I was on my way out of the Kolkata Book Fair,
one of the proud flaunts of the city
for some years now...
sitting in a CSTC bus.
You boarded the bus
just before it left
for its destination.
Immediately my attention was drawn
towards your thin-arrowroot biscuit coloured
moistened face.
I could hadly draw my eyes away.
And when your eyes I met
just now and then I will kiss your eyes
on the sly.
But being far past the prime age of my life
it seemed indecent to dwell on your eyes
or the face for any longer.
When I could steal no longer a look
towards your mesmerising looks
(which I dare say you reciprocated
more than amply)
I noticed your accomplice of your journey,
who appeared to me to be your father.
Don't I know your father, I wondered?
I remember clearly
sharing a rickshaw with him
in one conference venue.
But he sure enough has forgotten me.
You, the father and daughter duo,
alighted from the bus in no time
with loads of books
in both of your hands
vanishing from my life altogether
for all time to come,
giving such a pain of a lifetime
that so often saddens
and questions life's happenings.
