One Night . . .

The limitless darkness around, made me nervous.  As the last shimmer of light has been put out, I suddenly felt conscious. I could feel my pulse racing as the heart started pumping more than usual. I felt a hand on me and I twitched.

Breathing was getting difficult. I was not expecting it. I felt the soft skin on my chest. I could feel the warmth of her body as she came closer. The faint perfume was still lingering on her. It was the first time we were so close. In a moment, I felt the weight of her body against me. I put my hand around and enveloped her in my arms. The darkness around suddenly felt cozy and warm. As we got closer to each other, I just hoped for a never ending night. 

I Wish . . .

It sneaked in through the shades.  As I felt the warmth of its touch, I woke up and slide the shades. Morning was beautiful as the early rays bounced of the mist that settled down over night. The tiny droplets of water on the edges bore the images of the surroundings. I arched back to pull my dropping boxers, when I saw her lying in the bed wrapped under the sheets. Her back was smooth and radiated in the early morning light. I put the shades back properly trying to protect her from the hands of belligerent rays trying to touch her bare skin.

I longed to get back to her and cuddle into her. The thought itself was so strong that I had to force myself into the kitchen. I took many precautions to make sure that the noise from the kitchen did not disturb her sleep. I quickly filled up the table with multiple options of breakfast and went back to her. As I slipped my hand around her smooth skin, I could feel her hand pulling me closer and holding me tight. I loved the expression on her face. I so wished that I could remain like that forever, leaving everything.

I had to do it. I slowly moved up so that I could get a clear view of her face. I swooped down to her ear and slowly whispered. She acknowledged it as she planted a kiss. I kissed her back on the forehead and moved her to smell the hot breakfast waiting to be devoured. She pulled up the sheets to cover herself as she rested her back on the bed.  She smilingly outstretched her arms for a warm hug.

As I leaned forward for it, I hit the seat ahead and woke up. It was a dream? I felt bad and happy at the same time. I was feeling lighter. I adjusted myself and closed my eyes hoping to continue the pleasant experience. Suddenly the whole plane shook as if it was caught in turbulence. I woke up to find my friend standing by my side holding my drink and giving me a weird stare. I looked at him in disbelief and closed my eyes wishing that it was a dream.

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.

Why is it?!

Why is it that a man’s feelings for a woman never tone down even after years of separation both physically and emotionally? Is it love, emotional dependency, sex or the sheer inability to embrace reality?

Once a man believes that he is in love with a woman, he conveniently ignores the remaining priorities in life like family, friends, career etc. This belief keeps him going strong without the support of the natural phenomenon of life and eventually he forgets that he is what he is because the natural phenomenon functioned naturally till such time that he started to believe otherwise. Since life is moving on more than smoothly, he forgets the importance of what supported him all his life.

The day he realizes that his belief does not hold ground for whatever reasons, it becomes eternally difficult to accept life normally again since he consciously eradicated normalcy from his life. This is where the problem arises; ambiguity in accepting one’s own life.

Living your life in parts is a solution, i.e. separating your work life from personal life. But come on, who are we kidding, how can other parts of your life be normal if the most vital part is shattered?

Taking to drinking and other vices is another solution. Trust me, I have tried and it does not help in moving on, except, you can talk or write philosophy like am currently doing or get drunk and pass out, then wake up to reality only this time with a hangover.

Then what is the solution? Maybe, it is to keep searching for a solution till you gather the balls to start believing otherwise again……..

The above piece has been written by one of my friends whose identity may be revealed after he/she wishes to. Till then let’s call - Anonymous

Let's Dance . . .

As the doors closed behind her, she entered a small room ornamented vastly with the antiques. The lights were out and the room was lit by the dim light emanated from numerous candles across the room. Granite walls and the high ceiling have created some dampness in the air. The dry wood in hearth burned red and provided warmth. There was a table set for a romantic candle light dinner for two. She suddenly felt uncomfortable and alone.

Beethoven shattered the silence. She looked around to see him walking out of the room dressed in a black jacket and bunch of red roses in his hand. His face radiated with some aura of calmness around on him. He was beaming with joy. He noticed her as he entered the room. She was draped in a deep red strapless gown, which augmented the curves. The thin chain accentuated her neckline. She was looking ravishing as she glowed in the candle light. She smiled at him acknowledging the compliment from him.

She placed the roses on the table, near the deck. Music filled in the silence between them. He smiled and stretched his hand forward inviting the lady for a dance. He had planned the evening countless number of times in the last couple of days. He went over the scene, taking care of every minute detail. There was a brief pause as she looked into his eyes for few more seconds. She could feel the eagerness in his eyes. She then stepped forward and placed her hand in his outstretched palm.

He came closer had clasped his hand around her waist. Her fragrance filled his lungs as he took a deep breath. He loved the perfume. She matched his steps and soon they were in a flow. He guided her through the steps which he had learnt recently. They were gliding through the music as smoothly as a brush in an artist’s hand. All the happy memories flooded his mind. He was proud and happy as everything was going as per the plot.

 

Everything looked in sync. The tunes were getting better, and every cell in their bodies was swaying by it. The dance was like the elixir, as the surroundings seemed to spring to life. There was romance in the air. He loved her company and the chemistry was clearly visible. The steps got slower and they got closer. He could feel her.

Just as they started to lose themselves, she whispered something in his ear. He took couple of steps behind and stared into her eyes in disbelief.  The words reverberated in his ears and could not hear her anymore. Tears rolled down effortlessly and his hands came off her. She was still speaking but he did not care anymore. She seemed to finish talking as she turned her back to him and soon disappeared. He always felt that he was just a blink away, but little did he know that how wrong he was. He wanted to make that day, the most memorable on in their lives. Instead it would be etched in his life as a day he would love to forget.

The grand finale was the cue on which the dance would breathe life into a fresh one. The plot was played to its perfection with an exception to the twist in the tale. He took out the tiny box from his pocket and hurled it away. It opened up, on landing; the content of which would have bound them together. As he looked at it, he felt lost and lonely and his vision started to blur again.

The Last Dance . . .