Delhi Love

If I had time....

I would drag you with me to pretentious kavi sammelans in the IHC, and then drop a real tear. 

Browse through madhubani paintings at Dilli Haat stalls, till we could get momos and fruit beer 

I would wake you up at inhuman hours, take a DTC to Darya Ganj, for the Sunday book bazaar.

Then push away bufallows at Ballimaran to find kachoris served with spicy aloo sabzi and achaar

I would have you pay 30 bucks (or maybe more) to the little boy at CP, who called me didi

And I would wear his gajra even while I trotted around wearing a levis with an oversized tee

And then I would drag you to the lane behind the Statesman house at the Barakhamba crossing.

And have the best bread pakora with milky chai served in paper cups with 'nescafe' embossing

We would leisurely explore the new cafes behind M and N Block, CP , walking hand in hand.

I would make you spend some more at the fake sunglasses kiosk with every fake fashion brand.

Tired, I would make you take an auto (we will haggle and pay only 50) for a Khan market drop.

And dive straight into Bahri sons and explore the length and breadth of the delightful shop.

We would stare at dismay at the snake-like 1 hour waiting line of humans outside Khan Chacha.

I would scoff and pretend to like sushi (which I don't) and still settle down at Yum Yum Cha.

I would pull out the tiny poetry book I bought at the Sunday Bazaar and locate my favourite poem.

You would have to say hello to forgotten people I bump into while I pretend to know them.

We would do the Sunday crossword togther, using yellow steadtler pencils with pink eraser ends.

Staring softly at the setting sun reflected in your eyes in the magical moment when time suspends.

I would pack away the sushi (I couldn't finish) in a brown paper bag, for the pup near a fancy car.

And then decide to drag you to the kwality waals kiosk on wheels, and ask for an orange bar.

Satiated, happy with the way the day went, I will look up with orange lips and a goofy smile.

I will fill my heart through my eyes, in that ephemeral minute which would vanish in a while.