Vrinda Kanakabandi

Drama Children

3.8  

Vrinda Kanakabandi

Drama Children

Fireflies On My Ceiling

Fireflies On My Ceiling

4 mins
277


We walk many miles assuming we are on a path perfect hurdling the upright frames that are known from the accumulated knowledge of life until we reach a midpoint opening up to trail untreated, unknown, and uncalled for. Very few of us are blessed with an opportunity to yonder and contemplate a life beyond we have known.

A 55-year-old Meera, a very successful entrepreneur based in the US was caught up in such a midpoint battling cancer for over a year. Multiple chemotherapies and finally she underwent a bone marrow transplant for a cure. Sixty days straight in the hospital after transplant, she was undergoing post-care therapies. She believed that this tough situation was here to show her the true purpose of life. Astonishingly, she appeared happier during the last year of her crisis compared to her previous years of life.

“Who is this person you keep chatting to mom, never seen you engaged in chat all these years. Sometimes am jealous”, mocked her son

“Someone I wished to be”

“Quite astounding to hear that when many want to be like you”

“I like the way this girl thinks & lives. Irrational in a civic way and yet so purposeful. She has been an amazing support for me during this crisis”

“hmmm, who is she”


“Her name is Nila, I met her when I was in India a few years ago on a business visit. Rather unexpected encounter! She drove me to the airport because the driver's son who was her collegemate was unwell. I was intrigued by her clarity, thought process, focus, and that confidence of hers was enthralling. I asked her what she wanted to be after her graduation and her response was “I want to live every day”. “

“Can be qualified as fancy dreamer girl”, interrupted her son

“Ahhh a Dreamer, yes! A doer too! Lives by action. See these pictures she has been sending me in the last 5 years. She started an organization that is specialized in working with plant psychology. They identify the crops that work symbiotically with each other to produce more organically, this technique makes the soil fertile as well. Her belief that we are all integrated into nature and if we work with it we reap more benefits. Her proposal was discarded off by many however she didn’t give up. She reached out to the farmers herself to experiment with this. Tough start but in few months the crops yielded 70% more than their capacity and all was organic. She lives in remote villages for months experimenting and shifting to new soil and works with plants”

“Now she sounds crazy as well”


“Last year when I was diagnosed with cancer, she was the only one who treated me normal. Like nothing ever happened. You know Satya, many wished to be uncommoner from a common life but only a few had the courage to live. Many of us are at the edge of the cliff chasing the golden dollars but people like Nila make the whole cliff come alive”.

Their conversation was interrupted by a message from Nila, “Hi ya beautiful lady.

 “Hello Nila, What are you up to today?” replied Meera

“Just finished a proposal for funding. I want to start a school”, responded Nila

“New hobby?”

“Nah! Saving innocent children from doom”

“hahahahaha!”

“I am serious! Am not fond of this education system, it teaches you unnecessary competition, it kills you! I want to start a school that gives life to children, which focuses on the purpose from the very beginning. Teaching them to work together towards everyone’s development, manage the crisis, being happy, progressive, and most importantly be themselves. Imagine such a beautiful world we will create! Leaders who think from heart……A world without war…..”

“Go for it, Nila. Send me your proposal as well“

“Meera, would you want to sleep under a ceiling with fireflies?”

“Fireflies, the insects?”

“Yes, the fireflies! Last night there were many fireflies on my ceiling. The villagers believe that they are a symbol of illumination and believe something magical is going to happen in life. They say this sight brings us luck and happiness which money can’t. I wish you were here”

“Send in the address, I would love to sleep under the ceiling full of fireflies!”


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