तुम....

तुम उस छुट्टी की सुबह से हो,
जिसमें बस अच्छा लगता है।
जिसे बिताना नहीं होता,
बल्कि भरपूर जीना होता है।
तुम उस चाय के जैसे हो,
जिसे पीने के लिए वजह नहीं चाहिये,
बस ज़रूरत होती है।

Hope...

Tastes like a last piece of bread to a poor,

Smells like soil after first rain,

Feels like a hug to a devastated person,

Looks like a ray of light after darkness,

Sounds like your favourite song on a distant land.

क्योंकि हमारी सीरत ही ऐसी है....

हम बातचीत नहीं करते अब, बहस करते हैं।

ख़ुद को सही साबित करने की हर कोशिश करते हैं।

फिर चाहे वो किसी का दिल दुखा कर हो या दोस्ती तोड़कर।

हमें तो बस ख़ुद से मतलब है, और यही जीने की नयी रीत है।

क्या हो जाएगा अगर हम अपनी बात साबित ना करें तो?

क्या हो जाएगा अगर हम तर्क में हार जाएँ तो?

कितनी बार हमने दूसरे की पूरी बात सुनी?

कितनी बार हम ग़लत साबित होने पर हंस पड़े?

कब हमने बहस को हँसी में उड़ाते हुए दोस्त को गले लगाया?

कब हमने अपनी ग़लतियों को सबके सामने माना?

हाँ, हम शिकायतें करने से नहीं चूकते,

और ना ही दूसरों की कमियाँ गिनवाने में कोई कसर छोड़ते।

बस यही किया है हमने ताउम्र,

और शायद आगे भी करते रहेंगे।

क्योंकि यहाँ फ़ुरसत ही नहीं है कि,

दो पल थमे और सोचे की हम कहाँ हैं, क्यूँ हैं, क्या कर रहे हैं?

भेड़चाल है, सब बस चले ही जा रहे हैं।

I Want To Grow Old Like You.....

Recently I went to a multiplex, and as there was still some time to go before they allow us to enter the hall, I thought to have some cardamom tea. I took my tea and sat next to two old ladies (either sisters or friends) who must be in their late 70s or early 80s. One was draped in a beautiful floral print saree and other one was in a beautiful Chikankari suit. Both looked affluent with their 'Tag Heuer' spectacles, expensive watches and 'Da Milano/ Hidesign' handbags. One was calm while other was talkative.

The one in suit, looked at me and asked me very politely 'From where did you get tea, Beta?' I showed her the counter, and then i asked- 'Can I help you with that?' She chuckled and said -'No Beta, I'll get that, its been a while since we had this kind of outing! Its so exciting'. I was so happy to see those expressions on her wrinkled yet beautiful face. I smiled at her. Then they both talked about ticket collection after online booking. One in suit said- 'Bahut bheed hai wahan par, aur tumhare phone ki screen wahan tak jaate jaate band ho jaati hai. How this thing would switch on?' looking at iPhone. I wanted to offer some help but then I thought let them enjoy this outing, but I didn't leave as i wanted to make sure they don't end up missing on their movie. So i sat back and waited.

The one in saree turned to me- i am sorry to bother you but which way is to washroom? I replied- No problem Ma'am, this way. She came after a while and said to the other one- you wait here i'll go and collect the tickets. And after that we will have cardamom tea together. And after that they actually gave each other a High-five. I couldn't hold myself and said- 'I am so glad to see you both having so much fun. I would love to grow old like you'. They laughed and one of them patted on my shoulder and said- 'Be yourself, no matter what they say, is the key my dear.'

I was amazed to see their energy and enthusiasm. I was like 'OMG, High-five, wow.' I want this kind of old age. They went ahead towards ticket counter and i was smiling endlessly with their words lingering in my thoughts. Our elders can always give us new meanings of life anytime. What a superb time I spent there in those 20 minutes.

Tolerance & Compassion....What's That?

Tolerance is probably going towards extinction in some years down the line, by looking at the way people react on small things in a gigantic manner. Why so much fuss? Why so much anger? Why so much impatience? Come on, we are human being not some out-of-control animal. I hope people know the basic difference between the two. 

