The 'Us' and the 'Me'

We found the 'Us'
while we searched for the 'me',

We love the 'Us',
and continue to empower the 'me',

We want the 'Us',
and know it is a package deal with the 'me'!

#Us #Love #Happiness #ValentinesDay2019 #MushAlert

My two Heroes, my two Rockstars!

Last week when I travelled to Surat, before I left, Ira told me, "Mamma, am going to miss you!".

I began travelling on work when Ira was a little over 18 months. The first time was hard, harder for me than her. The significant other who has always epitomised the concept of shared parenting is a true rockstar. So, is my little girl.

Over the years, the two of them have made me believe that I can travel with no worries. I don't have to think of what they will eat ( P is a fabulous cook) as Papa always makes interesting food for even her lunch box on school days. I don't have to think if she has been given the meds when she is unwell and I have to travel. I don't have to worry if they can manage. They work like clockwork and even have their entertainment planned. Currently they are watching the superhero movies, one superhero at a time, each time I travel.

I come back home to a myriad of conversations that have transpired, to being told what new the superheroes are doing, how Ira and Papa went for a work meeting and how Papa made the yummiest cheese burger for her.

I love my work as a freelance consultant and am able to give it my best because I have two Rockstars who are my world.

This Sunday post is to them, my two heroes, my two Rockstars! And ofcourse, I miss them too when I travel.

#Ira #Iraisms #Rockstars #Heroes #TalesAtFour #IraAtFour #SharedParenting #Sneher #Gratitude #Happiness

‘Our’ Superhero is back home!

The ‘Our’ in the title refers to Ira’s and Mine, ofcourse J

My significant other whom I now, more often than not, address as ‘papa’ in even normal between-us conversations! Life does take a turn when a child becomes a part of it. So, Papa has a penchant for adventures and adventures that somehow involve the big ‘H’! yeah…Hospitals. His most recent knee surgery for a meniscus tear this week is just another excuse to tell you about ‘our’ superhero! He never takes OTC medicines even when in crazy pain, meets a doc always for a fever or cough or anything! However, doesn’t ask those questions and so if he does the visit alone, I literally have to nag him to understand what transpired.

His latest hospital stay was different because this time we had Ira in the equation. While she stayed with her Dadu and Dida and they along with Joy helped her get ready and get to school those two days, we like always prepped her for what to expect and what will happen. While the process and instructions may sound robotic, it has helped us so far and so we continue to employ this tool of parenting (ahh…there I said it and made parenting sound oh so cryptic). The surgery was successfully completed and Ira came to see Papa in the evening along with Joy. She wanted to see how the IV works, if she can touch that hand and do ‘tuiiii’, the big bandage that papa got and can she sit on him or be carried by him. She was also thrilled to raise and lower the hospital bed. When he requested her to raise the bed, she lowered it and her logic was, “I have to first put it down and then bring it up!”. She learnt that the next two weeks, his movements will be restricted and that they can’t do the train-run or the horse-run, neither the acrobatics nor jumping around. He got home last evening and they spent this morning doing activities that do not involve movement, including placing little bikes and superheroes near the bandage!

While Papa works his way to recovery, till the bandage and staples are removed two weeks later; Batman, Superman and Hulk have their work cut out, to take care of ‘Our’ Superhero! 

#Papa #Ira #Iraisms #TalesAtThree #Gratitude #OurSuperhero

Some of my favorite things... Chai and more

My Thursday morning began with a big mug of Assam chai and me filling my journal. Everything about it was special. The chai and the journal have been gifted by two of my besties.

I have always loved planners and have had some gorgeous ones during college life,  diligently bought end of December to begin using from January first. Once upon a time, I did attempt to keep a diary but it got too emotional at a point and I stopped writing. This December when I was gifted this 5 year one line a day journal,  the little girl in me was thrilled to bits. I have been diligently noting down about my day,  what happens, sometimes what am feeling. Suddenly, those few lines seem little but I can't wait to look at it five years down the line to see how every May 18th was for me in the last five years. Given the paucity of space,  I jot down what seems most important part of the day and when I look back at the last five months, it's a motley mix of things. This journal will always have a special place in my heart, like forever.

