Till I became a parent…

 

Till I became a parent, I didn’t know that….

A bundle of 3 kilograms could dictate your life

Could make you forget all else

Could turn your day & night upside down

And yet you wouldn’t frown.

 

                I didn’t know that a burp could be the most awaited sound

                A piss on you would make you laugh

                Someone’s trumpet could make you smile

                And you could watch someone poop for a while.

That sleep could be so light

A whimper, a toss in the bed

Would put you on high alert

And make you forget your quilt’s comfort.

 

                I didn’t know sleep deprivation would be so sweet

A zombie’s life one could experience

Sleep-feed-hiccups-feed… would a day comprise

And I could get from others so much advice.

 

That I could eat all that I disliked

So that he gets it all

Stuff that would make me sick or fat

Surprisingly I started enjoying all that.

               

I would look forward to changing a diaper

                And study smells & poops

                And carry a colic-y kid for hours together

                Without any trace of tiredness or a whimper.

 

A staycation could be so exhilarating

Baby babbles so much fun

With my baby home alone

Without any other desire or a moan.

 

                Until I became a parent, I didn’t know…

                That a heart could love so much

                A part of it – outside your self

                Beating with a smile & eyes fixed on you

                As you embrace that bundle

                And the small arms enclose you

                It’s the purest bond of love that you ever knew.

               

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chhalak Chhalak.. Chhalak Chhalak..

Chhalak chhalak chhalak chhalak

Paani chhalkega, chhalkega paani

Paani toh bas paani hai

Chahe ho namkeen ya ruhaani!

 

Chhalak chhalak chhalak chhalak

Chhalaktaa jaa raha hai paani

Kaam who karti jaa rahi hai

Ela, Eehita ya Eshaani!

 

Chhalak chhalak chhalak chhalak

Katak katak katak katak

Chaala rahi hai haath

Labh uske kehna chahein koi baat!

 

Chhalak katak, katak chhalak

Chal raha hai falsafaa

Chup chaap chup chaap

Uske naina chhod gaye chhaap!

 

Katak chhalak ya chhalak katak

Kya hai yeh – maine poochhaa

Khamoshi se kahe gayi –

Kya rukh kar tumne socha?

 

Chhalak – shhhh, chhalak – shhhh

Kabhi bhaag-daud, kabhi aaraam

Yeh toh hai hamari kahaani…

Par uske kadamon ko rukhna manaa hai -

Bin kahe, kahe gayi sab kuchh jaise zubaani!

 

Woh jo hai ek aam naari -

Palat kar dekhiye – maa hamaari…

 

 

 

Chhalak chhalak chhalak chhalak

Paani chhalkega, chhalkega paani

Paani toh bas paani hai

Chahe ho namkeen ya ruhaani!

 

 

Bas Zindagi Ki Rah Mein Chale Chalo

Zindagi ki raahon mein chale chalo

Jo sung chale

Usse le chalo

Jo pichhe rahe ja

Use man mein le chalo

Bas zindagi ki rah mein chale chalo…

 

Kal kisne dekha hai

Woh toh khwab hai

Adhuri palkon mein dabaa raaz hai

Kis pal badal jayein yeh lamhein

Nain swapan roop lekar

Bas zindagi ki rah mein chale chalo…

 

Aaj ka tumhara satya kal chamkega

Sitaron ki bheed mein damkega

Dabne na dena is ehsas ko

Aatm vishwas se poorn chale chalo

Tumhara kal bhi aayega mano

Bas zindagi ki rah mein chale chalo…

 

Kis firaq mein firte ho?

Kis lamhe ko doondte ho?

Khoya toh kuchh bhi nahi hai

Yakeen pe sawaar chale chalo

Yatan ke liye taiyar har pal

Bas zindagi ki rah mein chale chalo…

Story of a Princess…. Errrr….. Prince?

Today, as she woke up, nothing was new. It was like just another day. Even before the feet had left the warm confines of the intermingling of the bed and the duvet and touched the ground, the mental math had been done about the time and the tasks for the morning.

Alas! She was already five minutes behind schedule….. If only there was nothing called the snooze option L

The sleepy legs made their way to the hearth of the home…. The pot, the tea leaves, grated ginger, sugar and some cardamom powder as well. “While this brews, let me sort the task number two,” she thought.

