"As I am a pilgrim, I am also a traveller, and my journey ends when my pilgrimage does."
I let my head fall down, facing the wet sand
"Stop lecturing me... and get to the point..."
She began to walk away from me, heading for the train, and stopped after a few steps.
"... my point, as you put it, is that one's journey only ends when something meaningful is accomplished. And if you stayed here, it would resolve nothing... it would mean nothing... staying here, at this beach would only provide you with temporary relief..."
I sighed in response. She resumed walking.
"... and your journey is far from over."
"And just what is this purpose that you talk about? What am I supposed to do?" I yelled out at her.
She paused, turning her head in my direction.
"It is not up to me to answer those questions... it is your journey after all."
And she was walking again, on dry, hot sand, and not one speckle of dust attached itself to her cloak. It was like she wasn't even there.
The barman, the elder woman, everyone seemed to already be back on the train, and apart from us, the only other person on the beach was my suited friend, also walking back to the train. As I watched them, I once again played with the idea of staying there, but before I could make up my mind, I realised the train would soon depart... and my bag was still on board.
As fast as I could, I washed the sand that stuck to my body, dried most of the water with my t-shirt, and put on my pants. My suited friend entered the train, signaling me to hurry as I picked up my backpack and started to run across the beach.
Short on my breath, I climbed the metal steps just as the door closed.
I let my head fall down, facing the wet sand
"Stop lecturing me... and get to the point..."
She began to walk away from me, heading for the train, and stopped after a few steps.
"... my point, as you put it, is that one's journey only ends when something meaningful is accomplished. And if you stayed here, it would resolve nothing... it would mean nothing... staying here, at this beach would only provide you with temporary relief..."
I sighed in response. She resumed walking.
"... and your journey is far from over."
"And just what is this purpose that you talk about? What am I supposed to do?" I yelled out at her.
She paused, turning her head in my direction.
"It is not up to me to answer those questions... it is your journey after all."
And she was walking again, on dry, hot sand, and not one speckle of dust attached itself to her cloak. It was like she wasn't even there.
The barman, the elder woman, everyone seemed to already be back on the train, and apart from us, the only other person on the beach was my suited friend, also walking back to the train. As I watched them, I once again played with the idea of staying there, but before I could make up my mind, I realised the train would soon depart... and my bag was still on board.
As fast as I could, I washed the sand that stuck to my body, dried most of the water with my t-shirt, and put on my pants. My suited friend entered the train, signaling me to hurry as I picked up my backpack and started to run across the beach.
Short on my breath, I climbed the metal steps just as the door closed.
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