Once Upon a Walk – Part 2

‘You must know the members of my family. Hell, you would even know my employee id’, I began. ‘I do not want to get into those details. To put my life in two words – it sucks. Pardon the swearing. But I am having a tough time with just about anything right now. I am not going to hold you partially responsible like some do, ‘cause I know I am not too devotional or anything. All I want is to know if it is going to suck forever’, I finished.

He did not say anything for a long time. He appeared to be deep in thought. ‘Hey look! A butterfly!’ he suddenly exclaimed.

What?! Ok that’s it. I started walking ahead in a huff, not caring whether he was coming along or not.

The next thing I knew, I almost bumped into him. I looked behind me, confused. ‘You know, you really should appreciate all these beautiful things that I took so much pain to create’, he said.

Ok, if not anything else, this confirms that he really is God. I would have to choose between Superman and God. I chose God.

‘You know, I didn’t tell you my story so you could admire your own creation’, I retorted.

‘I should have known this would be your response’, he chuckled. ‘Ok so your life sucks. Yeah we use the word too. Maybe not as often as you do’, he added looking at my startled expression.

‘So what do you think you should do?’ he asked.

‘I am trying to face it head on, but it isn’t that easy. In the end, I am like a zombie who just wants to be left alone to sulk’, I sighed. ‘I don’t even know if I am good or bad. I fight with my parents, you know. Duh. Of course you know.’

‘I never judge my children. But I can say this. I fought with my parents yesterday ‘cause they said Pakistan would win the match’, he said.

I thought he was joking but he looked sincere. Hmm. That should tell me something about myself, I thought.

‘Just because you want certain things your way it doesn’t make you bad. I did not create all my children to be an exact photocopy of the other. I know what you want, your positives, negatives… everything. What matters is whether you know in your heart if it is right. If you really do, you can put forth your argument to me when you come up there and I’ll decide if you go to Heaven or Hell’, he winked.

‘Is everything a joke to you?’ I asked, my irritation obvious.

‘Let’s just say, I like things sunny side up. When worrying is not going to solve your problem, might as well have fun and celebrate it.’

‘Yeah that makes sense. I’ll try’, I said dryly.

‘I am not asking you to be a saint. I am already doing that job. Position taken. Just shake a leg. Enjoy life as it comes. Chill!’ he said.

I just stared at him. ‘Yeah I love HBO’, he grinned.

I sighed. ‘Ok’, I said. ‘I’ll try.’

‘That’s good for a start’. He smiled. ‘Listen, you are not alone. Things are a little rough now. But no one is going to leave you. Remember, love means you can never be apart.’

‘Hmm… That is a nice one. And true, I suppose’, I said smiling.

‘There you go. Hang in there. And one day, everything will work itself out. You’ll be happy as this bright and sunny day.’

I looked at him expectantly.

‘Oh no no. No. I am not hinting that I am going to let you have things your way. You have to work for it, my dear. Be prepared…’ he went on.

‘Sorry. Too late for damage control’, I laughed and skipped through the bushes, completely enjoying his perplexed expression.

‘Hey’, I said turning to him. ‘Now how do I get home?’

His smile was back. He pointed to his ear. What’s that supposed to mean, I thought looking around for a clue. He was gone when I turned back around. There, I thought. Just what I needed. I then heard a voice.

‘JANANI! Are you going to wake up now or not?’