From sea to shore

As he stood on the deck outside his cabin, trying to see what lay in front of him. He strained and squinted to make out something, make out anything but all he could see was the inky blue sea that mirrored the inkyness of the night sky, rising and falling to its own rhythm, and with it the ship rolled, as if to keep in tune with the sea.

He strained to look landward, where he had plotted land would be, cause land was his heart lay. Though sea was his mistress, his heart belonged to another, and land was she would be, the owner of his heart, the purpose of his existence. Ladies may have thrown themselves for a man in uniform, at every port he visited, even some men too, but he belonged to another and he would have no other.

He missed her badly. What would he not give to have her by his side, to hold her in his arms and never let go. But he knew the sea was not where she belonged, the sea wasn’t her home, the sea wasn’t a place to raise a life together, to raise a family. She had her life to live, her career, her goals, her ambitions. It would be cruel and selfish to take that away from her, as much it would be selfish if she asked him to stay back and never sail. He was proud of her every achievements, the way she managed her life and the family, when he was not around.

He had spoken to her only a while ago, but know those few moments seemed like ages, he already missed her. Although he knew that reaching port, he would get on a plane and fly to her, but those moments seemed to go by so slowly leaving him flustered and frustrated. If he could, he would jump into the ocean and swim it all the way to her. He could swim across the oceans, climb the highest mountains, make it across the deepest valleys, just to be with her.

But he would needed to console himself by staring at the sea, hoping that time would just fly by, till she was in his arms. And so continued to stare landwards, from sea to shore.

The Woman with the bright pink shoes

He spied her from a distance, she in her racerback vest and floral shorts, whose colour kept changing with the season, but always in her bright pink shoes. She was a woman, not a girl, not a lady, but a woman, the best word to describe her. Tall, slender and athletic, with hair that was always tied in ponytail, a dusky beauty. Her racerback vest showed off her toned back, arms and shoulders, her slender waist and those washboard abs. But her most distinct feature was her legs that seemed to go on for miles and miles, only to end in those bright pink shoes. 

Unperturbed by the stares that she usually got from passerby, some envious, others lecherous, she went about with her warm up. Surely there’s a God up there, he thought, cause only a God could create  someone so beautiful. He continued to stare in her direction, not lustily, just admiring God’s creation.

His greyish hair was already matted with sweat and there were beads his forehead. He was already warmed up and ready to go, from the distance he had already covered. He could either make haste and join her, or take his time and take in the moment. 

He remembered those initial days when they just passed each other, while on their respective morning runs, She a young beautiful woman, running at her pace, he an old man, with more silver hair than he could count, running at a pace than most men of his age (that’s if they ever ran), in his bright neon tees. Soon they began to acknowledge each other with a smile and a wave and the occasional thumbs up. Now as and when possible they ran together, two running souls. He never asked her name or what she did, nor did she seem interested in finding out more about him. For him she would always  be the Woman with the bright Pink Shoes.

“Your pace or mine?” She said, jolting him out of his thoughts. “Surprise me!” He said but secretly hoping she ran at his pace as that would be comfortable for him, something that he would never acknowledge, call it the male bravado.

So off they went, running in the light drizzle. He knew he would be the envy of those who saw them, some even passing judgement without truly knowing. But he didn’t care, people may never understand that they were running souls, enjoying each other’s company, nothing more, nothing else.

Not wanting to slow her down, he tried his best to keep pace with her. Occasionally she realised this and slowed down to a comfortable pace but then again gradually increase her  pace again. Not a single word was spoken between them, they only spoke with each other in gesture.

He was grateful for her company, for running with a person of his age when she could have been easily be running at a much faster pace, more suitable to someone of her capability. He was grateful for the drizzle cause it hid the tears that welled in his eyes. He didn’t want her to see it but secretly knew that she understood how grateful he was to her.

And just like that their run came to an end after they had covered their set distance. After cooling down and some stretches, they said their goodbyes and greetings for the day they went off to their mundane life. He stood there, looking in her direction, as those long slender legs of the woman in the bright pink shoes disappeared into the the day.

