A.V

“Dad, what should I make for dinner?” she asked. My daughter, twenty-one now, standing in the kitchen with tired eyes and a wooden spoon. “Get ready,” I replied, pushing myself off the couch. “We’re going out.” “Where to?” “Well, what do you feel like eating? Pizza? Paneer? Or maybe... dosa?” She thought for a moment. “Dosa it is, then.” A few minutes later, we were getting ready. I stepped into the hallway and paused at the sight of her. “Oh dear,” I said, trying to hide my instinct behind a warm voice. “You’re not going to wear that, are you?” She groaned. “Ugh, Dad. Why not?” “The skirt’s too short. Wear a kurti.” She sighed dramatically, but turned and went back into her room without a word. Outside, the sky was restless. The clouds flashed above. The wind was cold, and not a single star was visible. It was going to rain, one of those long, thoughtful rains. Then Lily emerged, dolled up, in a light blue kurti, earrings catching the dull hallway light, and her long hair le...

His presence stands tall and unwavering, as strong and steady as the ancient redwoods that have weathered countless seasons, their roots deep in the earth, unmoving, eternal. And yet, despite that stillness, I feel something shifting between us, as if an invisible red string is pulling us closer. My shoulders lean toward him, drawn the way branches stretch toward the sunlight, seeking warmth, seeking something unknown. His presence is warm, calm, comforting, like the soft apricity of a weary evening. My skin senses his heat before I even touch him, the fabric of his shirt grazing over my bare arms like a whisper, featherlight and fleeting. Our shoulders brush, a quiet closeness we have known before, yet still, my heart refuses to accept it, racing as if something unknown, something irreversible, is about to unfold. My mind, once filled with words, stills into silence, as if caught in the hush before a storm. And then, he closes the distance, as if I have silently given hi...

Dear Me, If you ever find yourself losing control, losing yourself, falling into the depths. If you ever feel hopeless, distant, or away from others... Stand up. Take a warm, long shower. Brush your teeth. Clean the dusty tables, sweep the floors, tidy up the room. Wash your clothes, clear the trash, make the bed. Wipe the stained mirrors, dust off the books. Drink some water— you must be thirsty. You’re hungry right Don’t worry. Wear the outfit you’ve always wanted to wear but never did. Dress yourself well. Take the keys, step outside, and ride. Feel the rhythm of your heart fighting off the cold wind. Let the movement remind you—you’re alive. Feel your body being alive.  Stop at a dosa shop. Find a seat. order your heart out, without hesitation. Look around. Watch the people, living their lives, laughing, talking. Smell the rich air filled with spices. Hear the sizzle of batter on the pan. Don’t hold back—I know your mouth is watering. Your order arrives. The dosa glistens with ...

  A word with endless meanings,   but I chose the purest one the one that doesn’t bind like attachment,   nor seeks the fleeting thrill of touch.   It lightens, it calms, it frees,   and feels as soft as the white of lotus petals,   the gentle white of swans in morning mist,   the drift of clouds in a boundless sky,   the love that sees the soul. Not a crush, nor attraction, nor the pull of attachment,   but a love without conditions or need,   the kind that blooms between Radha and Krishna. A.V

A white dove, trapped where she was born, Bound by chains, never to have flown. Her wings unused, her spirit torn, Her mind reshaped, her dreams unknown. From afar, I watch her innocence shine, Her beauty, her grace, chained in thoughts confined. Sometimes my eyes, too, tear up in pain, Seeing her life held tight by chains. She learns the tricks they wish she'd know, Performing acts she does not love. With no choice given, she bends low, While others rise and soar above. She sees her sisters, young and free, Given paths she’ll never see. And in her gaze, no bitter light Only love, dimmed by her plight. Yet, hope fades slowly from her chest, As dreams dissolve, she finds her place. She lives as told, for them, no less A dove, who’s bound to silent grace. A.V "For Someone Traped in Chains of Old Mindsets"

It has been a long day, it's 3 AM. Coming home from a party with a friend. It's spring, not too warm, not too cold, but flowers are in full bloom. In the night, insects fill the serene air around us. Warm streetlights shine from above, bringing comfort to our hearts. Her white cotton kurti swayed, teasing my hands. Her hair rested, carrying the scent of roses. She hopped from foot to foot with elegance, her heels tapping the ground silently. The bangles ringing calmly as her hands flowed.     My hand felt a cold drop. My gaze moved toward my hand, then to her face. Her eyes glistened under those warm streetlights. She hurriedly wiped away the lost trails, sniffling. Then, giving a serene smile with big teardrops hanging from each eye, soft as petals, her peach lips said, "Sorry... just give me a moment," chuckling in between.     Her face turned away from me, swinging those silver earrings. She kept weeping, yet tried to hide all the tears. Sometimes I wonder if I ha...

