Ask the meaning of Socialism and there would be many to vouch for a comprehensive definition that entails all the elements ranging from Marxist theories to obnoxious Nehruvian affinity for socialism to the present day economic crisis (Capitalism under siege!). But the true meaning of this can best be explained by a man given to humble beginning and limited means (/middle classed) through his sheer hard luck falls into love with a terribly rich girl surrounded by all the affluence and grandeurs. How the concepts of Equal distribution of wealth starts gaining unimaginable traction in his eyes – how the rational thinker in him starts debating the meritocracy of equality and how the agnostic in him starts challenging the will of God who with his sleight of hand made such a valley of despair.
So, what are the other ramifications of such a start? Invariably, the moment you fall for a girl (they always call it ‘fall’ for some reason), you start discovering that she is the toughest person you have ever encountered – with her countenance and attitude in a equal partnership. Fumbling in oration and stammering in normal conversation is a sign of the ‘guilt of love’. Ask any guy, and he would tell you that the period when you start falling for a person is the most painful for you never know what to expect. And circumstances are no more your servant – all depends on the other’s mood. Things change fast. Why is it that once you are out of that initial phases of subtle “O – I like you, my friend” and step on the second pedestal of “You’re special to me”, the situation changes drastically. The same acts and lines that used to amuse her would now bemuse her. Your care for her would take an ‘irk-y’ turn and all your efforts are seen as a futile attempt for an ulterior objective. A simple ‘coffee together’ will have different connotation and ‘walk in the park’ is something you would dare not utter.
Your time spent on SMS/ gtalk/ fb take a serious dip, however, your blood pressure on the other hand take a steep upward turn – an inverse relation between these are the case of mere mortal men. The reasons are plenty and are well captured through our Hindi ( both plagiarized / non-plagiarized ) songs and Hindi films ( now, come on , ignore that image of one falling for a mafia don’s daughter and singing to woo the girl in a company of those gangsters, that’s stretching the band too far) . It starts with career and reaches the other bank of family ( umm..may be not in the same order). Between these two banks flows the river of excuses. Some points of considerable depths charted in this river are ‘good friends’, ‘too early’, ‘need time’ (that never arrives) and other ‘logistical and ethical’ challenges. Whilst it’s fair not to reciprocate the same way to someone’s feelings, transparency can be quite handy for us. A snub out of blue is what drives a man crazy. Many a times you would notice that the girl ends up with a different guy in just a few days time throwing all the rationale that she had put across out of that window ( ethical, right!).
As a boy, you never know when a girl has a ‘corner’ for you. Not that there is any way you can know that. However, one such way (other than the elusive proposal from the girl herself) is when she starts making some stupid comments and expects you to laugh. Her flat jokes should make you roll on the floor. It sometimes take a subtle form of self praising statements as well. So watch out for these, rhyme with them and cash in !
I am no expert; however, observance has been a key ingredient in preparing this love article. My heartfelt apologies to the ladies who might accuse me of being opinionated. However, to my defense, I am venturing out in this treacherous seas of “love” (as a writer) to put across the plight of man with which I can empathize. I’m sure there exist more elaborate pieces for a girl’s side with elaborate discussion on various such elements - not for nothing are you the apostles of love , care and support in various roles you play to act as the backbone of us – a mere mortal man’s race.
