Shedding My Fears

By Ajjarapu Neeharika

It’s an uncommon sultry monsoon afternoon.

I’m walking along the crab laden beach shore in apprehension.

I looked at the rolling waves in awe.

The crashing felt like a guttural roar of a demon’s maw.

Petrified, I closed my eyes tight.

Drained, my closed fists turned white.

My train of thoughts drifted to the past.

My brain dashed to the age of eight.

I was drowning in an agricultural pond.

Helpless, I cried for a helping hand.

Decided that this was the dead end,

Until a friend of mine lent her hand.

A giant wave crashed on this shingle beach.

A faint pain throbbed in my ankles beneath.

The sand is sinking underneath. 

My friends are far beyond my reach.

Annoyed, I decided to shed my fear of water.

Determined, I took a step towards the water.

“It’s ok, relax!”, I said to myself.

“It’s ok, you’re twenty six,” poked my inner self.

I stood between the rocks.

They are the natural paddocks.

A tiny wave touched my warm feet.

The agony of my heart doused in the cold heat.

I looked at my wet trousers in delight.

The sand sparkled bright on them in sunlight.

Another wave, another splash.

Every wave to my past, a whiplash.

“I am brave”, I silently cheered for myself.

A fervent wave greeted my joy damping my calf.

Time flowed hastily.

I enjoyed it thoroughly.

My fear subsided gradually.

The waves soothed me calmly.

This is a personal victory.

All it took is one step to make this story.

By Ajjarapu Neeharika