hope

i thought things like that only happens in movies and make belief. the story of a boy being taken against his will brings the nation, the world even, together as one. in every corner of the world, voices unheard murmuring, praying, hoping for the safe return of one boy. a boy that they have never even met. nayati "is a story about compassion, about friendship, about unity and love". it is the story about how one boy brought the whole world together, regardless of race, culture and their differences. that is how the world should be. the world will be so much better if we all just concentrate on that love.

last night, i think many people all over slept a little better, knowing that the world is alright again. that an innocent 12 year old is once again back in the arms of his family. that there is indeed justice and hope in this world and moral degradation has not crept into every nook and crevice. that moments of hope and inspiration like this do happens once in a while. just as long as you believe.

yesterday, i learnt not to give up hope. when i heard the news of nayati's kidnapping, that night i had a dream. i mean the actual one when you go to sleep and not the martin luther king's type. i dreamt that i found the little boy as he was walking home and i brought him to his family. the dream reflected my inner longings, my hope or perhaps it was my brain consoling me that everything will be alright. i read the updates faithfully, clicking on the refresh button every few hours. i thought i knew deep in my heart that the parents were in negotiation with the kidnappers. perhaps it was the way the father worded his updates, or rather the way he chose not to reveal too much suddenly. i thought i knew, and i was hopeful. however, days passed and every day i counted. one 24 hours, two 24 hours, three 24 hours...........as it grew nearer to 168 hours, the light of my hope slowly dimmed. surely if they had been contacted, they wouldn't have left the boy out there for so long. my daughter kept on to her faith. she believed, but perhaps it was because if her innocence, her naivety. then again, perhaps it's because of my cynicism that i gave up so easily. yesterday, nayati finally came home, and the world rejoiced with him. yesterday it was a beautiful day again. because of one boy. a boy who taught us it was alright to hope, and that sometimes wishes do come true. a boy who taught us not to give up on the world and to continue loving.