A 100 Square Feet Room

Half of the bed was piled up with the books and the other half was occupied by three people. A Bengali lady was cooking for the family. She entered the room and in no time space was created to make her sit on the bed. Mesmerizing smiles were seen on every face. Kids were questioning her like an interview and after every answer they looked at each other started giggling. She was served tea and offered some food which was one of the best she ever had. In no time she was a part of the family who loved being with others, sharing whatever they had and caring for no reason. The family bid goodbye and asked her to visit more.

As she stepped out and a distance was covered, her eyes were wet. She never welcomed anyone with elation. Never served others keeping herself hungry. Was it about the bigger house she owns and sleeps there alone. The aesthetic platter she had in every meal and ate alone. The next morning was the new life as she smiled seeing everyone. Sharing the food she made. Holding the kids of her maid in arms and kissing them. A messy room decluttered her life and brought her to bac.k to humanity

Just 10 Bucks for Dinner

  

Their eyes were showing thirst for the green fountain juice being poured in the glasses. The couple was old and skinny, may be in sixties. The lady looked extremely tired and traumatized, her sunken face and dried lips showed as if she was hungry from days. Weak limbs and wrinkled skin, might be walking from ages. The man wearing the scars of hardship on body and a muddy, ragged white shirt over it. Both gazing at the people gulping the chilling liquid and putting the empty glasses on the counter. Holding whatever assets they have in their life, a blanket, some utensils and few clothes.

The old man checked his pockets and got ten bucks out from the treasure. The couple was talking through eyes and the lady broke the silence and said, "we need to have something for dinner". They looked around and decided to take few chapattis and that was all the food they will have. The lust for the cold liquid was compromised for money, they turned around and started moving, don’t know where. Heads fallen and lost in their path.

A Street Outside Hazrat Nizamuddin

After the holy chants of reviving the miracles and beauty of allah it was the time to let the seers rest and enjoy the night in the remembrance of divine and putting the requests of devotees upfront. Dressed in glittery sheets and images of makkah printed on it, surrounded by red roses and millions of devotional threads, hundreds praying at the feet, looks like the door of heaven has opened and there lies the King of happiness showering blessings. A man with white dress and grey waistcoat, nicely embroidered prayer cap on his head closed the heavily decorated wooden doors. A huge stand was laden with incense sticks and the ashes appeared like falling stars.People leaving with a smile on their face, some murmuring the ending prayers, some waiting for the last glimpse of the pir.

Doors closed and all started moving on the back way.The street outside the Dargah saw the breach in devotion. Disfigured creatures waiting outside for the people to show their crippled limbs. A small girl with half burnt face, boneless leg and twisted fingers blocked the way and asked for money. People who were lost inside gave her ruthless expression, covered their face with a cloth and moved. Some asked allah to have mercy on her as if they had nothing to give. She spoke nothing and tears came out of her eyes and she looked at the sky as if asking someone ‘Are you happy now’? Her tears were more powerful than the seers inside. It could break the heart of those who believe in Love as God. Was it really the door of heaven whose aura has boundaries, is he only interested in those who can walk and offer a sheet? Does karma really play or its a myth?

Too Old To Be Maid

She knocks the door three times and never rings the doorbell as she thinks the bell doesn’t work because seventeen years back it wasn’t. She keeps on looking from the space between the door and the wall to see whether someone is coming or not. As soon as the door is open she starts searching for the newspaper in the room. Her white messed up hair, dark complexion, old green suit and decade old slippers makes her look like the first woman on the earth still surviving. Her body is more of wrinkles and less of skin, ear lobes lengthened like buddha with the weight of heavy earrings. One of her eye has a dissolved pupil but still she can find things before anyone. After spending one hour with newspaper she gets up half bent and dragging herself towards the kitchen.

A big mug full of tea with extra sugar is placed in her hands and she sips it while washing the dishes. She describes her life as a war for independence, how she eloped from home to marry someone and there her in laws threatened her to death. Her eyes are blood red while describing the scene and then tears come out with pain. The electronic gadgets fascinates her and she asks to play some old songs on it and her eyes remain unmoved while watching the romantic videos and she smiles at the end of the song with her eyes closed, may be thinking about her old romantic lovemaking days. After the work she searches for her slippers in the whole house and laughs at herself saying I am old now.