Yellow flowers
The quiet of the early morning...
The wet road after the night shower…
Sun too bright for 6 AM...
Akash is noticing each detail on his run today. His morning run gives him the calm he needs to move through his chaotic days. The music is playing from his headphones as usual. But what is most reassuring, is the constant thud of his feet.
All of a sudden, his feet slow down and his eyes pause on a particular sight. A grey car covered with yellow flowers that must have fallen off from the tree during last night’s rain, creating an amazing contrast. Even though he moved past the car, the image doesn’t leave his mind.
He is sitting inside that car and looking at the sky through those beautiful flowers. And the seat next to him doesn’t remain empty for long. The door opens and Naina climbs in. Her eyes are bright as ever and her lips curled up in a smile. And for a moment, Akash is torn between the 2 images, one of Naina’s beautiful face and the other of beauty outside. But then he realises how one complements and completes the other. How one is the birthing ground for the other. How the yellow flowers perfectly complement Naina’s presence in this car.
No words are exchanged. They look into each other’s eyes for what felt like a very long time. With a tilt of his head, Akash takes Naina’s attention towards the sky. Naina turns to look in the front and her smile widens in recognition. She takes Akash’s hand into hers. Akash also turns to look outside and lets himself soak in the beauty of this moment.
The splashing of water from a puddle reminds Akash that he is still running. He suddenly becomes aware of the trees and the lane as if he has just landed here from another dimension.
He is amazed at how a sight so unrelated brought Naina back. He hadn’t thought about her in years. He realises how much he wished to share that moment of beauty with her. How much he wanted to see her reaction.
He continues to run but with a smile on his face. His surprise turns into disbelief but still, the smile doesn’t leave his face.
He looks up and makes a wish.
If not this, I hope Naina gets to experience today something as surreal as those yellow flowers on the grey car…
