Kanch Ke Rishte

Description

Kanch Ke Rishte

Where even after breaking, there is light

Seeing a well-groomed woman,
everyone begins to assume—
the husband who must stand by her,
the children who must love her dearly,
the life she must be living,
as a skilled homemaker
and an efficient working woman.

But no one notices
that one quiet mind—
where every day
colors burst,
silent,
yet intensely deep.

While finishing endless household chores,
amid the whistles of the pressure cooker,
she understands the exact measure of water
boiling inside lentils and rice.
She senses the danger
of harsh sunlight
falling on clothes drying in the courtyard.
While teaching in the classroom,
she easily reads
the changing expressions
on the face of a girl
sitting in the last bench corner.

Yet while doing all this,
with great care
she hides
the measure, scale, and temperature
of her own heart.

Early morning—
when the entire house
sleeps wrapped in a blanket of dreams,
she puts the teapot on medium flame
and quietly reaches the terrace.
She captures on her phone
the rising sun,
along with a soft smile,
a silent selfie.

Before anyone wakes up,
she comes downstairs
and quietly finishes
the remaining chores,
then begins
to strain tea
into cups.

Her heart, too, wishes
to climb running across mountains at dawn,
to pause beside an unknown flower,
to shyly whisper
“I love you”
to lonely flowers standing at the foothills.
To play with the first drops of rain,
to sit on the balcony,
sip tea,
and listen to Kishore Kumar songs.

But with the butter
melting over breakfast parathas,
all these wishes
slowly,
quietly,
melt away.
The desire to click pictures on her phone
flares like a flash—
and then
vanishes.

Between her husband’s tense face
and her mother-in-law’s sour mood,
the canvases and colors
gathering dust in the storeroom,
the drawings and paintings
hung inside the cupboard,
keep staring at her
with longing eyes.

These seemingly unwanted passions of hers
often create chaos at home,
and the same woman
whom everyone calls “sorted”
is suddenly labeled
“irresponsible.”
Why is she not understood?
Why is a woman’s heart not read?

Because since childhood,
as a daughter,
as a sister,
as a wife,
and as a mother,
she has lived every relationship
with her whole heart.

Even amid all this,
she waits
for her sensible son—
who sometimes
grants her a break from the kitchen,
holds her finger,
and takes her
to mountains, forests, and rivers.
Who stubbornly places
a box of canvas and colors
into her hands,
and reminds her
of her talent—
giving her the courage
to flow once again
into colors.

Only like this,
sometimes,
she becomes free
from the staring eyes of the house—
using children as an excuse.

Because she knows—
while saving the glass of relationships
from breaking,
if her own heart
cracks,
nothing that remains
will stay whole.

The glass of relationships
makes a sound when it breaks,
but the glass of the heart
shatters
only in silence.

That is why she protects
not just relationships,
but also
the glass within herself
with utmost delicacy.

Because
glass relationships
stay alive
only as long as
the heart that holds them
manages
to save itself
from breaking.

About The Author

Meena Nehra is a sensitive, experienced, and deeply thoughtful educator whose personality reflects a beautiful blend of knowledge, simplicity, and human values. With an in-depth academic background in Sociology and many years of teaching experience, she has earned a distinct identity in the field of education. Her understanding of social, cultural, and family-related issues concerning women is not only practical but also enriched by real-life experiences.

As a teacher, she has spent decades inspiring children and young adults to understand society, relationships, human behavior, and social structures. She strongly believes that education is not merely about imparting information, but about developing the ability to think, reflect, and understand life. This philosophy has made her highly respected and loved among her students.

Meena Nehra’s study of women-related issues is profound and realistic. She has closely observed and deeply felt the struggles, responsibilities, expectations, and challenges faced by women at different stages of life. As a result, her writing is rich with true stories, genuine emotions, and heartfelt sensitivity.

Her writing style is simple, natural, and deeply touching. She believes that relationships are like glass—transparent yet fragile—but with care and trust, they have the power to make life beautiful. This delicate sensitivity is gracefully woven into her work.

Meena Nehra’s purpose is to promote positive thinking, mutual understanding, and respect for women in society. She wishes for every woman to write her life story with pride and for every family to strengthen relationships by understanding their delicate nature.

Her writing encourages readers to think, understand, and transform—this is her greatest strength.