The last thing that I saw as I let
myself fall freely to the bottom of the sea is my husband's anxious face. I had
no clue where the cerulean skies merged with the turquoise waters. I had no
eyes for the spanning flora and fauna. My feet felt lite, my body lithe but
heart heavy.
"Is he ok? Why did he leave?"
We were informed that it is a 10 feet
dip but it sure felt claustrophobic ...or rather thalassophobic. The oxygen
helmet which weighed 20kgs above the sea, now weighed only 2 kgs on my
shoulders. My crocks helped me to move with perfect agility on the sandy floor
studded with pebbles. I could count each one of those colored marbles under my
feet.
We (a group of about 10
undersea-walkers...well! Since my hub left it must be precisely 9) were
navigated through the purple corals, red sea whips and sea anemones. Gorgonians
or sea fans fanned out in every possible colour and in every possible corner.
A crew of 'Four stripe damsel
fish' flooded us out of the blues. Being
a zoology enthusiastic I looked out for sea horses and turtles but I was more
than amazed by those many tentacled scorpion fish.
I met marlin the clown fish who is
still "Finding Nemo" and thought of my lost hubby with a greater
sinking sensation. I am overwhelmed by an urge to see him at once. I needed him
like oxygen.
Did he have blocked
ears? Is he nauseous? breathing evenly?
My god!!! Is he
breathing at all?
I recalled the sign
language of the swimmers. "Thumbs up - Am fine, Index up - I want to go
Up, palms up - Increase my oxygen".
I turned back to find my diving instructor and call off my adventure. I found my husband falling in step with me quietly. I never realized when he returned and most importantly why? He looked at me in the eye with a lot of questions and I found all my answers.
His eyes said "Are you ok?"
And I realized he returned to make sure I am safe and enjoying the adventure with all the devilry that I can have.