The Run

A wayward breeze rustled the leaves of the lake trees, then entered the girl’s lungs like splintered ice. Her throat was dry. Her feet ached. Yet her arms oscillated in time with the other joggers circling the lake – runners to the left, walkers to the right.

Earphone wires swayed in the air as each person indulged in their ‘morning songs.’ Those running wireless talked in loud breathless voices. The lake’s very own laughter club inadvertently spread mirth as the morning mist cleared.

She chuckled as she ran past the entertainers and instantly regretted it on losing her balance. She managed not to fall.

The song beats quickened and so it seemed did her pace. Her shoes grew heavier with every sprint.

Was her song playing too loud or was her heart pumping faster? The sky had gained a miserly blush at 6.30 a.m.

Those who say the sky is darkest before dawn clearly never saw a sunrise – a thought too frail to distract her.

Her legs burned as she made for the small upwards slope. The final lap.

She passed the small coconut shoots for the fifth time and once when she had not noticed. You could see the hints of blue shine through the blush.

Desperate not to stop, she turned her attention towards the lake. A local lake. A stadium lake where a swim of cormorants bathed in synchronised formation. Chaafa flowers bloomed from its concrete walls atop a stubborn tree that had cracked through.

Imported ducks from unknown lands jumped from one rowing boat to the next oblivious to the dog eyeing his hunt. The faint smell of popcorn wafted from the lake’s entrance gate. The vendors could smell the joggers’ hunger.

She ran past the stall and with a huge sigh broke her run to a walk – to a halt. She felt the sun on her face and wondered if the small spasms in her legs were mere hallucinations. It didn’t matter though. It was 6.30 a.m.

Her day had begun.