Don't Lie to Me, Kalyani

"You haven't smoked a day in your life, Kalyani."
He said with his piercing gaze fixed upon my hand.
I looked at the cigarette, its face red and aglow like mine.
I told him, "No. I used to, then I quit." I took another drag.
He looked at me. He smiled. "No."

Later that night, I lay under his weight,
He kissing my neck with amorous passion-
And said, "You have done this before, Kalyani"
I froze, tried to find his face in the darkness-
And his eyes-
He penetrated me that night.

"I must go", I whispered. I think I saw sadness-
Fall on his five o clock shadow, but before I could tell
"Don't lie to me, Kalyani"
He said in his gruff voice.

I waited till he was gone, and then slowly dialed another number.
I ran and sat in the car, kissed the driver's mouth, and-
Lightly said, "I am Kalyani. Please don't smoke. I don't like it."