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Someone i met on the bus
11/11/2022, 4:30pm
"Looks like you're sad today. "Mr.Terrip asked. The same old man who's been sitting beside me on the bus everyday on my way to work from the last one year.
"Don't worry. Maybe this will be the last time you're going to look at this sad face. " i said looking outside the window.
"Why is that so?" I didn't answer his question.
"Can i know the reason why this cute girl is all moody today? Maybe i can use my super natural powers to solve your problem. " He tried to get my attention but it don't workout.
"Hey. Look at me." I don't want to. He's the only one who encouraged me to pursue my dreams in the last one year. I don't want to disappoint him. But i knew i can't ignore him so i finally looked at him with my teary eyes.
"What happened? Who in this world made my godgifted granddaughter cry?" His voice laced with concern made me more emotional.
"I guess it's me. " I didn't even try to wipe my tears. Maybe because i know he'll never judge me or look down at me.
"And why is that so?"He asked offering his handkerchief to me.
"I'm tired. I'm tired of constantly running away from my family and friends. I'm tired of listening to their insults. I'm tired of constantly lying to them that I'm doing fine. I'm tired of showing them that my professional life is growing. I'm tired of proving to everyone that I'm capable of becoming success in my career. I'm tired of telling myself 'I can' everytime i get rejected by my clients. I'm tired of crying inside my bedroom in to my pillows everyday. I'm tired. Maybe because I'm starting to realize I'm not really capable of doing all this. " I rested my head on the bag that's on my lap trying to stop my hiccups.
I felt Mr.Terrip's hand caressing my hair. I expected him to say something inspirational like how they show in movies. But he stayed silent. I waited for almost two long minutes. But he didn't say anything.
"Are you not gonna say anything? " I tried to brush off the strands of my hair covering my face.
"What do you want me to say? Will you really listen and follow my words? Naina. That fire should be within ourselves. Even if you want to quit everything now, you'll restart it someday. Because i know you got that fire in you. To achieve. To change. To live" His words stirred something inside me. My parents, friends didn't believe in me. But here this forty year old man believes in me.
"Do you really think i can do this. I have been trying to get an invester from the last two years but never got succeeded. Do you still think I'll get one?" I asked because i know all I'll get to listen from his mouth will be reassurance. And i need it right now.
"Naina. Look here. Even if you don't get an invester for the next one year, you'll still try an another time. I know you girl. I know how much talented you are. And i know how much you believe in your work and yourself. All this is just a low bump on you path. You are going to cross it soon." How can he be so confident about me when I'm doubting myself. My thoughts got interrupted by his next words.
"I always wanted to be a wildlife photographer in my teenage. I used to be so passionate about it. I participated in many competitions and won some. Kate, my girlfriend used to accompany me to every competition. She was my biggest supporter. But my father didn't allow me to become a professional. He wanted me to help him in his business. So without any interest i joined in MBA. But Kate still stayed with me. She is the only person who made me happy. I started working in my dad's office after my final year. Kate and i planned to marry. With her everything felt fine. Just before a week of our marriage she died in an accident. The image of her covered in blood still makes me cry." Oh my god.
"I'm sorry. " I gave back his kerchief so he can wipe his tears.
He gave me a small smile and continued "I thought of committing suicide. But i didn't. I know kate will never like that. "
"What happened next?"
"I continued working in my dad's office. And the next year i took over the business. I actually did a good job in running the business well. I got plenty of money. But I'm all alone after work hours. I was 30 when i met Karol. She is a firecracker. so active. Full of life. We became friends at a family gathering. She's 9 years younger than me. It's friendship at first. But later we realized how happy we are with each other. Suddenly one day she called me and started crying without saying anything. " He paused.
"Why?" I asked out of curiosity.
"I guess someone's actually crying before 5 minutes. Did you see that girl?" He asked teasingly.
"Common. Stop it and continue your story. Why did she cry?"
"She saw me lifeless in her dream. She cried for two whole minutes before telling me the reason. And then she said she can't live without me. That's how our love life started. After 3 years of relationship we got married. We're happy with our 2 kids. Everything's fine. We became old. Our kids are busy with their college and then professions. But my love for wildlife photography never died. My father is not with me to stop me from doing what i like. But i don't how Karol will react. She like stability. She doesn't like to travel. On my 52nd birthday i told her about it. She didn't say anything. She listened to me and that's it. " He pulled the water bottle from my bag and started drinking it.
