
Joanna parked her shoes on the beach. The sand felt soft and fine beneath her feet. The wind was blowing in her hair. And the sun was pleasantly warm. But, she was not here to appreciate the myriad elements of nature. She had a battle to fight and she needed to win it even when the odds seemed to be against her.
Slowly she entered the clear waters of the sea. The foamy waves were gently caressing her feet inviting her to move deeper. As she moved further into the sea, the sand started shifting from under her feet. The water enveloped her body. She could feel the strength of the water. She felt she was being taken away into the sea, but she planted her feet firmly. She could have swum, but that would have meant she was giving into the mighty sea. She preferred standing so that she could talk like an equal.
It had been ten years since she had visited this beach. Visited any beach. She had vowed to never enter the sea again. But here she was breaking her promise.
Ten years ago, at this beach and in this inviting blue sea waters, she had lost her first born. She was standing on the beach, watching helplessly as the waves took away her daughter. She cried for help, ran here and there, but it wasn’t enough and it wasn’t soon. By the time, they came, there was no trace of her daughter. The currents were too powerful, they said.
“But, there were other kids too swimming in the water. Why didn’t the currents take them? Why only my daughter?” Joanna shouted.
“The sea is unpredictable, madam.” Was all they could say in return.
Three years later, she lost her husband, a captain in the Indian Navy, when his ship collided with an oil tanker in the high seas. The vessels were destroyed and no one saw the men on board again. Without the body, she buried an empty casket. She got one more reason to be furious with the Sea.
She took her only surviving child, her son to a place as far from the sea as possible. She wanted to keep him safe. But the sea seemed to be having the last laugh.
Her son was joining the Merchant Navy and was sailing out on his first high seas assignment in a week’s time. She pleaded with her son to choose a different career line, to leave the seas alone for other men whose mother probably hadn’t lost any child. But her son like his father was adamant.
“The sea is in my blood.” He said.
“You are being unnecessarily paranoid, Joanna. It’s not that the catastrophe will strike again.” Friends and family assured her.
Maybe she was paranoid. But the catastrophe had already struck twice, it could very well strike for a third time. Who would stop it?
So, here she was in the lap of the sea – one mother to another – asking, demanding, requesting, begging to the sea to spare her son.
The sea started retreating. Suddenly the water felt less insistent and restricting. Joanna turned and started walking towards the beach. The salty water dripping from her body.
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I am participating in the Write Tribe Festival of Words – June 2018
Anshu, the more I read your stories, the more I fall in love with your writing. This one’s both poignant and heartwarming.
That’s so sweet of you, Sonia! The WTF gave me the chance to read your work too (I still have to read Raya Ray as soon as this festival is over) and appreciate it. You are a prolific writer. I am so glad we connected. 🙂
Indeed, so glad that we connected.
<3
I could feel the protagonist’s trepidation as she neared the sea. Very vividly written. Well done
Thank you Varad! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
What an amazing story. It did bring back so many memories of similar stories which you have crafted into one deliciously, haunting tale that finally brings a mother solace
Thank you so much Sunita for appreciating this piece! 🙂
I can imagine how this mother must have felt.. her emotions have been poigantly depicted Anshu
Thank you so much Akshata for understanding the depth of emotions here!
I can understand. If something like this happens the fear doesn’t go off easily. Nice that you ended the story with hope . Liked it.
Thank you so much Ramya! Life is nothing without hope! 🙂
Powerful and poignant , both.
Brilliant writing, Ashu and a mothers love that left me misty eyed.
Aww, thank you so much Mayuri! I was moved too while writing this piece.
Wonderful, Anshu. A powerful piece. Loved how she challenged the nature. And for once, it listened.
You got the end Priya! I expected you too! 🙂 Yes, for once the sea listened! 🙂
Letting go is never easy especially if it is one’s own child.
Brilliant narration
Thank you Bhagyashree. Agree with you, children are a piece of our heart and that’s why all the more precious.
A poignant tale. I could feel the mother’s anguish in her plea to her son. Brilliant !
Thank you so much! A loss of a child is the worst thing that can happen to a mother!
I loved the ending. The story starts with the Mom being weak against the sea but emerges stronger.. Awesome Anshu!!
Thank you so much Aesha! We mothers are stronger than we give ourselves credit for
Beautiful story, Anshu. So well narrated. Lovely take on the prompt.
Thank you so much Esha! Glad that you liked it! 🙂
This is the first story of my day..and I must say I have a great start today. This one was so beautifully expressed through words. The anxiety and helplessness of a mother. Made me thoughtful..keep writing, your stories are turning into classics.
And this is such a lovely message to read Balaka! You are as expressive with your stories as you are with your compliments! Love you girl!! <3
‘One mother to another’ such a beautiful expression. Loved the story as a whole
Thank you Anupriya! Yes, we call the sea ‘mother’ so got inspired to write something on it – a mother that takes and gives!
Oh wow that was so so so good. Loved the interpretation of the photo prompt.
Thank you so much Suchita! Feels so good to be appreciated by an awesome writer! 🙂
Wow! Such emotions 🙂 Beautifully narrated. I could feel the pain of the mother so much! And yet…the determination.
Thank you so much Rashmi..i am glad you liked it .. She is both helpless and strong
Rashmi your name doesn’t link back to your blog. It shows me site not found.
pain, courage, hope and despair.. u combined all the emotions in one go. Amazed with your atoz tara and writetribe tales..
Thank you Deepa! I am so happy that you have appreciated my writing, especially because I love yours so much!
Anshu I am in love with you girl. Truly in deep love. What a story! Such strong storyline love the last lines – A Mother to Another.
Beautiful.
Thank you so much Dipika. It feels so good when the appreciation comes from an awesome blogger like you! 🙂
Wow. Am bowled over. Have goosebumps. What a powerful story. Almost have tears in my eyes. So moved. Kudos!!!
Thank you so much Ashwini! It means a lot when these words of appreciation come from you! Because then I know they are really true!
Loved the way it began and loved the way it ended!
Thank you so much Sunita! 🙂
Yet again, a mind-blowing piece. Love your writing Anshu.
Thank you so much Vartika! 🙂
My eyes are moist and heart is weeping…
No mother should ever face this fate.
Gripping narration and premise Anshu.
I agree with you, Anagha! No mother should have this fate!
you weave magic
such a marvellous piece.
Thank you so much Bhavna! 🙂
Beautiful di
Thank you neethu
I love how you spoke of her pleading as one mother to another! A very well written story of loving and letting go.
Thanks Corinne! I like this story too! It has become one of my favourites!