The Beach

Aditya and Anu had been the best of friends since childhood. Having grown up together they shared a great bond. They came from very different backgrounds, religious, cultural and financial, which often made people question the credibility of their friendship. Aditya was more affluent and cared little about what people said while Anu would be affected by people's words and would always wonder if they were right.

One evening Aditya had thrown a party at a beachside hotel. The party continued into the night. Suddenly Aditya realised, Anu was missing from the party. He searched frantically for her as her phone was switched off too. Then some friends informed him, that they had seen Anu head towards the beach. He ran out to look for her and found her sitting on the beach, her knees drawn up and arms around the knees watching the beautiful full moon and it's reflection in the sea. Aditya walked up and quietly sat beside her.

"What's the matter Anu?" enquired Aditya. "I think people are right Adi, we are too different to be friends", replied Anu with a sad face. Aditya just smiled and there was silence for a couple of minutes. "This beach is so beautiful, isn't it?" asked Aditya. "Yes, it's so calm and  peaceful", replied Anu. "Have you thought about what makes a beach?" asked Aditya. "What's the point Adi?“ asked Anu a little frustrated. "You will get it don't worry, just answer", said Aditya.

"Well, the sea and the land come together to make this beautiful spectacle of nature", replied Anu. "How different are they from each other?" asked Aditya with a smile on his face. Anu was getting the point now. "You see it is the difference that makes a beach as beautiful as it is. You need not be same or even similar to be beautiful together", said Aditya. Anu was now listening more intently to what Aditya had to say. "You hear the sweet melody that the waves create. The beautiful mesmerising song of the sea, created when the water of the ocean comes in and romances the land, like friends hugging each other", said Aditya, himself just gazing at the sea while Anu's eyes were now fixed upon him.

"Come Anu I'll show you something", said Aditya as he held Anu's hand and walked her over towards the water. "What is it Adi?" enquired Anu. Aditya picked up a  stick from there and wrote 'TROUBLES' in the sand. "Assume you are the land and these are your troubles", he told Anu and continued, "I am the water. Now wait and watch", he told Anu. The water came in with the tide and it erased the letters written in sand. "Like this water, I can take away or ease your troubles and that too by being different!" exclaimed Adi. Anu was looking at him with a smile and tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Come let's walk back", Aditya told Anu. On their way back he pointed out to some dead seaweeds, shells and even some plastic bottles and wrappers. "These are like my troubles. Each time we meet, you take away my troubles, just like these unwanted things wash up to the shore each time the tide comes in. By being different we are in a position to help each other out.", said Aditya. They held hands as they walked towards the party again.

"You see it's beautiful to be different and yet be together. There's magic in it. Don't let people talk you out of something so heavenly. People often pass judgments about things they don't understand and comments about things they could not have for themselves. We are here, together and will always be there for each other, that's what really matters. Like the sea and the land, we have to be in perfect harmony, inspite of being different and then watch the how life becomes, well simply saying, awesome", said Aditya with a big smile on his face. "Thanks Adi. You have cleared my mind and I now understand the beauty of being different. Since you thought differently from me, you were able to get me out of this state of mind and save our friendship too. Thank you. Cheers, to being different. I just hope people of the world would understand this. Different races, casts, communities and religions can all live in harmony, can complement each other and make this world a better place for all, rather than opposing each other and creating rifts", said Anu as they happily walked back to the party.