trees, the bright colours and the wonderful aroma of the flowers scattered all over her garden, the comforting caress of the wind, the soft morning light slowly entering her room, touching her, embracing her, awakening her every sense - they all seemed to bring with them loving messages from across the world, the blessings of many caring hands, the best wishes of many loving hearts - all remembering and missing her just the same.


Amy felt at peace. She felt only love within her. 
It was a lovely start to a brand new day that lay ahead with many surprises and great hope.

Feeling homesick

I have been a little ill since last evening. Guess it is just the ill-effects of the monsoon setting in. So I decided to spend this day in my rooms on a continuous dose of Rhus Tox, homemade food, books and movies.

It is five in the afternoon now. Feeling somewhat refreshed after my afternoon nap, all I need is a cup of tea.

I drew the curtains aside and let the soft afternoon light flood my room.

It has been a more or less clear sky today. I sat on my bed and peeped through my window.

People are already on the street. The young kids of my colony are hard at football. Pity they don't have the luxury of an open playground like we, small town  dwellers, have in our childhood. I sat watching them play. Mostly with caution, sometimes reckless - hitting the nearby garages and gates with the football, sometimes dodging the vehicles passing by, but still enjoying in their small periphery.

The big green leaves of the tree at my window waving in the breeze. The birds chirping. Returning to their homes after a long day's work.

Suddenly I missed my home and my family very much (which I usually do many times in a day).

If I was at home now, I would be having tea with my Dad telling stories from his childhood and youth, my Maa sitting nearby on a stool. Maybe some delicacy would be in making in the kitchen, waiting to be served in the supper.

Sometimes, you wish if you could hold on to these moments forever.

I remember when I was a kid, I just couldn't wait to grow up and charge into the world to make it big. And now, how I wish I was a little girl again and always have my Dad hold my hand and lead me on, my Maa tucking me in bed when I am ill and my Bro saving toffees from his school so that he can bring them home to me.

Growing up and being on your own isn't that good after all. Maybe it is the sickness forcing the weary mind into depression.

Only if I didn't have to make that cup of tea all by myself, I know the world would become a little more cheerful!

Seething

I feel the anger pervading my senses.

Anger at being forced into known peril daily for the sake of a job, at our own acceptance of the situation, at the utter helplessness of all who are involved.

Why does it have to be this way? Why should thousands suffer because of the bad decisions made by some rich, powerful and pathetic decision-makers?

Why should we not be provided the basic infrastructure by the Government inspite of being a major contributor to the State treasury?


I simply don't understand why any kind of management body responds only to revolt and anger.

You ask people to do something politely following the decorum, they won't listen. They'll take you for granted and pester you till you rebound and hit back.

And then they'll come to their senses.

Or will they? Ever?