Home away from Home . .

I open my eyes to this beautiful sunny day, 

Not by the alarm clock on my table,

or by the alarm in my phone, 

But by that euphonic calling of my name by my mother,

and those warm hands on my head, 

5 more minutes, please, I groan, 

I know I am home.

I hear chirping of birds on my window, 

and chanting of mantras and hymns by my father, 

Far from the city life, far from the sound of busy traffic, 

I don't need Alexa to remind me my schedule today, 

For vacation is marked bold on this week's calendar, 

I know I am home. 

I smell savory aroma of the most delicious breakfast in the world, 

a soothing fragrance of wet soil in the garden, 

and not the lavender air freshener of my car,

or the black opium perfume I wear on work, 

Something is different about this morning, 

I don't need make-up to hide that facial scar,  

I know I am home. 

I listen to these endless stories my sister has been waiting to tell me, 

our house is echoing with our giggles and guffaws, 

Good lord, we are literally rolling on floor laughing, 

and no more texts of LOLs or ROFLs or Awwws , 

Didn't realize how long I have been craving for this, 

I know I am home. 

I take my fluffy little dog, Coco, out for a walk, 

Mrs. Patel says she hasn't seen him this playful in a while, 

and her dog can't stop play bowing and cuddling my dog, 

seeing their joy of meeting after a year, I smile, 

Hoping to meet tomorrow again, we continued to jog, 

I know I am home. 

I feel this cold breeze drying sweat droplets on my face, 

while running an extra mile on a road I used to take with my best friend,

and I don't have to keep track of time, 

For Coco doesn't want to go back this early,

and part of my heart doesn't want this road to ever end, 

I know I am home. 

I dust off old photo albums and board games from the shelf,

and walk everyone down a mesmerizing memory lane, 

Ironic how time flies and still some things never change, 

For my sister still fights for the last piece of sweet on the plate, 

my father hasn't lost a single chess game, 

and my mom still has to remind us that it's getting late, 

I know I am home. 

I live decades in a week, only to feel it passing by in a blink of an eye, 

I can never get enough of this and my heart is full,

Packing bags with snacks made by my mom, it's hard to say goodbye, 

Do I need a blanket in this flight? 

or would this warmth of tight hugs last long?

Pleasing vision of this picturesque city is slowly fading away in clouds, 

and only thing we are sharing right now,

is this stunning view of full moon floating in sparkly stars, 

I know I am leaving home.

I open my eyes to this beautiful vibrant morning,

I learn something new everyday, 

and I am not afraid of hard-work, perseverance or dedication,

For this life is too short and there is so much I want to accomplish,  

Better future and better life are not my only motivation, 

Becoming best version of myself and to serve this mankind is what I wish,

and this leads me to a sound sleep with peace and satisfaction, 

and my bed feels softer with my wearied body and content soul,

I know I am home.