And so passed the morning transforming the once little princess to the not so young lass in control juggling the practiced tasks each dawn… Dawn to afternoon – be it with the quick acrobatically moving limbs finishing the chores at home or the spinal column seating itself on that car seat or the office chair and commanding things around.

Either ways, it was a day well spent … for others. A rarity it was if she got an ounce of a day for herself. It, in fact seemed like an absolute indulgence to spare the precious moments once in a while for her for the bare essentials should one say?

Evenings to the time when one ought to simply plonk ourselves on the inviting sofa with the lower limbs out-stretched, appeared at times like a circus act… The now young princess has her studies to be helped with, the laundry-man stands at the door, the pressure-cooker whistles incessantly and ….

And well, some would argue that this could be the story of a once upon a time young prince too… After all, it’s the day and age of modern marriages with shared matrimonial accountability!

They Stand Tangled…

 

 

 

They left home for an adventure with a hurried pitter patter through the corridor. Eager they were for the not so usual rendezvous. Stop-go, stop-go was the rhythm at first and then, they just seemed to rest themselves at an incline.

Inclined they were to make the most of the day. It was a rarity that they got time together. Each cocooned involuntarily in the buzz of the routine commotions. But today was different. Hand in hand they stepped out of the gate of the huge palatial premises; each being pulled by a unique gravitational pull of the winds outside.

Outside… not that they really wanted to go, but they were compelled to do so. He would be sitting chained to his rocking chair usually at this time while keeping an eye on the gardener while she would be cooking up sumptuous delicacies. The youngest member of the household would be yelling out for attention and he would call out for her to check before the house help did so, and she, she would go literally galloping…. Only to see the little bundle gurgling on seeing her face.

Her face was wee bit uncomfortable as she carried some make-up which was barely visible. And he seemed immaculately dressed in a mustard tee and khakhi cotton trousers. She wore a cotton saree with a floral print in hues of green and blue as they both walked out stick in stick for their special rendezvous.

Their appointment took them to this rather noisy place… they call it a mall. Hesitatingly they stepped in marveling at the energy around with which the crowd was bustling.  Suddenly, a lively vigour seemed to be rising within as he went literally jostling through the crowd to buy his share of snacks. After all, what was a movie without some popcorn and cola.

And so they sat like the days of yore to watch the movie of their life….. perhaps… enveloped in thoughts of love that was, of bonds that are… in timelessness they stand tangled!

 

 

 

A Drape Called Life

 

I was lying all rolled up, layered like an unwanted lump only until the weathered hands picked me out of my slumber and splash!!!! I was thrown into hot boiling water. What could I do? Oh nothing at all.
This time he kept me at arm’s length and I was left hanging. Dripping off me were pale droplets. I just hung on only to be literally yoked on to a firm support in an absolutely staccato manner.  Aged hands, soft hands; supple hands, nervous hands – all worked on me to make me what I am today!

Alas! I am hanging again…. suspended in a corner and over-looked; perhaps, I was just too plain Jane – a pale complexion with hints of dull rose smattering bit here and there. This never-ending isolation was jolted out of its snooze by the eyes that found me enormously beautiful. Thereafter, I was never to leave this persona’s side except on some days when the royal highness – after all, the one who chose me – accorded me chance to rest.

I travelled well-protected against the glaring eyes of the passers-by from the safe confines of home to work too – contented to be with my beloved and the one whose favourite I was! The softness of the touch made me alive. The deft way of handling me through the walks, talks, jumps, runs, scrambles, falls, daily humdrum – all of it made my life far more textured – ironed out again smoothly by the delicate touch!

With time, I shared my love with yet another one. Well, I do mind the caress not just saved for me or another partner of my beloved for some time now; but a third one! I was J and big time…. Now, the third touch is the gentlest of all and I so wish this self would tug at me more, wrap me in the tiny fingers, chew me off…..

And now, I hang again…. She, my mistress has chosen an effortless comrade. She says – I tire her out. She needs to pay more attention to me. And, I’m too demanding.

So, I hang in her wardrobe longingly looking when the door opens and the exhausted hands select another, and not me, her much loved saree – who waits in edgy patience to spring to life again. She looks at me and says – “You have been one of my dearest. I will give you to my precious grand-daughter.” I’m waiting to refresh my journey again, till my last thread of life J