Runali Vijay Helwade

Ask me if I am okay
If I say yes
Look for the signs
My heavy, droopy eyes
Inner corners of my eyebrows raised
My eyelids loose and
My lip corners pulled down.
If you notice all this then
Ask me again
Because
I am dying from inside
thinking about the things
that should not
matter to me much.

​

Ask me if I am okay
If I say yes
Ask me again
many times
I need you
but
you are not there.

​

Why?
Why should I be the only one to be with you whenever you need me?
Why should I be the only one to just sit and listen to you?
Why can’t you be there, when I need you the most?
Why can’t you just sit and listen to me?
Why can’t I count on you?
Why?

There are lots of whys
but the hesitation in your voice
gives me all the answers that I have.