Aruni

dancing

(my blood seared
in the ether)
i stood in
the still alley behind
a club
under the star leaking sky
pursed between
my bleak linen lips
was a cigarette
i took in a drag
visible puffs rose in the air
in the silent street
i stood
(cosmic birthing in the home
of my mind)
as the quietness grew more
profound
i heard the rhythm of
my beating heart,
the sound of sun
i flicked off the cigarette butt
in the garbage bin
and i went inside the club
and thought
with the aftertaste of cigarette
as the euphoria tickled my
heart
and music rushed over
me in waves
as i surfed below the water
i thought
(blissful slow tearing of fear
from my bones)
it's nice to meet you, I
I, who sounds like flower
and grass
dazzle and dark
and it was the end of the
adventure, beginning
of a dream
under the disco lights
that shine
and I danced and danced
(phosphor caper)
I felt lightning under
my skin
and I screamed
and screamed
the baseline resounded
and my feet moved
my arms swayed
strobe masking my
movements
every clap of my hands
felt like on pause
at different moments
i and I danced as one
a moment of togetherness
suspended in time
and it was everything,
everything
(dancing in the dark).

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

The evening sky had clouds floating over my head. I reached in my purse and took out the pack of cigarettes and threw it in the bin. It wasn't enough but a start nonetheless. I walked inside the bakery, jingling bells marking my arrival. Armaan looked up from the counter and greeted me with a surprised smile.

"Hey, Armaan."

"Isn't your meeting today?"

"I cancelled it. Hey, again, Armaan."

"Hello." He gave me an embarrassed smile.

Quickly going back to his sunny and goofy disposition which I had come to like, he asked, "What do we owe this pleasure of your iconic presence?"

"You are iconic and I wanted to be in your presence."

He sniffed. "Aw, I missed you too. I thought you were busy?"

"I was busy not missing you. I am here to bake a cake. Have anything for me?" I grinned.

Armaan made a face but then handed me the specifics of the new order.

"It is Ruhi's birthday today. The cake is for her," he said.

"Yes, I remember. Good that I came here. Leave the crown cake to me."

"Crown cake?" He raised a brow. I smirked and went inside and began after greeting the other workers there.

I was so lost in my baking that I didn't notice the presence of two cosmic storms beside me.

"We want to help." They said, startling me.

"Oh, who did you sneaky brats come here with?"

Ayank and Ruhani grinned and said at the same time, "Nysa." "My mum."

"Is she here?"

"Nahi Mumma, she went back home to prepare for the party when Armaan told her you were here," Ayank said.

"Alright. So you both want to help?"

They nodded. "Listen to my instructions very carefully and do not touch anything without my permission. Can you do that?"

"Yes," Ruhi said and Ayank bobbed his head.

"Great, join in. And happy birthday Ruhi baby!"

"Thank you, Aru."

"Who wants choco chips in it?"

"Me." Both shouted, excited. And I laughed.