03 January 2026

Temporary Address

Do that in your 'sasural'
Says Mom.
We tolerate you, but 
Would your in-laws?
Chuckles Dad.

Once you marry,
The room will all be mine-
Declares my loving Brother.
But should that be
Alright?

When these windows
Remember my childhood,
And the walls echo my 
Tattered first words-

Should the air rehearse
my exit? Should the mirror 
Constantly remind me, 
How my rent is due here?

Why would everything 
Repeat itself to 
Pack me away?

Home these days is a
Conditioning draped
In care.
A departure dressed
As destiny-

A quiet loosening,
As if the roots should 
Learn early, how to 
Apologise for growing.