Little Rohan was standing by the door with a bag on his shoulders and a hat on his head. He didn’t want to leave the house. “Mom… Do we have to go?”
“Yes, Rohan, we have to,” Rashmi replied as she picked up the car keys.
Rohan dreaded water ever since he almost drowned during one of his swimming classes. From that day onwards, he had developed a fear of water. Swimming pools, water parks, beaches, all used to give him nightmares.
Rashmi knew her son has to face his fears before it becomes worse. But as they drove to the beach, Rohan started making excuses. He opened his bag and pretended to look for something. “Mom, I think I left my sunglasses. Can we go back and get it?”
“Check again,” she pointed at the front chain of the bag.
“Yes, found them,” he looked disappointed.
When they reached, Rashmi found a good spot, opened her beach umbrella, and laid under its shade. Listening to the sound of waves ebbing and flowing, Rashmi felt at ease. “Why don’t you go play? I am right here,” she said.
Rohan looked at Rashmi with pleading eyes. “Mom, do I have to?”
“Yes, Rohan, go,” she smiled.
As the waves receded, he got up, rubbed his eyes and looked back. Her mother was standing up with a worried look on her face.
Comments