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A picture is worth a 1000 words

She looked at the photo yet again and was not sure how to express it in a 1000 words, the photo spoke and spoke; her thoughts were running faster than my hands could compliment.

‘My reflexes are slowing down’ she thought to herself as she continued to stare at the picture.

A darkish appearing hilly landscape in the background with a young man of that impressionable age when you have dreams, ambitions and a fire in your eyes to make the world your battlefield. His profile with a slight smile and hands stretched out just a bit as if he wanted to hold the moment in his palm. The dark clouds as if on their way home, seemed to have stopped to talk to him. He looked as if saying ‘take me home. ’

‘The smile so innocent but still so firm, wonder what he is thinking’, as she sipped her chai.

The young man was known to her, they had been to their post-grad class together but she never understood him. He came from a humble small town background and by the time he settled into the urban formula, he was indeed a changed man.

In the 18 months what changed, she never figured but the village boy did transform into a young man.

He restrained his humour, mingling and became vary of showing his emotions.

He started to smile less, she thought.

Is this the result of uprooting from roots or generally process of growing up? Is this why we lose our innocence or does the city rob us of it? Is it deliberate or a natural process?

He had the knack of thinking, discussing and contemplating. He spoke but listened more. In the teacher he found an inspiration, someone who knew him without knowing him. He could connect with him but he was not sure of the people around him. There were slippery grounds, he tread on it, was saved from falling and never ventured on that path again.

He chose an entirely new route and that’s when he suddenly matured. He started writing, teaching and involved himself in many activities but he closed out the people. He stayed with those he believed in him and that is what made the difference.

The picture was probably taken with one of his close friends, with whom he could be himself and never shy away. In spirit and frame, the photo said

“ You gave me life but today I choose you.”