Divided dream

Mel could not contain her excitement and a tiny creeping anxiety in her heart! "Just one last practice Dad!" she yelled to her father pacing in the hallway. Her father stood in front of the doorway blocking the dim evening light and was dead silent. Mel understood something was wrong. However, she shrugged it off and started explaining all the things she has been learning to sharpen her shooting skills for the BIG HUNT. She was dedicated and determined to participate in the BIG HUNT and, she did not want anything to interrupt or distract her. This is everything she ever wanted. Fail or Win... I'm in the game, she repeated to herself every single day.  

"Mel..honey..." her Dad started laughing to himself, staring at her shiny weapons and armor. 

"What?.." Mel held a bewildered look on her face.

"I know you are doing your best to prepare for the hunt, but I think you are missing out the big picture. Hunting these days has become obsolete. All the hard work you are putting in will not yield fruitful results if you are not extremely good at it besides, there is gotta be a logical reason everyone is becoming a pirate. Venturing out in the hidden blue horizon is always a safer option than getting yourself lost or even killed in the woods." Mel's Dad stated in a neutral tone.

It took just a second to burn out her spark and re-think the imponderable questions that she buried in the back of her mind. Images from her childhood, her wildest fantasies, happy memories and depressed days fogged her mind.

Mel..the mellifluous little girl. Loves nature. A wanna-be warrior. Getting lost in the woods. Tracking animals. Playing with miniature bows and arrows. Building a bonfire. Talking, learning the trade secrets and listening to the legendary tales from the tribal people . Folklores filled her fantasies. She decided to be a hunter. Protect people from vicious animals. Destroy the evil. Darkness. Pain from the unhealing wounds. Sweat. Blood. She trained. No social gatherings. Sacrificed her sleep. One more month and she can see her life shape up into something magnificent or nothing at all. Lazer like focus. Steady gaze. Agile moves. Run. Hide. BE BRAVE.

Meanwhile, all her friends in the community were interested in learning the secrets of the sea. They wanted to be pirates...All their thoughts were about...Look for the lost treasure. Set sail and be assured of the vast endless ocean's hidden promises. Search for the lost treasure and share it with family in order to be respected in the society. Make a living. Live calm and peacefully.

Mel dreaded to imagine herself even by the sea for vacation. She compared their job to be as banal and perfunctory as fishing. The adrenaline rush and beauty of the forest bound her to dedicate her life to hunting. She dreamed of winning the BIG HUNT. Training and living in the King's palace as an archer and a female warrior. 

Mel was lost in thought and was startled when she heard a loud thunder outside. It started raining. Looking out her window, she got extremely scared about the future. She realized her father's intention was just to save her life and protect her from making mistakes. She can still drop out. There are many opportunities for people who want to work in the waters. Mel thought very deeply. "One thing or the other, I have to live by, but which one? I don't like any of them. I have to search." That is how she immediately switched her mind and hid the weaponry under her bed. She cried herself to sleep, wishing she was different or else the world could have been different. Despite all her forceful attempts, she could not sleep. The thoughts kept haunting her. It was worse than her deadliest nightmare. No one is ME she thought to herself. Can I turn the situation around? how why when ...she was unable to silence her endless doubts. 

A week has passed. But every day was the same. She forgot to even breathe or be conscious. Money. Family. Security. Safety. All the curiosity faded away and she quenched her helpless sobs within her heart. It felt so wrong. She could not explain it. The feeling was so intense, till it got to the point where she thought she was existing in someone else's body. She realized she was no longer herself. Everything is made up. This is not the reality I want to live in for the rest of my life she declared to herself. 

Mel's Dad also hinted a few potential drawbacks of all the occupations other than hunting. That is it. Next day, she stormed into her room, pulled out the box, and felt the cold steel and iron of the armor and bows and arrows. Tired from all the thinking, she embraced them and felt connected and complete for being born in this world. The blood was gushing in her cheeks and the child-like wonder washed over her face. This is what pours life into me. I don't care about the consequences. No more second thoughts. Death is a temporary delusion. Life will take care of itself if I do what I love. Worry is a waste of time. The world needs me.

She dashed out the door shouting to her dad "Dad! Wish me a happy hunting holiday! FOREVER."