Gaps, patches and in-betweens

Dear Diru, Of course, you will not be spared from my letter. Your sister got one. Now it is your turn. You have to understand why it is difficult for us to let you go, even as you turn 18 today. First, you like to get lost, which is easy enough because second, you have no sense of direction. You are very young. Too young to wander off on your own. You will never be too old, at least never any older than us, or to us, my Dear. But that would be our defeat and failure—if we do not let you go. You will always be my baby. But alas your superpower cancels out mine. You are growing too fast, too soon. And it would not be fair for me to stop time even if I can because you have so many plans and dreams that they have no choice but to come true. One. By two. By three and so on until you don’t have to play the reiki anymore for a wish, only for its soothing and calming powers as you embrace all you have manifested. I want to keep holding on to your soft yet strong hands that I once des...

A stranger's distance where I can't see what he's chuckling a t on his phone is farther than the family faces less than two feet away on a vid call from home Thank heavens for digital technology.  I can't travel, you see.  Sanctioned by an invisible bug Delivered in incomprehensible late-night ramblings,  a few heart tugs were attempted  then back to threats for violating your orders- the usual kill, beg and now steal. I thought you are worried about my health and well-being? 'Yes and I will gun you down if you keep protesting.' Alright.  I will keep to my side but you make sure you do not invade my rights. The silence in the queue is deafening yet expected and again we turn to our phones I can't breathe much less talk through the mask  you make me wear when we go out of our homes. And these strangers around me  won't be able  to see me break into a sweat or hear my wheezing  as I run out of breath and start heavi...