Now, that you have decided to marry me, let me think of what things might be like? If we go to Lodhi Garden, there is a lake, we can sit by. I love looking at the ripples that it makes. If you are talking to me and I seem lost, shake me by my shoulder. I will apologize for been inattentive. I get so lost at times. Pardon me, then.

Not far from that lake is a wide tree. Can we climb it? It has been a very kind tree. It forever shades. In that shade I want to tell you my childhood tales. Of the stories my grandfather told and the drives our father took us to, in his Ambassador car. Oh! Once father got a tortoise home. I danced around it. What joy that was! You can share your stories too. Tell me in standard 6th which season was your favorite?

Does history interest you? I am a little obsessed with Indian history, specially the Mughal era. World History I am not very adapt to. But if you talk about it, I will listen. If you please I can take you to Delhi 6, to Jama Maszid, to Red Ford and that you are a non vegetarian, we can go to Karims too. Oh! By the way if we sit by the foyers of “Diwan-I-Aam,” in Red Fort, I always play act, sitting there as if the Emperor would come. That makes me so happy.

If you love the Sufis, Delhi is the place to find them. But we must go to NIzzamuddin first , for love I know from him. And we may take a walk to Chillah Gaah, and offer our gratitude. But Nizzauddin we must go. For it’s his blessings that we are here, today. Together.

You have to understand, that I have not travelled anywhere but this city. So, I don’t know, how a Pizza in Milan tastes, or how it feels like to walk in the winters of Russia. You can tell me those stories. But I have always been kind to people, no matter from where they have come from. Is kindness enough for you?

During our walks, I can tell you how a friend from Lahore came to see me, or the girl whom I stayed with. I have stories for a lifetime, to suffice. Are stories enough for you?

My needs are simple. I am fine as long as you are honest. My bank account is not rich. But enough to take care of my needs. So I won’t be gifting you much. Nor I expect your bank account to enrich mine. I live simple. I am contented. I write poems. I love Rumi.

If this is enough for you, meet me near Miranda House, University of Delhi. For that is where it all began, we can begin this there too. It's auspicious for me.

This time, I shall wait.

P.S: If we are committed, can I hold your hand, as we walk?

First published on Facebook in 2018

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