There are a few things that bring me as much peace and calm as watching a sunset.  Even better when it is done from high on a terrace (in India, the top-most floor of an apartment building).  The feeling is that of being away from the rest of the world and, at the same time, being one with nature…

There was a time, back in my college days, when we used to steal precious moments from our hectic lives to visit a friend who lived far away from the city’s center, just to experience the joy of climbing onto the water-tank of his terrace and watch the sun fade into the horizon.  (Mr. Saxena, I hope you’re reading this!)  At the time, it seemed like our escapes to the terrace provided the much-needed respite from the trials and tribulations of our frentic lives.  Now, I know how carefree life really was, compared to now.

Yesterday, when I decided to take my little angel – Pumpkin – for a walk in the garden, I could not have imagined that it would turn out to be such a memorable experience.  As if on a hunch, I asked her if she’d like to go to the terrace instead.  Always wanting to try out something new, she replied with a resounding “yes”!  (This, when she didn’t even know what a “terrace” was) 

So off we went, to the building terrace, half-expecting the door to be locked (as is the practice in many buildings, these days).  But the door was not locked.  And, we soon found ourselves enjoying the cool evening breeze and the wide open sky.  Wanting to make the most of my time there, I looked around and quickly spotted a water-tank with steps leading to its top, offering a platform that would allow the both of us to perch even higher!  Somewhat precariously, I hoisted her onto my shoulders and began climbing the narrow steps… and soon.. we were on top of the world!!!

There, we settled onto the platform, watching the sun set in the evening sky… the birds above us, the earth below… the breeze blowing in our hair, almost like it was cajoling us to take flight. 

My daughter and I just sat there… watching the sunset… being in the moment.

The evening did not last more than half an hour, but its memory will last me a lifetime. 

It was, and will continue to be, one of the most cherished experiences of my life.