Street

Walking down the empty street the thought of something amiss never crossed her mind. She had a destination to reach and she couldn’t do with any distractions. Quickening her steps in fear of getting late she took another right turn only to face a mysterious person standing in the street.

Usually a dark night and a stranger would only bring fear into the mind of a woman travelling alone. But somehow she felt no fear not even a little bit of suspicion on why he was standing there. The only thing that bothered her was the extreme silence that had descended as soon as she had taken the turn. Even with the street lights the darkness seemed more oppressing like it was trying to push her into a cage.

Not wanting to stay and invite any kind of trouble she started walking. Keeping one eye on the guy she quickly made her through the street. The stranger did not move an inch and she was smart enough to not ask why. As soon she took the next turn that oppressive feeling vanished and the night turned normal again.

                  

Another night and another walk alone through the almost empty streets. She hadn’t thought of that weird guy from 2 weeks ago. Though at times she had a feeling of being watched, it never was anything. Not being a paranoid person she didn’t give it any importance.

 But now she saw him again, standing extremely still like before. She was sure it was him; the same height, the same stillness accompanied by the smothering darkness. She was scared this time. What are the chances of co incidences like this? None. But again, not wanting to invite trouble she made her way through the street without stopping, and like before everything went back to normal as soon she took the next turn.

This time however she turned back. She peeked into the street to see if the man was there. That was the biggest mistake she could have done. She only saw a dark mass, darker than the night engulfing her. She did not even get the chance to scream and the last though in her mind was “I shouldn’t have turned back.”

        

मेरी उड़ान |

मन ने मेरे बुने थे सपने हज़ार

सोचा था बदलूंगी उन्हें हक़ीकत में एक बार |

दुनिया को बदलना था मुझे

छोड़ना था अपना निशां |

पंख लगा उड़ना था मुझे

छूना था ये आसमां |

सिर्फ आज नहीं कल को भी अपना बनाना था

अपने कल से बेहतर कुछ करके दिखाना था |

हिम्मत की कोई कमी न थी

थे रास्तें चलने को अनेक मेरे पास |

पर तूने मुझे चलने न दिया

मेरे पंखो को रूसर होने न दिया |

हर क़दम पर थे सवाल खड़े

हर मोड़ पर कुछ नई बाधायें |

तेरी हैवानियत का हूँ मैं सबूत

मेरे हर ज़ख्म में हैं तेरी छाप |

तेरे शोषण की वजह मेरी कमजोरी न थी

तेरी सोच का शिकार बन गयी हूँ मैं |

अब हर मोड़ पर झिझकती हूं

आगे बढ़ने से लगता है डर मुझे |

ये तेरी जीत नहीं

मेरी हिम्मत का है इम्तेहां |

हर कसौटी पर खरी उतरूंगी मैं

न कम समझ मेरी सोच की ताकत को |

तू जितने ही रूकावट ला खड़ी कर

मेरी उड़ान उन सबसे उची होगी |

मैं कटे पंखो से ही उड़ जाउंगी

एक नया रास्ता बना ही लुंगी |

असीमित है संभावनाए

हर एक है मेरे लिए संभव

हर एक है मेरे लिए संभव |

Paradise

Under the blistering sun I found the oasis I craved

It was isolated and it was abandoned

I built my paradise there!

एक कविता

शब्दों में खो जाती हैं कई बार

मन की सब रचनांए |

कागज़ स्याही पर रह जाती हैं

बस उनकी परछाईं |

Another Tale

As the night escapes, so do my dreams

Slipping through the sands of my mind 

leaving simple memories.

A hand extended, a fist of empty air

seconds pass when

I try to hold on but you disappear.

Crumpled bed sheets tell a tale,

of time spent near.

An attempt that we failed.

The story is incomplete

when it deserved a chance.

You made the decision and left

no promises made yet I

hope and I wait.

The day gives way to another night,

another chance to fight.

This story is same as others I heard before

I only wish for an ending either

perfect or sure.