ethereal

The white orb hung low over the lonely night sky. It radiated the milky-white glow over the luscious waves of the serene waters. Tranquility gushed through my soul, as I faced the shimmering sea. I took a long, deep breath, wheezing and gasping for air. And in that almighty airless moment, I felt claustrophobic. Quite ironic, as it is, the open waters lay before me. One-by-one I carefully removed my sneakers and plopped onto the cold, rough platform. 

The lanes were empty, but the main road was bustling with cars. The medical stores and some 24/7 coffee shops were open. I decide to make an appearance into one of them. As I collapse on the high chairs, near a window, I order a hot chocolate. Slowly, I take out my earphones, and a twenty-dollar bill sticks out. I pay the server, and push the earphones into my ear, the city fades away, and music takes its place. I hum to the songs, sipping my hot chocolate, which is warm and a few marshmallows swim at the bottom of it. The glass of the large windows is dirty, fingerprints and muck smudged all over it. I try as hard as I can to ignore that and enjoy the city life, outside the coffee shop. The street lamps are on, and there are barely any people passing by. 

I didn't quite expect anyone to, anyway. Mumbai never sleeps, but it doesn't roam around at 2 am either. Rather drowsily I leave the coffee shop. Clearly, the coffee had quite the opposite effect on me. I wander around the city. On the main road, taxis and trucks are in large numbers. Maybe they're done for the day and returning home, to their wives and children. Despite the lights and the bustling, darkness has found a way to creep over the city like a blanket. But even in that darkness, the moon shone and stars glimmered. The cluster of buildings in the daytime were only borders now. High and low. The wind gushed by occasionally, and it was a particularly cold night. I had forgotten my furry coat, but the thick darkness kept me warm.