Dear Life

"I believe in you kid"

"I am scared, don't know what's next Baba"

"You'll do amazing, I know"

It was raining outside and Rahim wanted to go out for his morning jog, seeing the condition outside he grinned and took out his shoes.

The clouds seemed damp like they had so much rain left in them to pour out. Rahim loved the smell of moist fern and soil but it bugged him a lot of rain got in between his routine every other time.

He went to the porch and saw his father feeding stray dogs from the inside of their main gate. He smiled and said 

"Baba, rain cant disturb you and your doggos from having fun ha"

His father replied sarcastically "we have strong determination unlike you"

Rahim was innocent here but the rain was mocking him with lazy conviction. Rahim's father waved and gestured for him to put on his shoes and rain cover.

They both got covered and looked outside to find no cows and people outside, nothing besides the thin yet consistent rain.

Baba flexed his biceps and yelled "let's go" to hype up Rahim. Slowly the pace got picked up with both of their mouths shut and eyes up ahead. 

When you run, the lungs starve for more oxygen, your legs go stiff and the body automatically leans in for another step. There's chaos within but the soul thrives. Rahim resonates running with life, no matter how tired you need to go on.

After a kilometre and a half, sweat-soaked the rain and both started breathing heavy. Rahim's father got fatigued and stopped to sit under the Mandir's shed nearby. Rahim shouted "old man" and stopped too. The strong yet soothing aroma of freshly lit Mogra incense sticks flowing parallel to the rhythmic bell chant calmed down the heart rate.

Rahim took off his hood and stared at the surroundings until he noticed how old his baba is, seeing the silver hairs all around, eyes reflecting years of wisdom and his stiff yet fragile shoulders. He cursed time like an old distant friend who broke his heart by saying the truth.

Time is perception depending, it's no one's friend. 

Rahim stared at his baba for while and he eventually asked: "what is it, Rahim?"

To which he looked away, took a deep breath and answered

"I don't know if moving out abroad is a good decision or not. What about Amma?"

Baba asked instantly

" Are you scared ?"

Rahim shook down his head in silence, rain drops felt like bullets coming down tainting peace in his mind. Baba grabbed Rahim's left shoulder and said 

"It's going to be fine, believe me "

Rahim shrugged and answered in disagreement.

"Why do people keep saying that, what if I don't end up fine? What then? 

Who will take care of you both?"

Rahim's father smiled, pulled him up and said this in a deep voice.

"What happens then?! Well, I think Amma raised a sufficient and strong man. If it's not fine then you'll learn to manage and grow in life"

The bittersweet taste of truth, where each cell of the body denies to accept the reality. The moment before every decision gets finalised, where we are scared to fall in and dive. Faith is something that keeps us alive.

Rahim smiled in agreement and saw the trust in his Baba's eyes. He wanted to lean in for a hug but instead chose to reply sarcastically

"You are so philosophical baba, maybe write a book or so" 

Both chuckled and went back home, jogging down in the blurry rain with clarity in Rahim's mind. 

Distant yet so close, Rahim and his baba.