Relationship-Mirage or Reality?

Strong whiff of wind blew raging the panes of windows against each other; shatttering the mirror; knocking the plate and the half filled glass on the ground, breaking that into pieces. That night a house sitting on the mantel dropped and all the pieces fell apart. The house was made of cards -it was fragile,hence got whisked away!

Hana sat still while all these happened-tears flowing down her cheeks. It felt as if the word which she had heard just few days back from her mom – Aina, reverberated in her ears.She had vivid memories of that cold wintery night when she saw her mom totally deluged in a meltdown, profusely crying,hurt by the pangs of memories.Aina kept repeating-‘Relationship is overrated’! Dad kept consoling mom,but to no avail. Hana remembered every bit of it.

Hana had realized that life came in different shades at varying points with its ebb and flow.Not at all points of life,did one experience the highs and lows, but what she valued the most was the beauty and texture of relationships. She had learnt over the years how each relationship was important and unique and had to be nurtured with care.

She treasured the bond which she had shared with her grandparents-none of whom were present any more.Hana reminisced over the beautiful association which she had with her school teachers,Ms P of cafeteria,the ever helpful & friendly Mr.A who greeted all the kids and helped them in the bus to get settled and while getting down. Her eyes were welling up with tears.

On one hand the memories as charming and heartwarming as these enriched the meaning of “Relationship” and on the other the nightmarish recollection of her mom’s cries and anguish from some nights’ back flooded Hana’s mind . Hana recalled how in a flick of a moment, she saw a world of trusts, bonds turning topsy turvy. Loved ones who were no less dearer than very own flesh and blood, who effortlessly became distant over some matters considered to be trivial. The question which kept hovering was-whether decades of bond, unbreakable attachment in reality just a figment of imagination? In reality was there no affiliation, no affection,no interdependence, belief, no feeling of togetherness that bound humanity together?

Hana was in a fix. Just when she had the firm thought etched deeply in her mind that amidst all volatility around, the only thing which would stick around forever was ‘Relationship’ -just at that point life had taken an unexpected u turn, negating all her firm beliefs. Hana was imprisoned in her own dichotomous world of ideas and events .

So was Relationship really overrated? What would she call that existed between Mrs J ( an octogenarian frail lady who lived on the corner of the opposite lane) and Hana herself?

The selfless gesture of steering the mobile scooter and make every happy attempts to make rounds near Hana’s house, leave different favorite goodies & gifts either in tbe mailbox or near the front entrance wishing Hana and her family on special days. These happy memories filled her up with glimmer of hope and sunshine. Many such beautiful snippets of memories rejuvenated young Hana and reinstilled the positivity which existed amongst human relationships.

The intrinsic cobweb of varying ranges of human emotions ranging from love,trust, reliance,hope,hatred,anger,lust,passion,envy formed the basis of human existence and the association of the one with the other.

Hana smiled to herself as her nascent mind meandered ;settled on the crux of all the complexities-humanity above everything else.Parents,kids,partners,friends,neighbors,enemies- were just created manifestations to exhibit the intricacies of relationships.What presided in an affiliation between individuals was indeed a function of the innnunerable parameters – Everything in this ephemeral existence was transient- the only constant was the unending belief in one ownself – the Relationship one had with the inner soul-

And for the rest of time, the tussle between – “Relationship is perpetual; It is everlasting ” VS “Relationship is Over rated” continued until time immemorial.

Hana finally came to peace with herself-complacent amidst her own niche of salty tears,happy memories and enriching visions. She looked at the broken house of cards , smiled & muttered beneath her breath- “Yes Relationships are BEAUTIFULLY HYPED yet indefinitely constant-the only constant amidst the strewn apart house of mistrust and disbelief

“There’s a choice we’re making.

And we’re saving our own lives

It’s true we’ll make a better day, just you and me”…..