“We’re gonna relocate”, my dad said,
Just as mom began serving dinner that day,
It was the beginning of December,
And yet, a trickle of sweat ran down my spine..
I looked at him in disbelief, then at mom,
She didn’t have a word to say,
but she didn’t return my gaze either..
“Why?? Where??” I dared to ask,
He didn’t expect that, I could tell..
“Grandma can’t climb 3 flights of stairs”,
He said with a defiant air.
“But it’s Mumbai”, I cried, unable to swallow,
“How can we leave? I’m still studying..”
“You’re only worrying cuz of your friends” he said,
“I can make friends anywhere, but yes”,
I replied, somewhat hurt and anguished,
With that, the image of my college,
Stood before my eyes..
My friends were calling out to me,
Holding out a hand, which I couldn’t reach,
I saw the dream of my future fading a little bit,
As I felt a void building up in my heart.
As dad finished dinner and left,
My brother shrugged, “nobody asks me”,
And just like that life had changed,
Over a single dinner time conversation.
Wabi Sabi 