drop the anchor

The newly instated captain of this sleek and rather refined looking ship is under enormous strain, what with the humongous responsibility of steering this baby to its final destination which holds lofty promises of treasures hitherto unknown and fame and adulation, reverence and triumph galore, she has every reason to be.

The path was uncertain with the end nowhere in sight, it was a vast sea full of endless options.
The expanse of blue-green which looked deceptively peaceful, in her foolish unenlightened days would have looked invitingly warm and friendly; but now wiser, she knew the path ahead was full of hurdles and pirates who, with evil mirth in their eyes would not only loot and kill but make sure the ship sinks without a trace. If that wasn’t enough, she thought wryly, the sea itself was like an unfaithful friend who could turn around and ruthlessly destroy all your dreams while you trust it with your eyes closed.

So how in the world was she supposed to reach her destination? With inexperience as her only ally or rather a mis-ally she was doubtful in her own capacity to lead. Looking back she realized how easy it seemed back then when she had much more experienced captains around to make the decisions, “we will not be there forever”, They warned, “for you are meant to take charge, this is your vessel. You will lead it to its destiny, your choices will be instrumental, so work hard and pay attention it’s not as easy as it seems.”

She listened, slightly miffed. The sea was her oyster, it was the only thing she knew and loved despite the obvious perils around; they surely don’t need to tell her. So she longed for the day when she would be handed over the command.

Finally she got her wish and strangely she was very tense, not scared because that was an alien feeling to her for she was one of those who would charge ahead if sure of themselves, so not scared but excited and slightly edgy.

She glanced furtively at her sailors who were waiting for her orders, all the expectations all the trust, enough to make one go mad really.

With such muddled thoughts she stood on the deck and looked straight ahead when suddenly she noticed a bunch of small islands. There were a lot of ships anchored there and it seemed quite a crowd. She decided to stop and have a look, as she neared though she realized that these were the much famed islands called ‘THE INSTITUTES’ which claimed they would help you achieve your goals and reach your destination.

“Aha” just what she had been waiting for. She slowed down and started looking around.

There were tons and tons of them,”Oh God! How do I choose the one that’s right for me”
Some were interesting but most of them were full of bloated heads who thought they were doing you a favor by letting you anchor on their island. Nothing impressed her much
Then in one corner was an island that had a different air about it, very regal, she thought.
It floated in the corner quite yet proud. So she decided to stop.

There was nothing on the island that she didn’t like. The first look had been enough; still the more she wandered the better she liked it.

Their was a sense of vitality breeding on this island.

It gave you a sense of freedom and yet a discipline that was required on the journey ahead. She would stay and learn more she decided, but wait!! You have to pass a test first because a lot of people want to stay on this island you see.

Oh, I see!
Well if that is what it takes.

She worked hard and toiled like never before. Used to an easy life this was the first litmus test and she left no stone unturned.

When the results came out she whopped in joy because she was among the lucky few who were offered a stay here from the thousands who wanted to.
When the euphoria finally settled, she looked around and saw the others who had been asked to stay on.

They like her were on the threshold of taking charge. Some looked more confident than her and yet there were others who knew what they wanted to take from the island. The bond was instant because no matter how different their destinations might be they had chosen the same path and that now they were somehow connected. The camaraderie was growing by each passing minute and she knew this was it.

The place she would live and breathe, the place where she would grow, the place that would give her countless memories and some long lasting friendships, the place where her dreams would begin to take a tangible shape.

With the confusion and the indecision ebbing away and a feeling of glee surging inside her she rushed back to the deck and ordered confidently
“Drop the anchor we are going to stay.”

From somewhere deep inside the ship came a resounding, confident roar
”Aye Aye Captain!!!”

smriti
31st may 4:57am