I went to the beach in the evening, the other day
With my two year old son...
To watch the Bay closely.
And I was awestruck at its vastness -- with its menacing waves..
Threatening to engulf all that came in its way.
And, while I pondered thus, at the hypnotic Bay
My little one - pulling my finger away
Said, " Dad, I want to touch the waves "...
"So be it, Son", said I...
And holding his finger tight,
We plunged forward - to a point until...
The First wave kissed his little feet
And the Second one came...And the Third - and then, wave after wave...
"Daddy", my tiny one said, " shall we go further"...
In a tone, that would melt a rock...
And so I succumbed - and went further
The waves now washed his legs and touched his hips...
While they lashed at my knees...
One after the other.
I watched them with awe - as they slapped my legs
One after the other - eager to uproot me
And, in it I saw....
My childhood....
My school, My teachers, My friends, My neighbours
And I saw the Corporation men who would spray the roads clean
With Ganges...
The next wave...
And I saw my sister and my kid brother
Our little petty fights - yet, the pleasant togetherness
The next wave...
My college life, My professional studies
And the darkness of the power cuts...
That engulfed my Life - inevitably.
Every Silver Lining Has A Cloud - I thought
And I was lost into another world...
Mesmerised by the Bay Watch
Wave after wave - it seemed to me
Like a Power Point Slide Presentation
Presenting me my Past and Present...
Lashing me hard - as if to ask " What have ye done to yourself"...
But soothing me instantly with a gentle caress...
Giving coolness to my feet...
As if to say - "I'm here, cheer up"...
Then there was silence.
And I looked up for the next wave
To bring me my Future - I wish they did...
But there were none...
I could feel someone pulling at my fingers
My toddler looked up & said " DAD, it's dark - shall we go home"...
"So be it, son"
And we walked, homeward.
On an instinct, I turned back and cast a stare at the Bay.
It was calm and peaceful..
But I thought I might never return to it...!!
