I told sunset about you...

Secret Prayer!!

Today while searching for my article topic, I went through the news of an avalanche accident. Well, it was heart-wrenching but besides an empathic view toward the victims and survivors, I can't help but remember a wonderful person. And the incident of the avalanche under which her whole life is buried. My friend, Ashley. To be honest it's my honor to get her as my friend. Always seems to be cheerful and amiable Ashley, but deep down many years ago, her life became a victim of an avalanche incident. Such victimization, that no one could see or understand.

Wise people say, Behind the laughter, there is always some bitter and gloomy reason. And to clock that sadness and pain from the world, excessive laughter is born. And Ashley's life is a living example of this saying. I never thought her solitude could be the result of her pain and grief. But after knowing the pain of her life. I feel a pang in my heart for her loneliness. And still today I am stupefied by the reason for her loneliness. The cause is her Love, which never succeeded. Basically love stories always gain people's attention. But there are some hidden stories. In which Love flourishes in its own unique characteristic. Not to prove that Love is supreme, Just to understand its unconditionality. And the power of Love over Life. It was like a hidden locker, where more valuable things are safeguarded from the outer world. Ashley's story is also just like those love stories, which are not famous but still engulfed with the core essence of Love.

It was Ashley's routine to sit on the rooftop or a balcony in the evening. And stare at sunsets. Watching hues of Sky at sunset. Seems romantic. I was her tenant and as time passed we became close. However, beneath the open sky staring at the sun for a few moments, I considered this to be only a unique hobby of hers. And besides that, Ashley herself was so unique that it never occurred as odd to me. After knowing her I wasn't surprised by her specific hobby. She loved nature. Earth, Sun, Sky, Trees, Rivers. On some of our trips I actually heard her talking to the animals, trees, rivers even the air. Quite amusing. But that's Ashley. With time, I understood her concept of the Omnipresence of nature and its rejuvenating qualities. So this Sunset routine of hers was normal behavior for me. I can see that in her hectic schedule and burden of work this one unique act put her at ease. And that's why I always give her time to stare at the setting Sun. I thought that by giving her time I am giving her space to be herself. If one sees her in this state, one can think that she is having a loving conversation with the setting sun. Eyes closed curved lips. She just looked like any romantic fairytale's lovesick princess.

More often I used to tease her that she should rather have a boyfriend than endure the blazing sun! And she always chirpily replied, "No, no, never. I don't have those fancy desires. I don't like to be bound by those overwhelming feelings. I am very much happy being a wayward soul. You know, a nomadic soul has its own peace. And I don't want to lose that peace of mine." With her dramatic expressive explanation, we both burst out in laughter. Chortles filled the atmosphere.

But one day I came to know accidentally that all this happiness of Ashley is so shallow and empty! When I heard some faint uttered words from Ashley. Barely audible, yet I catch something. A name, 'Sky' which I didn't recognize. This name, I have never ever heard of before. But the most surprising thing was that It came out from Ashley. The same Ashley, who although believes in 'Love' but doesn't believe in 'Falling in Love. To my knowledge, she didn't have any special one. Then who is that whose name is on her lips? I know she is actually a very caring person. And a very spiritual one I might add. She prays for everyone, even for a mugger who mugged her! She can't see anyone's pain. She soulfully tries to take away their pain. But here something was very different. Because this name seems very discreet. Hidden from the world. The conversation was more sort of prayer. I was beyond shocked by this silent prayer and the invisible name in it. Who was this 'Sky' that managed to get a secret place in Ashley's prayer?