How long is the night?

I still remember those afternoons under the mango tree.

You’d cut your elbow and I’d scraped my knee.

When school was out and the days were free,

And the fiery 'gulmohar' stood out bright

While I didn’t know how long was the night!

Playing cricket for hours in the park.

To the orchards on secret missions we’d embark

And return home only late after dark

To play some more in the false light.

And I didn’t know how long was the night!

I remember growing up with the guys.

Every girl and our rarely successful tries!

The honesty in those white lies

To try and break up a fight.

But I didn’t know how long was the night!

I still remember the sky and its flaming hues

When you kissed away the blues.

When there was no need nor excuse

To hold each other so tight.

Yet I didn’t know how long was the night!

I still remember when the doctor said what he did.

I can still taste the tears you hid

When that final goodbye we bid.

Though I’m still up for the fight,

Now I know how long is the night!

Deja vu

My mom is a great cook and I know many a satiated stomach that would vouch for it. I remember a time as a kid, when she made vada-pav or pav bhaji or pani puri or samosas at home. My dad would rave about them, compare them with the ones you got in hotels and how these tasted better, were healthier and eventually cheaper too, although he never failed to acknowledge the effort my mother put into making them. I, on the other hand, loved them but somehow always felt that there was something extra to the food we got outside (my father always said the 'extra' was the grime and sweat from the vendor's fingers).

A lot of river has become the sea since and I have spent a lot of that time eating in various places all around the globe. And when the other day my wife and me decided to bake some pizzas at home and then finish off the weekend with some homemade salami and sausage cheeseburgers, I was astounded by my words that accompanied those burgers. My wife smiled as I told her how we should henceforth only eat pizzas and burgers made at home, as they were so much tastier, so much healthier and so so much cheaper. It did take a little bit of effort but it was worth it. My 9 month old kept staring at me as I spoke. I don't figure he was having the same thoughts I used to have all those years ago, but I wonder how long before he will!