17 June 2025

Male Gaze

A direct line of sight 
With a girl, in a local
KSRTC bus is rare.

But once a decade,
On a rare summer day,
It does happen.

Decent looking with
A crooked smile.
Almost a flirty nose.

But why a serious,
Knotted face?
Why does she look
Agitated?

The heat?
All male gaze?
My ugly face?

Grappling with my
Urge to look-
Standing in the aisle-
Clutching my hands
For support.

The crowd, 
The jerk of legs
That sway with the 
Motion of bus.

Yet my eyes fixated 
On her.. waiting 
For hints.. 
Trying to hold on.
Waiting for her gaze
To meet mine.

Then that sweet
Moment arrives-

The question on her
Face finds an 
Answer when she,
Throws up.

A spray of vomit.
The curry leaves 
And indigested 
Onion on the people 
The blast radius-

Radiating smell 
Finding hairy noses
With or without 
Moustache-

Bus stops. 
Many rush out.
Few curse her.

My eyes still manage
To look at her again
In the aftermath-

A gleaming face.
Crooked smile.
A firm stare that 
Screamed-

How everyone 
Deserved something 
Like that.