The cold night air pinched my bare skin. I drew the blanket
closely over my head and stared up.
The stars twinkled and beckoned me. I looked up, mesmerized
by the calm hypnotic power they have over me. Since I was a kid, I always loved
lying on the roof and staring at the night sky….talking to the stars. A luxury,
kids’ of this generation will never enjoy!
I fondly remember those days when during power cuts, the
whole family gathered at the terrace. My mom used to sing her favourite
Rabindra sangeet while I lay engrossed on the jute mattress talking to the
stars.
Tonight while staring at the stars, I tried hard to remember
the conversations I used to have with them as a kid. But nothing came to my
mind. Years of growing up has stifled the innocent childhood memories. We are
so engrossed in thinking and planning about our future, that we don’t realize
when the ‘fond memories’ of the past carelessly slip out of our heart along the
road.
I sighed and kept staring at the stars. The warm glow from
the bonfire next to me, crept up and warmed my bones. The laughter and banter
of my friends sitting around slowly faded away.
And then I heard it…the slow giggling and murmur. I looked
up and saw hundreds of stars twinkling, talking, giggling, nudging and calling
me. I stepped forward…
“Where were you guys? I was looking for you so long”, I asked
“We’re always here,
around you”, replied one of them
“Then how come I do not get to see you guys.”
This time the bigger star with a kind face said, “You cannot see us, because you don’t want
to. But we see you all the time.”
“The Guiding star”,
he continued, “stays by your side
when you are at a crossroad in life and need someone to direct you. The Happy star
celebrates with you when you are joyous. The Naughty star slowly tiptoes in and
plants the mischievous idea in your mind when you are sleeping at night. The Pensive star
sits by your side when you’re brooding, softly smoothing the worries away
from your brow. And the warm feeling of comfort that you get when you’re sad…that’s
the Cuddle star,
who gathers you gently in its warm hug and comforts you when you need it the
most.”
Saying this, the kind-faced star walked towards me and said,
“Why do you look so baffled, my friend?”
“Why do you stars do so much for me?” I blurted out.
“Because you care for
us. We had seen how as a kid you used to come running to us teary-faced, when
your Mom scolded you…or happy and elated when you did well in class. And we
also never missed your silent prayers to us before an exam or a dance recital.”
The memories of my childhood came gushing back to me…and suddenly
I clearly remembered all those hours I spent talking to the stars. I even
remembered fragments of the conversations I had with them. My heart swelled up
and tears ran down my cheek.
The Kind star gently
put a hand around me and comforted me. It said, “You must meet Smiley star now,
because he never missed making you smile…and you surely need some smiles
around.”
And as I looked up, a cute little star popped up to me and
smiled. It was the most comforting and innocent smile that made my heart melt. How
long has it been since a smile has reached deep down inside my heart and lighted
up the dim nook and crevices. I seemed to have forgotten this child-like warmth.
While I was basking in the warmth deep down, the Kind star
took my hands and asked, “There is one thing I always wanted to ask you.”
“What is it?” I asked surprised.
“You have always
looked up to us and searched for something. I never could understand what you
were searching for so frantically. Can you tell me what you are looking for?”
The icy cold fingers crept back and gripped my heart…and I felt
the warmth fade away.
I looked down and replied, “I don’t know…I never did. I'm still looking for it..."
************
