The Brightest Star In The Sky

To,

The brightest star in the sky, 

While changing the channel today Maa played 'Ramayana' and I reminisced your voice, "Guddi, it's 9 pm, play Ramayana and get my food." It was still crystal clear in my head, but I had a faint memory of you. I wish you had stayed longer, Dadu.

Every time when I pass by our old apartment, I see the place you would sit in mornings and look at people and relive those memories, I buy fruits from the same vendor, you bought apples and mangoes from. Your voice would greet me when I came from school with that chocolate, which we used to eat hiding from Maa. I miss those days, Dadu. I miss the omelette you cooked for me, that perfect omelette with a tinge of spice and loads of butter. Dad has yet not perfectioned in making it the same way. 

The other day, Maa showed me the passport size picture which you had got clicked with me, walking for a long time just to go to the best studio. And, the times you came to pick me up from school, I remember how you used to lift me up in your arms and talk to me about how the day was. Or when I tickled you and hid under the bed, you would play along and later deny that you knew it was me. You also told me tales from Ramayana and Mahabharata, I still remember them. Even today when I miss you, I talk to dad about you, we laugh and rejoice together, with some crystal water drops in our eyes.

It was 4 in the summer of 2010 when I had come home and you had asked me to sit near you. Sadly, I was paying less attention to your talk and more to what Maa was saying. I shouldn't have left that day for Nani's place. 2 hours later when Nani told me that you had become a star, I looked at the sky but could find none that matched you. I still regret not talking to you for the last time, or not hugging you when you gently put your hands on my head, If I knew that was the last time you would bless me, I would have never let go of your hand, Dadu. But I know you look at me from somewhere say it's okay that I left. Right?

Yours,

A silent spectator from afar.