My love for chai began at Mounts thanks to the 'Ditchers'. Our night out conversations were interspersed with mugs of chai. We girls could drink chai anytime anywhere. From there, the love only grew and I had chai partners at IISc. Friends with whom you go for that chai break and who can almost take a chai break anytime, the hour of the day being inconsequential. This love deepened further when I visited Assam and the Nilgiris for work and 20% of my baggage would be chai, brought home much to the delight of the significant other, who also is a chai lover. With Prashant, I discovered the earthiness of makaibari green tea, the golden colour of the darjeeling tea and the beauty of a white tea brewed perfectly. My favorite ofcourse is adrak wali chai because nothing wakes your senses like that. So,  grateful for beautiful mornings like this and everything else too.

#someofmyfavoritethings #gratitude #besties #friendsknowyou #beautifulmorning #assamchai #happiness #bliss #chaipartners #significantother #ditchers

Celebrating love…The distance between this day this year and the next

I dislike roses

I dislike diamonds

I dislike soft toys

I dislike pomp and show

I love love-stories

I love romantic poems

I love books

I love candle light dinners

Today is Valentine’s day.  A day when the world celebrates love and some remember a saint by the same name. A day when some reminisce their unrequited love, some bask in the sunshine of being in love, some find scepticism in every act of love and some live in eternal hope for that ‘one love’ and some are just plain rational about this thing called love. A day when the consumer industry make the most of our hopes, our despairs, our ambitions and our desperations. In our country, this day is also marked by some vandalism and moral policing in the name of culture. Pyaar ki toh aisi ki taisi.

While I agree that we do not need a single day for love, I also believe that every moment needs to be celebrated because life is just so precious. And there are such small ways to celebrate the love. Celebrate the love everyday by respecting the person you are with. Respect his dreams and his ambitions, embrace his shortcomings and his fears, enjoy his quirkiness and his misadventures. If you are in love, cook with your partner. Cooking is one of the beautiful ways to connect. Learn about each other’s preferences in food and make the effort to cook that special dish. Plan little surprises, small love notes tucked away for your partner to find. The glint in the eye and that meaningful smile will take your breath away. Have conversations, the mundane and the intellectual ones. Talk books, talk politics,  talk love,  talk child care... Speak what you are thinking and express what you feel. Share opinions,  agree to disagree,  have vehement debates and emotional outbursts. Have conversations. Do things you both enjoy(ed) doing together- a long drive, dinner at a quaint place, watching a play or just making a tub of popcorn and catching that series on the laptop. Remember the moment when you chose him in a heartbeat and if you took ages, remember those ages. We live such rushed lives that we often forget to be grateful for what is there right in front of us. Count your blessings. Count the love of your partner, your family and your friends because love can conquer everything (says the die hard romantic).

There will be a 14^th Feb every year. There will be a rollercoaster ride of emotions every year. Just decide how you want to travel the distance between this day this year and the next.

To love and the beautiful world it creates!

May I say, Happy Love (Valentine’s) Day!

Say it with words,

Say it with silences,

Say it with a song,

Say it with a dance,

Say it with a cake,

Say it with a biryani,

Say it!

The other side of 'Me'

Being a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother are all fascinating things. As much as being a son, a brother, a husband and a father is. However, for a woman, being a 'wife of someone' is accorded more importance than being 'who they are', by their own merit.

While growing up, I was often addressed as 'Junior Das'. My brother was not yet born and I looked and almost always behaved like my Baba. It made me grin with pride. But one thing Baba once said remains etched in my mind. He said be known by what you achieve in life and one day, they will say, am Madhurima's baba. It was of course a proud and fierce father speaking. But I have been fortunate to have parents who have taught me to be proud of what I have achieved. Fast forward few years and my little brother turns out to be a young man who always goads me to achieve the best, do my best. He always talks about how there is so much I can do. Fast forward a few more years and my significant other is the 'spouse' who attended both my colloquium and my thesis defence and 'our' labor room moment. Why am I saying all this? Because the men in our lives and their support makes us. However, we need to find our moment in our achievement. And the world needs to appreciate that.

