FranKophone

I do not remember exactly when I thought I fell for you. Maybe a few summers ago. All in a flash of a second. You seemed so fresh and alluring. I was foolishly young – nubile. Liable to be trapped. And we met for a brief  while. I thought you are the answer to my prayers. My longings were for you. You chose to entice me – I never minded it. It gave me a tingling sensation, a hope that we were meant to be one. Silken dreams. Our encounters teased me. I wanted more of you. You managed to floor me sans any weapon. Gradually I realized I was not alone. Several others vied you, tried to woo you. I burnt with jealousy. You seemed to love everyone alike. You knew no one too closely. But you ignored none. Two summers passed. My tryst with you continued. Everyone around us thought we were together. Only we knew we weren’t. I decided to spend another summer with you. This was unexpected. Most of your admirers had left. They were tired. A new set of people came. The stage was...

Yes, I am a woman. The one who was loathed at birth. The one unloved in childhood. The one who had to abide by rules. The one who was not supposed to question norms. The one who was taught to be blind, timid and shy. The one who did all and had none. The one who was a doormat. The one who would never complain. The one who could be handled like a puppet. The one who could be stared at, touched inappropriately and used. The one who was an object. The one who died without mourning. ********************************* I am a woman. Free. On my own. Yes, I am a woman.

Remember our first date ? I walked to you in that lilac dress – with apprehension. You later told me that you fell for me then. I had noticed your jaw almost dropping  but never mentioned it to you. In one of our later dates, I caught you staring at that anorexic female with garish make-up. I was a fool then (Yes, I am a lot wiser now ). I tried to lose weight, use make-up. All proved futile. The next time we met you almost laughed at the sight of me. Visibly thinner, under inches of God-knows-what powdered on cheeks. Creepily lined eyes. After a few seconds, I realized you were laughing at me. I tried going away, crying. You stopped me. By that time, my eyes were streaming with tears. You looked straight into them and said “You do not need a mask . You’re beautiful.” I stopped crying. You hugged me. There were times you needed me. For telling how badly your Dad thinks of you. How you miss your Mom. I just listened. And yet you told me it comforted you. To be with me. And then on...

I reminisce the twilights When you and I sat in composure, Dwelling on the frivolities of life. We charmed each other and Proclaimed our love to the world. Rapturous meetings continued- There was an air of reckless affection. We might have been alienated by circumstances But dear ! My mind and spirit are still yours. Think of me in the darkest hours, I’ll be there for you- Together we shall annihilate All our foes. We were always meant to be together So what if fate did not bring us close forever ? The beauty of “us” is eternal. P.S: Please do read the previous post- a 55f.