The Climb
The climb is never easy, isn’t it!
His arms were aching, his legs were ready to give up.
“How much more?”
“Few minutes more. Just keep following me. And don’t look down.”
“Yeah, I know.”
He knew. He had seen it in movies and read it in books, how fear paralysis one’s ability to make the right call. He didn’t peek down, he was sure he was already at a higher altitude than his flat (4th floor). He just wanted to stop and rest. He released his right arm and let it hang loosely, aware of the extra strain on the left arm. Before he could give his left arm the respite of hanging loosely, he felt his right leg slip, and impulsively reached out with his right arm to hold on to the rocky wall. For a while there he forgot about his aching muscles. He was just glad to be alive and holding on to something. His racing heart and adrenaline rush gave him the impetus he needed to resume his climb.
“Hey you alright down there? I felt a pull from the rope.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks. Coming right behind you.”
Sitting at the top of the cliff at 6:10 AM on a summer morning and watching the sunrise felt satisfying. Amidst the heavy breathing and the cool wind caressing his sweat covered face and limbs, witnessing the sky color gradually change, the yellow shade infuse and permeate through the vast expanse of the sky, felt relaxing. It felt like the curtain was rising, and the spotlight (the sun) had been turned on.
He closed his eyes, lied down on his back, his arms clasped below his head, and listened.
The climb is never easy, but it is always worth it!
