A New Dawn

How I love waking up in the dark— the strange sense of power it gives me to see everyone curled up sleeping tight! The sense of superiority— I did manage to leave the comfort of the blanket. And the competition— I started early, and I am much ahead, yayy!

The beauty of dawn filtered in, announcing the brand new start of the day.

I filled up my flask with hot Chai, laced up my shoes, and took the first step outside the door. The refreshing air filled up my nostrils and my lungs. How much I would love to have company, to talk to someone while walking. As I reached the entrance of the park, I saw the little girl with a pile of today’s newspaper like everyday, sitting on the bench, curled up in a shawl. She handed me the newspaper and I gave her money.

There was something different today though.

I didn’t walk away from her with the newspaper in my hand like other days; rather I decided to have a talk with her.

“Today you are very early!” I said. She was shivering in cold, and with dried up tears on her cheeks, she just nodded.

“I came earlier than other days, so I could sell more. Last night my mother passed away, and I need money to arrange her funeral.” I sat there speechless. I couldn’t decide if I should comfort her first or offer help.

Today’s dawn, which brought me the sense of peace and tranquility, brought her the agony of the loss of her mother— it wiped off the word ‘mother’ from her life’s dictionary.

I gave her my tea flask to drink tea so her body could warm up a little and accompanied her to her mother’s funeral. I couldn’t leave that girl alone. My weeping heart needed company and she needed a home.

Since then, I have been taking a walk every morning alongside her at the dawn of every day.