chai - the first stage of love

aaye te tum gulaab lekar
ek cup chai ki farmaish lekar.

yaad nahi fajr ke baad, ya shayad maghrib se pehle
lekin aaye te tum suraj aur chand lekar.

woh ek khaas waqt tha, jab dono hazir the
saathi woh hai - lekin us waqt saath humara dete rahe.

aaye te tum baatein lekar
kuch sawaal aur kuch jawaab lekar
na jaane kab taare bhi humare mehmaan ban gaye?

qisse humare bante rahe
chai ki tarha hum pakke hone lage.

ek dusre mein itna mile hue
ke cheeni bhi yaad nahi rahi

meherbaani hai ke aaye te tum nigah lekar
nazrein mili, toh meri zubaan meethi ho gayi.

baar baar garam karne ke baad bhi
meri chai tandi rahi
aisa ajoobe pehle dekha hai kabhi?

lagta hai ke aaye te tum ajoobe lekar
dilkashi ke saath
kuch be-waqt pal lekar.

gulab sukh gaye
chand bhi so gaya
taaron ka kambl leke.

tumhare jaane ka waqt aa gaya
aur suraj milne aya salam karne.

shaam suru ho rahi thi
ya subah humari katam
yeh bhi mujhe yaad nahi.

chale gaye tum pura chai ka cup chor kar
jaate jaate kehte, “main toh chai peeta hi nahi”.

february 1st, 2025