Under The Sky, By The Water

I sat down on the sand, legs stretched and my palms flat on either side plugged in my earphones and melted into the peaceful music flowing through me. There were very few people on the beach today, probably because the weather report said we were expecting a heavy downpour. I liked quiet beaches and didn't mind the rain, so I decided to pay a visit. I took in the sight of the waves crashing over the shore, washing over the sand and rocks, lightly going over my feet, leaving a strange tingling sensation. The water seems unusually restless today. I feel the slightly salty wind blow through my hair. It's a little chilly now, a pleasant breezy evening. I can feel my skin turning sticky, I pull away the few strands of hair stuck to my cheek. I ease down onto the sand and get comfortable, I close my eyes and take in the smell, feel the wind against my face, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. This moment right now is all that matters, everything else can wait. I'm lost in the breathtaking view in front of me. Sunsets at the beach never fail to amaze me. The sky always looks perfect no matter how haphazardly the different evening hues adorn it. The water turns a brilliant shade of pinkish-orange with purple streaks here and there, reflecting the sky above it. Always mimicking the sky above. I remember how I used to think as a little kid that the water was a different color at different places at different times of the day. Little did I know then that it was simply the reflection of the sky in the water. It's funny how the water almost precisely returns merely just a reflection of the sky, yet manages to sparkle and radiate its beauty, while the sky sits back and watches the water try on all the billion shades from blue to red every day and every night. It's like the sky is sharing its clothes with the water, and the waves tell me how much the water loves its attire every time. There is a lot to be learned from the mutual understanding existing between the inanimate things around us. There is a sense of insentient harmony that skips our notice. It always fascinates me, how we, being an advanced form of life, even with the ability of consciousness and intelligence, fail to see beyond the insignificant yardsticks we created among ourselves to mark our differences and cultivate a sense of camaraderie. It takes one a close call with death or a comparable situation to realize that, at the end of the day, your looks don't matter, your money doesn't matter and your reputation doesn't matter because, in spite of it all, it is that same red that runs through all of us beneath our skin. We might as well use this one chance we get at life to give and take endlessly. Absorb all the positivity in the world and radiate the same.

I was suddenly drawn out of my thoughts when I felt a water drop on my forehead. I looked up and saw the dark clouds building up, even the clouds know how to stick together in times of distress. Damn, somehow, I missed the sunset when I was lost in thoughts. The sky was painted a velvety blue-black by now and was clearly complementing the clouds. I looked around and saw that I was alone, good, I could use some more time alone. If I looked a little closer to the sky, I could see the stars coming out. I stared straight ahead of me and I swear it looked like the sky above just blended into the dark waters. The moon was nowhere to be seen, maybe it was also using some time alone. Does the moon know how much I adore it? How much I love to look at the moonlight fall on the water and make it a spectacular sight? The water would be bathing in the moonlight, washing away the stress of the day and emerging fresh and lively, full of life. But today the moon is hiding. I felt more raindrops, caressing my face ever so lightly like they wanted to rid me of all the confusing thoughts, and show me the right thing to do. These are very rare moments that one experiences when you feel a sense of extreme peace wash over you, you forget all your worries and breathe in the fresh air, let the sky and water do the healing, and trust me it works miracles. A few minutes into this bliss and I was sitting drenched in water. It continued to pour, not very heavy, just enough to sit under it and relax. I closed my eyes, let the rain steal my thoughts, and gave in to the burst of tranquility sweeping over me. Some moments only need to be felt, all other senses can be shut, this was one such moment. I lost track of time. I lay back on the sand and opened my eyes. The rain had almost stopped. The stars were fully out now and shining bright. They say it takes a very long time for the light from the stars to reach us, maybe 20 or 30 or even 100 years. Essentially looking at the stars is like looking back in time. A time when I wasn't even born, but the stars were still glowing. The stars have been there watching over me all this while and I can still feel their eyes on me, noticing my every move. As long as they watch over me, I know I'll be fine.