Would You, The Way I Would

Every moment is just about you
Each thought crafted so delicately around you
Many even took Hope for your name!
On endless nights, I'd indulge in dreams
Your bangles breaking the silence of the dark,
As smile laced your face, and sleep your eyes,
And your head secured on my shoulders.
As you wind up long busy days,
Do you still stand before the mirror,
Wipe the sweat off your brow,
Do you do your hair, the way you used to then,
Do you still hum your favorite number,
The way you would, then?
In your dreams,
Does the pallu still get stuck in my necklace,
The way it would, then?

When I stood by the gate,
Waving at you,
Forcing that smile,
And battling the surge of feelings,
Until the car vanished around the corner,
And the plume of dust refused to settle down,
You sat calmly by the window, still smiling,
As you drew the stole over your shoulders
Hands reaching for the vanity kit,
Making up the eye-lashes,
Feigning an air of indifference,
I struggled to get a glimpse of your eyes,
And a determined you sealed them from mine.
As I kept staring at the emptiness,
Tell me, my heart
When sleep eludes you at the thought of parting,
Do your eyes still turn moist,
Do you also struggle to recall my face,
The way I would?

When my heart craves to be with you,
A few moments longer,
But my flesh too tired to move,
Tell me, my Hope,
Will you come over, again
Secure your head on my shoulder,
Let the bangles break the silence of the dark,
The way you would, then!


© Sashikant Mohanty