A Roar and Calm

 

    Out there I saw a child in the sea shore gazing at different things displayed in the beach side shops. The excitement in her eyes says how much she is attracted by them all. Behind her is a man who stands tall and strong looking at all her activities. Somehow I could sense a hesitation within her which is stopping from expressing her likings. For some reason this little girl does not express anything and passes by all shops thinking she is brilliant enough to hide her likings and none is aware of anything specially, the man behind her. But this man reads it all. He is smart enough to read her thoughts by just looking at her. I am just wondering on who this man could be? This girl is not scared of him but her action says that she does not want to ask him anything as well. In spite of her not expressing her wants, he understands it all and buys many things to surprise her and allows her to have fun in the beach sand cautiously looking at her so that she does not cross her limit of safety. How this man found out the likes of her heart and desires of her thought? Even when she is not asking for asking anything, why would he do all these? Who is he? How surprised and excited she is now?!. I could hear him talking to her, ‘Why are you so hesitant in expressing your thoughts and wants? Whatever you want just say it, I will do anything to make your wish fulfilled. All I want is my kids to be happy’. Yes, it’s her dad. Of course! Who else can say such a statement strongly deep from the heart?! She is so happy with these words. Not just happy but there rose a sense of confidence and pride with the thought that ‘I am capable of acquiring anything in the world because my dad is with me’. Her joy knew no bounds and her confidence knew no limits. With all the positivity down in her, she started walking and enjoying the breeze of the sea, looking at the crowd passing by, smiling at the kids playing around, enjoying the smell of food from nearby stalls, mesmerized by waves rocking the shore, little worried about the boats dancing in waves, scared about the people arguing among them and what not. She is lost in the beauty around her. Her little heart is free from all fears and anxieties because she does know that a man is standing behind/beside her as a protective cover and the thought of him being around itself seems to give her lot of boldness and confidence.

Suddenly I could see some change in her emotions. Her excitement slowly turned into anxiety. Her eyes pierced through the crowd keenly looking for something. Her face turned pale in fear , legs trembling to walk and hands shivering to hold the gifts. What is she up to now? Why is she worried so much? If she is terror struck why can't she get the help of her dad? Why is she reacting like this? Oh wait! Her dad?! Where is he? I don't see him anywhere around. yes! Again he is missing!!!. Even I got chilled to bone for a moment. But, ‘Again a shopping and a surprise for her may be’ I thought smiling within me. Minutes and hours went by, day and night passed by, she kept waiting but this time he didn’t return back. Now-a-days nothing around seem to attract her anymore. All she is looking for is her dad to return back and surprise her. The same beauty which was around her doesn’t seem to be beautiful to her anymore. Who knows? May be it all looks scary. She started walking slowly and steadily. she is walking away ignoring everything and everyone and there she stands now on a rock far away from all noise and crowd.  The little butterfly which was flying high beautifully has started building a cocoon around itself. What a reversal?! May be she is trying to build a protective cover till his return! Just the breeze and sea is what that seems to soothe her. She keeps standing still thinking her dad will be back soon with a surprise. I could see her murmur something and my anxiety dragged me towards her to listen her words. ‘ It’s your responsibility to make your own desires come true. You are on your own and none will be bothered to make your desires a reality’.  What a huge difference with what her dad said and what she is saying now? My heart itself skipped a beat. How is she able to withstand the two extreme situations of life? Eager to know her reaction I looked at her. She didn’t cry, she didn’t scream, she didn’t even react anything but there she is, standing still on the rock, like a rock, looking at the roar of the sea with a determination in thoughts, calmness in face and stubborness in heart!!!

                                                                                                          - Jes