Example 1: I have been in a room of researchers where the men are addressed by Dr.X but at times women by Mrs.Y; and this happens on emails all the time. Example 2: When am at a conference or a meeting, I often get asked, "who is taking care of Ira?". My spouse is on a wfh mode and a participative father, thanks to whom I can attend day long events. But, ever heard a man being asked, who is managing home in his absence. Of course not.

To be defined by what our fathers are or our husbands are; to be the Miss. or the Mrs. is all fine. But when that takes precedence over the individual that we are, is a dangerous one. A precedence defined by culture, tradition, societal expectations. Happens in academia, industry, all over.

The article below cites such examples of sheer irresponsibility. Time we all take notice. Thanks Harini Nagendra for sharing this article on your timeline.

http://jezebel.com/chicago-tribune-introduces-olympic-bronze-medalist-core-1784952148

I shall and I will...

Our daughter Ira is 54 days old and this poem is for her.

 

 

I am not scared of you

I shall not cower in fear

I shall not feel ashamed for what you have done

I shall not find reasons for your action

I shall not find random solutions

I shall not feel victimised

I or my daughter are not the problem, you are!

 

I will make every effort possible,

I will be relentless

I will be prepared

I will be brave

 

I will teach Ira to love herself

I will teach her that the world is beautiful

I will teach her that some people make it awful

I will teach her the good and the bad, the touch and the stares

I will teach her to fight

I will teach her to stand-up for herself

I will teach her acceptance

I will teach her to say 'NO'

I will teach her the right to dignity

I will teach her the freedom of expression

I will teach her the essence of being a human!

 

I will teach my daughter everything that can be taught,

But will you learn to first be a human being.

In a Heartbeat

The most defining moment of understanding that you both have created someone is when you hear that first heartbeat! Your hearts skip a beat in unison, the eyes fill with tears and all you can do is smile. It is overwhelming in every sense of the word!

The 37 weeks gone by have been fascinating in every sense of the word. Filled with anticipated moments, times when our hearts skipped a beat, evenings spent at the hospital for the innumerable checks and scans, the endless list of queries that we posed to the doc, the strange and sometimes funny questions posed to us, the excitement of searching for a ‘name’, to doing all the neutral colour shopping for the baby and crosschecking every moment whether that expansive to-do list is nearing completion!!

These weeks have been a journey in itself; we have stumbled, read up lots of things, had some fabulous discussions with friends and found our ground. We have prepared ourselves for this moment of ‘parenthood’ through processes possible and learning dictums available! However, like everyone says, you can never be fully prepared… we also do not claim to be ready for a perfect ride, but we are excited to be on the ride and experience it as things come along.

Pregnancy like we have experienced has no prototype and every woman explains and experiences it differently. What though were common were the words of caution about being careful, slowing down and even lines like, ‘wait and see, life is not the same, you will have no time for yourself.’ This line is of course true but isn’t that what we have signed up for. Both of us movie buffs, have ensured that we go to as many movies as we can, socialise as much as possible because things will take a backseat for a while and we are good with that.  I was warned by a well meaning friend that I should slow down, not travel too much…and all my partying and else can wait and focus on the baby while I was just 6 weeks pregnant. She also said, “you do not want to cry over spilt milk!” While am sure she meant well, I do not agree with the manner in which she put her words across. It almost rang, you will be responsible for your miscarriage if you are careless. In another instance, we were not invited for a dinner because I was in a delicate condition…really!! I mean, haven’t women for centuries borne babies and survived it in the harshest conditions. And here I was doing fine going by my reports and my doc, but people were beginning to make presumptions on my behalf. Always being a strong headed person, this surely did not go down well with me. I was irritated, angry and amused at the same time. Now, when I look back, am amused at their thinking and my reactions too, but I do not think I would have reacted any other way.