"what did you do then. Did you ask her again?" I asked taking the water bottle from him. Don't blame me.
"After a month she came to me and gave me a check. A check of 40lakhs. And i asked her where did she get this money. She said she sold her property in her hometown. Her exact words are "My father wrote it on my name before passing away. I don't think i need it. By combining all our savings and this money we can start our journey. ". I was confused. I don't know what journey she's taking about. She kissed my forehead and said " You said you wanted to do what you like. Wildlife photography. I'll accompany you in this journey. I'm excited. " . She's so happy that day. And she really accompanied me in each and every trip for the next eight years.
Last year she died due to cancer. When she's in the hospital for her chemotherapy, she used to request me to take her to trips. Not because she liked them but because she wanted me to do what i like. And she wants to be a part of my happiness. After her death all the trips felt so boring. I felt like returning back to home. One night i found a letter from her in my bag where she asked me to continue doing what i like. But no trip after that excited me. I came back here. I still go on trips once in a while and continue my photography whenever i feel like doing it."
"Your are very strong. " I said with a smile.
"Like you. You'll reach the place you are desiring one day. I'm sure you're going to do it. But dear, enjoy the journey. "He said pulling my cheeks. I sat silently thinking about what he said. Am i really efficient. What should i do to make it all work.
"I'm actually planning a trip the next week. You wanna join?" He asked. What? A trip. Is he serious?
"To where?" Is the question i manged to ask.
"To somewhere peaceful. It'll be fun. You'll get time to sort everything. And then you can comeback and start slaying."He said wiggling his eyebrows which made me laugh.
"When did you plan this trip. You're doing this for me. Aren't you?" I know he is doing all this to pull me out of selfdoubt I'm living in. But he don't need to. I don't want to trouble him.
"Common girl. Believe me. This will help you. You're my godgifted granddaughter. I'll enjoy this too. "He winked at me.
The way he smiled after listening to my "Ok. we'll go on a trip. We'll enjoy. And then we can come back and I'll get back to my work. Cool." filled my heart with postive vibes.
© maggi
#passion #Love&love #wildlifephotography #love #life #emotions #lifelesson #philosophy #depression #guidance
"Looks like you're sad today. "Mr.Terrip asked. The same old man who's been sitting beside me on the bus everyday on my way to work from the last one year.
"Don't worry. Maybe this will be the last time you're going to look at this sad face. " i said looking outside the window.
"Why is that so?" I didn't answer his question.
"Can i know the reason why this cute girl is all moody today? Maybe i can use my super natural powers to solve your problem. " He tried to get my attention but it don't workout.
"Hey. Look at me." I don't want to. He's the only one who encouraged me to pursue my dreams in the last one year. I don't want to disappoint him. But i knew i can't ignore him so i finally looked at him with my teary eyes.
"What happened? Who in this world made my godgifted granddaughter cry?" His voice laced with concern made me more emotional.
"I guess it's me. " I didn't even try to wipe my tears. Maybe because i know he'll never judge me or look down at me.
"And why is that so?"He asked offering his handkerchief to me.
"I'm tired. I'm tired of constantly running away from my family and friends. I'm tired of listening to their insults. I'm tired of constantly lying to them that I'm doing fine. I'm tired of showing them that my professional life is growing. I'm tired of proving to everyone that I'm capable of becoming success in my career. I'm tired of telling myself 'I can' everytime i get rejected by my clients. I'm tired of crying inside my bedroom in to my pillows everyday. I'm tired. Maybe because I'm starting to realize I'm not really capable of doing all this. " I rested my head on the bag that's on my lap trying to stop my hiccups.
I felt Mr.Terrip's hand caressing my hair. I expected him to say something inspirational like how they show in movies. But he stayed silent. I waited for almost two long minutes. But he didn't say anything.
"Are you not gonna say anything? " I tried to brush off the strands of my hair covering my face.
"What do you want me to say? Will you really listen and follow my words? Naina. That fire should be within ourselves. Even if you want to quit everything now, you'll restart it someday. Because i know you got that fire in you. To achieve. To change. To live" His words stirred something inside me. My parents, friends didn't believe in me. But here this forty year old man believes in me.
"Do you really think i can do this. I have been trying to get an invester from the last two years but never got succeeded. Do you still think I'll get one?" I asked because i know all I'll get to listen from his mouth will be reassurance. And i need it right now.
