bombay, during the day

I like the way you light up
when no one is noticing.

when we’ve just woken up.
when I step outside—
morning, sometimes afternoon—
and there you are,
shining bright.

familiar.
warm.
like home.

I recognise the corners.
I know the shops,
the cabs lined up like promises—
I could go anywhere.

you make me feel
safe.
held.
like I belong.

in your daylight,
I can breathe.
I can look around in peace.

and yet—
with the light,
I also see the ones
who look at me wrong.
the creepy stares,
the judgement
—no matter what I wear.

they're always watching.
but I’ve learned to tune them out.
because daylight
shows everything.

not just the creeps.

I see the others too—
the ones who step outside
just to see other people.

you can tell
they were bored at home.
lonely.
longing.

they step into the sun
to feel connected.
to see the crowd
and remember:
they’re not the only ones.

not the only ones
struggling
or surviving
or showing up.

they look at each other
wondering:
are you like me?
tired, alive, in-between?

and in that glance,
they feel part of something bigger.

bombay,
you come alive in the daylight.
with your people,
your rush,
your rhythm.

this is why people come here.

because even when you’re lonely—
you step outside,
and within a minute,
you remember:

you’re not alone.

there are thousands like you.
wandering, working,
living life one day at a time.

and somehow,
that’s enough
to get you through.

to wake up again tomorrow
and do it all over again.