TONIGHT

While returning from the playground, wind has already begun playing in the night atmosphere.  The warm breeze, as it sway the thirsty boughs and branches of the boulevard trees, took away the electrical power, leaving behind the hostel as an impression of one ghastly building. And I enter therein, as one exhausted spirit, to retire for the night.

From my bathroom window, I could see the crescent moon, illuminating low due hazy atmosphere. So, She looks less beautiful tonight. But still, Her divine presence adds romance to the night sky. And having taken literal bath also, I feel extra rejuvenated.

At the time of writing, it's been exactly an hour that the light has gone. The darkness cramped my room. I open the back door to invite light of the neighbouring building across the highway. They seem to get their share of electricity from source different from ours for whenever our block suffer power shortage, they always look fine. The narrow window throws only thrifty light, insufficient to produce even a weak shadow. Instead, swarms of mosquitoes, stirred by this night weather have found way in through the opening.

Apart from this selfish source of light, it's the zooming vehicles on the road which throw flash of light which runs out as soon as it has come.

The wind is still in action. And from my balcony, I sense moisture and couple droplets convince my senses. The rain is in anticipation. This night is totally beautiful in spite of the blackness of the night.Moreover, besides the song of this warm breeze and unusually few honks from the road, there is only silence in my room. What more could I ask for from this night to retreat into reading and finally to sleep.

A verse by thirteenth century mystic, Rumi, which I noted on a sticky note and pasted against wall facing my bed ran pertinently ;

Which is worth more, a crowd of thousands,

or your own genuine solitude?

Freedom or power over an entire nation. 

A little while alone in your room 

will prove more valuable than anything else

that could ever be given you. 

 Friday, 24th April.