We have always lived life by our own terms and are glad that we both think alike on such aspects. We announced the ‘good news’ on a social platform (Prashant is to be given complete brownies and brickbats for it) and were astounded by the multitude of reactions. Most people felt we had announced it too early while we were in the ‘risky’ first 3 months still; some thought we were crazy, and some like us loved it, were happy for us and showed it!! My poor mom bore the brunt of family friends and relatives telling her what have we done to which she said, ‘they are today’s modern thinking people and am sure they know what they are doing.’ While my mom may have herself liked to break the news later, she respected our stand on it. 

There were days in the initial three months when the morning sickness came on with full mighty force, but the deal was to walk out of the bathroom and tell yourself this too shall pass!! Pregnancy is not easy and neither is it impossible, each of our bodies react differently at different times and the challenge is to accept and learn to deal with it. I travelled by bus and auto to work almost till the 33^rd week and with a little care and lines like, “bhaiya, dheere chaliye/ swalpa nidhaana hogi…all was fine!” I admit that I have been an avid auto user for years and have never really had complaints. The last few days at work, I got chauffeured by my significant other and while a part of me thought this was too much trouble for him, I admit, I loved all the pampering!

While being pregnant does mean making small changes in your lifestyle, these changes can be implemented one step at a time. Being on the higher side of the weighing scale, we had to ensure that I eat healthy and in time and get the metabolism to work better. Did this with about 6 small-meals-a-day, which I still try and do. Have to admit, this has helped my metabolism and also kept the weight gain at a desirable pace and number. The agenda was to listen to doc, stop unnecessarily fretting and enjoy the process. Both of us being foodies have ensured that I eat all cuisines during these weeks. While books say that by about the 21st weekish, the child begins to taste the food you eat through the amniotic fluid, honestly, just feels good to eat different things during Preggy phase. However, one question that kept cropping up was, “So, what cravings are you having? What do you feel like eating? Do you feel hungry middle of the night?” While all this did sound fascinating, my response was in the negative. I DID NOT have cravings or mood swings, Prashant missed the opportunity of having to run to a 24*7 ice-cream/dessert store to pick up desserts for me…guess we did miss this experienceL. A friend of his told him he was having it easy and my BIL quipped, “Prashant is lucky. You have not been difficult to manage.” We would like to believe that those were compliments. However, what we all need to remember is when women go through this, it is a combination of both the physical changes and the mental state. So, I say, the ones with ‘special’ cravings, make the most of it and the ones like me, who do not have cravings, kuch bhi kha lo yaar! Chill karo!

Apart from the quintessential cravings question, the other most common question is on ‘movement’. “So, you can feel it? Such a good feeling naa.”; “It is like football being played, left to right, top to bottom.” “Wait till the movements begin and he kicks (most people would say he), then your sleep will also be troubled”. To my dismay , these questions began about the 22^nd-24^th weeks itself and all I then felt was a little gas-bubble-kinda feeling, even wondering if it is acidity!! A conversation with my doc and some reading up revealed that this is how you initially feel. Did I have a sigh of relief or what? What is interesting is how women often recollect moments from their pregnancy and do a comparative note with you. I many a times, couldn’t identify with the overzealous attitude towards kicking and movement and put it on the fact that “my parental gene must be little slow”, as I still wasn’t feeling all motherly, in any sense of the word. I have begun feeling, understanding and appreciating the movements may be a little later than most people. You can feel the twists and turns, you can feel the fist in the mid-30^th weeks and you do feel the blob of head and the bum! So, we finally concluded that our baby after all wasn’t that lazy. While making this statement, we realised how unconsciously we all begin to compare notes on pregnancy, parenthood and baby aspects! And then consciously remind ourselves the beautiful thought from Dr. Spock’s book, where it is said that we all may have an ideal baby in mind, but our baby is going to be one of a kind, who may not adhere to our standards of ideal. So true, so profound and so simple; yet, so easy to let it pass by.

