A child born into this world begins his life journey by crying, maybe this is an acknowledgement to the jungle he has been introduced into. Perhaps, the moment of wailing is a reflection of the infinite warmth and protection he has been effaced from. Now he has to cry for attention, endure the change in climate and grow independently. If he could, he would return to the safe house of his mother’s womb. But he must have wished: “Maybe there could be another sanctuary out here!” He breaths on!
A pregnant woman stares down at her protruding tummy; she wonders at how irregularly blown her once-perfect figure has become. She frets the early morning sickness, the swollen legs, the excruciating back, the constantly disturbed bladder and the unstoppable fatigue. Worse, she dreads the pangs of labour and the possible, but the tragic outcome of childbearing. But she kept telling her herself: “This is my baby!” She endures on!
A student stepped out of her room, books in her hand. She stopped for a moment to ponder: ‘Yet another day! The endless classes! The assignments! The exams!’ Her mind drifted again to the uncovered volumes, the empty pots in her kitchen and the dry purse. She feels discouraged, but instead took a little glimpse into the future and said: “I will be somebody great someday!” She walks on!
A corporate employee rose up from his bed. He groans at the tick of the clock, lamenting how fast the morning could come. He wondered ahead the day’s activities, almost beginning with the heavy traffic on his drive to work. He fused about his boring job, the annoying colleagues, the overbearing boss and, even worse, the meagre salary. He could quit, but he had rather hoped: “There would be better days!” He works on!
A sick man wept profusely. It is his failing heart again! He could be in the hospital for hours, days, weeks or even months. The surrounding wall is equally as tormenting. The choking sight of ‘white this’ and ‘white that’ barely represent a happy scenario. The horrid smell of the supposed ventilation mixed with the nauseating smell of drugs! The bitter and sour taste of the latter! The sharp feel of the needle! Oh, the gory sights! He could give up, but on seeing the next bed patient wheeled away dead, he had rather prayed: “There could be a miracle!” He strives on!
A girl stares for hours at the picture of her crush. It is her most treasured possession. She dreams about him every day. She hopes someday he will see her, talk to her, woo her, kiss her, love her, and maybe marry her. When, however, she peered out through her window, she saw him flirting with another girl. She was jealous! She was hurt! She wanted to cry. She instead had consoled herself: ‘She is possibly just his friend; maybe even his sister. She knows one day he will see her, talk to her, woo her, love her and marry her.’ She dreams on!
So, you see; life can be: a sad reality, an enduring time, some boring volumes, an unsatisfying job, a failing condition, an unanswered crush, fear of the expected and maybe the unexpected. But really, residing somewhere amidst these dark scenarios is always a glimmer of undying hope. With such hope, life goes on!
