Illusion

She meandered on the footpath

Smiling and dancing

Her feet moved in a rhythm

Throwing some Stolen glances 

His heart melted with ease

Blood drummed a different beat 

Hurried steps in her direction

Magnetic pull was observed

With a poof she vanished

Only her fragrance lingered

She was nothing of real

An illusion his mind created.

29/09/2021

© Deeप्ती

College Reunion

Reunion with the batchmates. Really ?? It's been so long I have been in touch with any of my batchmates, ever since I shifted to Canada. How did you found me? Whatever it's my pleasure to relive the memories. College days were the best for sure " Sudhir excitedly said all this in one breath.

His friend, Rohan from college days had called him up. Sudhir had been so engrossed in his working environment that he left behind everyone. He lost contact with his family then how come he could have been in touch with his batchmates.

Rohan and Sudhir were inseparable during college days. They were known as 'Jai-Veeru' popular characters of Hindi Film. With time things changed, Sudhir went seperate ways in search of job he landed in Canada and within a year or two he found himself distant from his motherland and people.

He bought a house and got married to an intelligent Indian girl who was working in his office. He was happy in his own sweet world away from his country. He even got permanent citizenship there and broke all ties from India.

Rohan his best friend stayed grounded in his hometown. He had his own business to take care off. He often remembered his college days, whenever he met his batchmates in the city. He was social and kept on organizing get together for his friends.

But this year was different as it was silver jubilee reunion function of their batch which was organized in college itself. He was missing his friend Sudhir a lot and that was when he searched for him.

In this technology era it was not difficult to find his friend. He got his number and dialled him for the invitation.

Sudhir, immidiately agreed and booked his tickets. "I am going Home." He thought. 

Even though he was the citizen of Canada his friends phone call reminded him, he still belongs to his own motherland.

I can't leave you

My values and my virtues

You are me

You shaped me the way I am

Forever grateful to you

My emotions and my feelings

You are part of me

Helping me cope with tough times

I can never leave you

O Krishna help me stand

By myself

Help me not to fall for 

Unwanted desires

Let ne hold onto you

To be truthful to me.

@deeप्ती

Painter of the Universe

O supreme painter

Of the Universe

I bow to thee

On a rainy night

You appeared

To spread the light

Of right

O My Krishna!

You are my mentor

And I bow to thee!

-29/08/2021

Soul In Ruins

On the vestibule of my mind's ruins

I sit and contemplate

Looking back at the drowned emotions

I weep for the lost times

I see my shattered soul in ruins

From birth after birth

I seek solace in His lotus feet

~30/08/2021

@deepti

Warmth of Summer

It was a beautiful summer morning. The pregnant Clouds hovered above making the birds and earth smile, all ready to welcome the cool soothing showers.

Manisha was sitting on her garden swing watching the little squirrels pecking at the grains she had scattered a while ago. 

Her blue tooth speaker was playing her favourite playlist. She was smiling and happy as she received a call from her husband yesterday that he was coming today on a short visit.

Manoj, her husband has been serving the country, even before they got married. She got attracted towards his uniform and his personality. He was a kind, compassionate being with an ever smiling face.

She melted in his gaze and fell for him on their first meeting. Soon they got married and he went on to serve his country as that was his first duty.

Today after eight months he is returning home. She was on cloud nine and planted a quick kiss to her loving plants and rushed inside. She has loads of work to do, he will be hone soon.

This summer is spreading its warmth of love. Summers are so beautiful she thought and smiled herself.

Not Alone

Prabhu was a simple person, living in his village along with his wife. He used to work in the other people's fields when ever they needed. Rest of the time he did petty works for all in the village. In return they used to give him food.

He was happy in his small world with nothing much to aspire. He was elated when his wife Promila declared that she was pregnant with his child.

Their joys knew no bounds. But now the question of surviving along with some extra money became their priority. Prabhu, started working hard by working in a barber shop.

He was now saving for their child. Time passed and his wife suddenly started having severe pain in her womb. He shouted for help. No one provided any help and they all suggested to take her to the hospital, which was across the hill. There was no proper road and no mode of transportation available.

He felt helpless looking at his wife who was in terrible pain. He borrowed a hand cart from a neighbour and made her wife lie on it. He started running towards the hospital which was more than twenty kilometres away and that too without any proper road.

He kept on running and running. His wife was in deep pain and was crying. Suddenly her cries stopped. He looked at the cart and found her lifeless lying on it.

His entire world crashed and had no inkling what to do. He was all alone in the world. Villagers came and helped him do the last rites for his wife. He was torn deeply. He lost his wife and his child due to the lack of resources.

This did not break his determination. He took a loan and bought a bike and then helped all the needy reach hospital in time. He converted his bike into a mobile carrier for the patients. Looking at his good work and selfless service the villagers commended and appreciated his service.

He was now not alone in his journey of service. Mankind was with him. He was no more dependent he was an Independent person who had dedicated his life to help others.