The Last Breath

He sat there watching her breathe, a struggle with every breath, an occasional sputter of cough. He knew this day would come, he knew it all would end, but now that it was upon him, he found himself numb, struggling to put a lid on his emotions. Ever since the first diagnosis and through the countless chemo sessions, he tried to steel himself for what was to come. But now that the moment had come he found himself lost. 

They say when the going gets tough the tough gets going, you find strength somehow especially when you needed it the most. So why wasn’t he feeling strong? Had strength deserted him in his hour of need? He felt helpless and hopeless not knowing what to do, to hapless to take decisions.

He felt a stab of guilt for having gone for a group run instead of being there with her. So there he sat, staring at her every breath. Her eyes emoting the pain she couldn’t speak of. He sat there by her side, trying to give her comfort, as comforting her was all he could muster himself to do. Hunger had deserted him. He just sat there by her side.

By evening her breathing grew heavier and more laboured. Her eyes glazed over. He knew the end was near, but what should he do? Just let her go or give it one last Short? And then he had the feeling of guilt and what would be people would say.

He managed to get a doctor to check on her, who just allied what he already feared. She was sinking and it would be any moment, admitting her to a hospital would only mean putting her on a ventilator and prolonging her pain. He didn’t want this for her, cause he knew she went through enough.

So after after paying the doctor’s fees and thanking him for his honest advice, he asked his mum and neighbour to rest as sat by her side. He felt she would fight through till his siblings arrived, cause they were her life. 

He sat by her side. The exertion of the day and the emotions began to weigh him down and grow heavy on his eyelids. He tried his best to fight it but in the end gave into it. 

It may have been only for a brief while that his eyes were shut, when he shook himself out of his daze. Something was  amiss. He realised it was all done. She was now in a better place. Fighting back tears and emotions. He kissed her gently on her forehead and said a silent goodbye, then looking up to the heavens he muttered a  thank you, and went to the bedroom to inform his mother.

Under the Moonlight Sky

They had met in the most unconventional of ways. He always wondered, of all the people how did they connect to each other? They had chatted a number of time, which at first seemed awkward and strange, but slowly began to feel welcome and comforting. They were two lonely souls finding solace in each other.

They had met before, at a mall, chatting at length about everything under the sun, about life, career, love, friendship, bitching about other members, about themselves, helping each other get over their loneliness. The bond that was formed when they connected only made them fonder of each other.

Today as they were meeting for dinner, he had this feeling, a feeling he had not felt in a while. How was it possible that he could feel this way about someone he only got to know a short while? There was still so much they needed to know about each other. But still he had that feeling, a longing, that he just couldn’t shake off or wouldn’t shake off.

Throughout dinner, they laughed and they they talked. Smiled and shared dishes. People in the restaurant would have easily mistaken them for a couple of lover birds, never knowing they were just friends. They discussed about love and heartbreaks, of expectations and if happily ever after existed.

All through dinner and the conversation he felt a warmth within him, which only grew warmer with each passing moment. He sat there staring at the face of person that sat in front and smiled almost awkwardly. How could he feel this attraction to this magnificent creature that sat in front of him? Would they reciprocate back this feeling that he felt inside, which could no longer hide. It all seemed so wrong but it felt so right.

Dinner was done and the bill was dutched. They decided to catch coffee at the nearest  coffee shop. So as they rode down silently, as their bellies were full, in the chill of the night breeze. He felt a hand enveloping his waist and a warm breath at the back of his neck. His heart fluttered and flipped a thousand times, and began to beat and burn with passion greater than any passion he had felt. 

He just stopped at the next turn  and got off and turned, only to find they were facing each other. He was afraid of what would or what could happen next. He was scared that he would be rejected, scared that he had read the signs all wrong, if he could read signs at all. But he had to take his chance, whether it felt wrong or right, it was now or never.

He slowly leant forward, with all the courage he could muster. To his surprise, his actions was mirrored. Without a warning, the dam that held them back just burst open and the passion that was burning inside them just began to flow.

