Swirling wishes in the core of a prayer
while he watches me like no one ever has
a set of green eyes can bring to me
the kind of calm that threatens rage 
an epiphany led me to the simplest truth
where he is mine, an answer to a quest
there are no bells no frills no glitter
only the one man I love as I'm put to test
Is it faith or the absence of another path
his strength melting into mine
laughing together over our faulty lines
every step rising some more in love
He can correct me when I go wrong
while I bring out the best of his share
willing the storms in the heart wailing now
reach out and take us ahead safely through
As cracks in rocks hold homes and light
to the pounding heart breathing might
May the Lord of skies reap the sown
Our ships have sailed with the tides
wishing in kind winds to be blown

4.

"Oh yes! In the next one, we'll improvise on that part some more, and the lathi scene needs to go, it confuses our audience."
"Sure, and are we rehearsing once more before we leave tomorrow or are we set?"
"We'll see! Guys,Its time we go home and get some rest, before that lets have a cup of tea at sutta point." suggested Dafli whom we named so because she was our dafli playing senior.
This was just another day in college for me, daily theatre group meetings after classes, practice sessions, chit chat and endless cups of tea with the group, who were not only my theatre buddies but also one of the best bunch of friends I had so far.
So here I was sipping tea, brainstorming and in peace with myself, just when the phone rang. It was an unknown number which had me in two minds about taking the call or not. I did, with a skeptical "hello"
"Hi, Am I speaking to Keya? said a male voice
"Umm, yes this is her, how may I help you?" I replied with an intention of cutting the call any second dreading this to be one of those annoying tele-marketing guys
"Ok! so how have you been? Its been months now" asked the voice
"Do I know you? can I know who's speaking? I asked curiously while my friends continued chattering in the background
"Hey, so you've gotten so busy that you forgot me already, new friend." the voice giggled making me more conscious and just when I was about to give up guessing it dawned on me. I only had one male 'new friend' in recent times, Deep. One cannot call us 'friends' as we lost touch the day I left his city. That wedding was one to remember, few magnificent days with family and 'new friends'. I had been so charmed by this man that I couldn't find the courage to even ask for his contact number or email ID while leaving, something I regretted for weeks. Now, after so many months, here he was on the other side of the phone. My friend found me.
"Deep. That's you!!!" I exclaimed so loud as to startle my friends who suddenly became interested in my conversation. I stood up from where I sat and walked towards a quieter corner.
"Oh, thank God! and here I started to think you really have forgotten me."
"Hey, no I haven't. So how did you even find my number?"
"I have my sources" came a flirty reply and an audible grin
Deep hadn't changed and so hadn't my love for his sense of humor. Our conversation lasted for 5 hours that evening. Later that night I realized that this was the first time I had ditched my friends in the middle of a tea session for a phone-call. It wasn't going to be the last time either.

I am asleep

There isn't any poetry coming from me in these times. These days, months, hours , the time span doesn't matter . Is it because there is too much calm living in my mind or too much turmoil?
 I get to work where I want to work , an opportunity to realize one of my dreams. I am one of the lucky ones to be granted a chance, so does that slow down poetry in me as if all we need to put our rhyming words is a feeling of exhilarating pain or happiness. For sure I am not overjoyed because I haven't made a complete position for myself in my career, there is more assessment to go before I can really say Bingo! Maybe that's the reason of my emotional neutrality. That sense of "wait till we get there" in fear of jinxing the awaited...
I am in no pain either, nothing acute to be more precise. Pain is so fundamental to our existence that there comes a point when you filter out unnecessary hurt on your own, so that leaves you with no drama, no frills. Is that the reason why I cannot bring myself to write?
Then there is that force that we feel the urgency to put into words. Dreams, love, unfulfilled wishes, death, life, nature... Its all around all the time. I have many a times described them before, is that the reason why I feel I have nothing more to say??
What am I waiting for? a good moment, a milestone..closure?
Maybe I'm only waiting for myself to return from someplace before we start afresh for another..

