Grains of sand merge easily with each other to form a beautiful coastline. As I picked a fistful of coarse grains, a delightful child playing with his red and yellow bucket caught my wavering attention. As I cast him a look, he shied away at first, only to return a look of pure ecstasy in his attempts to build what seemed like a sand castle. His mother watched him play in the sands while she herself was busy scribbling with a small stick in her right hand. The father, standing a few metres away, fiddled with his Nikon camera to capture the family moment in timeless frames.
I continued to walk along the sands, oblivious of the time. Walked and walked until the sun dipped its golden hues into the soothing sea. As I contemplated getting a longer, well-deserved getaway from the chaotic life, I took a quick peep at my rectangular telecommunication device to take note of my bearings. I no longer wear any delicado wristwatches, brilliant devices used by coy ladies to set a man’s heart ticking. Poof!
So much for the wristwatches! A trip back home and I pleased myself by giving my undivided attention to the backyard, where a teeny-weeny pineapple was lazily springing to life, plucking a few toram and ghottam with the kobulem or shooing cattle that obstinately chose to munch on the plush, marooned, leafy plants in the small plantation. Losing a few kilos chasing the bovines is fruitful endeavour itself.
At a height of half-a-metre, the plant stands stark naked against the gusty winds, vulnerable to the persistent attacks of cows. The plant has been stripped of all its luscious maroon leaves. The precious cement toadstool pot, broken into two is precariously mounted by hubby dearest flexing his muscles. As I say to myself, “The toadstool is very heavy. My hubby’s back will hurt to keep mounting the toadstool every time it is toppled. Whew!”
As I gaze at the varieties of anthuriums and impatiens plants coaxing their buds to spring to life and flash their reddish pink and purplish petals, I feel happy at nature’s undertones. The succulents and cacti catch up on their growth under the bright beams of sunshine. Feeling extremely content with the few fullam and follam in my daktulem porsum, it’s all about nature and nurture.
Feeling happy to sing a few romantic tunes of Elton John and Pat Boone, I fidget in the kitchen cooking sausage pulao. Tossing a mug of rice grains along with the chopped teary onions, cheerful tomatoes, carrots, capsicum and spices into the cooker so precious, I sing ta la la ta la la for the love of my life. A song of joy! A song of memories! Followed with a quick frying of prawns and onions with lip-smacking masala, I hear familiar footsteps in the kitchen. Elated to be where I am and what I do.
