Wrong Number

Suddenly rings the mobile phone

“Hello Maria, how are you?

This is Xiv…”

Xiv? Silence with speaker on!

Xiv? The heart gives a flutter!

Xiv? His voice hasn’t changed much

But I can sense the sobriety

Of 20 years in the tone!

               

Flashback! That young man                                

Radiating aura of innocence

A breeze from the northern hills

At St. Xavier’s College gate        

Matching steps to Chowrangee

Chaplin was Tiger Talkies then

Sharing notes in a coffee house

and tender moments at maidan!                  

Photos have turned brown

Chowrangee appears different

Park Circus is not the same

With the flyovers blocking the sky

I am not the same too

With two children18 and 14

and a husband wearing a natural crown!

 Memories rush back like a cyclone

But they feel unwanted, unknown!

Like a call in a wrong number!

“Wrong number!”

I reply and switch off the phone!

But can I really switch off the memories

They sneak into my room

When I’m alone!            

Xavier Bage

Mon, May 02, 2016