The Wave

I was cutting green peppers in the kitchen when I checked my phone.

I was sitting in a road side dhaba in Jaipur eating mushroom soup.

I was sitting in the back of a restaurant waiting for our lunch.

I was sitting at my computer waiting for a reply and I got an email.

I was sitting in the car on the way back home from the drive to the south coast.

And again, and again, and again.

Each time I heard it, I shook and shrivelled. Turned smaller. Fought the wave.

I know it has been my overwhelming optimism that has helped me carry such a weight.