20 Seconds to Green....

She had a beautiful face. Just like any other girl of her age would. Her height, weight and physical appearance looked like she would probably be below 10 years of age. But for her eyes. They coxed a very different feeling in you. I would never imagine a 10 year old if I were to see just her eyes….

I couldn’t help but stare at her. She had a slim lean body. Her eyes were very intense. But there was something very sad about it. It looked like she was completely shattered. Yet, at the same time, it seemed she had a burning desire for something!

I wondered what her name was, where and how she lived. She for one, was in deft of dancing, dancing like there was no tomorrow. She was dancing for everyone to watch her, for them to give her some money. No one would be able to gauge for what or where the money would go. Perhaps toddy for the drinking father, or medicine for an ailing mother, or to some bigger group misusing these desolate children or perhaps just food for the day.

The agility with which she seemed to flex her body reminded me of a video that I watched on youtube sometime back where one guy does the so called ‘Robo’ dance in some American dance competition. This little girl seemed to match just as much talent if not more. She seemed to mix acrobats with dancing steps and all possible gimmicks to attract the slightest possible attention. If given proper care and support, she could perhaps win us a medal at the Olympics! If only she got noticed that is.

She smiled now and then; she looked intensely at anyone who showed some interest in her, perhaps with the hope that they would give something. My obsequious looks sure did turn some heads around too. I was feeling extremely guilty for no reason and my mind seemed to go blank. The tenacious grip on the steering wheels didn’t help either.

Suddenly, she turned and our eyes met. The feeling was very uneasy. I quickly turned away but was able to watch her with the corner of my eye. I knew she was walking and inching closer towards my car. I was getting restless and I clutched the steering even further. I didn’t want to ignore her. I wanted to help but definitely not with money.

I wondered how one should react to situations like this. There are lots of people who come begging for alms. I, more often than not, end up giving away a few rupees. However, this seemed different. My heart felt heavy and my mind seemed rigid. This girl and her eyes! They seemed to have a haunting effect on me.

I desperately watched the signal time ticking away. The Ad board above showed a very happy picture of a father and daughter. I don’t remember the ad now, perhaps it was about some insurance policy. That increased the vacuum feeling even further. I wanted to know her full life story and consciously I knew it would have more events than mine.

20 seconds and the traffic signal turned green. I hit the accelerator and sped away, leaving her to try her luck again another time, another place……