Younger generation has more intolerance towards things in general. Aggression, hate, anger, impatient are terms probably got in place of peace, love, compassion and patience. Adding hate feelings towards anyone does more damage to the person holding it, rather than to someone else.

Its not necessary to react on every damn situation just to prove your point. Well that doesn't serve the purpose. Anger is different, it may come and go. We must not hold a grudge for too long. We have all the rights to get angry with someone, but we don't have rights to be cruel towards anyone physically or mentally. Don't leave a person in a feeling of loneliness or being unloved. Thats the worst possible damage.

And then feel victorious. No its not a moment to rejoice. 

Ego, anger for anger, taking revenge, all this will make any situation a disaster. Its upto us whether we make it or break  it. World desperately needs love, as there is enough hate already. People should not be bullied for being different, behaving differently or for having different opinions. And the question in case is 'Who says that you are the only correct one here?' Think about it.

Love Is Worth Fighting For....

Being loved by someone is a blessing but loving someone is courage!!

Courage....thats not only required to fight the world but also to fight yourself. It is required when your mind tells you that your heart is going to be broken into pieces but your heart just deny that thought. When you hold yourself from crying and your heart clings on that person. Courage is required when you can't hate that person for breaking your heart and you still are ready to give all your love to that person. Loving someone is surely not a weakness, it requires lots of strength. Probably thats why once heartbroken and shattered people become emotionally really strong. Once you get over that heartbreak, you can get over anything.

Second opinion:

Imagine the situation of other person who is not on the same frequency as of yours on the field called LOVE. On their part its really difficult to explain why do you NOT love them? At the same time its very guilt to see other person's selfless, unbounded LOVE towards yourself. You don't want to pity them but you can't fall in love with them just because they are in love with you. You don't want to be the reason for all the pains that other person is going through. You want to soothe them but feared of getting your friendly gesture mistaken for love or mutual feelings. 

Hence everyone is fighting it out, no matter on which side you are. But LOVE is worth fighting for ❤️

Home Coming....

There was dirt,

When i entered this place.

Old teak furniture covered in cheap plastic,

Fine glass of window all stained.

Granite floor looked like a cemented one.

King size bed with imperial design,

Bed sheet still marking our lust.

It was all dusty.

I can't recall my last visit to this place.

Long back i left it

Didn't give a thought to visit again

But then here i am,

Seeing each corner, every article with great affection.

That affection is so pure with zero dust.

I reached to my piano in right corner,

Played my favourite tune and paused.

Then closed it.

My bookshelf was as organised as i left it.

That old table lamp of 1950s,

A gift from my grandfather,

was still intact.

Ceiling had some cobwebs,

Chandelier had a thick layer of dust,

Almost unrecognisable.

Not a single change i could notice.

Suddenly i didn't mind the ugliness of the place,

Rather started admiring the place.

Thats what we call home,

There is something about this word.

It always shows the same affection 

Same excitement of coming back to home.

Welcome back!

Aakhiri Intzaar...

Ek sankra sa kooncha,

Uske aakhiri kone par laga ek saalon purana bijli ka khambha

Jo hamesha se aisa hi tha, bujha bujha sa, jaise kiraye ki raushni laata ho...

Uss koonche me ek purana makaan tha, jisme behtareen nakkashidar darwaaje hote the,
Ab to deemak nigal gayi thi usey kafi hadd tak...
Is Andhere ne aur is bujhi hui roshni ne behadd benoor kardiya tha is koonchey ko
Ek zamaana hue iss poori rahguzar ko dekhe hue
Ab to khud par hi sharmindgi hoti hai, ki itne saalon baad idhar ka rukh kiya..
Behisaab raaton ke intezaar ka gawah tha wo bijli ka khambha
Ab na to wo zumbish thi iss raah me aur na hi koi maskhari
Goya bejaan ho chuka tha sab kuchh is koonche mein

Maine unn ghaarat hue darwazon pe dastak di
Kuch der talak to koi halchal na hui,
Fir ander se khala ki awaaz aayi 'aate hain, zara tasalli rakhiye'
Maine apna rumaal nikala,
Aur aankhon me ubhar aaye kai nakshon ko mitane ki koshish ki...

