Bhookh (भूख)

"Mom!
I'm hungry!"
"I don't have anything in the car
but this apple.
Here, have it."
"Apple!?"
Munh banaate hue bachche ne kaha.
"I want a burger mommy!"
"Eat this first.
Momma will get you a burger,
later."
Aur bachche ne iss beech
phenk diya "apple"
chalti car ki khidki se.
"Who the hell wants to eat apples?"

"Ma.
Bhookh lagi hai."
"Aaj jhopdi mein kuchh bhi nahin hai
siwaay kal ki iss baajre ki roti ke.
Yeh le, kha le."
"Baajre ki roti?!"
Mayoos si soorat banaate hue bachche ne kaha.
"Mujhe seb khaana hai ma."
"Pehle ye kha beta.
Ye khaayega, toh bada hoyega.
Bada hoyega, toh khoob saare seb khareedega.
Aur mujhe bhi khilaayega.
Khilaayega na mera laadla?"
Aur bachche ne
baasi roti ka ek tukda khaate hue
apna sir hilaaya.
"Apni kismet mein seb kab aayenge?"
-----------------------------------------------
-Prateek
8/11/2011