HibernationLetters 23

Last night I saw a football game for the first time in my life. France vs Croatia. I watched the complete game including the final ceremonies. I felt so dumbstruck and totally amazed by the hotness that was there on the TV screen. Living in a city where football is every guy’s passion, I kept wondering why didn't I ever see this before? Such tall, handsome athletes running for nearly 100 km within 90 minutes of a game was surely a treat to my eyes. Cricket is only enthralling till T20 matches! The fifty overs or test series now seem outdated.

I learned some of the game terminologies but I need to watch more of it to understand better.

While we were watching, my memories went into flashbacks and reminded me of that one day from school times when due to some unavoidable circumstances I was a part of this game.

You see, this is about 8th standard, our class teacher was on leave and for a month all her lecture periods were converted to games by the class monitor, i.e. Me.

And because of this reason, from 8th to 12th standard my classmates would request the teachers to give that power to me only. I took care of everything! Even their mischievous deeds.

It was raining on that day and the only game that could be played during the rains was football so we landed in the field dividing all the girls & boys into two mixed teams.

I was given the position of a 'goalkeeper’ considering my huge figure and inability to run, I guess. I stumbled a lot. So I didn't mind staying at one end of the field if it was saving me from getting myself embarrassed.

I was specifically asked to just stop the ball in anyway possible and prevent a goal from happening.

Phew! I thought that'd be easy.

The game started. Everything under control. I watched everyone play being completely elated with my position.

But

Suddenly I saw a player running, very fast into my direction, bringing the ball towards our end of the goal post and then finally kicked it hard.

And I simply ducked!

Well it was a basic inner instinct for self defense but sadly I couldn't explain that to my friends.

After that I was always a part of the games just not within the field but outside, under the shade of trees counting the scores for both sides.

I find my happiness in the smallest available way so eventually contended with that role as well for I could stay clean and dirt free.

You can laugh now, I know you're dying to do so!

Yours only

Happy and sane!

Auldrin

HibernationLetters 20

I discovered a park today. Hardly hundred metres away from my flat. It's been almost a decade since we shifted here but after a few horrific events in the locality I never stepped a foot out alone. Yes right, not even to this nearby park. Until today I didn't even know it exists and I wasn't interested in knowing as well. Now it was important, to go out and breathe some fresh air. To exhale my worries and get into the arms of mother nature for some tranquilness. To hear the birds chirp and the animals, trying to decipher their stories. To inhale the smell of the damp soil, to walk barefoot on the green grass. To see the serenity surrounding me.

I saw some kids rushing towards one end of the park and decided to join the horde. They all were so carefree, the only fight in their lives being the one for the swing. Who will be up next for a chance?

They had no sorrows of the past and no worries of the future. They just lived in the present, every moment.

I chose to stay there for a while, keenly waiting for my chance of getting on the swing too.

When finally I sat on it, the swing roared upwards with a heavy heart and came back down with tears leaving from the corner of my eyes. That to and fro movement was a perfect blend of my present situation. Mixed with thoughts of the past to the concerns about the future. Ultimately sitting there I conquered those preoccupying thoughts. As if I no longer carried that extra baggage on my shoulders. I found the lost child in me, living the moment carefree.

I returned to home with a fresh smile as I'd brought the child along within me.

P.S. After months, I finally decided to think about myself and not you, until just now!

Breaking free through the eggshell…

Auldrin

One Journey Lived Twice!

Twice, they actually met

The first time, introduced

Having a circle of friends

Second when one's eyes

Captivated by the other's 

No more meetings demanded!

Twice, there was intoxication 

First, when he selected formals

Wore the tux with a red tie

Second, when she appeared

Wearing same color saree

The attire, he just dreamed about!

Twice, everything was perfect

First, when they moved on

And left their past behind 

Second, over the future

Present was chosen

It was all so beautifully right!

Twice, were they happiest

First, in the ceremony

Which bound them together

Second, when they shared it

By bringing into the world

Two adorable new lives!

Twice, they were rebellious

First, when they had convinced

Two familes to accept them

Second, when they fought

To fulfill all the wishes, dreams

Their children ever saw!

Twice, felt their true love  

First, time he lively sang

As she danced to his tunes

And the last time,

Alongwith pain & despair

When one had to pull the plug off!

~VK©