Saturday, June 16, 2012

When it rained...


How blissful is solitude depends on the circadian rhythm of the universe. Whether it rained today, whether the dark night was star-studded, if there was mist in the air when you walked out this morning – all of it matters. The black coffee as usual lived up to its Coffee Day norms. I was a seasoned customer now (literally) – been used to the curious stares of young couples wondering why I sat all alone flipping the pages of a book in a prime dating location. And the subtle cold stares of the staff pondering when I’d clear the table.

“Everyone has a Tibet of the mind, a notion of a pure, distant land, a place of personal escape, the heart of lightness. For some, it may be glimpsed through music, or fasting, or drugs, or prayer, or excessive exercise, or perfect love….” read the book. The timing of the book in my life was perfect. I had just embraced Buddhism – a late manifestation of my true self. My unremitting practice of detachment for several years now was well documented in bits and pieces. A great many mortals would have been on the receiving end of this drill.

Your choices in life make what you are. Whether you while away your time staring deep into someone’s eyes while it rains…or you keep to yourself reading non-fiction; contriving an imaginary world around you is your choice. Either of the choices are strictly a work of fiction mind you. My fiction was jolted by the coffee bill suddenly placed on my table - a polite way of the staff asking me to fish off.

The rattling noise of the second-hand car engine was customary. As I took a U-turn through the fresh puddles of rain-water, I could see little kids with those intoxicated smile on their bright faces. My car with an Andhra registration wasn’t supposed to be driven in Bangalore without paying a hefty road tax. Returning home was a sane “choice”. The kids waved at me with exuberant expressions. Divided by borders, united by Hope…aren’t we.

1 comment:

Mitranee said...

This could straight go into the autobiography. It tells the reader much more than your bio. Much deeper into who you are.:)

what I like is also the quick succession in which you seamlessly alternate between deep thought and humorous reality.