The second sighting

The date was set. We were destined to meet that day. And when destiny commands man follows. I woke up with a funny feeling that morning. Though I could not put my finger on it, I knew it was not going to be a great day. It was like phantom pain...I could feel it but not place it. With a great sense of foreboding, I opened my eyes. A lovely morning was staring back at me. I started considering things that could go wrong for me on that day. I could slip and break a bone, my car could break down on the way to work, I could screw up at work, my best friend might decide to desert me or my husband could divorce me. I woke up my dear hubby and asked him if he was making plans to divorce me. He responded with a look that said "How do you manage to come up with questions like this?". I decided to face the day with my bravest face.

Being the hopeless foodie that I am, I decided to perk up my "could be a bad day" with a good lunch. I decided to cook something interesting. As soon as I stepped into the kitchen I realized what had been troubling me since that morning. My worst fear was back. It was "The return of the Lizard". My first reaction was to scream. I did a comic little jig on one foot and jumped onto the settee in a second. I gave myself a second to calm down. This time, the lizard was a baby. It was really small. Actually, I thought, it could be the child of the first lizard which was flushed down the drain by husband. It might have come back for revenge. I shuddered at the thought. Suddenly I had a great inspirational thought. Fears should be faced because dar ke aage jeet hai. I decided to get rid of my fear of lizards and turn that day into a milestone in my life. I could tell my grand children that this was the day when grandma stopped being afraid of lizards. Else it would have run in the family. I decided to get a broom and sweep the baby lizard away.

My broomstick was in the balcony which could be got to only through the kitchen. I put my best foot forward and gingerly crept across the kitchen. I was constantly on the look out for any movements that the  baby might make meaning to flee if it should decide to ATTACK ME. I picked up the broom and got back into the kitchen. Mustering all the courage I thought that I had, I raised my hand and reached out to the lizard using the broom. Lo and behold, the baby seemed to panic, it slipped and fell down onto the floor, inches away from my feet. The next few minutes are hazy to me. I believe I had a surge of adrenaline and rushed out of the kitchen in superhuman speed. I screamed my lungs out. My friendly neighborhood spiderman, my husband came rushing to me. I pointed to the kitchen and he understood. He went in and after a couple of thuds and moans came out. He looked at me, let out a sigh and walked away. I realized I was still standing on our settee. I got down and reflected on my actions. I finally decided that some fears are best lived with...not faced.