Realization
I was 9 year old when we moved to Visakhapatnam from Rourkela. Rourkela which is a part of Orissa is a small town and we used to reside at Steel Plant township which was more secured.I along with my elder brother two sisters were all excited to travel by a train to reach Visakhapatnam. It was my father’s birth place and he too was happy to come back to his home town. Home again Home again !! Excitement in his face  was quite evident !
All four of us were busy counting the stations :the task given by my father to keep us engaged through out the journey. I was sincerely noting down the names of the stations while my brother who was busy playing with his ball ,suddenly peeping into my book to copy from my book so that he will be in the race with us. My elder sister being 6 years older to me already knows most of the stations,hence was relaxing reading the Famous Five .My second sister has already bribed me with a 5 Star chocolate and thus engrossed in chit chatting with another girl of her age. Though my father noticed all these actions of ours, he paid no heed to it as he was seriously discussing the future plans in Visakhapatnam with my mother.
The train reached the station ! We got down ,one of my Paternal Uncles came to receive us and took us to his house. while going to his house we saw the beautiful beach! What an amazing scenic beauty ! I was zapped ! I saw such a vast expanse of seawater for the first time.I wanted to get down from the car as I saw few kids of my age, playing in the sand. I hurriedly asked my uncle “ uncle can I get down and play here.but felt a little disappointed that no one paid any heed to my words.All were busy talking to each other.But the first sight of beach has left a great impact on my mind. My wish to come and play on the beach &in the sand &water started growing minute by minute. While I was busy enjoying the beauty of the beach through the car windows our car stopped at a gate .My Uncle got down and said come in this is our new house .We built it on the sea shore as your aunt loves beach’!
Wow ! how lucky !? Everyday Dinika my cousin can go and play in the water “ I told my sister. She nodded her head agreeingly. I unknowingly started envying my cousin for her fate. Though she tried exchanging lighter words to involve me  in the conversation, I paid very little heed to it and I kept on thinking to defeat her and make her cry.The more she is trying to get closer more I started thinking that she is exhibiting her pride, as I felt she is too happy to have living in such beautiful house and she is trying to show off her luck. Next two hours all elders were busy in preparing lunch and setting table for kids and men folk, and we kids sneaked through the half-opened gate stealthily to the beach to play.
My first experience on beach was awesome! The bright sun rays were turning the green waters into golden yellow in some areas and silver-white in some areas. The systematic ebb &flow of the water made me spellbound for quite some time and I was totally lost in the beauty of the vast expanse of the ocean. But, the next experience that I had on the beach made me become hydrophobic throughout my life. Let me explain : While I was totally engrossed in enjoying the beauty of sea waters: suddenly someone pushed me towards the water and I fell down ,next minute a huge wave covered me and started dragging me towards it. I was shocked! I could only hear faintly, the panic stricken voice of my sister “ save ….save.. my sister is getting drowned”. I thought yes I am dead. I started remembering sad stories of parents losing their kids while playing in the water.. their sad faces as a flash appeared and disappeared. But, suddenly a tender hand caught hold of me and started pulling me towards the shore while all the other kids standing panicky. She is my cousin Dinika, who I thought was showing off too much…She gently pressed my tummy to release the little saline water I had gulped in that shock and made me feel comfortable by wiping my face with the towel, her brother brought along with him. Dinika questioned” Are you Ok now” Can we go back home? Saying this,she helped me stand properly and held my hand and helped me walk on the sand towards the house. I felt ashamed of all the negative feelings I had about her. I hesitantly said “Thank you,if you would not have saved me today,I would have died. She smiled and said come on…you are my cousin.I want you to be safe. By God’s Grace you are safe. I  understood that I should not have any negative thoughts about anyone and should not be jealous of anyone. Myself and Dinika became close friends thereafter.


                                                      

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