Their lips met and parted, their tongues wrestled with each other. There was that familiar warmth, one that he had not felt or tasted in a while. Their arms enveloped each other, holding on to each other tightly, as if their life depended on it. They stopped and stared at each other. This really was happening. Unable to fight the pull they radiated, their lips once more met, but this time it was more than the lips  that were the recipient. The moonlight provide just enough light.

They were conscious of their surroundings and broke off at the first sign of life or any movement, only to reunite once again, like lovers having a clandestine meeting. They just couldn’t keep their hand or their lips from each other.

Finally they stopped and slowly smiled at each other, knowing what happened was special. They rode back in silence, in ashamed and glad, holding on to each other. They had taste of each and smell of each other.

Finally they reached the train station and it was time for one last embrace. They embraced passionately, stealing one final kiss, away from the prying eyes. They said goodbyes and good nights and parted ways. He stood staring as this beautiful creature as made its way back home. He stood there longingly with a feeling of bliss , glad he had met him and shared these beautiful moments, no matter what the world may say about it.

Inside an Upside Down

Once a cold winter morn, when the world lay fast asleep, a Runner slowly stirred. Groggily waking up from his slumber, he hauled his arse out of his bed. Marathon season was upon him and if he didn’t wake up he would miss on his mileage leaving him Ill-prepared.

So hastily he brushed his teeth, made and gulped down his black coffee (cause he needed a caffeine kick to jolt him out of his sleepy head). He quickly got dressed and laced up, grabbed his running belt and placed his water bottle, then his mobile and earphones, his watch, and off he went, down the stairs, trying to warm up and stretch.

Once warmed up and stretched, he cantered down the familiar path. But not before he switched on his watch and tracking app. 

The morning seemed like every winter morning he had experienced, when he had woken up for his runs. But at the back of his mind he had this nagging thought that something was different. There was something peculiar about this morning but he just couldn’t put a finger on it.

Out of nowhere, came a growl, first faintly but then began to get louder and sinister. Being a runner, he was used to being chased by dogs, but this didn’t sound like one. So he did what he did every time a dog came barking after him. He took a deep breath and tried to run calmly at the same pace.  

By this point, most dogs normally gave up and returned to the confines of their territory. But no this creature (cause something told him this was no dog). He could feel its breath at his ankles. So he did what he knew best, when flight set in, quickened his pace. But he just couldn’t shake the creature off his tail. This is when panic began to set and his heart began thumping against his chest. He had no intention of being bitten. 

But as he quickened his pace so did the creature. Now he could feel its warm drool, along with its warm breath. He was prepared, at any moment he would feel a searing pain as the creature would sink its teeth into his flesh. 

And then, as it had appeared, the creature disappeared. When he felt he was safe, he stopped to catch his breath. He looked around, first to check where the creature had gone, and then to get his bearing, where he was.

From the looks of things, the place seemed familiar but at the same time felt strange and unfamiliar. The weather was cold, but it was a cold filled with fear and dread. The place felt gloomy and dull, and the air felt heavy. Though it should have been dawn by now, there was no sign of sunlight, or for that matter, any sort of light. The place was dark, not too dark though, with the trees and ground covered with slime and moss and creepers. Something told him that he was not in his usual place any more.

So where was he? How did he get here? What was this place? So many questions racing through his mind, but he had no answer to any of them. 

He realised he had his mobile with him. But to his dismay, the battery was drained and the phone dead. He distinctly remembered charging it only the other night. So how could the battery drain so quickly? He glanced at his watch, and it too was showing no time at all. What strange was this?

Though it looked like the world he knew, it didn’t feel like the one he lived in. It felt strange and forebodings. Everything felt upside down, dark, sinister, alive. Something straight out of an episode of the Twilight Zone. 

Was it possible that he had stumbled upon a parallel dimension. This sounded too far fetched to be true. But everything screamed out of an alternate dimension. If this was true, how did he get here? How did he stumble upon this dimension? Was there a tear in time and space, a wrinkle which he had stumbled upon, and unknowingly traversed through it? Did the creature chase him through this wrinkle or tear, or whatever was it?

