A Sip Of Chhas

 

they sat at the table,

in a quiet corner, 

not even a stir in the air,

the silence broken only by

the occasional glances, 

the teary eyes,

and the lips laced with smiles,

there was a joy in the moment,

and fear and uncertainty, the very next!

she reached for the jute bag,

pulled out the lucknowi chikan suit,

spread the pale yellow embroidered chunni

over her black top, and denims,

curled up her eyebrows inquiring,

how do I look? 

he blew a kiss in the air,

circling up his forefinger with the thumb,

spellbinding!

neither uttered a word,

each fighting the choking,

their eyes turned red,
holding back the obvious urge

both reaching out for the glass of chhas,

maybe to avoid each other's looks,

maybe just a nervous reflex.

they took sips

from the glass of chhas,

in perfect tandem

each head brushing the other's brows,

and eyes too close
to hide the joys and the fears,

there was joy in the moment,

and uncertainty in the future,

the eyes welled up with the fear

and the smiles flowed still,
for the other's sake!

© sashikant mohanty