रिश्ते सामान जैसे

रिश्ते सामान जैसे

वो कीमती सा सामान

जिसकी चमक कुछ भा गई थी

कुछ सोच कर

तो खरीद लाए थे

बहुत संभाल के रखते थे

लगाव से 

खो जाएगा फीका पड़ जाएगा

डरते भी थे,

फिर कुछ दिन गुजरे

जीवन की आपाधापी में

भूल गए

वो सामान जैसे कुछ जगह ले रहा हो

ये सोचके

बक्से में बंद कर 

पीछे कहीं कोने में रख आए थे,

समान धूल खाता रहा

कभी तुमने वो मिट्टी की परतें उतारी भी

पर जगह खाली नहीं मिली

और वो उसी कोने में रखा रहा

कभी मुद्दतों बाद

तुम्हें याद आता

तो फिर उसी कोने में जाकर

कुछ देर उसे देखते कुछ चमकाते

फिर कई रोज 

तुम उसे भूल जाते,

धीरे धीरे वक्त के साथ

ज़ंग लग गया

अब उस सामान 

का मूल क्या लगाओगे

कब तक उसे कोने में रखे रहोगे

या बाज़ार से उसकी जगह

कुछ नया ले आओगे,

अगर जज़्बात होते समान के

तो एक सवाल करता तुमसे

क्यों लाए थे मुझे?

वो सामान अगर एक रिश्ता होता

उस बिखरे पुराने रिश्ते का क्या करते

क्या दिल से निकाल कर

बीते कल को बेच देते?

पुराने सामान जैसे

CS 

The deeper language of love

I was watching this reality show where one participant confessed that her father had never hugged her and she wants that he once does so that she be assured that her father loves her. After her performance, her parents were invited on the show(a surprise element)  by the producers. The father kept saying that he never thought any less of his daughter and loved her the most but he was lectured by all that he should behave as a proud father. I was saddened to see the drama. Wait, I was sad for the father. In our traditional family setup, the bond between a father and a daughter is very special that doesnt require the testimony of words and gestures. Saying with words but without heart or hugging someone everyday are easy but arent necessarily the proof of love. We are inheritors of a rich and revered value system that believes more in profound aspects of a relation and isnt built on foundation of superficial gestures. Fathers are supposedly less expressive but there isnt a single one who doesnt hold a special place for a child. I do not take charge of all such fathers in the world. My father is someone who likes me to be independent but cannot be witness to a single instance of hardship for me. If someday I have to prepare tea for people more than the usual number, he will stand beside and ensure that I face no difficulty. He anticipates my needs and demands in advance without me having said a word. These are the nuances. For the bigger picture, he is my lighthouse. Whatever good he has earned or earns through learning, he transfers to me. What bigger treasure can one imagine of than the pearls of wisdom. We understand each other. But I dont expect him to hug me and write cards to me telling what I am to him. The relationship stands on a higher level where our hearts are connected. There is a communication thats beyond the scope of words. I therefore think that it is unreasonable to weigh every relation on the same scale. We should have eyes to see the beauty of heart and not be expectant of gestures. So enjoy the sweet and dont be fussy for the dish in which its served.