The rain provided a welcome soothe from the scorching sun that had been playing tandav for what seemed an eternity growing only harsher by the day. The clouds had been having their laughs by throwing an overcast only to blend into oblivion and watch the sun have its field day whenever it pleased. Finally it seemed that they had their share and gave in to the prayers of a population that till then had fallen on deaf ears.
Her skin though was the only one around that still felt parched under the downpour. A skin that was adorned by thread that made every onlooker turn green. Heads turned wherever she went. Showered with nothing but the best wishes of her elders, family and adored by everyone who encountered her. All she had to do to get what she wanted was say she wished for it.
Born blessed. A truly blessed angel. In deed and thought. In physical form and mental mettle. Blessed with talent to conquer anything she put her mind to. With divinity to bring out the best in others. And an angel enough to forgive easier than we can forget.
A blessed angel who against what everyone saw felt cursed within. She was constantly using all her strength to subdue the surge within. The surging mixed concoction of feelings and emotions many of which she herself did not understand. And every attempt to figure out what exactly she felt only led her to free-fall into more uncertainty. So for the moment, there she stood letting the rain calm her nerves hoping the drop in temperature and the change in wind would provide a welcome relief. If not at least she thought it could serve a medium to mask her tears and let them flow. But she had grossly misjudged that feeling of hers as well. Tears would just not flow. Instead they choked up at the edge making her feel it would be better if she burst. Funny she thought. The light at one end of the prism admired the spectrum of the rainbow on the other side. The magnificent colours. The wide array. The multitude of hues and all that lay eyes on the rainbow were but caught in captivation. And ironically, the rainbow looked through the same glass and saw a single stream of white light. Simple. Without too much to deal with. One colour. Not many different shades and hues. One direction that it traveled in. Not many expected wonders of it. Not many, in fact, even gave it much thought most of the time. It existed, in equal importance, but in relative peace. “I wonder what it must feel to live like that.” She quietly thought. The very form which drew envy, sighs and desire from the lot gave her the feeling of being cursed.
The prism was the key. The prism was the reason for her heavenly form. It had bestowed on her opportunities that do not come by the way of people in their entire lifetimes and are the stuff that dreams are made of. Her lineage was her prism. It was the reason she was royalty. The reason why she had wings on her back. A white, gracious, yet extremely sturdy pair of wings which were powerful enough to carry her anywhere she pleased. And she knew no matter where she chose to fly she would always be closely guarded by her lineage and the beings she called family. But she did not choose to lead such an existence. She loved what it brought, mind you, but felt indebted at the same time. She had learnt how valuable it was which she was born with. And she felt it was her duty to never question the direction the prism pointed her to travel in and knew all she could give back out of the immense gratitude she felt was unfaltering obedience. But what she did not realize was not everything was a result of her lineage. She was by far more beautiful than most of the others around. Her physical form as a result of the effort she put into it; stunning. Her composure when faced with testing situations, calm. Her aura, charismatic but beyond everything was her ability to excel at whatever she intended to. From difficult dance forms to physically challenging sport. Not just participating but reaching the pinnacle and being presented as amongst the best. From mentally quizzing tests to never giving up in the face of tribulation. Not just coming up with opinions but permanent solutions. Her ability to bring and keep people together through her words, reasoning and at times manipulation was HER ability. It did not come through her lineage. It was not bestowed. In fact her lineage did not know what all she truly was capable of. SHE honed these talents. It is what made her different. 
So what could possibly cause such distraught to someone so complete? The reason for the agony lay on the other side of the prism. A single, simple ray of monochrome. That through their brief entwine had made her feel special. Made her question what she thought she liked all along. Given her more freedom than she had before. Showered her with care and protection from situations that might have drawn scorn if presented before her lineage. The simpleton was in every manner an opposite. He did not have wings to carry him. He trudged his path. His lineage? Well, it was scanty, at best. He had learned to ‘get there’ by conniving, scuffling and seizing. Whenever a favorable situation presented itself he made the most of that opportunity. He was not all dark, mind you, grey maybe. He had rules he lived by. These rules he thought separated the ‘men’ from the beasts. They drew a line between true class and what is commonly referred to as the masses. And the only other precious possession were his words. How he used them, voiced them and played with them was sheer wizardry. Many a times in the past he had uttered spells formed by his words and made people believe things they were not and do things that normally would be beyond them.
A raggedly cloaked, scruffy looking, spell chanter and a flawless beauty, multitalented, draped in the best one can desire with a pair of spotless white wings adorning her back. The wizard and the Angel, together, personified the adage “Opposites Attract”!
But was what he told her and did for her only fables and spells? NO! They were in fact to be counted in the limited times he did something selflessly for another being in his entire existence. Without expecting anything in return. In fact he did not think much of what he did either. All he thought he did was be there when required. Tell her ‘It’s within her reach’. Catch her if she falls. Make her stronger. Berate her when needed. Subject her to a little fight. Only to magnify what she was capable of. Allow her to fly! Unbridled and unafraid. He watched her closely. Ready to use all his power, to protect her from harm, if needed. But wishing, at the same time, that she would be strong enough to overcome setbacks. And with every flight she took, he watched her get stronger and more powerful. Nothing delighted him more than watching her at her best. Soaring. Gliding. Ascending. And holding out a strong yet soft pair of arms, he would be there to cushion her landing, every time with the same embrace.
