THE VISITOR

While both of us
were kids
with joy and pleasure
both of us used to
wait for the arrival
of our beloved Pappa.
With our equally
beloved Amma
we sat waiting
long hours as
Pappa always arrived
late into the night,
traversing long distances.
Ambience pervading
with joy, merry, delight and harmony
we made our home
a heaven on earth.
As the seconds, minutes
and hours ticked past
both of us
sandwiched with Amma
in between.
Our patience knew
no bounds
our wide eyes always
glowing with the
impending arrival of
our beloved Pappa
after hours of continuous duty.
Pappa came by car
driving himself
both of us ran to the
porch,
Amma watched all
with her face beaming with smile
waiting at the portico.
Alighting from the car
he lifted us both
we sat pretty
close to each side of his chest
like two pretty dolls.
He showered
kisses aplenty on our cheeks
whispered sweet nothings
planted a kiss on
mother’s cheek too.
Pappa would sit on
a sofa close to
the wall in the
drawing room.
Pappa blessed us
with love in the form of
mouth-watering
sweets and fruits.
Days went on thus,
one day, one fine
morning on a special day
one youth lean, fair, clean-shaven
sporting a thick moustache
came to the home
from nowhere
calm, pleasant and poised
he was,
a total stranger to
both of us.
Beamed he a smile
at us
a broad pleasing smile it was
fascinating too.
Amma knew him very much
her beaming smile
her happiness, expressions
all eloquent.
Introduced she to Pappa
Both shook hands
The youth sat beside him
Amma introduced him
to both of us too.
Three of them talked
and talked.
The social etiquette
observed in letter and spirit.
Both of us kids,
dressed in shining scintillating
colourful frocks
about to go out
with Pappa and Amma
to attend a glittering function
at a party hosted by one
of Pappa’s friends
away from our home.
As the talks went on
getting bored both of us
went outside playing.
What all transpired
that day between Pappa and Amma
after the stranger was gone
the wordy duel between them
for the first time
in their life
the reasons still unknown.
Why Amma cried and cried
also a mystery.
Who was that stranger
actually
why Pappa and
Amma entered into
a wordy duel
why Amma cried
all still unknown
albeit the quarrel
lasted one or two days.
Both of us
grown-up
at two parts of
the world now
the face of the youth
occasionally comes
before my face
though uninvited.