"Naina. Look here. Even if you don't get an invester for the next one year, you'll still try an another time. I know you girl. I know how much talented you are. And i know how much you believe in your work and yourself. All this is just a low bump on you path. You are going to cross it soon." How can he be so confident about me when I'm doubting myself. My thoughts got interrupted by his next words.
"I always wanted to be a wildlife photographer in my teenage. I used to be so passionate about it. I participated in many competitions and won some. Kate, my girlfriend used to accompany me to every competition. She was my biggest supporter. But my father didn't allow me to become a professional. He wanted me to help him in his business. So without any interest i joined in MBA. But Kate still stayed with me. She is the only person who made me happy. I started working in my dad's office after my final year. Kate and i planned to marry. With her everything felt fine. Just before a week of our marriage she died in an accident. The image of her covered in blood still makes me cry." Oh my god.
"I'm sorry. " I gave back his kerchief so he can wipe his tears.
He gave me a small smile and continued "I thought of committing suicide. But i didn't. I know kate will never like that. "
"What happened next?"
"I continued working in my dad's office. And the next year i took over the business. I actually did a good job in running the business well. I got plenty of money. But I'm all alone after work hours. I was 30 when i met Karol. She is a firecracker. so active. Full of life. We became friends at a family gathering. She's 9 years younger than me. It's friendship at first. But later we realized how happy we are with each other. Suddenly one day she called me and started crying without saying anything. " He paused.
"Why?" I asked out of curiosity.
"I guess someone's actually crying before 5 minutes. Did you see that girl?" He asked teasingly.
"Common. Stop it and continue your story. Why did she cry?"
"She saw me lifeless in her dream. She cried for two whole minutes before telling me the reason. And then she said she can't live without me. That's how our love life started. After 3 years of relationship we got married. We're happy with our 2 kids. Everything's fine. We became old. Our kids are busy with their college and then professions. But my love for wildlife photography never died. My father is not with me to stop me from doing what i like. But i don't how Karol will react. She like stability. She doesn't like to travel. On my 52nd birthday i told her about it. She didn't say anything. She listened to me and that's it. " He pulled the water bottle from my bag and started drinking it.
"what did you do then. Did you ask her again?" I asked taking the water bottle from him. Don't blame me.
"After a month she came to me and gave me a check. A check of 40lakhs. And i asked her where did she get this money. She said she sold her property in her hometown. Her exact words are "My father wrote it on my name before passing away. I don't think i need it. By combining all our savings and this money we can start our journey. ". I was confused. I don't know what journey she's taking about. She kissed my forehead and said " You said you wanted to do what you like. Wildlife photography. I'll accompany you in this journey. I'm excited. " . She's so happy that day. And she really accompanied me in each and every trip for the next eight years.
Last year she died due to cancer. When she's in the hospital for her chemotherapy, she used to request me to take her to trips. Not because she liked them but because she wanted me to do what i like. And she wants to be a part of my happiness. After her death all the trips felt so boring. I felt like returning back to home. One night i found a letter from her in my bag where she asked me to continue doing what i like. But no trip after that excited me. I came back here. I still go on trips once in a while and continue my photography whenever i feel like doing it."
"Your are very strong. " I said with a smile.
"Like you. You'll reach the place you are desiring one day. I'm sure you're going to do it. But dear, enjoy the journey. "He said pulling my cheeks. I sat silently thinking about what he said. Am i really efficient. What should i do to make it all work.
"I'm actually planning a trip the next week. You wanna join?" He asked. What? A trip. Is he serious?
"To where?" Is the question i manged to ask.
"To somewhere peaceful. It'll be fun. You'll get time to sort everything. And then you can comeback and start slaying."He said wiggling his eyebrows which made me laugh.
"When did you plan this trip. You're doing this for me. Aren't you?" I know he is doing all this to pull me out of selfdoubt I'm living in. But he don't need to. I don't want to trouble him.
"Common girl. Believe me. This will help you. You're my godgifted granddaughter. I'll enjoy this too. "He winked at me.
The way he smiled after listening to my "Ok. we'll go on a trip. We'll enjoy. And then we can come back and I'll get back to my work. Cool." filled my heart with postive vibes.
© maggi
#passion #Love&love #wildlifephotography #love #life #emotions #lifelesson #philosophy #depression #guidance