One of the most exciting moments has been the ‘name hunt’ phase!! What is in a name? You ask us and we say, lots if the parents to be have some defined thoughts and ideologies in mind. We had a few things- the name should not have a religious connotation or be a synonym for any god’s name from any religion; the second name/ surname should not connote the community, the name should be short and have an abstract meaning- could be based on any element, nature, qualities etc. The reason the search became difficult at some level was because the criteria were abstract in the sense, most name sites gave names by nation/language/religion/gender. We realised that some of the most common names across countries had something to do with god, holiness or purity! We were being a little particular and also trying to see how the name sounds, whether it fits in with the second name in mind; whether we want a middle name based on a personality who has influenced our thinking/ ideology. Bongs have nick names/ pet names; our identity revolves around it and this was obviously one of the things that we discussed. Finally, after weeks of discussion, we have decided not to keep an official pet name but if the grandparents want to use a name of their choice, they may. 

We are consulting at a premier birthing hospital in the city that is extremely pro-active at making you feel like this is the best experience of your life. Our choice of this hospital was guided by the fact that the gynac we knew was consulting here and she had been recommended by my parents family doc of 25 years!! The trust was the deciding factor and of course the fact that we liked what the hospital was promising. We have had workshops and sessions where antenatal aspects were discussed, birthing stages were told; the role of the partner was discussed, breathing exercises were taught; basic activities with the baby have been discussed and we have been taught how to do simple baby things. Many naysayers may say, this is fancy marketing gimmick, we have moms and massage ladies at home for all that knowledge and age-old-gyan. However, our experience was that we came back home with a lot of learnings, feeling confident about being involved parents and feeling good about the entire process. What we personally like the most is that they are very particular about the husbands being involved at every stage of the pregnancy, including witnessing the birth of the child. Prashant sure is excited and has warned me of a ‘selfie’ soon after. There are many people who may also raise concerns about the rate cards at this hospital and how today young couples want to pay for fancy pink and blue balloons and decorated rooms, all I can say is this is a very personal choice for a couple and financials are comparatively similar to other top hospitals. We cannot comment on any other hospital and their services because this is our first time; all we can share is we are happy with what we are parting with and the services and personal care we are receiving in return. The learning has also encompassed debunking many a myths. I was asked to have ‘kesar’ with milk everyday because that is what women who are pregnant must do but I did strongly refuse it. The reason kesar is advocated is because it is believed to ensure a ‘fair’ / ‘white’ child! Also, eating papaya can cause heat and miscarriage.  Scientifically, this is not proved (thanks to the nutrition session from the hospital) and so a myth that we succumb to. I did enjoy some ripe papaya during my pregnancy. So, eat the melons and the papaya. The more colourful that plate of food in front of you, the better it is. 

We all grow up seeing our parents, other parents, friends as parents and take away some of the things that we would like to do like them, some learning we would like to emulate. These are all ideal situations because no two children are same and no two parents are same. But where there is inspiration, you lap it up. We have seen around us some of the most doting parents, indulgent parents & chilled out parents!! Hoping we shall also find our connect and our style of parenting as we brace ourselves for the little one to arrive. And like a very dear friend, very practically responded to one of my innumerable questions, “Massage ke liye olive oil use karungi. Kaun sa loon?” and pat comes the reply, “wahi, jo buy one, get one free ho!”. 

As a work life balance researcher, it is a completely different ball game to read all the fancy literature and then see your friends living it 24*7. I have women friends who are fabulous moms. The working moms work literally multiple shifts ensuring their careers grow and their children still get all the attention; friends with two kids who are like super-moms literally!! While there are moments I may be cynical about their advices, I do admit that they are speaking from their experiences and choices and I respect that. 

Whoa…that is been a lot I had to say about my thoughts and our experiences. I have saved the most precious account for the last. Being married for almost 6 years (oh yes, we are wondering what if the little one is born on the 6^th anniversary date that is in a few days…wicked smile) to my best friend (sounds cliché I know, but no other way to say it), who over the years has filled my life with love, happiness, excitement, adventure and madness…this phase has also been fun and fulfilling. He is as involved, excited and eager as I am and has made me feel precious every moment of the way. The changes have been easy to embrace, I have felt confident about the roundness that I have become and absolutely loved every moment of this Preggy phase. Yes, there have been moments when I have been a tad bit low on the enthu-meter but am not gonna be harsh on myself about that. Prashant is currently on a ‘baby-break’ and this possibly is one of the best things that has happened. Yes, the reactions have been aplenty, from what is the need to why now, when a baby means more expenses and people absolutely missing the point! We chose to do this because this gives us time together and nothing can beat those initial moments. And like I always tell him, his parental gene is surely more active! So, here we are in the 38^th week, looking forward to the next few days and eagerly awaiting the arrival of our little one!! Life will change; it will be 24*7; routines will go haywire; lot of things we plan and will for, may never happen…but we are set for that journey, we are ready to make those choices and enjoy this lifetime of an experience.  Life comes a full circle in a heartbeat!

