I have packed my suitcase, booked the flights
Kept with me the precious treasure called visa
That I acquired after eight failed attempts
I finally approach my mother, smiling like the Monalisa
"Mother!", I speak into her almost deaf ears
Startled, she turns her pale face towards me
Signalling with her finger to stay quiet
"I'm saying my prayers, can't you see?"
I leave my sentence hanging right there
My news can wait but not her prayers
Pray mother pray, I smirk as I think
You're going to get a shock after years
Opening her eyes from the spiritual state
She says, "Yes son speak, now I'm free"
I take a dramatic pause for greater effect
"Mother, I'm going to the enemy country."
Her cloudy eyes become wider than ever
"What did you say? I didn't hear properly!"
I lean in closer, raise my voice a decibel
"Mother, I'm going to the enemy country!"
She tries to put on a fainting show, but fails
Waits for the roof to fall, but it refuses to slide
Finally she mutters a prayer under her breath
And speaks, "There are aliens on the other side!"
I subvert my laughter, keeping a poker face
"Your blessings will protect me from disorder!"
She shakes her head forcefully, forgetting her cramp
"No son, my blessings work only till the border!"
Seeing her emotional blackmail fail to work
She sighs, "They'll arrest you at the gate!"
"But mother I have a passport and visa"
"Son, they will not protect you from your fate."
Walking around in circles, like a woman possessed
She declares, "There's enough news in this country"
"Mother I have been assigned this task, be happy"
Shaking her head she speaks, "Money can't ensure your safety."
Next morning as I prepare to leave for the airport,
She comes up with a bowl of sweetened curd
In the other hand lies a lemon and a chilly
"Keep these, they'll protect you from the herd"
I touch her feet and seek her blessings
"Don't worry I'll be back very soon!"
With misty eyes she bids me farewell
Keeping aside the plate and the spoon.
As I reach the other side within matter of hours,
I pick up the phone, call my mother
And speak in a voice full of unmasked glee
"Mother I have got a surprise for you!
People here look just like you and I
And the sky is the same shade of blue."
