The Other Side

After gulping down a heavy lunch of fresh fish and squid, I swam in the violent waters of the Pacific near the La Jolla shore. I saw two worlds, each so different than the other. The one which I belonged to and the other which was a mystery to me. The under-water world was all blue and dark with the variety of life adding color to it. And then there was the world on the other side – warm and bright.

The furious ocean lashed its giant waves onto the rocks. For some reason it is always angry with the shore – sometimes more, sometimes less. I dragged myself to the enclave created by the sea wall which shielded me from the ocean’s fury. I lay down on the sands to feel the warmth of the sun. The sun teased me playing hide and seek behind the clouds. I wondered how the ocean created a new gray - white painting with every wave. A lone dolphin swam in the ocean raising its fin periodically.

The ocean has been my best friend since my mother left me a long time back. It tried to reach for me with every wave. At times it caressed me and at times it pulled me into its arms and I crawled my way out. Eventually the ocean caught up with me and I had to move to the safety of the high rocks.

The tall palm trees stood like sentinels guarding the shore. I pined for my mother as I gazed at the line where the dark blue ocean met the sky. On the rock I was joined by some of my friends who jostled for space with the seagulls and least terns. Everyone gathered at this time of the day to watch these creatures from the other side. There were talks amongst our folks that these creatures were endangered. They were not seen anywhere along the coast but somehow they flocked to this shore in huge numbers.

They were late today and everyone started shouting –“Why haven’t they come yet?” “We came all the way from Channel Islands to see them.” The sea gulls didn’t seem to care. They were busy scavenging and flirting.

Then I heard them roaring out one by one – each with its distinct colors; all together more shades than I get to see in my world. Some stood on the rocks and looked to the ocean; some came to the sands and lay down. The young ones moved into the water one step at a time.

One of the young ones ran towards me, stopped and stared at me for a while. Then it cried out something like – “ Mommyy is thisaaa biggg fishhh!”

The older one shouted back –“No babyy it’s a seaalll.”