Draped in a red saree with white scattered flowers

You walked into a house of a stranger

To have and to hold, for better or for worse

How scared you must have felt

How bravely you walked into the unknown

Love had always been an elusive visitor

The third time’s a charm, they said

And so you believed wide eyed

You turned the house into a home—a paradise for three

When death came unannounced

You solemnly fulfilled your duty until it did you apart

With no questions asked

As though the colours of your saree was a premonition

You were no longer allowed to have desires as passionate as red

Your attire transformed from bright hues

to muted shades of grey

You obliged with what was expected of you

Did anyone ask how you felt?

Now, when I run my fingers through the red saree with white scattered flowers

I am connected with your past

I’ve inherited your pain and your loss

I’ve inherited your strengths and your beliefs

I’ve inherited your scars and your healings

I’ve inherited your patience and your calm

I’ve inherited your unapologetic and relentless ability to love

Like the oceans waves kissing the shoreline

Again and again

And again

And again…