Preggy happiness, I say!

Prashant posted this pic on FB, with the following line, "We are doing good at 28 weeks & counting!
*give her a hug when you meet her; the photo doesn't do half the justice to the round cuteness that she is becoming* — with Madhurima Das."

Needless to say, that I felt supremely loved and pampered! Preggy happiness, I say!

For me, Love is YOU!

Dearest Sneher,

Love needs no season,

Love doesn't adhere to reason,

Love is a silent song,

Love is a painting muse,

Love is a perfect dance,

Love is a poem written,

Love is the constant chatter,

Love is the to-do list,

Love is vows taken,

Love is a smile that reaches the heart,

Love is the blushing cheeks,

Love is the fluttering eyelashes,

Love is that skipped heartbeat,

Love is that beautiful pain,

Love is longing,

Love is eternal,

Love is patience,

Love is madness & mayhem,

Love is adventure & mishaps,

Love is OCD systematized,

Love is mesmerizing imperfections,

Love is beyond distances,

Love is beyond fights,

Love is acceptance,

Love is glare & snare,

Love is the honest reply,

Love is the constructive criticism,

Love is the meal cooked together,

Love is the books read together,

Love is the conversations of intellect,

Love is discovering love with you,

For me, Love is YOU!

ravivaar ki shaam..

haath mein coffee ka gilaas,
shaam ka bujhta sooraj,
choti si baatein,
glider ka garajna,
armaan aasmaan ka,
makhmali hawaa,
aur tumhara saath!

:)

With love, from Delhi

Dear Sneher!

You just made my day!
Brought a smile to my face,
Made me forget the stress race...
You sure have a way...
Despite being in Delhi and far away...
Through little things there is so much you say..
Full happiness, thanks to you...
Is here to stay!

I wonder what the shopkeeper thought seeing you pick 5 m&bs:). You should have just said, "Gharwali ke liye"!

मोहब्बत

शाम का समा हैं,
मुस्कान से वफ़ा हैं,
इतराती इन् नज़रों में,
बस उनकी ही छवि हैं।

बहकती निगाहों से पूछों,
दिल में संगीत हैं,
पैरों को रखना संभल ,
खोया यह रास्ता हैं।

न किसी मौके का इंतज़ार,
ना इस इंतज़ार की शिकायत,
गिले शिक्वेह हम क्या करे,
मोहब्बत का पैमाना हैं।

साँसों की हलचल में,
अपनी ही दुनिया हैं,
ख्वाबों की मंजिल हैं,
सच्चाई आप हमारी हैं।

हमने उनसे जब की मोहब्बत,
यह ना था हमे मालूम;
दिल के हम गुलाम बनेंगे,
हर शब्दों में उनको ढालेंगे।

In memory

In memory of memories...
In memory of those smiles
In memory of those stolen glances
In memory of those batting eyelids
In memory of those crimson cheeks
In memory of those cream laced coffees
In memory of those yellowed pages
In memory of those tissue notes
In memory of those uninhibited revelations
In memory of those incessant jabbers
In memory of those giggle fits
In memory of those long drives
In memory of those chilly nights
In memory of those mid night ice creams
In memory of those 'bajrang bali' moments
In memory of those poems written
In memory of those email sms-es
In memory of those all night trails
In memory of those 'airtel' silences
In memory of those anti-me moments
In memory of those salad lunches
In memory of those chocolate mousse ummmm...s
In memory of those balanced walks
In memory of those moments, madness personified
In memory of those capital 'love letters'
In memory of those dawned realizations
In memory of memories...

