OBLIVION

It was the last days of the long winter and the beginning of a new busy season. Normality was slowly being restored. As the trains started running gliding through the final remaining precipitate. The memory of bone chilling cold was slowly a thing of past as the sun shined promising life. But I was still under the blankets, sobbing like an orphaned infant. The mere thought of going back to the life of corporate melodrama made me sulk. Max was still under the blanket whining seeing me go. I shook off the cobwebs of sloth and made my strides to meet the day.

Sometimes it takes the hand of nature to realise that there is more to life than a cubicle. Lethargy was the common agenda for the day. Air conditioners were poised to have a long winter break. And I slowly turned on the laptop sipping in hot coffee. "Is it connecting?" I heard my colleagues asking each other. I knew what they were talking as I tried logging into the internet. "Party guys, the server is down" our team leader said with a sarcastic smile. There were cheers and high five's all around. Without internet our department was like pool without water. All of us gathered around the cafe; more coffee, more caffeine, more gossip and more fun.

And soon we came to know that the problem is global. An eclipse has caused an unnatural gravitational pull, making the satelites tilt a few degrees from the axis and causing a blackout shutting down the satelites. Reports said the entire state would be cut off from the world for hours. People were cautioned to stay at one place.

I stood there petrified at the sight of chaos that was let loose. It's astonishing how even the manly of figures and virtues break down like structures when calamity strikes. Despite warnings I sneaked outside. Never have I seen the intersection this quiet. It was strangely silent and darkness seemed to hide the morning sun. And I rushed my strides, when I remembered Max was scared of darkness. As I reached the courtyard, I heard Max's barks up and down the stairs. He might be scared, Poor thing! I sighed. I unlocked the door and Max seemed to run past me into the road. I thought he would stop but then he didn't look back as he kept on running. I threw my bag and ran after him yelling out "Maxie" "Maxie". I lost him completely at the intersection as I stood there with hands on head.

I was exhausted, totally worn out as I lied down on the lawn pouring down cold water on my face. A hour might have passed, I woke up when it started raining. I went inside, checked the cell and it was still offline. Rain seemed to have pouring heavily outside as I made a coffee and sat near the window. I hoped Max would come back as I wiped the photoframe. It felt strange, a life outside office, Max and phone was a first experience since Angie left. Angie! That name hasn't come up in few years now.

I was silent, a lonewolf. Not that I chose to be but forced upon. I made my life around some string of codes and online gamers. I built the walls so high and let in only a handful of amenities. Now that I'm broke, the very wall I built has become shackles letting in an unknown feeling. A strange sense of fear caught me as I fell into oblivion. It hurt, this animosity, although I cherished it but when it was forced upon I wasn't manly enough. As the thunder rumbled heavily, the only light in the room also hid in fear. I sat there, as fate hunted me with my favourite sport.

As soon as rain calmed a bit, I started the V6 engine roaring through the empty streets. I went to the intersection and went the freeway towards the beach. I remembered taking Max to the beach during the summer. I stopped the car and got out, the beach has never looked this vacant. Waves were pretty strong, the eclipse! I thought to myself. I ran all around shouting "Maxie". My voice trembled at the sound of waves crashing across the sandbed. It was too little too less. I fell on the sand sobbing like a child. All these days I chose to be alone but when life handed me the gift, I feared the sight of it.

I went all around searching for Max but he was nowhere to be found. I stopped at the intersection confused, I looked at the cell. Offline! I started the engine heading countryside; the road, the trees everything looked the same. There are some things that will never go spiritless; the breeze, friendship and her smile. Angie! This was the first time in years I let her back in my thoughts. Maybe because I was slowly reaching her place. As the car passed the railroads I saw the church in distance. The dome shined even when the day looked dark. I stopped the car near the giant oak tree, as a kid I used to play around it.

I walked past the church to the backyard where Angie was resting. I had kept my eyes shut so far from seeing her. Her bed was covered in moss. I sat on my knees and cleaned the engravings on the tombstone.

"On this day, I give you my heart,
My promise, that I will walk with you,
Hand in hand, wherever our journey leads,
In life or in death, together
I love you"

"I do" "I do" Our wedding vow engraved stood as testament to our love.Tears seemed to run out like a torrent from a dam, which was tightly shut all these years.

Angie Mark
Forever in our hearts.

I felt a warm embrace like a breeze, I knew it was Angie. I cried bitterly hoping for some peace that would suffice my soul. I knew she didn't want me to be a victim. I kissed her goodbye and promised I will never be the same again.

As I reached my car, I searched for my cell. A Missed call! Oh things are back! I sighed. It was Mom. They have suffered as much as I have. Their only son stripped apart in front of their own eyes and not being able to do anything about it. We haven't talked in months now. I decided to call her back. It was hard but sometimes the right thing is always difficult. All I could hear was her sobbing uncontrollably, I looked to the skies seeking forgiveness for the turmoil I let them in.

Oblivion! Sometimes its a good thing, a silence that thunders "You are not alone!"