Vasant or the family

 Vasant grew up in a bustling doubles shop in San Fernando, where the sizzle of frying bara and the wafting aroma of channa defined his childhood. His family had always envisioned him stepping into the family business, ensuring that the line of customers outside their stall never dwindled. And although he supported the business, making hundreds of doubles daily, Vasant’s heart belonged elsewhere — to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, where coral reefs pulsed with life and mystery.

Every Sunday, he’d escape the shop’s heat, borrowing a friend’s snorkel to explore the seas in Chaguaramas and the north coast. Beneath the waves, he found peace and purpose among the kaleidoscope of fish darting through shallow waters and the gentle rhythm of the ocean. He dreamed not of perfecting doubles recipes but of learning the secrets of the deep.

One afternoon, as he packed channa at the family stall, a customer’s idle chat lit a spark in him. “Buccoo Reef in Tobago,” the man said with a knowing smile, “there’s nothing like anything you can find in Trini. Over there is where the true sea is.” Vasant decided then: his place wasn’t behind the doubles stand but beneath Tobago’s waves.

Breaking the news to his family wasn’t easy. His father’s brow furrowed in disappointment, his mother sighed deeply, and his siblings called him reckless. “The shop is your security! Is years we doing this together as family, for generations. What you talking ‘bout fish” his father barked. Vasant replied calmly, “But the ocean calling me.”

With what little savings he had, Vasant moved to Tobago. He worked odd jobs by day and took diving courses by night, slowly building his skills. Early mornings saw him exploring Buccoo Reef, mapping its layout, and studying its fragile beauty. Despite financial struggles and moments of self-doubt, he persisted, driven by a love too strong to ignore.

Over time, Vasant’s efforts caught the attention of local marine researchers. His intimate knowledge of the reefs and his passion for preserving them led to a job as a dive guide and eventually as part of a team studying coral health. His work soon extended into education, where he taught tourists and locals alike the importance of marine conservation.

Years later, as Vasant floated over a vibrant coral garden he had helped rejuvenate, he thought back to the doubles shop in San Fernando. His hands no longer wrapped hot baras, but his heart was wrapped in joy. He had followed his adventure, built something meaningful, and discovered resilience in the depths of the sea.

Vasant smiled. The ocean had not only transformed his life but also given him purpose. There was no going back — this reef was now home.