Readers Write In Throw Your Hands Up In The Air (HOT 97 Freestyle): Rumi-nations On Love

By Severus Snape

It was 17th September 2022, a day before my birthday. I woke up from my siesta to hear my roommate fussing about his borrowed suit, one he had from a friend. The hostel bustled with nervous excitement; this was the first time most of us had been at a prom night. My friends and I planned to wear mundus , but unfortunately, we weren’t brave enough to pull it off. I searched for the most formal clothes in my cupboard, and found a blue-checked shirt and black trousers. We went to the venue and chatted a bit before a friend video-called his then-girlfriend and introduced us. Everything seemed to be going fine, but then I saw her . I felt the urge to walk up to her with unmatched swagger, extend my palm, and ask, ‘Shall we dance?’ And then I went to use the washroom, and laughed at my reflection for even coming up with such a ridiculous

Readers Write In #872: Rumi-nations On Love

In this edition, we explore the profound thoughts and reflections inspired by the timeless poetry of Rumi, focusing on the theme of love. Rumi's work continues to resonate with readers, offering insights into the nature of love, connection, and the human experience.

Essence of Love

Rumi's poetry often delves into the essence of love, portraying it as a transformative force. He emphasizes that love transcends the physical realm, connecting souls on a deeper level.

The Journey of Love

Many readers have shared their interpretations of Rumi's views on love as a journey. This journey involves self-discovery, vulnerability, and the courage to embrace both joy and pain.

Love as a Unifying Force

Rumi frequently highlights love's ability to unite individuals, breaking down barriers and fostering understanding. His verses encourage readers to see love as a universal language that binds humanity together.

Reflections from Readers

• Connection: "Rumi's words remind me that love is not just about romantic relationships but also about the connections we share with friends and family."

• Self-Love: "His poetry has taught me the importance of loving myself first before I can truly love others."

• Emotional Depth: "Rumi captures the complexities of love, showing that it can bring both joy and sorrow, and that both are essential parts of the experience."

Conclusion

Rumi's reflections on love continue to inspire and provoke thought among readers. His ability to articulate the nuances of love invites us to explore our own experiences and understanding of this profound emotion.

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scenario. I look through my -10 diopter glasses and see a sculpture hurriedly made by a kid, who dabbed a rather large chunk of clay onto what he calls a face, and inserted a couple of cloves to pass them off as eyes. Clearly, I didn’t hit the genetic jackpot.

I wish I could claim that for what I lack in charm, I make up in confidence. But it had taken me 17 years on earth to even acknowledge that lil ol’ me can have crushes too. You see, I was a sincere kid at school, the kind who’d snitch on others to the teachers if they were in a relationship. I was too caught up with academics and parental expectations to pause and reflect on how I felt about anything in life, let alone love. And if at all I was caught up in such feelings, I would shove them into the bottom of my heart like I would an overflowing laundry basket. But I didn’t have the heart to kill the butterflies in my stomach when I heard her voice over the phone after our schooling, and that was when my conservative instincts eased up a bit. I was away from home and had all the freedom to kiss my grades goodbye. I often found myself awake at night thinking about her, though it was probably because of staring at the phone an hour before trying to sleep. Never attribute to malice what can be explained away by stupidity 🙂

It’s been around 3 months since I started walking into cubicles instead of classrooms, assignments began to be called tickets, and classes began to be called KT sessions. I leave early in the morning and return home late, a routine I dreaded when I was in college. But there’s something pleasantly relaxing about this schedule, and this time, I’m sure it’s her sitting three rows ahead of me. A couple of Cupid’s cherubs couture my lips into a slow smile, and I can’t seem to stop it. The sun seems to shine a tad bit brighter every time she comes to the office. I’ve always had the habit of humming songs, but now, I savour each word of every lyric at the tip of my tongue. A part of me wonders if this isn’t enough. Isn’t the feeling of being in love itself so blissful? Does it really need the crutches of dating, live-in, and/or marriage? After all, can’t I etch her beautiful smile and feisty demeanor into my brain and revisit it whenever I want to? These are the days when I am completely on board with the entire “Happiness lies in the journey, not the destination” shtick.

And then, there are days when I question, “What is the point of enjoying the process of cooking when you finally make a black blob of burnt bullshit?” My heart conveniently forgets the Golden Goose fable and acts like a cat that hasn’t eaten its food for a whole 10 minutes. It asks the sun to shine even brighter, without a care that I might get burnt. The sweetness from the lyrics turns into saccharine, destroying my sense of taste. I imagine a world where we date, and it’s a beautiful world to live in. I lose myself in this world on the days when I wake up on the left side of the bed, only to feel hurt by the slightest bit of deviation in real life. I feel a sense of lull when she leaves the office, as if she’s taking with her some of the optimism that she loaned in the morning. My heart craves the teensiest attention from her, and when I get it, it doesn’t stop. It looks through my -10 diopter glasses at my reflection, and claims that I don’t look half-bad. Maybe I should ask her out.

But what if she has a boyfriend? What if she doesn’t, but still doesn’t have an interest in me? What if she does have an interest in me, but chooses not to express it? What if she chooses to express it, and we get into a relationship, but some external factors come up? Will her parents approve? Will my father approve? I know for a fact that he wouldn’t, and we’ll have to fight. I realise that this is a long list of questions that can/should be easily replaced with ‘Would you like to go down for a cup of tea, just the two of us?’, but I find it easier to chew on the list rather than spit out the question. I’m afraid that in pursuit of closure, I’ll destroy the sweet smile she has, the joshing around that she does. I’m afraid that in the quest for a romantic relationship, I’ll ruin our friendship. I’m a coward who can’t deal with even a slight scratch on my heart, forget a full-blown heartbreak. I choose to go to sleep every day thinking about her, hoping that I wake up on the side of the bed where I remain content, for the whole day, just with the idea of being in love.