Hunting Hubris

The Thalassophile

As the rushing tides of the Indian ocean caressed the Rameswaram seashore discretely lulling the island into sunset, a pretty 17 year old brunette ran along the shore, spilling gleeful giggles and untainted happiness. She ran out from the lively campfire consisting high school seniors towards the lonely soul who stood along the shore looking over the horizon, unapologetic about missing the on-going celebration.

"Come on sister, it not the time to display your passion towards the sea. Let's get back to our areana and join the party. You have no idea what you are missing out"

"No. I'm good here" came a soft yet stern reply

"Why do you love the sea so much?", an exasperated Samantha voiced out her curiosity.

An elegant smile crawled its way to her lips as her eyes found the boy who was the sole inspiration for her sea-love being chased around by a moppet only to unceremoniously fall on the shore, splashing the tides.

"Because, it's beautiful Sam... Beautiful and unrestrained yet deep and enigmatic, holding unimaginable mysteries veiled in a curtain of enchanting blue." She said gazing at the deep blue eyes of the boy which were speckled with mischief. The subtle gestures were not unnoticed by the perceptive elder sister.

"Are you in love my little Aru?" Samantha questioned with undeniable delight which was answered only with a smile.

"ARUNTHATHI!!" I was startled awake from my day dream by the screeching voice of Ajay.

"What?"

"What the hell Ru? I have been blasting my vocal cords for the past 15 minutes, mind you 15 minutes to pull you back form your 'mulling-over-memories' session. Could you never stop this?

I'm sure one day you are gonna do the same while being in the sea and drown just to become shark-food"

"If you have finished your rant, could you just tell the actual resaon for disturbing me, AJ" I said just to rile him up. He hated being called 'AJ'. But it's inevitable for every Indian name to undergo an editing session by non-Indians and morph into a more pronounce-able form. That's how 'Ajay Ramachandran' became 'AJ' and 'Arunthathi' became 'Ru'.

"Just wanted to inform that we would reach the shore in an hour. So be prepared to enter your alien territory, 'The Land'" mocked Ella, standing beside an annoyed AJ. On a serious note the land has indeed become alien to us after our eight months stay in the middle of pacific ocean somewhere near Indonesia. My love for the sea had pushed me to pursue Marine biology and Oceanography in a reputed Indian institute. As a part of my Masters programme, I had gained an internship under Dr.Rachel Hillenburg and was selected as a member in a team of ten to carry out a study on the effects of ocean acidification on marine lives. All the ten members were from different parts of the world and we have glued ourselves into one weird family in the span of eight months in sea, as we were cut-off from any form of communication.

It has been eight months since I stepped on the land, since I saw my family, since I got annoyed by my sister Sam.

And I missed them terribly.

Inspite of being labelled as the cold, arrogant sister of the family, I basked in my family's love. I was always the hard-headed realist in the team yet deep inside I longed to see the grace filled face of my mother, to hear the alluring voice of my sister and to gaze into those ocean blue eyes of my love.

My love... The Love that is yet to be confessed.

"I'm giving you an ultimation sister. Either be ready to confess your love to him or be ready to watch me confess on your behalf" I chuckled on remembering Sam's threat. She was so not made for being intimidating. She is the real life 'Tweety from Baby looney tunes' who is all chirpy and cute. Her petite frame added to her angelic aura while my tall frame helped me radiate intimidation.

"Well, it's finally time to meet the land and our dysfunctional families" Dr.Rachel announced.

But never did I know that it was time for me to finally know about the disaster that has crumpled my family.

***********

The first thing that every crew member did after reaching the land was to rush and get hold of their mobiles to contact their loved ones. Some eyes shed happy tears, few mobiles transmitted kisses and certain couples were cocooning themselves in their love. Chuckling at their antics and silently marvelling the purest human emotions unfolding before me, I bid a temporary adieu to the sea, blowing a kiss.

When I turned back, all I could see were concerned faces and pity-filled glances. A whisper spread among my team and every face turned in my direction. Though I was confused, somewhere my mind screamed that something was wrong. Something was amiss.

My family wasn't here. My mind raced.

Something has happened back in India, to my family. If not I would have been crushed in a Sam's bear hug by now.

"What happened?" I questioned Zac, who was in charge for programme.

"We tried to contact you two months back Ru, but we were not...." I broke off his fumbling session.

"Cut the carp, and come to the point Zac. What was to be informed to me?" my voice rose above the ranging tides.

"Your mother met with an accident two months back and she couldn't...." he closed his eyes not being able to take in my crumbling form. "She's no more Ru " his words arrested my heart for a fleeting second. The woman who kissed away all my nightmares and decorated my life with unconditional love was no more. This shouldn't be happening. My body refused to function and my mind couldn't comprehend the details Zac was telling. I was not able fell the empathetic hug provided by AJ or hear the pacifying words from a tearful Ella.

All I could see was my mother's voice chiding me for sneaking into the kitchen at night to steal my sister's share of butterscotch icecream.

All I could feel was her whacking me for gifting a broken nose to the boy who proposed my teenage sister.

And all I could hear was my mother's melodious laugh which had been my solace for years.

But that cursed state of numbness was broken by a single word.

"And your sister...." Zac wasn't able to meet my eyes.

"My sister?" I asked while Zac's assistant rushed into our gathering with his mobile tightly clutched in one hand. "Call from India. Your friend I guess..." he wheezed. With a trembling hand I brought the mobile next to my ear.

"Hello... Ru??" It was the voice I longed to hear an hour back. The same voice which was always filled with mischief or care was now smeared with sorrow.

"Arjun" my voice trembled.

"What happened? Where is mom? What accident? Where is Sam? Why isn't she the one delivering me the news?

Where the hell is she Arjun?

WHAT HAPPENED TO HER?" I yelled. He sighed.

"Love Happened..."

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