“It takes 2 hands to clap, doesn’t it?”

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It’s a natural occurrence for people to take things for granted.

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A little girl stood by the window, her frame so small that only her head is visible above the window sill. She stood on tip toes as she gazed at the sky, hoping for a glimpse of an airplane.

“Mummy, when are we going to the airport?” she asked in a little voice as she turned to her mother.
“Not now, darling. Later in the evening, when the plane has landed,” came the reply.
“Okay,” she said with a sigh and returned her gaze. The sky seemed endless. She could not wait for her return. After weeks of her absence, she is finally returning! The girl’s little heart beat in anticipation as she stood there, waiting – just waiting.

A few hours later, she ran into her parents’ room and jumped onto the bed in excitement.
“Can we go to the airport now? Can we? Can we?” she asked gleefully, her face full of smiles.
“Darling, we are not going to the airport anymore. She is not coming back,” came the reply.
“But why?” she cried out, her smile disappearing.
“Something happened at the airport, darling,” her parents said with a sigh.
“Okay,” she said and slowly trudged out of the room.

She told her that she would return. She told her, she will always be there.
Empty words.

A few years later, that same little girl was older now. She was at the airport.
“Bye bye!” she said, hugging her tightly. The little girl returned the hug and smiled.
“I will write to you,” the little girl said and waved.

Back in her room, she cried.
Never was she to see her again.

She told her, she will always be there.
Empty words.

Years later, the little girl was no longer a little girl. She was on stage. She was receiving a prize. She was smiling. She gazed across the audience and realized that the people whom she wanted to be there were not there.

We will be there, they said.
Empty words.

A few more years past, that little girl is now all grown up. No longer is she the little girl she used to be. She sat in front of the computer and waited – just waiting.

I will always be there, he said.
Empty words.

Yet another few more years went by. She was on stage again. The lights shone on her. Everyone was clapping. Everyone was laughing and cheering. She smiled. She bowed. She gazed at the audience and realized that the person she wanted to see was not there.

I will be there, she said.
Empty words.

You would think that a girl like her would have learnt her lesson.

Now, that silly little girl sits in her room, looking out the window, wondering. Every bus that rambled down the lane caught her attention. She waits – in vain.

I will be back, he said.
Empty words.

She never learnt.
That silly little girl.
That dumbdumb.

She never learnt.

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I’m envious.
I admit it.
I am.

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“When the lone man goes back home, he faces four walls all alone.”