Short Stories de Vida

6. Courage: The path for Dreams

Sometimes, all that a person needs is some, be it minimal, courage, just so that they can follow their dreams. Without this courage, it is impossible to make something out of yourself. Sometimes, we don't tend to have this courage. As a result, we change our fate, probably for the worst. It is during these times, that if someone supports us and pushes us to follow our dreams, we get that little courage that open up our wings and make us ready to soar across the sky.

Poetry is an art of words. It's a masterpiece knitted together by the thoughts of the poet and the rhythmic melody of a poetic essence. At the age of eight, Annehilia, the wisest girl around Chicago, realized that her happiness, her purpose of life, her talent lies in the heartfelt quatrains of poetry. The girl found herself in the art of poetry.

This little sense of oneness with her poems, sparked a little desire to become a poet. Perhaps, this was her road to success, her path of life. Unfortunate for her, a dream so big needs a pinch of courage that poor little Annehilia lacked.

"I need to do this. I am born to be a poet. Perhaps I should just control my fear. I have to become who I am meant to be." Little, shy Annehilia tried consoling herself to get over her fears and live her dreams. Finally finding, her 'so called' courage, she picked up her little diary in which she poured out her heart as poems, and wore an oversized, orange hoodie with the hood covering her silky, blonde hair.

This little courage that she mustered up, drove her feet as fast as they could before stopping on a busy street. Her body jerked to her right and her eyes shifted up to read, "Alliteration Hub" which was the biggest Publishing house in Chicago. "It's just a matter of seconds, let's go in, come on." Annehilia told herself. Little did she know how hard it was for her to do this. Her legs, as if they had a mind if their own, refused to move any further, much to her dismay.

Unknowingly, her body took over and turned her around, walking homeward. "Why? Why can't I do this?" The little girl questioned herself only for this question to remain unanswered for years.

Annehilia never gave up, every year, she mustered courage to walk herself to the Publishing house, but returned without success. It had been 15 years since the first time she attempted to go to the Publishing House. Annehilia, aged twenty three, was standing in front of the Publishing House, staring at the sign, which according to her was the last time she would be doing it. "If I can't muster courage this time, I will have to forget my poetry. So I have to do this."

Was her body read to listen to her mind? Sadly, no. As usual, as she was about to step forward, her body just turned around and walked away. "I guess this is it. Maybe am not meant for this." Annehilia told herself sighing deeply as she felt her heartache at the thought of having lost her dream.

Now now, you must be wondering, if this girl hadn't given up all her life, why is she doing it now. A few days back, her parents had come to her with a news that, they were intending to get her married to Superstar Yoann of the infamous French-American, harmony group, "Garçons Ignifuges". Yoann's parents were very close to Annehilia's parents. Yoann and Annehilia had been really close during their childhood until the day when Yoann's family had to move to Bordeaux, back when the two were just six. Now after ages the two were about to reunite as their parents wanted them married.

Annehilia thought that once she was married, she wouldn't find the time for her poetry and that if there was any hopes for her poems, then it was now, before her her marriage. Sadly, she couldn't do it, even on the day when she needed it the most than ever. "Did you do it? At least today?" Her father asked as she entered the house. "No papa, I just don't have that courage." Annehilia said. "Don't be disheartened sweetheart. I know you can do it someday." Her mother said hugging her. "I can't. I'm getting married now." She said as her eyes filled up with tears.