Bond Of Love

Shagufta was sitting quietly on her terrace looking at the stars. Soft summer breeze was playing with her locks. Shagufta all of thirteen, she felt trapped in the house.

Everyone was fast asleep and she stole few moments for herself. She had been married for five years now. When she was just eight she was engaged to her first cousin. Few days later she was married and sent to this house.

At that time she did not even knew what marrige meant. But her father wanted to get rid of his responsibility as soon as possible. Her mother could not utter a word as her father threatened that he will give Talak if she disagreed.

Her mother Bano was quiet and sucked in her tears and fears. Shagufta had no inkling what was happening to her.

She was married to her cousin fifteen years older. He had lust and unending hunger for her body. She cried endlessly but all in vain. No one was there to help her or hear her cries. All ears were deaf.

She found solace in the soothing embrace of the night stars. They listened calmly and helped her tears dry in their embrace. 

Slowly she found a deep love and a serene connection with the night sky. Stars were her bond of love and her saving grace.

She vowed to herself, she will stand tall for a better life. Maybe her twinkling friends will help her gain courage and strength to fight for her rights.

*******

Reunion of Memories

Sitting quietly at a corner table, Suman was deep in her thoughts. She was far away somewhere. Her eyes were fixed on a small blue boat outside her window.

It was tied to a plank secured with a strong nail. Boat wanted to set free and sail into the river. The water was calling her and she was helpless tied to the shore. Boat knew her happiness lies in the free flowing water. 

Suman felt connected with the boat. Even she was tied to the shore and waiting to sail freely into the vast ocean. Her wings were clipped with responsibilities and vows of sacred band in her finger. Yet she yearned to open her wings and scale the heights.

She felt suffocated. Feelings of love have taken backstage with time. Now her past memories haunt her, they call her towards her dream. Dream to conquer the stage as an artist.

That blue boat has meddled with her brain and held a reunion of lost memories. It's time she needs to spread her wings and break the shackles to sail in the river once again.

She came to some conclusion and stood firmly with a strong dedication. Atlast she feels free.

One

It's raining outside

Come let's dance 

to the tune of raindrops

Let our hearts melt

With the music

Reverberating in our souls

Let us laugh

On the rooftop

Watching the sun going down

Let us breathe

Under the sky

Gazing the glowing stars

Let us be one

And live in the moment

Of silence and grace!

19/09/2021

© Deeप्ती 

Legend

Little Pinky was admiring the fun activities of the squirrels dancing on the tree and ground. Squirrels were chirping merrily picking up food grains from the ground which her mother Sunita had sprinkled on the ground for the birds. But before any bird could see the grains squirrels came hopping and started gobbling the grains. 

Pinky was excited to see them filling their mouths continuously. Her mother Sunitha approached along with Chintu. Chintu lived two houses away from them. He was of same age as of Pinky. Together they played almost everyday.

"Pinky see what I found near my gate." Saying so he produced a peacock feather in one hand and grains to feed the birds in another. Bit almost all the grains had slipped from his hand 

"Ahaa.. it's so beautiful." Pinky clapped gaily. " What is in your other hand I cannot see anything. You think with your tiny hands you can feed the birds. And that too with only two three grains" she mocked.

He was disheartened yet he came forward and said "They are so cute. I love their backs as they have those beautiful lines on which I feel like riding my cycle. "

And they both laughed in their joke.

He further added " I always feel as if my cycle has created those lines on their back. Exactly the way my tyres mark the ground after rains. I could carry grains on cycle to feed them."

Sunitha was hearing their conversation, she wanted to make them understand the importance of effort so she smiled and asked them "that is interesting Chintu. But, do you know, how the squirrels got those three stripes on their back?"

"No, please tell na ?" Unitedly both asked.

She sat beside them " As per legend when Sita was abducted by demon Ravan, Rama reached the tip of the land. With the help of Hanuman he knew that Sita was across the ocean. All the vanars started building a bridge on the ocean by adding large rocks aa a bridge.

Seeing all this a little squirrel came there and she too wanted to help. As she had played a lot with Sita when they were in the forest. In those times squirrels were with plain back. They were in single plain colour.

That squirrel started picking pebbles and started adding them to the bridge. She kept on working day and night. Looking her work all the vanars started making fun of her. 

"Look at this squirrel, she is picking such tiny pebbles and throwing in the ocean and she thinks she is building the bridge. Ha ha ha..."

Of course she was disheartened with thier words. She really wanted to help but she could not pick large rocks as the vanars could. She started crying silently and sat away from them.

Prabhu Shri Ram was watching all this he went near her and said " why are you crying. Your work is equally important. No work is big or small. Let them say whatever they want to say. They do not know how precious and important your small pebbles are to the bridge. Because of your small pebbles their big rocks are getting support as it is filling the space between them." Saying so he picked her up gently and made her sit on his lap. And then he gently stroked her back with his fingers. And rewarded her with three beautiful stripes in return.

And as per the legend, that is how she got her stripes."

"Yes mummy now I understand every work is important. Said Pinky

Chintu loved the legendary story. He now knew even his work was important.

********