.

When I was a school kid

I received a gift from my dad

A cycle

When I peddled

I could see fragile soft feathers protruding

From my shoulder

I imagined

Very soon I would be an angel

AND

I could fly

I could summon people

I could perform miracles

I could …

When I exclaimed

My cool mother wore a mysterious, painful smile

I deliberately ignored.

During my college

Again a gift from dad

Wow

A bike

Fully developed wings.

I could whirr around

The crowded roads, lanes and streets

I believed, I could fly

I proclaimed

I notice the same smile

I ignored it again.

Ignored even the tears

Busy and enthralled ready to take off

I try, tried, trying

Dad … cried out

Something is heavy, I could n’t fly

Not even flap my wings

Tear glands flooded and exploded

Leave it my dear daughter

You just flap them

Cannot fly

He insisted don’t even dare

Don’t fly ?

But why?

What are wings for?

I look around.

Now, I could not ignore my mom’s smile, pain and tears