Wait

It has been so long since you’ve walked past, with pockets smelling of biscuits and bread. You used to pause sometimes when I would walk by, smiling shyly at first, then more brazenly, trying to win me over. Remember how you’d hold your hand out to me and I’d come to you sniffing at your ankles? We were friends once. Now you’re rushing past with your head lowered. Back to the security of your isolation. And I’m waiting for my friend to return.

Illustrated by: @shruti_bhatia20

Image by: @art_attack1107

Location: Calcutta

The Temple

The evening air wafts with the smells of marigolds and the bells are rung furiously. No one comes. The priest stands looking forlorn. How times have changed, he mutters to himself. It’s funny how people have managed to find faith in their own homes now.

Illustrated by: @shreyashi_chauhan

Image by: @abhisekh.singh1887

Location: Mumbai

The House Yonder

I wonder who lives there. I’ve never cared before. There has always been this wall of trees between us, silently guarding our boundaries. But solitude makes me wonder about the house yonder. I yearn for warm dinner conversations and glasses tinkling. Only now have I realized just how far apart we really are.

Illustrated by: @shruti_bhatia20

Image by: @juileesays

Location: Delhi