दो बातें...

गहरा बादल
मचलती हवा
अनोखा एहसास
चाह तुम्हारी।

बदलता आलम
टिमटिमाती तारे
सूनी राहें
प्यासा इंतज़ार।

बिखरे जुल्फे
झुकी पलके
कमसिन मुस्कराहट
लचकता बदन।

इन ख्वाहिशों की डोर हाथों में तुम्हारे,
इन पलों की सच्चाई बाँहों में तुम्हारे।

बस कहनी थी यह दो बातें...

Tiramisu!

The tiramisu melted...
Warm moments found palette...
Inspiration beholds!

WE

New dreams reaped
Spring in the rains
A splendid horizon.


Shy moments
Autumn was coy
Eternal embrace.


A year gone by
More summers to come
A lifetime of togetherness.


Each verse a haiku (still learning the ropes of it)...
Each depicts a moment
Each redefines the WE!

Ride

'Our' First Bullet Ride- May 1st 2009, Bangalore to Hassan and back!

The bike rode on-
Rain met the horizon

We came here.

**My first attempt at Haiku

**Rules of Haiku:
Some of the more common practices in English are:

• Use of three (or fewer) lines of 17 or fewer syllables;
• Use of a season word (kigo);
• Use of a cut (sometimes indicated by a punctuation mark) paralleling the Japanese use of kireji, to contrast and compare, implicitly, two events, images, or situations.

बन रही किसी गली, कहानी मनचली थी....

बिजली कड़क रही थी,

नए मौसम की आन में.

बादल गरज रहे थे,

नए बूंदों की शान में।

बारिश की वोह हसीं रात थी,

रिमझिम बूंदों में बावला संगीत था,

भीगी मिटटी में थिरकती जान थी,

बन रही किसी गली, कहानी मनचली थी।

बारिश की पहली बूँदें देखकर,

वह दोनों भागे रस्ते पे, हर फिक्र दूर छोड़कर.

उन पलों में जीना था,

पहली बारिश का लुफ्त उठाना था।

शादी के पहले साल की पहली पहली बरसात थी,

क्यूँ ना बहकते कदम,

सुहाना मौसम, प्यार दीवाना,

माहोल ही कुछ बन चला था।

मानो हर तरफ़ था सन्नाटा,

बस इनकी खिलखिलाती हँसी थी,

लोग खिड़की से झाँक रहे थे,

जानने की यह किन दिवानो की टोली थी।

कदम नाचते हुए छत तक पहुच गए,

मानो हाथ आसमान छू जायेंगे,

और बातें, बादलो के पीछे

छिपे तारो को बुलायेंगे।

लड़की ने कदम बढाया, लड़के ने बाहे फैलाई;

मानो कोई सुर का साज़ था,

चंचल नैनो में प्यार का राज़ था

एक दूसरे में खोये, ना माहोल ना भीगे समा का होश था।

यह उस रात की रवानी थी,

बूंदों के छाव में प्यार के एहसास की कहानी थी.

समा मुस्कुरा रहा था,

इन प्रेमियों की अदा पे इतरा रहा था।

मैं हूँ क्यूंकि हो तुम!

दूर होकर भी पास हो तुम,
हर कही कहानी में हो तुम,
हर लिखी कविता में हो तुम,
हर संगीत के सरगम में हो तुम,
हर दास्तान की सुर्खियों में हो तुम!

खामोश रहकर भी मेरी आवाज़ हो तुम,
हर छुपी मुस्कुराहट में हो तुम,
हर शरारत की नादानी में हो तुम,
हर हरकत की पहर में हो तुम,
हर झूमते कदम की हलचल में हो तुम!

अतीत बनकर भी मेरा वर्त्तमान हो तुम,
वर्त्तमान रहकर भी मेरा भविष्य हो तुम,
मेरे हर साँस में हो तुम,
मेरी हर तस्वीर में हो तुम,
मेरे हर पल में हो तुम!

मेरे हर लम्हों का वजूद हो तुम,
मेरे अस्तित्व की सच्चाई हो तुम,
मैं हूँ क्यूंकि हो तुम!