A breath kept short saving some air
were you nervous by my longing stare
I could feel your skin flush and  pound
she'll kiss me well was the beating sound
We closed our eyes, I cheated there
there was a smile in those eyes to swear

Standing up to get going or watch the skies snowing
the flower may not wish to bloom and color each time
some words may sing while others may not even rhyme
If she flapped her wings the bird may just be deciding
to fly or not to fly, she may not want to be seen today gliding
The little girl sleeps every night mid story before the happy ending
her mornings are brighter than ever 'coz she has that story pending
every half written letter, incomplete union ,an unstitched seam
not the end, never till completion,longings of an unfinished dream
I am less inspired some seconds of life, not a bit for many days
less likely to reach for victory sometimes,self content some may say
satisfied before even touching shore,oh! It's fine to be far far away!

I have travelled distances to watch you grow wings.. with a belief that no one can fly higher than you...
I have written letters across oceans to spread words about the times when you will outshine
I have prayed with a plead to build my faith about the smile you will spread within million hearts
I have given everything away knowing you will call me to the abode that you'll earn with humility
I have starved to fill my soul with satiating knowledge about every bread you feed the one in need
I have stood at the window to trace your path to a place where only goodness can peacefully stay
I have been the silent friend that passes you the torch when darkness threatens to cloud your day

Plan

I remembered the voice tinkle in my ear
he had said "my beloved, you're here."
pressing my hand upon his chest
my head lay calmly on him to rest
he was the feather in my daily dreams
flying around the frame with blurry seams
I remember his touch from before I took birth
He willed me to set  foot on this earth
As a child I played without the slightest doubt
maybe I had known then his whereabout
growing up clouded my head all the more
I gathered doubts no more that sure
I began to lose him to a larger realm
but he still hangs on to the blurry seam
another heart caught me in love so dear
but I only wished one voice to tinkle in my ear
I held on to this love with all my heart
intuitive of the end even before the start
I find a mark whenever I truly feel
he painted a trail for a cosmic deal
years pass by we only reach so far
 a step towards one another every hour
not knowing whose voice tinkles in my ear
agonizing more than if I couldn't hear
caught in life's unforeseen themes
how long before he clears the blurry seam

Chase

She wanted to sleep but was far too awake for night
for silence she prayed with the noise under the street light
chaotic dreams, the ones she still had to realize
she had a choice, then didn't to everyone's surprise
would she reach where the eyes could set their gaze
she still needs to walk a long time, in her lonesome race
a song written on those lips, from young imaginations of yesterday
with a need to rise in her world before she can sing herself to sleep today

3.

