Haptics: The touch beyond species
“Of all the senses, touch is the most fundamental.” — Aristotle
Just as the eyes cannot lie, so can’t a genuine touch that leaves you with a velvety feeling of being cared for, comforted and connected, even BEYOND SPECIES!
When a thousand words fail, a humble touch soothes the soul. Technically this touch is called ‘Haptics’, as if it were the elder brother of Robotics. But as robotic as it sounds, it is just the other way round, a bubble full of emotions.
I didn’t realise the power of haptics until a few months old pup arrived at my home. I became a mother again, to a tiny furry being that could only bow-wow in his innocent voice, the rest of his needs were left to my whims and fallacies. I was naive, too nervous and overwhelmed but nothing could fade the budding love in my heart.
One day in my desperation to nurture the tiny bundle of life, I unwittingly bathed him to get rid of his puppy smell.
The very first splash of water over his silky fur made him yelp and howl. How desperately he wanted to escape from my grip! Oblivious to his distress, I rubbed a baby shampoo over his drenched coat and splashed more water that made him shiver to the bone. Thinking it was normal, I wrapped him in a towel but my worst fear was about to come alive, the shivering continued despite all my efforts to comfort him.
Alas! My heart pounded at the thought of killing someone’s baby (though mine too).
A few minutes passed by, and then, instinctively, I cradled his trembling body close to my chest to let my warmth seep through his damp fur.
Next, caressing his forehead, I hummed ‘Shri Krishna Govinda Hare’ (a devotional hymn). Gradually, the shivering ceased, and he slept, cocooned in peace and warmth.
“You are safe my child,” I whispered softly, taking a sigh of relief.
Somewhere between fear and love, a mother’s warmth met a child’s innocence, beyond species.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
