An Ambiguous Wait

Twenty pair of eyes squinted in unison towards an incoming faraway object. The crevices of their forehead and their grim faces reflected the agony they carried in a never-ending wait. Amid preying souls, he held a genial look which was unfitting to his heavy built. He was stroking his imperial style brown moustache and his shaved head sparkled like a diamond in the mid-morning rays of the Sun. Among the lot, he was the one in his mid-forties and looked hale and healthy. A short, stout man who was in his late sixties watched his facial expression and inquired to him, “Is something wrong? You look worried, Jeff.” He stopped stroking his beard and cleared his throat to respond. “My instinct says it is my turn. I feel bad.” The stout man came near him and gave a warm hug without saying a word. Dispirited Jeff received the man’s cordial hug and unwound himself quick staring in the direction where everyone’s attention fixated.

The imprint of clear blue sky on the transparent water soothed Jeff’s nerves. Not today. The salty smell of the sea which joyed his impulses made him queasy. He repelled the yearned ship on the horizon which attracted his companions and which will put a smile on their faces. He observed the mighty blue sea. Each wave brought the ship an inch towards him and with each wave, a wave of shock travelled down his spine. He wanted to resend the vessel back. Go back, go back to the origin, his left over pieces cried. No one would hear. Nobody can stop. It's irrevocable, he knew it but he can’t stop brooding over it. The moment you see her face you won’t regret it, it has been ten long years since you saw her. A relief after few hours made him elated. Will she remember me? Is it right time for reunion? His attempt to pacify himself failed.

Twenty lot comprising men, women, kids were with Jeff in that five-mile patch of land surrounded by the ocean. He occupied himself by hearing their stories. She hardly came to his mind. There are slim chances she would recognize him. It made him sick, and he blacked out.

Jeff woke up from his deep meditation state when the warm, unsettling air awakened his senses. He didn’t know how long he got blacked out. The night was dark with no hint of light from stars or moon. He could neither see the sea nor the ship.

“Lisa, Lisa.” Jeff called out in a pressing tone. Silence bounced back in response. No, the ship didn’t hit the shore. When would it cross the horizon? His sorrow upturned into an urge to see her face. Darkness and long night gave him terrifying thoughts like the ship would come empty, Lisa would get lost in the sea, gigantic waves and shipwreck, terrible weather, and his head made things worse. He fancied about how his companions might have felt while seeing a ship on the horizon to redirect his pessimistic thoughts. Happiness rebound to him since he noticed the hung faces happy whenever the ship came to drop their beloved ones to the island.

To spot a ship arriving at the chain of nowhere islands is a rare venture. Despite the odd chances, the nowhere islanders have only one desire, which is to wait for the ship which may or may not solve their purpose. It may take months, years, or decades. Their loved ones may remember them or behave totally like a stranger. Yet, they keep going every day, sitting in the hot sand watching the empty sea, inhaling the salty breath. Sharing their story among the group turned into their bread and butter. When Jeff landed the nowhere island, everything felt alien. His heart broke, he felt dejected, and tried to escape the island. No matter how hard he tried, he ended up on the island. It took a year for him to understand there was no escape route from there once arrived.

Dawn painted its rainbow art on its white canvas for another day. It is a sign that occurs throughout the period of the ship’s journey from horizon to island docking station. When there are no ships in the sea, dark nights and scorching mornings occur, dawn and dusk never appear. The picture of dawn’s Pablo effect and the ship’s voyage from the horizon to the mid-sea towards him reminded Jeff of his vacation to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan with Lisa and Abigail. Jeff’s heart brimmed with love. He watched the ship inching towards him.

Dusk arrived to paint another modern art for the day. Time ran fast than Jeff expected. The ship looked small from far, but it was massive when it reached the dock. Sizes of vessel differ from person to person, and no ship resembles the other. The island 22 has never seen such an artistic ship. Twenty-one person including Jeff got awestruck on sight of gigantic beauty. A slender figure walked out of the port. She walked watchful, slow steps. Jeff felt the air of confusion around her. It is natural to get confused since she had no clue where she traveled and where she arrived. As she reached close, Jeff could see her face. Lisa was fresh-faced, and Jeff recognized her dimple in left cheek, and the same snub-nose, no change in it. She seemed too brittle and would break if he touched her. The older version of her which Jeff pictured in his mind was almost similar except for her paper thin body. Jeff looked at her pale figure and worried. Lisa’s eyes shined and in a low tone she called him, “Dad.” Time froze, he fought with words and uttered “Lisa.”

“How are you, dad? I missed you,” Lisa said. Jeff hugged her and Lisa burst into tears. Jeff's figure melted into particles and turned into stardust. She was hugging the air. It took time for her to understand that his dad disappeared and she filled his place on the island. A little girl with a black flowing hair came to her and hugged to console her. Lisa stared at the thin air.