Not one minute had passed in silence since we drove past the lake and I was realizing, when it came to interaction,Deep was far from boring. He almost gave me a mini tour of the city during the drive and imitated a typical tour guide as he pointed out landmarks and heritage buildings that fell on route keeping me completely entertained and engrossed.Almost half hour later, he stopped the car in front of the beauty salon where Shreya was busy getting ready, it would take another 10 minutes she informed us on phone, so Deep and I kept talking while we waited. This time I casually inquired about his studies and work.
"I'm an engineer and have just started my career, my life's all about the daily grind. let's talk about Keya instead. So, you go to college, in Delhi? " inquired Deep.
"Yeah Delhi university, my final year of studying economics,can't believe its almost time to leave.I wish we didn't have to leave college ever" I sighed
"Hey! senti-mental! I believe in making the most of our present, so while you're in the final year, make sure you never leave a single opportunity to have a blast with friends and even the teachers if you wish" he laughingly added.
"Ya right right! actually apart from studies I'm into lots of co-curricular activities,actively involved in college theatre and university fests.So, I am definitely having the best time of my life or as you put it ,having a blast! didn't you too in your days?"
"Oh without doubt! I wish I could go back there, not that I don't enjoy my job, but being a student is out of this world, no responsibilities, no tension, one should live that phase to the max with all those friends whom you may or may not see once you pass out,professional life can be pretty unnerving.",for a moment he seemed lost in a memory and then returning from the thought he continued, "Aah nevermind! You made me nostalgic, damn! I should be angry at you"
"I can see that, sorry! I seemed to have pulled the wrong strings."
"C'mon, you didn't pull wrong strings, I have no wrong strings, they are just strings,all strings attached ready to be pulled" he chuckled, "but if you're still feeling sorry , I can tell you a way to make it up to me",his eyes twinkled while he said that.
"Ahaan, how? may I know?" my curiosity was growing and I looked away from him
From the corner of my eyes I saw him turn towards me on the driver's seat, then he gave me a long stare and said "A Kiss".
My eyes widened, my throat dried up, I clenched my fist, a chill ran down my spine, in three seconds I was scared, confused, surprised and a lot many things, he wouldn't be able to harm me in the middle of a market place was my first thought and Shreya would be out of the parlour any moment now, "Relax Keya!" I calmed myself,  I felt his gaze on me, so gathering myself ,I turned to confront him  in order to clarify whatever nonsense he had in mind and made eye contact. Then I watched as Deep coolly slid his hands in his jacket's inner pocket, taking out a small chocolate and placed it on my lap saying "I meant a Hershey's Kiss,eat it" breaking into a fit of laughter. This time I was the senior ragged by a fresher. My face flushed as I picked up the chocolate from my lap, this was the most embarrassing moment of my life and also the funniest I realized. I gave out a nervous chuckle and sighed.Five minutes later unwrapping the chocolate,I looked at Deep, his laughter had subsided,so I jokingly remarked "God! you almost freaked me out with that sense of humor of yours". He nodded like a true prankster and replied "there's a lot more to me than you see baby" chuckling he added, "by the way I must tell,you look gorgeous in green" and then giving me a genuinely warm smile he stepped out of the car to check if Shreya was ready to go.
