the Happiness in Giving

A busy day ended by noon, I checked my watch and eased my mind about the weekend ahead. I thot about the li'l coffy shop that refreshed my after work mood with its divine aroma. Having time to spare, it was an obvious pullover. There was Caffeinated Joy in the air. I made my pick and turned to walk out with wut i knew was killer cappuccino.

A woman was tryin to shuffle between her shopping bags loaded hands to open the door. And instinctively I offered. As i reached to twist the knob. Somethin stopped. I guess it was time. it was a face I didnt wanna see, not atleast through the glass of the door. I wudnt forget. In that split second I spent in confusion and contemplating a scorn. She smiled. That familiar cheer written over her face. Speechless, I opened the door. In the Conversation which I kept simple she made me hold the shoppin bags and picked a coffy. the gifts and big shopping implied she played Santa Claus as always to orphan kids. that was her. a coffy, a smile and all heart.

Next thing I know I was helping her lug out of the car. There was quite a gathering of people. A few camps set seperately kids were being given necessities from Lunch, books, even blankets. She walked me through the camps and i met the guys who had volunteered. a person walked up to me and greeted me. The khadi kurta and nonchalant serenity to his persona gave him a fatherly appearance. Over the small tour i took along with him. I saw, how she was playin wid the kids, so much happiness in giving to them. She caught me admiring her an replied with a modest smile. I felt like a programmed robot with my life, work, and the digital watch. For God's sake I spent time checkin pulse and counting seconds. I envied her freedom to break the normalcy an the mundane.

She offers to walk me back to the car. She talks abt me. Much of the conversation was in her questions and smiles and my silence. She knows me in and out. Still. Like she took out of my silence, answers. I feel transparent. She ruffles my hair, just like she used to.. it was how she took care of me through. a thousand thots come to my mind. i felt how she shielded me from everythin. like my own predicaments. I felt the comfort of bein with someone who I knew wud care and took happiness in selfless Giving.

As we came closer to the car. she stopped said 'I missed you' ..
Even after my choices, the past, the time gone, even in my silence now. She could say that.. I didnt have an answer.
Just my silence.


wen i opened my eyes...


[img courtesy: Hermeti. with thanx]