Laxmi, Laxmi, Laxmi
Aaahhhh….what do I remember about you?
It’s been too long since we last
Saw each other
I don’t think I even have a picture of you
Neither would I recall you by face if we crossed paths in this world
That seems to grow smaller and bigger
At the same time
I am not even sure I called you by your name
Or you did the same for me
We were this duo…inseparable always
We didn’t care about any of that
All I remember is that you were so stubborn
Just like I was
When we were kids
And neighbours
We were just not good with listening
Or hearing what our elders said
Or warned us about
Life, bad people, getting burned by fire, escaping or running away from home
Girl, you made my childhood fun
I didn’t say that to you obviously but I hope you read this someday
That was long before, I think, we got dragged into this madness the adults created for us all
Of “you are Indian. You can’t mix with those people. Those people aren’t our class.”
Speaking of those days,
How can I forget that day when you tricked me into touching the exhaust pipe of Daddy’s motorbike?
We both knew that the pipe was still hot simply because the bike had been running around town
You touched it and didn’t flinch…it’s like you had touched water!
Idiot boy here came and touched the same thing….with a lot of vigour…I mean, what’s the worst that could happen to me if Laxmi had survived it?
Yyyoooooo….that hurt
And you did what you did best, Laxmi
You laughed….and laughed hard
That you drew the attention of everyone at home
Of course, I remained with my lump on my palm!
How is your Daddy, btw?
I haven’t heard from him in a long while, too
Not even Mummy
You know, we were one tightly-knit family
I recall this one day
That Daddy came home and told you to pack all your belongings
You were leaving…just like that!
My heart sank deeper than a sinkhole.
The one childhood friend I had and loved so much
Was leaving me behind where we were leaving ku Stella
Or what has become of it now
I miss you so much, honey!
Not only that….pinching your cheeks and nose like I enjoyed to
Where did you go?
What happened to you?
Let’s link up again
But this time, no touching hot stuff and pulling tricks out of the box