We reached back to the house right on time to Boori aunty's respite and the ashirbaad ceremony commenced shortly after Anurag's arrival.The couple was surrounded by onlooking relatives while the elders blessed the couple one by one with rice, darbha and sandalwood paste and the ceremony was completed with Anurag and Shreya exchanging rings as rose petals were showered on them. Even though not a Bengali custom,the current generation cannot celebrate without a DJ, so the ring ceremony was immediately followed by uninhibited dancing by the old and the young alike, it was an entertaining sight to watch the most unlikely people grooving to party music. later,at the dinner buffet Ma and I saw that it was a gathering of a hundred odd guests and personally attending to each guest can quite a task, but everybody was extremely happy with the arrangements, all credit going to Deep. His event management skills were a talking point this evening as I was told by baba later. I was strolling around with my dinner plate looking for a place to sit , I ran into Deep who was busy playing host and asked him to get his plate of food and join me , to which he replied tongue- in cheek, "As long as you're eating, my stomach's full". Once again taken aback by his bold words I scurried for an appropriate response and said, "You're flirting with me mister! do you realize that?"
"Obviously I am, didn't you realize that? ha ha"
"Huh very funny! so won't you stop?"
"Naah! especially since I know you're single"
" Ahaan!Who told you I was?"
"Ain't you? Oh my God should I be worrying about getting bashed up by your boyfriend" replied Deep with a fake 'scared' expression that I found immensely cute.
"Ughh! Please spare me I don't have one. What about you huh?" my curiosity was flying
"I am trying to make a girlfriend, she's standing right in front of me."
I couldn't stop myself from gushing hearing that and coolly said " My god ! you're out of control man, ha ha ,fine! keep trying" I winked at him
"Without doubt I will but before that I need to go check on a few guests, I'll be back darling"
"Okay darling! I'm waiting" was my impromtu response,he gave me a friendly nudge and left.I had never flirted like this before and neither had I ever been so charmed by a man like I was by this one.
The rest of the evening went through well,with good music, food, dancing and endless conversations. I was introduced to friends and family every 20 minutes by my parents and I politely obliged, exchanged greetings and made small talk, but my mind seemed to wander everytime and I couldn't figure why.
The function came to an end quite late in the night and all the guests started to leave and the ones staying in the house prepared to retire in their rooms, I separated from the crowd and sat down on one of the benches in the lawn watching the cleaners prepare to clear the post-party mess, the caterers packing up the left over food and Shreya di's uncles shouting out instructions to them for the next day's lunch menu. In the midst of  the commotion I happened to catch a glance of Deep talking intensely with one of his uncles, wishing him to look towards where I sat, but he didn't to my slight disappointment . For the first time I closely observed his looks, he was a medium built man with a blend of cute and handsome facial features and long wavy hair to give him a rugged appearance, as a finishing touch a pair of dimples and that infectious smile created the boyish charm he effortlessly carries around.His looks and behaviour were both complementary as well as opposing in an interesting fashion making me more and more curious to know him. It was at that moment when I realized how, in a span of  just 5 hours two complete strangers had unexpectedly transited from complete indifference to friendly teasing without a pinch of effort,the boldness and the strikingly frank verbal exchange was a new experience for me and refreshing too. My early prejudices against the man had gone for a toss since the moment he offered me the Hershey's kiss. I felt unusually happy and strange by my uncanny liking for Deep,knowing that we've only just met .
It had been a long and eventful day. While going inside the house baba noticed me sitting on the bench and walked up to me. He mentioned the lateness of the hour and asked me to go to bed so I would wake up fresh next morning.I assured him that I would and that I needed to sit alone in the lawn for just a little more time. He approved and let me stay.So,once again left alone with my thoughts I flung my sandals away and placed my bare feet on the cool dewy grass, breathed in the breezy night air and gazed at the clear, starry sky.

