Six minutes to six says the great round clock over my study desk. There are still more than six hours before I turn twenty one. Every single time my birthday approaches, I’m forced to remember Katie.
Hi. My name is Harry. Sometimes I wish my life was as adventurous as Harry Potter’s was. But I am more than happy to live my more than ordinary life. Some people say I talk like old folks when I say life is all about being happy, but I don’t care. I have another half century to live and I’ll live it in the best way I can. And for me best way would be to see everyone smile.
Birthdays have always been the most exciting days of my life. I used to start waiting for January 20 from January 21 itself. As a young child I can always remember waking up and looking around myself for the biggest box. I always believed that within the biggest box lied the most expensive and best gift. What I dearly wanted as a birthday gift was wings, I dreamed to fly, fly above the clouds just like birds, fly so high that I could see what was beyond the blue sky and tell my mom that stars were not actually that far as she told me.
In life you always have such experiences that you can never forget, some haunt you for the lifetime while others become the sweet lovable and adorable memories. They shape your way of thinking and change your approach towards life. I didn’t know one such experience would be on my birthday, and it would have such an impact on me. It was Friday afternoon. I was happy; of course I was, as finally it was much awaited January the 20th, my 11th birthday. What a feeling it used to be to celebrate birthday in those days, no school uniform, distributing toffees, you could skip homework as teachers won’t punish you.
I had an awesome day so far. Mom had gifted me a Nintendo just as she promised as I woke up. I was walking back to my home, as I always used to do. I loved my way back home. The avenue was lined with dense oak trees. I loved the patterns of light formed on the road as light slithers past through the tiny slits between the leaves. Even though mom warned me not to, I used to play with the new born puppies that were always waiting for me to give them my sweets. Just in front of my house was the park where I grew up playing. The rare bright sun was so inviting that I could not resist going to the park. I gave my schoolbag to the maid housekeeper and went straight to the swing.
The park was empty. No one plays there on a Friday afternoon. In about two or three hours it would be completely filled with children playing football. There was no friend of mine there. Nevertheless, I marched towards the swing. A girl was sitting there. I walked to the swing beside her and sat, intentionally ignoring the crutches she was holding in her hands.
“Hi, I’m Harry.”
“Nice to meet you, Harry. I’m Katie”
“Pleased to meet you too. Do you live here? I’ve never seen you.”
“Yes, two blocks down the road. I don’t generally come to the park. Daddy brought me today, as I was not feeling well enough to go to school and was getting too much bored at home.”
“You know, whenever I’m sick I feel better because I don’t have to go to school. But today I would have gone even if I was sick, it’s my birthday.”
“Happy Birthday Harry! I think I might have a gift for you.”
She hesitantly moved down. She was walking very slowly holding tightly her crutches towards her bag and as was about to sit stumbled on the grass. I ran to her and asked if she was fine, she nodded with a smile.
“I’m really sorry.” I showed my concern.
“You don’t worry, am used to it, happens a lot of time with me.”
“What happened to your legs?” I asked.
“Nothing much, doctor says, I’m a bit weak.”
“Oh! Are you suffering from some disease?”
“Hmmm, sort of.”
“Get well soon.”
“Thanks!”
As we continued our talk, I got to know her more. She said she was happy with her life. She didn’t regret being born with a disability as it made her special, she grinned and said, at least she was not like any other ordinary kid. I doubted whether she really meant so. She said she was sure one day she too would play football. She said that if she would get an opportunity, she would dance better than Michael Jackson. She was sure that one day there would be a miracle that will bring her on her feet. “Being ordinary too isn’t that bad I think. Worth a shot!”
The two of us played for some time. We made sand castles and made really funny sounds which made us laugh real hard. We continued to talk about our friends. Time passed so fast. Then Katie's father came with a wheelchair to pick her up. I ran over to her father and asked if I could have just two more minutes. He agreed.
I said to Katie, " I wish that there was something that I could do to make you walk and run like other little boys and girls. But I can't. But there is something that I want to do for you."
I told her to slide up onto my back. I then began to run across the grass. I ran faster, carrying the little Katie on my back. Faster and harder I ran across the park. Soon the wind just whistled across our faces. She stretched her arms wide and closed her eyes. My dream to fly was being fulfilled.
Katie's father began to cry as he watched his beautiful little daughter flapping her arms up and down in the wind, all the while yelling at the top of his voice,
"Look Daddy, I'm flying!"
I dreamed of flying. May be I never would be able to, but through Katie, I soared high above in my sky of thoughts. I felt happier than ever. For the first time I was the reason for someone’s smile.
I ran towards my home. Went inside, fetched a few toffees and a couple of chocolates and gave it to her. By the time I returned she was ready with a card she made. It had just two words, “Thank You”. I waved her goodbye, as she went in her wheelchair with her father. I glanced at the card she gave me. Those two words meant a lot to me. I never met her again. I used to look for her each time I came back from school. But the swing was always empty.
Ever since then I try to put a smile on someone’s face every day. I start conversations in the elevators. I compliment strangers on their clothing. I even make jokes in a crowded Delhi Metro. People may think I am stupid, but I know there is a chance that I’m making someone’s day, who may one day give me a note that says, “Thank you”.
