Parenthesis

He heard the familiar music as the bell rang for the second time in less than a minute. The door opened and she jumped and hugged him.  He could feel her as she was lost in his arms completely.  She guided him inside and made him comfortable. Though he was not new to the place, but he felt something different about that day. He cast away the laptop, the constant weight of which had created a mark on his shoulder.  He was totally unaware of what would unfold in sometime.

Sandwich, grilled and stuffed, chips, and iced tea were placed in front of him. He was surprised that she had prepared all these in such short span of time. As he devoured on them, he could see the anticipation in her eyes waiting to hear the feedback. He closed his eyes, relishing the taste. The indication was not enough for her as she waited to hear the appreciation. He realized how famished he was, as he finished everything in front of him within no time. He looked into her eyes and thanked her for the food. She smiled contentedly and fell into his arms as he switched on her favorite show.

It blinked to life as he pushed the power button. He was lying in the bed and browsed through the channels impatiently. He munched onto the last few chips lying next to him and sipped last few drops of coke from the near empty can. He browsed through the mobile and threw it in a corner. He understood that things have taken a different road, the road he had to travel alone. He did not have any expectations as things were out of the hands. As he answered the bell he saw hand holding pizza and a bottle of coke. He looked up disinterestedly and shoved the bills into the hand.  He walked back to his bed as the door closed behind him.

If Only . . .

It was still dark when I had left for the place all alone. I parked my bike and was walking on the relatively deserted road. I could hear the distant roar of waves. It was difficult to distinguish between the sky and the sea at the horizon. It was becoming brighter by the moment. Sky switched its colorful clothes rather swiftly as the sun started to wake up from its deep slumber. It sprinkled bright colors as it emerged from the waters gloriously naked. It was shining in bright orange. As I stood there adoring, it suddenly seemed to have become aware of its nudity. It hastily raced to hide behind the dark translucent shutter, behind which only its radiance was exposed. The cloud waited as if to shield the chastity of its master. I felt as if I was caught red handed staring into the bare beauty.

The road seemed to end in the sea as it turned round the hill. The hills stood there majestically covered in green offering a picturesque for the lens. I stepped on to the sands away from the concrete and walked towards the water. The waves were gentle and did not cross an imaginary line drawn by me. There was unusual number of ships in a distance, lined up for clearance. The waves played an orchestra in the silence as they washed the sand in a rhythm. The discipline, with which they would rise up like a wall and fall over, curling back into themselves, astonished me.  They shimmered like diamonds in the sunlight.

I was lost in the beauty and serenity of the place and a sense of calm prevailed in my mind, when a weird thought struck my mind. I challenged the sea if they could cross the line (the imaginary line that I have drawn). It remained calm as if this was too trivial and ignored me. I smiled, but the celebrations did not last long as it took up the challenge. Numerous waves have charged at me with a sole intention of pinned me down. Within no time I was knee deep in the water. The foam from the waves tickled my skin teasingly as they slid back.

I felt happy and lighter even after ending up on the losing side. Some kind of joy brought a smile to my face as I have lost to Mother Nature. The city seemed to wake up with some small vendors trying to make business with the joggers & walkers. The shore was bustling with crowd. I sat there for some more time as the sun played hide & seek with the clouds. I was ecstatic for some unknown reason as my heart bubbled with joy. It was the moment, I wanted to share with someone close to me, someone who would share the similar feelings and someone would be by my side always. I looked around as if that person would materialize out of nowhere to share my happiness. The loudness of silence overpowered the roaring waves. I laughed at myself and shook off the sand from my bottoms and started to walk. As a small assurance from the nature, the waves swept a rose to my feet which I have eventually picked up as a souvenir and continued walking.

If only . . .

Pink Slip

It was hardly couple of minutes and he is already gasping for breath. He was shocked at the way he was panting. He could no longer perform at the desired levels. He looked at himself in the mirror. He was no more that lean boy who had clocked 10,000 meters under 60min. He looked older, unfit and out of shape. Last 8 months had taken a toll on him. He did not seem to feel the cold water splashing his face as the reminiscences from the past hit him hard.

He was always there, whenever situation required his presence. He was the one on whom she could count on at all times and he did that with utmost passion. He had shut the doors of his life and opened the gates for her world. He had cast aside everything just to be with her, which she acknowledged and reciprocated. Horizon looked green until one day, his services fell short of her expectations; at least it appeared to. She seemed to drift away. He was required for few things now and his performance levels were not adequate to quench the thirst of her expectations. 

 

He wondered if he was under performing or her expectations have scaled new peaks. While he continued to be available at the shortest notice, he was forced to face the thing he dreaded the most. His services were no longer required and he was no more at the helm. Was this entrenchment a planned one? He has no answer. He had been just handed a pink slip.