Waiting for Sunsets and Watching for Sunrises

By Asha Torruellas

         The cold shakes out of me, a heavy quivering sigh. I was trembling in discomfort by the gusty wind, and it threatened to blow me away like a kite. I was on my way to school and it was raining. The fierce wind whisked my umbrella away, and with my arm attached to it, took me away with it. It was to no surprise of my own that my feet left the ground. Maybe I secretly wished to be carried away into an adventure. Everything became minimal as I went up into the clouds, escaping the dreary day I was once living in. I was soon past them all, and then floating in a purgatory of blue space.

            For some unknown amount of time I glided; at times being able to see the curvature of the earth which helped me feel small and insignificant. The heavens were stained with hues of pink. Giant peach clouds, fluffy like cotton candy, greeted me as I was enveloped by the quiet brightness of the day’s end. It was a dreamlike ending to a day that was anything but simple.  Amongst the evening clouds were two large rainbows, which were probably the aftermath of the chilling rain before. I wished upon them, that I would come down from the sky soon. I had shut my eyes, and when I opened them I was alone with a now tangerine view. I found myself gently drifting down, to what I thought, was the other side of the world.

         I was slowly encountering arrangements of music and a kaleidoscope of colors. I was landing on a scene that appeared to be a circus. I somehow landed on the back of an elephant that was being ridden by a festive young stranger. I barely touched his back as I braced myself to land. He turned around to me, confusion and concern decorating his face. He took a look at the still open umbrella in my hand and then the opening of clouds I came through. He seemed accepting of whatever conclusion he came up with in his mind. He let out a breath that sounded like a laugh while his focus came back to me.

            “Whats your name?” he asked.

I looked at everything, just like he had a moment ago. He waited patiently for me to settle into this situation. The last thing I looked at was my hand on the elephant’s skin before I met his eyes, and then immediately looked down in a awkward fit of embarrassment.

            “Dalia” I said quietly.

He moved his body completely around and moved his head, bending down his face, to get the attention of my eyes. I saw that on his pinky finger, on his left hand, was a woven ring, made of  red thread; it was charming.

            “I couldn’t hear you. Whats your name?”

His voice was clear, and just loud enough for me to hear him.

            “Dalia” I said again.

This time I started to look up at him, becoming braver with each syllable that left my mouth.

            “I like that…” He told me as he smiled at me.

            “My name is Anand.”

I hadn’t ever heard that name before, but I liked the sound of it, and told him so.

            “I’m glad you like it” He said as he held out his hand for a handshake.

            I put my hand in his and grasped it. Anand’s hold was strong and his hand was warm. He shook his hand up and down, but with me forgetting how to move, the action of the whole hearted shake was one sided. Anand laughed to himself at my daydreamy state. From what I can guess he is about my age, and a perfect gentleman.

            A violent blast of wind went through me. Anand reassured his grip as I was lifted up in the air.

            “No! Don’t let go!” I screamed, but my plea was carried away by the howling wind.

            “Dalia!” Anand yelled, reaching out for my other hand as I let go of my umbrella. The wind was much stronger then I was, so I wasn’t able to give Anand my other hand to hold. The wind blew jealously once more, jerking me, sending me far and away. He shouted my name continuously, his arms stretched out to me. I screamed Anand’s name over and over while my tears mixed with the wind. I did even after he was out of sight and all I could see was a floor of periwinkle clouds.

            My umbrella danced above me. I eventually caught up to it and took hold of its handle once again. Echoes of whimpering cries came out from me as the night came and the moon rose. I imagine that my body is silhouetted perfectly with the full moon shining behind me. And now,  there was a sparkling ebony sky, carpeted by violet clouds. I closed my eyes and breathed in the scent of the night air.

            As I woke up, the dream I had was slipping away from me and I was forgetting it… I looked out the window and saw stars. The stars were playfully out during the morning, hiding from the sun as it rose up to dye the heavens hues of light blues and yellows. The day went on, turning into a light gray day that admitted small drops of rain.

            I was going on about my business, doing chorus in the house, when a heard tiny clinking noises at the window. I went to see what it was, and was surprised by the sight of heavy snow.  I, myself, couldn’t believe what my eyes were telling me, so, I went outside. When the snow touched my face that was when I delightfully believed that it was actually snowing. I laughed at the cold wind and gentle snow that tickled my face and melted in my hands. I twirled happily in the snowfall, but stopped when I felt something silently fall into my hand. I slowly opened up my hand. It was a woven ring made out of red thread; It was charming.