But two substances of opposite composite only make for a volatile mixture. The tango was always a dangerous one. Explosions were only a matter of time. It was not a question of ‘If’ but more of ‘When’. And like every journey we undertake, this one too had to reach a destination. Weather the destination was the one we intended to arrive at or is one which results from self preserving detours made the subject of another stream of thought. And that was the turmoil within her. The presence of the wizard made her stand at a fork in the road. One, lead to her ensuring she did not let down those who gave her so much but lived with questionable happiness and an incomplete feeling of content. The other, lead to the same. The wizard knew of the turmoil. The decision mattered and would affect him equally but this was one battle she had to fight on her own.
He, meanwhile, had his own battle at hand. The wizard had become acquainted recently of ways that could bring out the optimum from his skills. He had only just begun to use them to acquire the power he always secretly desired. With diligently working on the new found ways he was inching towards the many pinnacles that lay before him. “One at a time”, he said to himself. “One at a time, I will conquer them all!”
This too was not a question of ‘if’ but only a matter of ‘when’.
His talent too was unsurpassed in the land and he found the confidence to say that for the first time in his life after the Angel drew his attention to the miracles he had performed but never thought much of them. For now there he stood watching her. Perched at the edge. Literally and figuratively. She stood at edge of the high ledge looking at the vast expanse and the infinity that lay before her and allowing the rain to drench her. She stood there trying to find temporary solace in the shower. This was not the first time. There were instances before when they tried to each choose one path from the fork. She did spread her wings and soar away. And he pulled his hood over his head to mask any sign of emotion that might show. But every time, she dropped one wing at an angle after soaring for a distance let the wind pull her to one side and rush forcefully over the other extended wing. Bringing her around in a quick spin. A move she had by now mastered through her many flights before. Facing the same place she had left moments before, she zipped through the misty wind and had thumped into the embrace the wizard held out. Each time, both of them, froze in time speechless, not understanding what had exactly happened or why it happened and trying their best to fathom the implications. This time it would be different. This time would definitely be the last. They both knew it. They both knew IT HAD TO BE SO!
The wizards heart was thumping hard as he stood there stone faced with a lump in his throat the size of his fist. He was hoping hard she would not hear them. But she was drowned by the deafening sound her own heart was beating and was using every bit of energy to stop exploding due to the raging surge of emotions swelling within her.
His hood was already drawn this time. But she could clearly spot his eyes fixed on her. She looked at him through the strands of drenched hair that covered her face. Usually she would tuck away even a single strand neatly behind her ear. But on this occasion they did not even register. She looked at him and searched his face but did not know what she was looking for. She could make an all too familiar smile underneath the hood. A faint brisk nod which she had seen a million times before which said, “You know what to do.” “You can do it.” “It will be all right.”
He had somehow found the strength to nod. And when he looked at her he saw the same mesmerizing sight that inspired him to be a better man today. Everything he ever wanted. Always got more than he asked for. Nothing was he willing to fight for more. And yet with that nod he would see it all fly away forever. My Angel.
The rain had mellowed down to a scant patter. The sun had broken through accompanied with a following of white clouds scattering the yellow rays over the freshly washed scenery. The birds burst into a joyous chirp. There would be abundance for them from now. The earth smelled heavenly. What she had to do was anything but. She spread her wings to their glorious width. Got a good grip of the ledge while transferring her weight to the leg behind. Bent at the knees a little and stared at the horizon. At that moment, in unison, their minds screamed, “Our curse.”
a player to wear them. Me and my brother were fans of the sport from days going back to school. It began by wearing out sport shoes made out of canvas. (A mandate in school then) No studs back then. Recently, he moved to Bangalore after getting placed post his masters in business administration. And what he did with his first salary left me spellbound. Sitting at home with the box which screamed Puma! on my lap, all the years came back in a flash. In the box were placed one of the most amazing studs Ive seen. Not because they were the most expensive or the most feature ridden but because and SIMPLY because they were a branded pair of studs gifted to me by my kid brother.
went, "Why you little %$#@!$#@!%$#!#$@!$#!!!!!! What the f#*# are you talking about." The longest family dinner ever. Dad trying to reason his way out being as civilized as possible even if inside he wanted to solve the issue the old school way: by beating the shit out of the fellow. And "our little man" had done more than just ground work. He had already gotten a place to stay in Goa, a mentor-who was a national award winning coach, a plan of action, amount of time it will take and the returns such a move will bear. Actually now that you think of it. Wanting to become a Professional footballer was quite an upgrade for someone who wanted to become a 'farmer' when he was a kid. And I wanted to become a 'Truck driver'! Mom sat there looking alternatively at dad and him. And I sat there not saying a word but silently laughing my guts out at the situation.
was thinking of hanging up my boots and not play anymore, I am presented with this. Playing tournaments neither excite me nor drive me anymore like they used to. And the person who sends me this has many more years of football in him and can play better than me on any given day. He presents ME this but is himself denied an opportunity to even watch an interesting encounter on television at leisure.
