Now I’m okay
The bubbly girls of the yore
were to meet after years a score
Memories of the past swelled
breaking barriers where they dwelled
Chirpy, vivacious, talkative, they had a lot to say
Married or single? Working? or a parent doing home stay?
Asha, Meena, Shilpa, Annie and I; all would those days reminisce
Oh! how eagerly we yearned, how badly those we miss
As we all entered the venue with chocolates and flower
I could sense an unusual emptiness in Asha’s demeanor
She was quiet, and had not her typical trendy attire or hairstyle
She looked lost in a world of indifference with a missing smile
“I’m Okay’’, she said softly as she could my concern sense
Throughout the get-together I felt her anxiety, her fear and her racing pulse
Continuously I saw her gazing at the clock and blinking her tears away
“I’m fine, I’m okay’’ was her quick response, nothing more she’d wish to say
I whisked her aside and hugged her tight, prodded her to cry aloud
She broke down showing her bruises of violence as she cleared the shroud
“You are not okay and do not suffer quelling injustice in silence’ ’I made her understand
You need to accept this isn’t right and to come out of toxicity, you take a stand
You’ll need some counseling, tender loving care and some time and space alone
You’re sure to bounce back, get your old vigor that you called your own
Asha is back, hale and hearty and now bubbly, vivacious again
“I’m in a happy space’’, she whistled ‘’Saying I’m okay when I wasn’t, proved to be my bane’’