Everything felt unreal and scary. He fumbled trying to find his way, still hoping this was the world he knew. When all of a sudden he heard a cry, more like a howl in pain. It sounded like no animal that he had ever heard before. The sound sent a shiver down his spine, froze his blood, and still he was curious to know what it was.

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but this thought didn’t stop him from trying to locate the source of the sound. He set out in the direction from where he thought it came from. And he heard it again, each time it sounded more painful and scarier.

He stumbled his way through the darkness and the thick undergrowth till he reached the source of it all. When he reached the source he didn’t know what to make of it. What was in front of him couldn’t be categorised any of the animals that he had known. It looked like a dog but wasn’t one. It was more ferral, more raw, more dead in its appearance, almost like the zombie creatures you seen in the movies. It even gave a rotting stench. It’s leg was trapped in what appeared to be a trap. It seemed broken and that caused it to howl in pain, if you could call it howling.

Inspite of his fears, and a bit disgust, humanness overtook him. He inched closer to it, a bit hesitating, a bit apprehensive. As if if felt his presence, the creature looked at his direction, if you could call that a face, and snapped at him and clinched his teeth displaying razor sharp ones. He cautiously went behind it and tried to loosen it legs, or what was left of it, from the trap.

Suddenly there was a loud burst in the air. From the ensuing smoke, appeared a lady dressed in a red gown that seemed to be alive. She seemed royal but was also seemed like what nightmares were made of. A closer look at her gave you the chills. Along with her followed dozens of similar creatures.

“How dare you!” She billowed, “ How dare you hurt my baby. “ she said as she freed the creature who limped over to her, letting out yelp. “My poor baby”, she said, as she took the creature in her arm, stroking the back of its neck, trying to console it. “You are in so much pain, “ and without a warning she snapped the creature’s Head, letting its limp body slid to the ground.

This all caught him surprise and left him feeling numb and shaken. “Look at what you made you me do,” she hissed coldly, “You wicked and vile creature.” He tried to protest, but words failed him, he just opened his mouth, but no sound came from it. He wanted to run from this place, but somehow he felt frozen.

She gave him an icy cold stare that made his blood freeze. “This is murder, and any form of murder calls for blood. Blood for blood”, she said, almost in whispers, “children he harmed your sibling and time you avenged it. Off with his head.”

And without a warning, the pack at her feet, began to charged towards him. Fear took over and for a moment he felt disoriented, not knowing what to do. But then he went into flight mode, and with all the will he could summon, he pushed on.

By now adrenaline had kicked in and he ran with all his might trying to keep a safe distance from the chasing, howling pack. He couldn’t see where he was going. All he felt was fear and the sting of pain from the branches that scratched him. This was not the way he wanted to meet his end. Not here in this strange place, strange dimension.

Without a warning, the trees gave way, and he almost went over what looked like a ledge. He looked down and saw something that looked a lot like flowing water. He could hear them howl and snap as they came ever so closer. Should he jump or try find another way. But if he jumped there was no telling what was below, if he stayed and couldn’t find a way, he stood no chance against the creatures. He was caught between the rock and a had place.

In the end, he just jumped, just in time as they came crashing through the foliage. He could here them bark and snap from the ledge where he stood just a few seconds ago. He could feel his stomach flip, the feeling you get when you sit on a roller coaster.

Suddenly there was that feeling again. He felt like he was falling no more but running. He once again found himself on the trail he was running on before he was chased by the creature.

Though he felt like he had spent hours, if not a day, in that upside down, everything seemed the same. He checked his watch, which had begun working, as did his mobile, mobile. Was what he had just experienced real, or was it just a bad dream? He checked his hands and legs, where the branches had scratched him, but there was no marks to be found.

He made his way back to the start, looking over shoulder for any sight or sound of the creature, but there was none.  Once he got to the safety of his home, he quickly washed his face and assumed that it was all a bad dream, hoping he never returned to that dreadful place or see that dreadful woman and her creatures. 

But at the back of head a question burned through his mind. Who had set the trap that snared the creature? Who was brave enough to do that?