Dearest afternoon

A little love letter

Who embodies an afternoon better than this furball ❤️ Image by Péter from Pixabay

I love the quiet of afternoons. Especially weekend afternoons, for their extra quietness.

I hope everyone ate their favourite meals, especially those who cooked them, now perched on their dining chairs, feeling the satisfaction of spice and curry in every bite. Soon, folks will be enjoying their siesta or cosying in for a movie. Reading a book? Setting out to meet friends? Irrespective, there is a peaceful stillness. The roads are mostly empty. Cars move slowly and respectfully, careful not to wake the early dozers or have-not-yet-risen sleepers. Walkers plod along, eager to reach home quickly. Dogs and cats curl up, taking flexible yoga postures we can only envy. Only birds talk. Loudly and excitedly, taking advantage of the quiet around them. Do you lie in bed, gently falling asleep, half eavesdropping and wondering what words and songs they share?

On my maternity leave, the quiet of Sunday returns almost everyday. What a privilege this is, and may I never forget it, although I often forget to acknowledge it in the haze of the day. As Neel naps in the afternoon, even his naughty face becomes a baby Buddha. I watch him quietly, often unable to resist pressing his nose or cheek, or lightly brushing his fingers with mine. He smiles in his sleep, as if telling himself, they’re not so bad, they try. He stretches, he turns, he moves his fingers, forming tiny changing flowers. Eager, not to wake him up, I finish my pending chores quickly. And as the minutes go, even before I lie down, if I am even half aware, I can feel the peace of afternoon around me.

The air breathes steadily through the fan, happy to be heard. The house rests. The kitchen dozes. Walls stand silently letting their shoulders down. No one is pricking them to hang a picture, resting unnecessary items against them, or trying to scrub them clean. Doors sleep standing, creaking irritably when opened. The doorbell rests too, happy for this brief relief. Afternoons are peace.

I didn’t call you, because I knew it’s your afternoon, my sweet friend tells me, with a smile. I hope I give her my best happiest face, because this is a BIIIIG gift for me. I have a birthday party at 3, my sister says and I feel horrified and sorry for her, although she says she doesn’t mind.

If afternoon was a person, I’d hug them everyday. Between the chores and work of morning and evening, she arrives like the sweetest soul, never unreliable, always on time. I hope afternoon has many takers, blessing her everyday. I’m sure I’m going to love her, always ❤️

---

This post is dedicated to Meghna Singhee and her Beam 2026 Hey Ho Year Starter workshop, for the prompt to list ‘all the things you love’. I ended up expanding on my one big love here.

And to Safa for her recent post, #3 What I wish a new friend knew about me. I’d love my new friends to know about this love of mine :)