Saraswati Puja

I don't bring milk on my bike. I have had 4 bike accidents and 3 times I was bringing milk. जतरा खराब, as maa says. But I do bring other stuff for home on my bike, sorry bullet. I haven't ridden it to mountains or Rishikesh.

Anyway, I digress.

It was Saraswati Puja, and it was peaceful छुट्टी!
I was up and about, prayed to Saraswati Maa and asked for good grades.
My maa said, बुद्धि दीजिए इसे माता जी।
If only my maa knew that I am blessed with extra बुद्धि that I use for overthinking she won't have asked more of it.

Chitragupta Puja and Saraswati Puja, I don't study.
It's proper छुट्टी। छुट्टी मतलब छुट्टी। But I am blessed with two younger brothers who are as interesting as the next chair, not even a gaming chair but an office chair.

So I decided I will go outside alone. "Solo date" young people say, we used to call it being lonely. I put my helmet on my hips and walked out of home in full swag, full fighter pilot vibes. बुलट भी तो उड़ती ही है। I thought. Maa called from back, दूध लेते आना, झोला ले जाओ। She ruined my whole sequence. Ugh. I said fine. Came back and took a झोला, tote bag for some of you.

And I was on my bike. Ready set go. I am lucky to live in the greener part of Delhi. Good roads, civilized traffic. And it was anyway छुट्टी। I was cruising on my bike. Feeling the cold air of February. It was officially the start of spring. I remembered the story I wrote about my Nana ji buying saree for my Nani on her first Holi at home. Cute.

I parked my bike near a park. I wanted to stroll.

That's when I saw her.

She looked... सुंदर। She had her friend follow her, hold her saree while she gave poses. I stupidly sat on the bench and to put it mildly बस निहार रहा था उसे। She gave various poses, most of them were funny I will admit. But she looked so प्यारी, उफ्फ!

I heard her laugh and giggle when she looked at her photos. I wanted to have a look too, and ask for those photos. Why you may ask? Would show it to my maa, and when she asks who? I would go आपकी बहू। I am sure would have gotten few chappal... But for सुंदर श्रीवास्तव worth it. Yes, I assumed she was Srivastava. Because... मां को मनाना आसन होता। Also it just hit good. सुंदर श्रीवास्तव। Sounds so sweet.

I looked at her eyes, an all i could hum was,

तेरी आँखों के सिवा दुनिया में रखा क्या है

ये उठें सुबह चले,

ये झूकें शाम ढले

मेरा जीना, मेरा मरना इन्हीं पलकों के तले।

I said to myself, as my brother says, Babu you are cooked.

But but in my defense she had this long hair, and I am sure इसी के लिए किसी ने लिखा है,

ये रेशमी ज़ुल्फ़ें,

ये शरबती आँखें

इन्हें देख कर जी रहे हैं सभी

Atleast I was from now on.

My inner self only could scream this,

ख़्वाब हो तुम या कोई हक़ीक़त,

कौन हो तुम, बतलाओ

देर से कितनी दूर खड़ी हो,

और क़रीब आ जाओ

I sighed... laughed and looked at her. I was smiling at her, she saw me too.

But कहां राजा भोज कहां गंगू तेली। I am sure she had a fair share of आशिक़। I was one in a long list.

She started to move out, was about to leave. मैं बोल पड़ा,

अभी ना जाओ छोड़कर ,

की दिल अभी भरा नहीं।

She definitely heard me. I was loud. She looked at me with amazement and hurried away.

I came back home with milk. Maa looked at me and said, आज नहीं हुआ ना accident.

I just shook my head in disagreement. उन्हें क्या बताऊ मेरे आज के accident के बारे में।