In early Winter's gentle embrace, Contrasts of red, orange, and green grace. Oak, birch, and grass, a vibrant array, As temperature falls, clothes gain sway. Upon a wooden bench 'neath maple's hue, Leaves fall like feathers, crackling anew. Every shift, even slight, heard clear, Beside my love, snug in fluffy gear. In each other's arms, we find reprieve, Head on shoulder, close as we breathe. Breezes whisper secrets, drawing near, Tender, no itch to fear. Hands warmed perfectly, shoes don't ache, Scent of shampoo, a sweet, gentle wake. Birds chirp amidst our tender hold, In this peace, our slumber unfolds. In the quiet calm, we drift away, Lost in love's embrace, 'neath Winter's sway. A.V

Let us dance leisurely Let us hear one another Let us come close Let us blow away what we dread Let us build a courtship  Why time, you're teasing us? Let us spend splinters of you Let us fall for the moon Let us dissolve in the gates of the soul Let us hold one another's hearts Let us go to the dream world Why time, you're teasing us? Let us flood our eyes Let us pray an orison Let us keep our memories Let us dread death, as little as a bed Let us, love, beyond time, beyond death Please time, why don't you let us go? A.V

 You said :- come and get me. I asked :- what are you trying to test? what do you think I am? I said :- you know I would follow you to the stars, amid dark nights of anhedonia,  only you would be the one I would chase in the meds. We know each other, so I ask you, where would you run off with those little legs of yours? I can always catch you. I can always hold you. I can always be there beside you to help you move onward. little girl, when you ask how far I can go with you, I would always say.......I would follow you to the stars........but just don't drag me with you to the morning runnings, please. 

let thy head rest over my lap let my fingers flow through thy vines let my hand softly pet thy head let us talk tales beneath cherry blossom let us create, midst of the winter breeze let us create, an alluring souvenir of our love. let my lips land on thy forehead  let thyself sleep, as dost I tell tales let our hearts resonate in unison let the swallows sing let the blossom fall as bestow let them fall and form a path for you. let me see thy endearing face  let me imagine thy dreams  let me feel thy breath let us walk, when you wake let us walk on blossoms let swallows sing a farewell song.  A.V

September Skies    It's cold outside, I  can see the air, that come's out of your chest your hands are still warm and, your lips, soft as the winter sun. we cuddle under the rug over, the pastel grass, laying down, taking in the clear September skies. These September days, Just you and I. It rains, it storms, but  we make, each other warm. Forehead kisses and arms around souls. So fragile, so delicate, yet we glow like fireflies The leaves are almost gone, in these September days. We get lost, we drift away, like a voyager beneath September skies. Just you and I. Just you and I, beneath September skies, laying over the velvet grass, letting our bodies pat each other, being lost in each other's souls. Just, you and I......., Just you and I.......... A.V

A Forest, looks normal from afar But, when you're close  She bewitches you, with Her majestic colours, Her beautiful hair like vines  Her calm yet playful eyes. A Forest, has been through a lot  She has felt, earthquakes She has seen dark and stormy nights  Yet she stands firm to the ground, As if nothing happened, but when observed You can also see thorns and cuts. A Forest, adored by everyone Looks enchanted from the outside and  Inside, even she doesn't know She gives care to little soules She teaches us lessons She helps her family. A Forest, have Lotus's hands Swan's body Elephant's mind An innocent soul, and A bunch of mysteries inside. A Enchanted forest, so lovely Kai najar utartai usski, par  Jana tho uss ko hai hi, tho vo Kahaiti hai, jo mujhai laijai ga Uss mai tri daivo kai Gud honai chahiaai. Yogita A.V

 Conversations  Main college ke second year mein hoon. Aur aaj meri school ki ek dost— jiss ne ek saal ka drop leya tha aaj finally iss college mein admission le rahi hai. Toh obviously, un mahotarma se milna toh banta hai. Jaise hi wo mujhe college gate se enter karti dikhayi di, main chupke se uske peeche chala gaya. Kandhe pe halki si thapki maari aur bola— "Mahotarma, naam batayein apna." Ye kehte hi mere chehre pe ek shararti si muskan umad aai. Thodi der ruk ke, usne bola— "Aafreen Sha," ek aise andaaz mein, jaise wo sab samj gaai ho "Achha... kis hostel se ho aap, Aafreen Sha?" Mainne apni shararat ko thoda aur aage badhaya. "Ji, Hostel No. G-5," usne bola, full attitude mein, "Aur kuch poochhna chahenge aap?" "Ha," main bola. "Merī dost banogi?" " Khass wali... " Usne bas ek smile di. Waise wali—jo aankhon se daantti hai, par dil se maaf kar deti hai. Jaise keh rahi ho, ...

I'll wait  If we are not meant to meet, If we are not meant to cross paths— Not in this life, nor in any life to come— Then we shall meet at the end of all things, where the divine ocean awaits— golden, endless. For we are only drops of that same sea. And I... I will wait. I will wait for you there. A.V 

Unsaid, Unseen A pile of regrets like chains, A pile of secrets like soda bubbles. A pile of words waiting to be said, A pile of dairies filled with memories. A pile of threads waiting to reform, A pile of emotions weaved into words.  A.V