It’s all about you, Nandan…

By Spondon Ganguli

Part 1

Oh, my friend! Where are you?

Do you remember me, as I do?

I am old now, so are you.

Let us meet again as I await you.

Do you remember the days in school I spent with you?

You, too don't know where I am, as I don't know about you.

Let me have those days in my memory behold of you.

You were the only one whom I never kissed,

You were the one who always hugged me tight.

We misunderstood a lot, but you comforted me more,

You patted me when it was a need and held my hand without fear.

They say that we can see the lover in the sky if we are lonely.

I never see you in stars nor my dreams,

So what, I feel the love for you with honesty.

What if we are reborn?

Will you be my same friend?

That time could you be my lover?

If we are again in the same gender!

Part 2

I don't know how I went to the terrace

At the stroke of midnight...

My mother told me once; I used to walk in my sleep

But from childhood, I never went out of my room.

I found someone was sitting at the edge of the terrace...

His back was towards me, and he was facing the moon.

I walked steps by steps to come near him,

The person turned to me and

I was out of my sense for the time being.

Nandan! Is it you there! Or is it a dream?

Else, how could we be so near!

After a long time, we met again, he said.

Maybe, twenty years or like that, I replied.

Why are you keeping a distance from me?

Why can't you come near and hug me?

"I want to kiss you once...

Then never thought of a chance."

"No, please don't do that.

I can't take the kiss now.

I have something for you

And to leave soon."

He then gave me a letter...

Just two initials were there...

I don't know what happened after that.

My mother was near my head

And I was on my bed.

They said I was lying on the terrace...

My eyes filled with tears

When I remember whom I met over there.

My friend, unexpressed love.

"Oh, Nandan! Did you come to me?

Or I dreamt that out of fear!"

I open the letter leftover there...

Written in a beautiful way

"Please don't cry!

I came here to say goodbye..."

Part 3

The year passed more than twenty…

But I still remember the day

When we were eighteen.

Today, I am married

And have a loving wife.

She cares for me,

The whole day and night.

I am enjoying my life

As a complete man.

She gave me a child

That I owe to her.

He is a baby boy just a year old.

Seeing him, I feel, I get you back.

His eyes, his nose, his cheek, and chin…

All remind me of the face I missed

From years back when I was nineteen.

His walk, his hug, his smile, and his talk…

All drives me to the days of my dream.

I am blessed to have him as my son.

So, I gave him your name, ‘Nandan.’

He is a gift for me from The Divine.

What’s wrong if I get you back, as my son.

By Spondon Ganguli