A Walk
e was walking towards the gate when he remembered he�d better
have some company. He doesn�t like walking alone.
I noticed his walk towards the gate then his head turning towards me.
He just looked at me and I got it: his eyes were inviting me to follow
him. You know how I love walking, besides one can never refuse such an
invitation. I walked till I reached him then we passed the gate. He put
his hand in mine and we started moving.
Nature surrounds us. Green trees, grass, animals are everywhere. Yes, we�re at a farm. Silence....how wonderful compared to the city; freedom: go anywhere, walk everywhere. But.. wait !! There is too much silence down here! He did not say a word. May be he needs to be silent.. he may be annoyed. I should respect how he feels and keep silent, too. But no! He does not seem so. He�s watching everything around thoughtfully as if seeing them for the first time! Well it seems he�s enjoying it. I�m enjoying it too and I won�t interrupt it.
This is our first time together. How I wish to know what�s on his mind. He�s not going to tell me any way. I know it. I know him. Even if I asked him. I love him so much. He�s so gentle, so smart and innocent. He�s so handsome, too. Just watch him when he smiles. What a smile! But he doesn�t talk! He�s always like that. It was never easy for him to find words to express himself. But I�m sure he will some day. I�m waiting for that day. I�d love to talk to him.
Oh! He stopped. Hey, What�s all that? It�s a large piece of land planted with fruits and vegetables. Here are tomatoes, cucumbers, oranges, cabbages, onions and oh.. no.. apple trees! I love watching all this. It�s nature that I love. Oh God! Same soil, same water and just little rounded things called seeds make different crops!! I consider it a miracle. So miracles do happen, but he still won�t talk!
" Do you want to tell me something?"
Did you hear that or I was just imagining?
"What? Me? "
"Yes, I just felt you want to tell me something." Silence. " Am I wrong?"
" May be!"
"You mean YES?" " What is it?"
All this was accompanied by a smile on my face so that he won�t think it a terrible thing! I�m trying hard to keep a smile for I�m restless inside. I�m about to win a treasure.
"Actually, I do want to tell you something." " Do you know that you are one of the few people whom I feel, like to talk and Listen to me? Is my feeling right? At the same time I enjoy listening to you very much."
"I notice and I feel that. Although we are quite different."
"You are right. But I don�t think that we have to be alike to be friends...unless this difference makes it hard for us to get together."
"Yes, you are right. I guess we can be good friends."
" I can tell you how I�m feeling right now. It�s beyond words. It has been always my dream to have a close friend sharing mutual trust and love." " Do you believe-like I do- that a close can lessen any trouble one can pass through? Friendship is a treasure."
OH! How I wish that such a conversation would occur between myself and someone I trust and love.
We have gone too far. I guess we should start going back. He doesn�t seem to be willing to do so, but we�ve better do. He did not object. I just turned towards the other way and he stood for moments then followed. Now I realize how far we�ve gone. I can hardly see the gate from here.
People are watching us. Couldn�t one live without being watched? They�re looking at us as if we were outer space creatures!! There aren�t a lot of people: a few peasants, and some children but none of them hasn�t looked at us. I wonder why. Curiosity....may be, watching something new! I am one of those who doesn�t like being watched. I wonder what his opinion is? I can�t ask him any way.
How many people in this world can keep silent all this time? Is there anyone who can bear utter no word for a whole hour or more? How many times have I been told: " You are so quiet"? Thousands of times. Some even do from the very first meeting as if inscribed on my face.
We�re getting near the gate now. I thought it would be taking longer time. Well, we�re back now.
For a few steps after we�ve passed the gate, he kept his hand in mine. Then suddenly, he pulled his hand and went running to his mother. He must be very thirsty. It�s too hot here.
How I wish to have such a smart and loving child of my own. I enjoy watching him play and try to explain what he feels to his parents using his hands and a few words...... till he gets to learn their common language.
Back to the archive 
Return to.... SSC