Beyond Love and Faith…

It was a day like any other.

I was flipping through my book, the coffee cup by my side. The almond tree I was sitting under was in full bloom. The gentle aroma wafted down and trickled through my senses. The first crack of dusk touched the evening sky. As I looked up, I could see the sun leisurely preparing to call it a day. As a last act of farewell it raised the paintbrush and carelessly splattered the clear blue sky with orange strokes.

I could hear the carefree laughter of the children from across the park. They must be flying high on the swing sets or rolling over one another down the slide. In a few minutes their mothers will be calling out for them and they will unwillingly leave their friends and walk back home, promising to be back the next day.

As the sky turned from pale to dark orange, the park started to clear off. Soon the street lights will be on. I closed my book, as the light was too low to read. But instead of making my way home I decided to wait for some more time, till the wayward birds had made it to their home.

The park was almost deserted now, except a group of old men, who had no one in particular to go back to, and few couples who wanted to make the most of the time they had together. I closed my eyes, trying to hear the chirping of the birds, as some of them recounted how their day went while others called for their mates. The soothing sound of the home-bound birds mixed with the heady aroma of the fresh bloomed evening primrose flowers lifted my spirits. Just as a happy smile was about to spread over my lips, I was startled by a rustling noise. As I opened my eyes, I saw a young girl at the far end of the bench I was sitting on.

She was around 12 years, tall, slim with a round face. Her long black hair was left loose along her back. I could see the side of her face, as she sat staring at her hands on her lap.

‘Hi’, I said.

She looked at me, and I was taken aback by those pair of eyes. Never before had I seen soo much agony in someone’s eyes. Looking at her big, almond shaped eyes, could make one cry. Her face had a rough edge to it, but it was her eyes that softened her appearance. When she didn't reply to my greeting, I asked if she was lost. She nodded, saying she wasn't.

By now darkness had started creeping in through the thick foliage and the sun had almost crawled inside the comfort of his black snug blanket.

I looked around to see if I could see the girl’s parents, but no one seemed to be with her. Once again I turned around and tried starting a conversation. ‘So, what is your name?’ I asked.

‘I’m Pain’.

Her low but sharp voice cut across the still air and struck against my ears. I straightened myself and looked at her closely. How can this be her name?

‘Who are you?’ I mumbled.

This time she looked straight into my eyes and replied, ‘It’s ok for you not to recognize me, as we had never met before. We might have fleetingly crossed each other at the hallway, but we never had a direct encounter.’

I suddenly realized that the sounds, colours and aromas that so long were with me, could be felt no more. The air was still and the sky was silent.

‘I don’t remember seeing you’, I could feel my voice rise, as I tried hard to control it.

‘You don’t? You surely remember meeting my sisters Love and Faith?’, a smile as sad as her eyes appeared across her thin, dry lips.

‘Why have you come?’ I tried hard to hold back the lump in my throat.

She sighed, ‘I had to. It was time. Without meeting me you could never experience life at its full glory. So long it was an incomplete journey for you. I have made you complete.’ She paused for a while, and then continued. ‘Remember, it is as much important to celebrate pain, as it is to revel in love and hope and happiness.’

My head swirled, and the stillness around me made me feel uneasy. ‘I think I should leave now’, I said.

On hearing me, the little girl sprung up on her feet and walked towards me.

She threw her cold and bony arms around my neck and hugged me, ‘It was nice meeting you,’ she whispered into my ear. Her hoarse voice almost deafened me.

While she hugged me I felt my body go numb and cold. I could feel the blood rushing through my veins freeze and my body writhed in a strange kind of pain. It was like someone had reached inside me and wrenched out my heart with cold bony fingers. I wanted to shout, but couldn't find my voice.

After what felt like an eternity, the little girl slowly stepped back, turned around and walked away.

I sat there, looking at her walk away.

Till now, I thought death was most painful….but I was wrong.

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*In 2012, I had written a blog post named, ‘Faith…Love…Respect’. This post is an extension of the thought, with a different take.