An eerie quietness fills the room Something doesn't seem right today He is waiting for me in bed I slip into the blanket that covers his body I tell him that he needs to be well He doesn't listen to me I am yearning to hear him speak He doesn't talk much I am waiting for his words of wisdom He hardly even says anything I remind him of his strength His body is weak I feed him naan khatai and imarti each day He is thinning by the day I bring him his favourite food He doesn't eat two square meals in a day I cook him his favourite mutton biryani He can't eat two square meals in a day I bring him filter coffee from the nukkad of the street He can hardly even drink water I ask him if he'd like to dance with me He can't stand on his two feet I try to put him to sleep His eyes are tired of being shut I stay quiet for a few minutes He reaches for my hand I can't stop the tears from running down