He said 'Peace'

Once my friend had laughed about something religious

He had joked and laughed it off with his friends

I had wondered--

If a boy who is so educated and well informed about everything happening around

He who strongly supported all the ideals taught in our NCERT textbooks

Had taken this issue so crudely

What would an uneducated person do?

I suppose I should have said something

Stopped him and told him that--

Don't do it. It hurts. It's not right.

But my mind went blank

I felt a bit dizzy

So I laughed slightly fearing he and his friends would strongly oppose

And said while trying to sound light--

At least leave people's religion from the jokes.

He apologized so quickly

It felt as if he was faking it

He said--

Don't get offended. Sorry! PEACE!

And he showed his two fingers making a 'v' shape

His friends continued laughing.

Such was their 'peace'

If 'peace' was like that, I think I preferred violence better.

If only I was more firm

Showed him how it really felt

Told him strongly with defense

But I couldn't.

I did not want to fight a war with words

Where bit by bit emotional strength dripped instead of blood

I kept quiet after that

And I still regret my silence.