To Belong Again

By Lolita Bhattacharya

How I long to feel the brush of fresh air and the touch of your fingers caressing me gently. Gazing at me with a longing desire, nibbling me lightly and wanting to devour me completely. Hugging me close to your bosom or brushing your lips over me…..soaking in my musty fragrance . A wishful desire to leave this confined place and be in your arms.

I have a story to tell and so does my other mates. Each of us have witnessed several episodes. The letters and the petals that you carelessly kept with me all these years are still intact , although the creases has deepened and the shine has faded, along with me . I have safeguarded all those precious and now forgotten promises and vows deep in my heart, far away from all those prying eyes.

I have been your companion for all these years. You would take me to bed, hold me close and look at me till your eyes got blurred with sleep. I would never leave by your side, but now, you do not seem to want me anymore. I still hold that magical power that seduces and unleashes your imagination and helps you to enjoy and create a world within . You have enjoyed, cried and laughed with me. I have taken you to places unseen, empowered your thoughts and most importantly been by your side while you were sick in bed and bored to death with the same visitors and the regular television programs. You would identify with me on certain issues and had the liberty to tag or quote me in certain areas where I made sense to you. . I yearn for that sense of pride where I would be discussed and talked over, with a promise to be taken later .

Today, I lack that feeling of belongingness. Miss those moments when you would show me off proudly to your friends. When you would possess me in entirety and be the first to see me through. Miss the scribbling of your name on me that states.. ….

“This book belongs to……..”

By Lolita Bhattacharya