2.

Shreya Bannerjee in her late 20's was a beautiful woman, the kind of person one looks upto for beauty, elegance, smartness, academic acheivements and most importantly for a good nature. The Bannerji family was proud of their daughter, and rightfully so. During lunch Boori aunty  introduced me to Shreya Di and asked us to talk and get to know each other, apart from an initial hesitation and shyness, within a couple of hours I began to interact with all the youngsters present there with ease. Shreya and her cousins made me feel like I was already a part of the gang as they interrogated me about college, studies and my life in general with genuine interest,taking away any kind of awkwardness that comes naturally when we meet people for the first time.
One of the cousins informed me that this evening we would be having the ashirbaad ceremony, the bengali version of an engagement ceremony that preferably takes place a couple of days before the wedding. Shreya di was living one of the most beautiful phases of her life, and like any normal girl she had dreams of being the most beautiful bride in the world, so she had made sure that she chose the best attire for each ceremony, perfectly combined with jewellery, make-up , shoes and the works. She showed me the anarkali suit she would be wearing for the ashirbaad ceremony,the fabric was a soft pista shade and was heavily embroidered but certainly elegant, and I felt she had the taste,to be slightly cliche yet remarkably different. I verbally appreciated her choice which made her blush with nervous excitement. We chattered casually all afternoon about things such has the wedding preparations, other relatives,the romantic love story of Shreya and her now fiance Anurag , interrupted by funny little gossip sessions of the cousins about their own respective love lives and so on ,meanwhile I kept thinking of my own attire for the evening, I hadn't really planned so much, now I was wishing I had.
It was almost 4 in the evening when Shreya di left for the Beauty parlour to get dressed. I continued hanging around the house with the rest of the family and friends, getting to know them while gorging on tea and snacks that almost magically appeared in all rooms every hour throughout the day. I had just finished my latest cup of tea and was searching for the kitchen to return the cup when I ran into Deep, this time in the foyer, only the second time after I had seen him from the balcony. He was fiddling with his iPhone and headsets and carrying a set of dry-cleaned blazers while walking towards a room, maybe his. He had his back towards me, so I cleared my throat which made him turn. He seemed to recognize me as the girl on the balcony as his acknowledging eyes met mine.I politely queried about the kitchen, he showed me the way and before I could thank him and  introduce myself, the man continued walking away, fiddling with this gadget. Not that he was rude, but there was something about his attitude which annoyed me, how much additional time would it have taken to make the conversation last a bit longer and ask a girl her name, especially when the girl is a guest at your sister's wedding. Then a moment later I asked myself why was I getting so flustered,I do not know him at all, hence how he behaves with his guests should be the least of my concerns.So I quickly found the kitchen as directed and went back to the cheerful living room to join the rest of the party,volunteering to help the elders with a few last minute chores.
The guests had started pouring in from 6 in the evening, Ma and I took almost 2 hours to decide our clothes and earrings and to get ready. My mother loves to dress me up,and insists on applying make-up whenever the occasion, Personally I would prefer to keep my face bare most times but just to keep her from getting grumpy about my lack of interest in self decoration, I agreed to apply kajal and a hint of lip color of her choice, and wore a green cotton silk churidar for the ceremony, simple and comfortable, the way I like it. All of us were asked to gather in one of the halls in the ground floor which was assigned for the ashirbaad ceremony, Once we were ready, Ma and I went down to the hall together and joined baba who was already present there helping Alok uncle with some arrangements before Anurag arrived. I scanned the hall once to see the number of guests arriving and to check out the pool of fashion one expects at an event like this. In one corner, next to the pandit stood Boori aunty, all dressed up, talking anxiously on the phone. I started walking to her casually when she noticed me and suddenly asked me to quicken my stride, I hurried towards her asking what was the matter. Shreya di was running late at the parlour and if someone didn't go pick her up immediately the ceremony would get unnecessarily delayed, Boori aunty feared that Anurag's parents might not like to see the bride-to-be missing when they arrived.
"Keya beta, go find Deep for me please, will you?" requested a hyper tensed boori aunty
"Of course aunty, just wait here. and please drink some water, there is nothing to worry about." I calmly replied before starting to look for her son.
I found him near the front gate, chatting with a guy his age,most probably a friend.
I went up to him and said in a business like tone , "Excuse me Deep! Boori aunty is looking for you, it's urgent." He heard me, nodded and went towards the hall, I followed him inside.
What followed in the next 5 minutes was a rapid conversation and split second decisions between mother and son. It was decided that Deep would immediately go and pick up Shreya from the parlour and bring her back to the house before 8 o'clock sharp. He would have to take a girl along who would be able to assist shreya in case she needs any help . Boori aunty started looking around the hall in urgency for a girl to send with Deep and by chance I fell within her view, so It was decided that I would be the assistant.
I was only too keen to be of any help to Shreya di , whom I had taken a liking to and agreed to accompany Deep without any question, so I followed him to the car and sat on the passenger's side quietly as he put on the seat belts, started the engine and we quickly pulled out of the driveway once again at a speed only batman would risk. I was slightly apprehensive about the car ride with this man, There was something about the attitude that was bothersome, nothing negative, but almost like a wall which seemed to be challenging my otherwise clear sense of judgement. Surely it would be an awkward car ride and not to mention boring but only till we reach Shreya Di of course. I sighed and looked straight out of the windshield and chose to entertain myself on my own by marveling at the beautifully lit roads, the pretty houses, people walking down the streets in no hurry, very unlike the non-stop bustling of New Delhi. The almost poetic charm of the Bhopali evening was seeping in as we drove by.
We were only 5 minutes into our drive and as we exited from the resident locality and touched the main road along the lake, I heard a question coming from the driver's seat, "So, you're Keya, like Keya Paata... you're a leaf?
Surprised that he was aware of my name and that this arrogant wall had a sense of humour, I giggled and replied , "Ha Ha ,yes!! I am a leaf, I get that a lot and I know you're Deep and I think you're lost too deep into your own world?"
My poor joke seemed to have an effect on the guy as I watched his stiff facial muscles relax, he looked at me with the expression of a college senior being ragged by a fresher, he realized how I had quite smoothly made a sarcastic remark on him and unintentionally hit bull's eye, he opened his mouth, maybe to defend himself with a comeback but chose not to and gave me a grin instead followed by a friendly wink and finally breaking into an innocent throaty laughter which was so infectious,I couldn't help but join in.