Aren’t evenings just sublime? They are subtle and kind of merge the day into the night smoothly. The sky seemed beautiful with a hint of purple and shades of grey and tangerine intertwined! I took out my running shoes and hit the road for a quick run. I put my earphones into my ears and played my playlist. This was my time…cut from the fake world… just me & my solitude ….and of course music!

I crossed my gate, ran past the stationary shop, slowly crossed the road, and hit the patch I adored the most. It was a jogging stretch beside the artificial lake that seemed ethereal during this time of the day. The reflection of the light in the water made it look all the more beautiful. I would spend a few minutes looking deep at the ripples in the water. The sight was soothing and often made me feel calm after a long day at work.

Like every day, I stretched a bit and then increased the volume so that I could feel the silence away from the cacophony of the world. As contrasting as it can sound, do we all not use music to cut short the chaos, do we not use distraction to come back to focus or see dreams to make things work when awake! And again she was there. Exactly at the same spot, sitting in her wheelchair…looking deep into me … as if I had something that belonged to her! I always try to avoid this lady in the wheelchair. The vibe kind of puts my mood off. I am not sure why but she kind of makes me feel nervous. And when so much is happening around me, I have always wanted to keep a safe distance from faces that I do not recognize. It has been a technique that I have used for a long time to shield myself from any kind of unwanted pain.

I said a small prayer and was about to royally ignore her when I saw her waving at me. I wish I had not seen that but it was quite late then …our eyes had met. I hesitated. Well, what is the big deal in not responding I can just run away. But I could not! Ahhh… sometimes I curse this upbringing with which I have been conditioned that many times I just can not function rationally… I mean how can I disrespect an elderly? I slowly walked towards her while saying few words under my breath about how I should just learn to be more selfish in today’s world. As I reached her, she signaled which meant she wanted to stroll around while sitting in her wheelchair.

‘What an impossible lady!’ I thought to myself.

“Just a little bit… PLEASE !”, she said with a brief smile. It did not impress me at all but I could not say no to this lady who seemed like an octogenarian.

I felt irritated but as I started pushing her cart on the banks of the lake, she slowly stretched her arms like a child and waved as if she was flying. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

” Aunty, what are you doing? “

“Flying … like a bird! I used to be a runner when I was young. I see you every evening and think of myself …. carefree…beautiful….alone ….and ….strong… all in one”

She said in one breath looking at me. I did not know what to say. “So, this was the reason why she looked at me with so much focus… trying to see a glimpse of her younger self! And I… well I was a moron”, I thought to myself

“What is your name ?”

“Megha, Aunty”, I replied.

“You can leave now. You have to go for your run na?”

” No, it is fine. I can take you till the end of the stretch & I will help you come back to the same point, Aunty! Ok?

” Really ?, She had a big smile on her face”

“Yes … yes why not?”

Just a few steps ahead after which I felt someone tap me from behind.

” It is time. I have to take her back. “

I turned back.

‘Nita Pujari -Caretaker- Asha-kiran Old Age Home’. The badge on her uniform read.

Love,

Chinmayee

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2024