My legs on the familiar City Cue Road
Hurrying to Mr. Gupta's medical store
Which lay by an anfractuous alley
Surprisingly called 'the Sidhi Gali'
I stopped and stood there for a moment
Looking nostalgically over the bend
Eyes searching for the lil schoolgirl
Who had luxuriant hair with a curl
Attired immaculately,swaying a thermos
There she walked with minimum of fuss
Watched over rickshaw's flap by a boy
Who otherwise was very simple and coy
He wished to marry this girl someday
Sans knowing what marriage was itself
'Ritu is her name'-he told her mother
Who's amused at kid's puerile nature
I was waken of my reverie by a bike
Horn beseeching to give it the side
Shaking my head with a disported smile
I marched forward for things to buy
Mr. Gupta,a man with frizzy grey hair
Looked at the slip rather over and over
When he moved to fetch those medicines
I retrieved my wallet to check my means
Presently, aura filled with a fragrance
Redolent of a young dame's presence
Yes, I was right-as you better vide
A winsome lassie standing by my side
Eyes star-gazed and cheeks rose-hazed
She was verily a beauty incarnate
When she spake,voice knitted with purls,
Oysters crackled to reveal the pearls
"Uncle,can you give these meds please"
'Sure', he gave her preference to me
"Two hundred twenty six rupees",he said
While he ordered his adjunct to attend
She took out a five-hundred rupee note
Grimacing,this was all she had in store
Looking demurely around for some help
Her eyes met mine asking for the change
The sparkle glowing beneath those eyes
Evocative of the misty days flown by
How I hankered, she was really her
Returned to her ever-waiting lover
I earnestly gave her the needed money
With eyes never let off my sweet honey
She took it with usual thanks-giving
While Mr Gupta gave her the things
"How was your Diwali Ritu", he asked
"Great", she replied and walked past
"Oh did I really hear Ritu",I thought
With her familiar gait slowly brought
I was struck still wondering about her
And kept gaping till she was nowhere
Finally I ran over to her frantically
But I lost her in the milling alley
I seacherd for her, but she had exited
Oh, I didn't even know where she stayed
Last,I walked out with a hint of sorrow
But with hope to see her again tomorrow
I kept looking for her slightest treat
Sitting at the bench opposite her street
But with half day past, I under duress
Walked to Mr. Gupta to ask her address
He gave me, at first, a questioning look
But then himself guided me over the nook
I reached a home,long standing in its pen
But finally knocked,expecting her to open
Instead greeted a lady in braided lace
Looking quizically over my puzzled face
'Is Ritu at home?' I did manage to purr
'I am her friend,' explaining it to her
'Sorry beta'she has already left today
For her Medical Course in the College
'Where?'I wanted to ask, but withheld
Knowing it doesn't matter at this eld
I had lost her, before I could even find
A few things are meant to be within rind
I told to myself, and slowly trudged off
Drearily wondering about my love lost
I don't know whether it was love even
For she never heard my heart's refrain
O Lord! I only wish, to meet her again
And let her know all these years' pain
