Crown

By Meera

Will I be able to do it??. It seems like a big process. I don't know, it's so scary to think about it. No, no I should do it somehow. I know it's a tedious way, but I will do it. Can I do it??. Is it possible??. Am all alone in this entire journey?. Will I make it to the end?. What if I get stuck midway?. What if I lose hope to continue?. What if I fail??. What will happen if I fail?. Do I have a backup plan??. Yes, that's where I should start from, I guess. I have to have a solid backup plan, that would help. Is that so? Is it that necessary??. Will I not get sane until I have a good formation. Can't I invest my next one year on my perseverance, will power, hardwork, gut instincts and on my only dream, I dreamt my whole life!. I know deep inside, that I will learn anything on my own pace, but I will leave it learning. I won't let myself fail, I won't leave my dreams, get shatter again!!. Yes, I won't and I kept that thought firm and close to my heart.

Clouded by the thoughts and lots of self doubt, I reached my home, to get stuck in between my two annoying cousins.

'What??. Where were you all this while. Can't you pick a call??'.

'How come you are late. How could you makes us wait?'.

'I left early, to reach home early. But thanks to our city's traffic'.

'Where were you?'.

'In the library'.

'Not again. Same old story'.

'Yea, day dreaming about a fantasy world!!'.

'Of which she could never reach or belong'.

'Nor fit in!!'.

'Why can't you dream of something that's quite possible to achieve?'.

'That's what I am aiming at. Because I believe I could!'.

'You will never get there, trust me!!'.

'It's like a mirage. It's not true. Your wasting your time!!'.

'More than anything, you are wasting your life. Listen, we had dreams too. But it's equally important to be practical in life'.

'Try to be a realist'.

'Am a dreamer and will always be!!'.

'She's gone mad. Let's leave her to her!!'.

'She's turned crazy. Let's go!!'. Smiling, I bid them bye.

Yes, I made up my mind!!. Take one thing at a go!!. Take your own time, but be determined to never leave it halfway. Never settle until you get it done. I reached my swimming class as I brought my head intact.

'Hello Sir, am Aasha!!. I came here to learn swimming lessons from you!. I am a fresher, I need to take up professional scuba diving courses from here. Give me your guidance and support Sir!'.

'That's a long process Aasha. But achievable. Am happy how you are clear on what you want. You have to be dead focus and determined to get there. You need to pass some basic criteria, you need to learn to float, dive in and rescue lessons in swimming Aasha. You need to master all 4 strokes. I will guide you through. Let's begin from the basics. I will teach you to breathe underwater today'.

He made me float and examined my leg and hand movements and its coordination, besides teaching me on how to breathe underwater.

'Your body is getting stiff in water Aasha. It's normal to have fear for water. But you will be fine. Continue to practise and swim despite your fears!'.

'We will begin with breaststroke to make it easier for you and take it from there Aasha!!'.

'Thank you Sir!'.

Six months later

'Good Aasha. I am so happy to leave you to take up your scuba diving courses. You are a pro at all the four strokes. Your hardwork has paid off. You are good in diving and floating. You have passed all the required scuba diving criteria. Am proud of you, Aasha!!'.

'My Jounery had just began Coach. There's a long way yet, to go to the tip of my dream Coach. But, I know I will get there, soon!'.

'Stay same Aasha. You are one of my favourite students. Am proud and happy I coached you!'.

'Thank you so much, Coach. I will see you soon!'.

I boarded the flight to Andaman, determined to get to my next goal.

Andaman Islands

Two months later

'Aasha, It's been two months since you arrived here. You were scared of ocean tides at first. You slowly got familirized with it. You always had tried your best, to make the enviornment into your comfort zone. I have trained you all this while on open, advance, rescue and now on master's. You are slowly turning into a professional scuba diver, Aasha. But, I had a doubt on your skills on underwater photography!!. You proved me wrong, you were equipped with knowledge and resources. You had an eye for capturing. I must say, you are a natural!!!'.

'You were there throughout my Journey Coach. I know I will get there. But I badly need your help now Coach!'.

'What is it Champ??'.

'I had practised under water photography all this while, after your training. In all the dives I took so far, I had accompanied with my camera to understand the different environment at different times and the varied habitat and most importantly on how to handle the difference In lighting. So can I stay two more months here, to train under different depths in the projects the organisation would undertake!'.

'Do you have a portfolio Aasha!!'.

'Yes Coach'.

'Good, send it to me, now. I will forward it to the board here. I can't take decisions alone. I will make some calls. Meet me in few minutes, Champ!!'.

I stood there watching the surfers took the boards to the sea. While some, had glided it effortlessly. I wondered on how did they do that??. I was been called.

'The board has agreed to pull you in. You will be given short assignment after your first check of approval. All could be achieved on one condition, Champ??'.

'What is it Coach??'.

'You should leave us undisturbed to work!'.

'That's possible Coach!'.

Two more months had passed by

'Wow, thank you Champ, for helping us through when needed. You were good at your work!!'.

'Thank you, Coach!'.

'So, where's your next stop??. Where are you heading from here??. How's your work progressing??'.

'I have uploaded the pictures on my website. I have gained quite a good name. I am pacing up. I have applied for jobs within our ocean territory Coach. I feel, I would do fairly good in our waters. But, I need more and more experience to understand different waters. So am heading to the near by seas from our ocean through job or as an explorer. That's my next stop. But as of now, I had planned to take a break from work. You will suprised to know my next immediate stop, coach!'.

'What is it Champ??'.

'Am heading there!!'. I showed him the bunch of new surfers training under our head Coach.

'There???'.

'Yes!!'.

'My goodness. Why??'.

'I need to know how they balance the board efficiently!'.

'Bye Coach'. I sat and I peddaled on my cycle.

'Bye Champ. But, where are you cycling to?'.

'To rent the Board Coach!!!'.

'Good luck Champpp'.

Dreams are achievable. All it takes is for us to break into small goals!.

Author's note:

We all have to wear a invisible crown in her head, as we achieve our small to big goals, to reach our dreams. Remember to take pauses to enjoy the success, because we are the kings and queens of our own dreams.

By Meera