Circa 2012.
Web 2.0.
And yet all I hear being repeatedly
being emphasized upon is the “need” to communicate. It’s come to be one of
those oft used (and abused) words, looked up as the panacea for all evils that
plague human relationships.
Aah! Right...
Here I was on my way back to my home, family, friends and
the frenzied existence that I’d taken a “time out” from for just a couple of
days. To my mind, there are some things that communication just messes up big
time – those are the things that only solitude can repair.
Just as I am conforming to my own thoughts, I realize that I’m
in the company of a couple who’ve easily completed around 45 odd years of
marital bliss. Yes, I use the term “marital bliss”. I have my earphones plugged
in and I know they’re speaking in a local language I wouldn’t be able to tell
from Mandarin! And yet there’s one thing I’m confident about – “marital bliss”.
They boarded the train a couple of stations after me. It’s
been over 2.5 hours since and they’ve been “communicating” with each other –
communicating, not speaking or talking to each other. Communicating – when one
speaks and the other listens intently, ears and eyes open and receptive. Cutely
enough, they face each other as they communicate – as opposed to sitting side
by side and staring blankly at the surface in front of them or being distracted
by the constant movement within and outside the train. They nod, smile, ponder,
and respond in sync with each other – in sync, not in tangent.
I couldn’t help but smile as I scribble away on my pad while
they continue to be locked in their conversation.
I guess you need to be able to respect your partner enough
to lend them your undivided attention.
Aah! And may be, that’s love...