This one’s for all the women who saw this world only through their ghoonghat. For all those women who could not step beyond their door. For all those who want to break free. For all those who just want to be…

I guess it’s her birthday today.

How pretty she looks when she is sleeping! I can see her from my window. A sleeping beauty!

The bright orange and purple still looking as gorgeous on her.

From the first day that I passed by her house, I have been hopelessly in love with her.

I still remember…

She was looking out of her window like she was waiting for someone. Pacing about it. Perhaps she was in love with someone else. The bright orange and purple looking gorgeous on her.

She lived on the top floor of a plush mansion. Surrounded by a beautiful flower bed, her terrace overlooked the majestic expanse of the sky that beheld us with maternal eyes.  The spellbinding row of beautiful gulmohar trees that looked like many suns shining together. I used to pluck some of the lovely flowers every day and leave them outside her door when she would not notice.

On many occasions I waited outside her terrace for a glimpse of this stupendous beauty. Her eyes were deep and dark and had many stories to tell. At times she would be singing. A melody that had so much pain, I cried.

I guess her loneliness was killing her. One time I saw her staring at me, but then she quickly turned her gaze. She looked more scared than shy. Like she didn’t know how to initiate a conversation or make a friend.

But I wanted to be there for her. And I was. I still am.

I wish I could rescue her from her extravagant yet meaningless existence. Her misery. Her loneliness that seemed to be killing her. And with every passing moment, me too!

Today, her house is beautifully lit with red, blue, and yellow traveling lights that go the length and breadth of the terrace bulwark and back. Like it is during festivals.

I guess it’s her birthday today. She looks like she’s studded in colourful jewels. The bright orange and purple still looking as gorgeous on her. I am waiting for her to look towards me so I can give her the flowers and express my love. It’s high time I did!

But she’s still asleep. May be she’s waiting to be surprised with a lovely gift from her family. Or from someone else she’s in love with.

Someone comes and gets her out of her silver cage. Pats her head and gently touches her feathers. She then takes her inside the house, one of her feathers flying and resting on the bulwark. I quickly collect it in my beak.

I guess it’s her birthday today.