That Unfinished Conversation

On a hot sultry afternoon, I sat ensconced in a corner in my room. I must have been 12 at that time. 

Strange thoughts occupied my mind. I decided to pen down my thoughts when I saw the bright blue curtains in my room moving to and fro vigorously.

My heart skipped a beat, and I meekly asked, “Who is there?”

A fainter voice replied, “Please don’t be scared; I mean no harm.”

I gulped the lump in my throat and tried to calm myself. This strange entity was making me anxious, curious, and even dead scared. 

There was no one home, and I had to somehow deal with a new menace. 

Despite this sudden surge of emotions, there was an unusual similarity with this being; I was drawn to her like a magnet. 

Was I hallucinating? Or was it an overdose of sci-fi and psychological thriller novels? 

I mustered courage and tried to touch her.

She held it firmly, and jitters went through my spine. 

It felt like someone had awakened a dead being in me. 

My only thought at that moment was to run away, but my legs refused to support me. 

She finally decided to open her mouth and said, “If you get scared of me today, how will you face the demons in your life later. Do you know what lies in store?”

Post this; my anxiety turned into irritation as I was just not in the mood for another lecture. I had heard enough since the age of 5 that I must act more mature. 

I retaliated out of spite and scoffed, “Cut the crap and get lost. You are merely a figment of my imagination. I know what to do. So, you better get lost and learn to mind your own business.”

Of course, the naïve me could not measure the heaviness and affection in her voice. Numbing pain had become a leisure activity, and out of habit, I showed her the wound on my hand.

I casually said, “See, come and talk to me when you can be brave enough to get your hand burnt and then get beaten for the same. 

With trembling hands and fiery eyes, she looked at me. What she said after that was shocking; she said, “Darling, you have no idea where you are headed, I know your heart is made of a very strong muscle, but there is a huge tussle. But, you will make your soul proud in the years to come, and no one will stop you. 

I resisted my urge to clap at her marvelous wordplay, but I guess I had my first nervous breakdown then. 

A mighty force urged me to stand up and hug her for giving me this pep talk. 

I am glad I acted on it else it would have been a regret for life, I held her firmly.

That 15-second embrace was beyond words, and I still remember her smile vividly.

Before, I could look at her again, she vanished in thin air, and my eyes continued looking at the window. There was so much to be said and shared and I was again lost.

Years went by and I somehow made peace with this incident.

By hint of fate, that version of me no longer gets to hug that pure and pious soul now, as this warrior spirit chose the explorer path.

Yes, my curtains still ramble, but they are at peace now. 

Possibly her soul found solace in me and decided to protect, care for, and nourish me. 

Cheers to the embrace that found a safe space in the caverns of my soul and heart. 

For that love, care, and touch will always be sacred till the last of my breath. 

I am sure she will find me whenever I am at unrest, but till that time, let me grow some more, love a lot more, and be brave enough to watch her again, but in a much wiser and calmer state. 

#love #storytelling #socialmedia