Thursday 24 November 2022

Alka Balain, Prose 500 Longlist

 I am Loved 


When my mother-in-law reminds the helper as she offers me chai, she requests warm water first, I know I am loved. 

When my mother-in-law takes out a khaddar quilt with phulkari work so I sleep cosily in the cold sardee night, I know I am loved. 


When my father-in-law still asks me from the higher realms, all well beta, I know I am loved. 

When I wear the white and pink sweater he gifted me, I know he loved and loves me. 


When my papa reminds me to carry a bottle of mineral water to my room for the night, I know I am loved. 

When my papa refuses permission to travel by taxi alone, as it is not safe, I know he cares, and I am loved. 


When ma gives me a pair of woollen socks to wear, or I will catch a cold, I know I am loved. 

When ma packs rajma-chawal along with gajar halwa, I know I am loved. 


When my hubby, after I arrive in my desh, calls up twice in a span of two hours to check on my comfort, I know I am loved. 

When my hubby takes the grocery bags from my hands to carry, I know I am loved. 


When my beti craves to share her day over a call and at the first chance says, Mom, after listening to my day, papa just says, cool, I know I am loved. 

When I call my beta, he says, Mom, Am I supposed to talk to you every day; I am busy with studies. And the conversation lasts for an hour, I know I am loved.


When my school friend, after a long day at work, brings groceries and cooks for the unwell me, I know I am loved. 

When my mystic friend unknowingly acts as a strict teacher and bears my pain silently so that I can find myself, I know I am loved. 


When I look at the setting hues of orange in the cloudy sky, the tall eucalyptuses, the yellow sarson fields and the green foliage of wheat with the last rays of the setting sun trying to peep through the darkness to make the presence of light known within, I feel the essence of love. 


In the bare trees dotting the horizon with a promise of spring, 

I marvel at the love of the Creator. 


A girl, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a friend and above all, a soul is returned to Self by the invisible Higher Power, I know I am love and being loved. 


Glossary:

sardee: winter, beta: a loving form of address for son, but used for daughters as well in Indian culture, rajma-chawal: kidney beans and rice, gajar: carrot, beti: a loving form of address for a daughter, desh:a person's native land, sarson: mustard 


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