Khala ke haath me laaltain thi, aur nazron me intzaar
Umar ke jaane kitne saal iss chehre par apne nishan bana chuke the,
Khala ne chashma durust karke, nigahon pe zor daalke poochha
Ji, aapki taareef?
Mere alfaaz maano halaq me hi dafan ho gaye the,
Lakh koshish karne par bhi na nikle
'Ji, maine farmaaya- Kaun hain aap?' Khala ne kuch zor dekar kaha.
'Aadaab khala, main hoon Aakash, pahchana?' Kuch alfaaz meri zubaan se ludhak gaye
Khala ne laltain ko mere chehre ke kareeb laaker dekha
Fir poochha- 'Aa-kaa-sh, itne arse baad, Ab kisliye aaye hain aap?'
Maine jawab dena munasib nahi samjha ya yoon kahein jawab aya nahin.. Khaamosh raha.
Khala ne darwaja se kinaare hat kar ander aane ko kaha....

Ander ki roshni jaise peeli dhundh odhkar baithi ho
Aangan pahle se kuch chhota ho gaya tha
Khala ne mere kandhe pe haath rakha to mujhe khyaal aaya ki kahan hoon maano kho gaya tha un yaadon mein
Khala...kya aapne kabhi usey intzaar karte hue dekha...mere jaane ke baad? maine darte hue poochha
Khala ne ek lambi saans li...'haan'

Unki iss 'haan' se ek sukoon mila
'Baki sab khairiyat?' Maine poochha
Khala ne ektak nigahon se mujhe dekha aur boli...'Shayad tumhe ilm hi nahi hai Aakash’
Maine poochha...'Kis silsile mein khala?'
'Wo intezaar uska aakhiri intzaar tha.....Aakash' khala ne dupatte se aankhon ki bheegi kor ponchhte hue kaha.
Main sirf unhe dekhta hi rah gaya....halaq sookh gaya tha, rooh kaanp gayi thi
Kabhi guman hua karta tha mujhe apni lekhni par,  aur aaj jaise tamaam umr hi ek khali panne ki tarah ho gayi thi, jispe koi badrang syaahi bikhar gayi ho...aur main wahin baitha ka baitha rah gaya.

Itwaar Ke Roz....

Itwaar ke roz, hum kuch waqt sath me guzaarte the
Unn dino kuch khaas jaldbazi nahi hoti thi logon ko
Unhone ek roz yeh din mukammal kiya tha mulaaqaaton ke liye
Tab se yahi silsila zaari tha...

Unke waalid ko hum khaas pasand na the
To badi kashmkash ke baad itwaar tay hua tha
Yun to kuch khaas baatein nahi karte the hum
Magar ghanton uss jheel ke kinaron ko dekha karte the
Aur kabhi kabhi to kashtiyaan bhi bahate the
Bada sukoon hota tha itwaar ke roz
Hafta ko jaise-taise hi guzarta tha janab

Jahan tak unka sawaal hai, badi hi nek dil insaan thi wo
Kisi gair ke bhi dard me ashq baha dene wali
Masoom, khushmizaj aur beyhadd khoobsurat
Aur main ek aam si surat wala, dubla-patla sa
Kismat rahem kar gayi thi hum par

Yun to hum dono bahut alag se dikhte the
Par bheetar se ek doosre ke poorak
Bahut hi umda kism ki dosti thi humari
Haan...ye to batana bhool gaye ki hum sirf 'dost' the

Ab to kafi arsa hua iss baat ko,
Hum dono ke nikah hue aur fir apni apni zindagi me mashgool ho gaye
Par kabhi kabhi unki kami mahsus hoti hai to,
Itwaar ke roz usi jheel ke kinaare baith kar do-chaar baatein kar lete hain
Aisi dosti ab kahan hoti huzur
Ab to lagbhag gunaah hi hai ladke-ladkiyon ka sath baithna
Ab wo itwaar bhi nahi aate....