To Av ...

I feel good writing a fun post every week. I think I am beginning to see the humorous side in all real life situations. This doesn't mean I am perpetually giggling but I tend to filter out the unpleasant incidents. Its my way of ensuring I always go to bed with sweet dreams ;-)

Last summer, Av & I enrolled for swimming classes. It was something we wanted to learn for a long time and we're queens of procrastination, so you get the picture. One of the instructors was my neighbour, Roopa Aunty. Av and I bought our swimsuits, goggles and caps. The classes were from 7 - 8 a.m. (Mon-Sat) - Groan! A brief history - To claim I am terrified of water is heights of understatement. The pool was big and the depth progressed from 4ft to 7ft , the deep end. On the first day, we were made to walk along the breadth of the shallow end blowing bubbles. The second day was floating. The third day was kicking. The fourth day was floating and kicking with a kick-board. Once you had mastered that, you were promoted to the deep end. Av took to swimming like fish to water. She was a water baby and she enjoyed the lessons. Ahem, yours truly would gape wide-eyed at everyone and move around a bit waiting to go home.

I missed the second week because my grandfather passed away. By the time I returned, Av was already swimming comfortably and I loathed the pool even more. I had no idea how she did it! She looked like she had been swimming all her life. Me - I had no recollection of kicking, floating whatsoever and was back to the basics in the shallow end. My fear increased and interest reduced. My leg muscles were made of iron - refused to budge. Sometime mid-week, I made some minute progress I guess , because I was sent to the deep end. Encouraged slightly, I performed better for the first couple of days because I only had to tackle half the breadth. Picture this - The instructor used to push us into the water. The moment my face hit the water, I would shut my eyes tightly, kick and dog-paddle to the edge frantically :-)

The next couple of weeks saw me toggle between hopeless and incorrigible! I used to have nightmares about drowning in the pool. I didn't give up on myself nor imagine that I would never learn. I believe in miracles - my biggest strength you see. I decided to continue the classes to the last day. Go down fighting. Why miss out on anything? There was one day when I somehow managed to do the breadth using the kick board. Soon after that, we had a race and I was positioned in the centre. Midway, the familiar fear surged and I stopped kicking and went down with my board. Av was at the other end cheering for me to float, kick, do something!! My teachers were shouting instructions from every corner. My mind was blank and finally one irate instructor Ayub Sir rescued me. After this episode, I went back to zero confidence state. I think pretty much everyone gave up on me.

Some more classes later, I learnt that my hand movement was better than my kicking. I propelled myself forward faster using my hand. There was a very patient instructor , Vinod Sir who gave me endless pep talk. He convinced me I could swim the breadth easily. I decided to try and I almost did it when a little girl who had also jumped in mid-way panicked and yanked me down to get herself up. THAT did it! It was the most frightening moment of my life. I swallowed litres of water and I could see water all around. However I didn't grudge that kid. I was just as bad :-D

One fine day I did it! I swam the breadth comfortably. There was no looking back after that. But it wasn't a miracle as I believed. Perseverance paid rich rewards! There were days when Av would help me discuss my fears and console me. She was always there though - Rock solid throughout cheering me every single time I tried :-) Eventually you learn that your fears have to be overcome by you alone. I still get scared in the deep end of the pool but I always remember my swimming classes and more so, the fact that fear is always a choice.

A toast to us Av :)
What say we'll do scuba diving or fencing next? ;-) -- How I wish , together.. !!