Rip Tide

Rip Tide 

Rip Tide 

I didn't think much about it till just now when I saw this beautiful image of the ocean with a surfer just idling and looking into the vastness of the ocean in the movie ‘Rip Tide’…..and I felt my heart within my rib cage throbbing with an excitement …I remember when i felt it. 

A very ordinary day in the beach town of Goa ….we were heading to a beach someone recommended the one behind the Hyatt was something different from the usually packed sea sides of north …we drove up there, with much argument as to which lane to take to the beach front. A very busy village by the 5 star was sort of hard to drive . After a few wrong turns we found the beach. Had a friend expecting us, me and my sons. 

Wen we reach a destination has it often occurred that, the mind is trying to arrange your things, ‘where do I sit?’ ‘Where do I put my bag?’ ‘What will the kids eat?’ ‘Should I have worn another shoe?’…I don’t know, it took a while  to get my bearings. Then of course …..I had jostled myself in the morning- I imaging to try to be in the moment ….took a deep breath, looked at the ocean, blocked my thoughts out  lol …if you believe me ..yes let’s proceed …..

So from the ocean to the beach and shiny mother pearl flakes …..one, two and a hundred of them like stars …..it was the first time I saw them ……I didn't want to pick them up because my lil boy was already doing that …..he even made a game of it ….”You must pick only the perfectly shaped ones, should not have any holes ma …and who ever collects the most is the winner!“ 

I must introduce Beens at this point, super hep triathlon champ, crew cut hair, million dollar smile, hardcore environmentalist,  she can so totally knock You out. I met her a week before today at a common friends part, which is where this idea of going swimming/ Kayaking came up and as soon as the words dropped out her mouth, I had butterflies in my stomach. She spoke about swimming in the ocean with so matter-of-factly, it was a bit unnerving. And she promised to take me in! That was scary …lol. The next day she called to confirm because she was going to book the kayaks ….I knew this woman was serious about this. I came out with the truth ……”Beens it’s not been long sine I started swimming and I don't think I have the stamina, I think I get cramps,” oh boy was I a bag of excuses. She wasn't buying any of it ….”’s gonna be Fun.” She must have said that a few times between every other sentence. I tried to focus on that …”Hey its gonna be Fun” ‘for whom -we will have to see.’

Dropped the bags and we were all ready to hit the water …..She was kind …..we went with the kids, horsed around a lil on the kayak …..my boys were having a blast … She was making sure the kids were ok and giving them lessons on safety. It was sweet to see ……”safety first!” she kept telling them. As soon as she was done hollering that, she turned to me and said ‘Let's swim to that boat ……that boat was an easy 300 meters away!.. .and I almost choked on my own breath

“There ..that boat” “No way!”…and while I went about making excuse …the boat set sail !….lol 

 A few minutes into us laughing over the boat just taking off ….”Come on, we’ll just go in till we can …..” she swam beside me ……the water brimming over my eyes ….my heart was beating with ease ……we swam a few minutes and I enjoyed the change of the temperature in the water ……..it was a lot cooler on my belly … That was my wake up call …….”It’s a lot cooler ….you think I wont feel the floor under me….she said “No there is no floor.” I didn't wait to hear her complete the sentence,  I swam back in one breath...and I was still swimming till my knees were scraping the beach …lol ……

A few seconds of fullness, oneness…lightness…the sounds of the waves, your breath and heart..all intertwined …..

Me and the ocean is like a passionate one night stand that you want every night ..but cant have.