BLOOMING OF LOVE

On a cold murky day, frozen breeze swaying around. I sat on the bench beside the window doing my assignments. The whole class was busy discussing on love. Everyone was giving their own opinions while a voice came saying “Its Salony’s turn now, the love writer.” everyone laughed, “Hey Salony, almost your every genre is on love. So tell us what love means for you?”

I was still writing & with a unvarying expression I replied- “Something that is embedded with efforts.”

“Okay so what is efforts now?”

My pen stopped at this question. “Maybe when…” I looked outside the window and I saw a tree filled with pink & purple colored paper flowers. A slight wide smile crossed over my face when I lost in one of my sweetest memory—

FLASHBACKS

*On a winter evening, around 5 o’ clock, the swaying of leaves & the hustle bustle of children caused a rhythm all around. I was about 6 years old sitting on the carriage of the bicycle being ride by my sister. We were roaming here and there in that cycle for no reason. We both felt like riding on an unicorn exploring the whole paradise. While lost in our ride, my eyes got stuck on some pink & purple colored paper flowers grown on a tree. I was amazed by the flower’s beauty. But the tree was amidst the creepy forest with thorny plants and spillage waters all around. With a frowned face I whispered “I wish I could have them.”

“Have what?”– my sister asked.

“See” I pointed towards the tree “Those pretty flowers”

Without even looking at the pathway she replied “I’ll bring them for you”

“What???” I retorted ”No way! there are many spiny thorns. You will be hurt if you step there. Plus there must be many insects present. Don’t go!”

“I will take care of that don’t worry.”– she hesitated

I was shocked cause I knew how much she fears the insects. “No! the flowers will dry and wilt one day.”

“Yes but will bloom a smile on your face.” saying this she went there crossing the boundary.

Minutes went, I was still waiting there for her glance. With a little fear and regret I started to think “I shouldn’t have let her to go there. What if some insects bite her? What if she gets hur–” before I could complete my thought, I saw her coming from a distance along with her cycle. Her whole body was covered with dust and scars while her cycle’s basket was full of those beautiful flowers. She came close to me with a smile prettier than the flowers. It was all done by a ten years old girl? just for me? my eyes watered. She was right. It not only bloomed a smile on my face but bloomed my inner soul forever.*

A patting sound dragged my attention to the present. I looked at the class. With a slight wide smile I continued “When someone doesn’t care about getting into the impossibilities. When someone doesn’t questions for the necessity. Rather, they go beyond their limits just to bloom a little smile on your face. Even if the smile last for a couple of seconds, they want to live that seconds of their life. This is what we call as EFFORTS.”

“Aww..” they teased “Such high standard expectations? seems like you’ve already faced it.”

“Absolutely”– I replied

“Lucky you! so what’s his name?”

“You mean her?” I smirked “Sibani”