The kid walked on the memory lane long time into the past, short enough to be clear and long enough to be vague! It’s funny sometimes, the kid thought and a smile flashed instantly just to disappear quickly. This was where I had walked. I clearly remember this path, these fallen leaves and tall trees, the sounds of water fall. What was I thinking then and what do I think now thinking about the day when I walked here first? Places might not change, people do, along with time and so do their thoughts and hence actions. Well, there’s nothing new in this thought. As random and trivial as before!
He walked further into the forest quite skeptical of his action, but it wasn’t dark as yet and the Sun was still bright enough to peep in along with him. I had not gone past this stone bench ever. Some strange sounds and movements appeared. He continued, slipping off the leaves at times and getting hurt by thorns that scared. He reached the top of the water fall and looked down under. A stone fell below his feet along the water and he bent to see where it rested. He touched the water and sensed its strange aroma and feel. He joined hands and took some water and drank, cleansed his face and hair. Why didn’t I do it earlier? I did have time and I was here so often!
He stood for some more time and more memories from the past ran through his thoughts reminding of the days and many incidents. All he had noticed earlier was a useless jungle that no one visited, some small dirty water fall that failed to attract locals or foreigners and a thorny leafy path up there that looked vulnerable to fatal accidents. And what I had missed to see! What they had missed to relish!
He sat down on the tip of the rock from where the same stone had fallen down a few minutes ago. Water washed him and made him completely wet. He liked it and enjoyed it. I feel free, I’m liberated! He let go off himself and joined the water drops in their fall. He ran down like a stone, like a fallen leaf that’s free from its tree, independent, relieved, the one that’s been let go, like water droplets that are chained yet apart, they drift yet together. He moved slowly and steadily falling on with it, like a flowing water. Nothing hurt; it was only a moment of happiness and true rejuvenation that he hadn’t experienced in any of his earlier visits. Those memories of the place would be enriched all the more with this new experience. He was in love with the paradise and closed his eyes and only smiled.
The water fall lead him into a small pond below, which was muddy and untidy. He knew nothing about its existence. He looked back raising his head at the water fall and blew a kiss. Some more leaves fell down while clouds gathered. He opened his arms and let the smile go on. Clouds started to shower and the moment just paused.
Some memories from the past run down reminding sweet times and ask us to join them once again. It’s not easy, it’s not always possible and yet if we join them nothing remains the same. Everything would’ve changed. But would we still smile, like we did remembering those times?
