MENHDI

HENNA

Do din se beti ki zid thi- mere haathon mein menhdi lagaa do
Par kaam ka bojh- ghar- bahar daudte-duadte maano dam hi naa bacha ho

Aaj jab thaki- maandi ghar lauti -to kinhi do nanhi baahon ne dulraya nahin
mujhe
Haath peeche kiye- bus door se hi sar hilaya usne

Maine kaha- bete- jara pani ti dena-man thak gaya hai
Who bhag chali- maa, khud hi le lo naa, mujhe papa ne bulaya hai

Kheejhe man se uthi- pata nahin kya ho gaya hai ise
Aise to aage- peechhe ghere rahti hai- aaj kya ho gaya hai ise

Khair, kaam nibta kar maine phir pukaara- padhne nahin kya aana?
Phir wohi chamkeeli aankhein, phir wohi aboojh jawab-maa, aaj nahin padhna

Bahut bigad gayee hai-maine pati se shikayat ki
Haan, haan-unhone sur milaya par beti ko muskura kar aur tarah di

Aur haath kyon chhipe hain tere aaj ye peeche
Laa samne kar inhe- dekhoon kya liya hai chori se?

Muskurati beti ne nanhi hatheliyan phaila dii
Unme menhdi ke belbut uge the-woh garv se muskura dii

Kaho to tumhare haath bhi rang doon- pati ne chutki lii
To pita- beti ki saajish thi yeh- main bhi has padi
 

My daughter was pestering for two days- mother, please put henna on my
hands.
But bogged down by work as usual- I had no time left.
Today when I returned, tired-no arms were put around my neck. She just
nodded as she stood with her hands hidden behind.
I asked for some water, but she excused herself and ran away to her father.
I was vexed. God knows what has taken over her? Usually she is so docile and
affectionate-but today she was definitely edgy.
I went through the household chores and called her again for studies.
Again with sparkling eyes came her impudent reply- she would rather not
study today.
It was the last straw. I complained to my husband. He gave in rather hastily
but I caught him winking at the daughter.
Irked and suspicious, I took her to task.
Why are you hiding your hands all the time? Bring them in open and let me
see what you have stolen there. My daughter obeyed me meekly enough and
opened her palms before my eyes.
Her small hands glowed with color of henna- she stood there- with a happy
smile.
And when my husband teased me as to I too would like him to put henna on my
palm, I smiled at my darling conspirators.



~Jayanti Sinha~

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