The Truth In Hugs

There is veracity in randomness

When everyone seems to be serving BS for handshakes, it has been my crime to go in for a hug and show the world that we can actually kill people with kindness. It doesn’t necessarily work all the time but hey, at least it melts hearts one cold person at a time. It is so hard to fake a hug and yet so easier to spot a monster with a firm grip.

A few months ago, me and a new found Central European friend were bidding farewells from the rest of rum set, sunset crew of travelers that shared passion for well, you know, and admiring that sun set every primetime by the beach. Hugs were made, promises of visits in each other’s countries were exchanged - the typical goodbye stuff. But out of all the hugs that morning, there was one that stood out. And by unanimous decision made by my friend and I while discussing on the bus, it was from someone we did not expect at all; a very funny bloke from the UK. Who would’ve thought, but looking back, it all made sense! The hilarious one has got to have the warmest heart.

It made me realize that there is so much truth in hugs. And so much more in a particular kind; the airport hug. People saying goodbye to their loved ones, lovers, friends and family in the Departures knowing that they will be gone for a very long time brings out the humanity in everyone. Everyone has a soft spot despite what the world thinks. And not to be considered less is the opposite kind in the spectrum; a husband hugging his newly-arrived wife and twirling her around was such a sight to behold that everyone clapped for them and made everyone’s day.

And in this realization, we begin to appreciate those hugs with finality. Not everyone will stay in touch or keep their promises but at that moment when you were hugging them and the world froze and the time stood still, those tight hugs that lasted forever and yet still felt short, it was all real. It may not be real the now but at that moment in the sweet past it was everything and the truth.

I remember being stuck in the pier for more than 12 hours one time that I befriended fellow happy souls – a couple from Germany and China. We only had to cross a narrow strait and it was everything but rainy and yet the coast guard would not allow anyone to leave the island. So while everyone else was miserable we threw our own shindig and party we did. What started out as standing in line went to lunch went to card games with random people went to karaoke and eventually led to a mini street party. The coast guard finally gave a go signal and suddenly everyone’s mood was up. Some middle-aged Scandinavian took over the microphone and I was able to capture a heart-warming moment of my friends on camera. There is veracity in randomness.

And so my friend and I arrived in the city. He had to catch a flight and I had to get back to reality. We exchanged hugs as we bid farewell and at the back of my head it was funny I was overthinking and pressured to give a decent and genuine hug after that much discussion on the bus. I was genuine by the way and I’m hoping he was too. But then again, if he weren't then I’ve had worse; I shook hands with the devil. They look you in the eye and give you a strong and firm handshake. Scary, believe me. So next time, go in for a hug. Besides, don’t you think a warm hug is so much more comforting than a handshake, a milk shake, a fruit shake or whatever shakes that may try to shook you?