It was Maddy's first over-hyped Valentine's day in the over-hyped North Campus of the over-hyped University of Delhi. He was, of course, over-hyped about it. Despite being terribly aware of his limitations, he had high hopes about the blessings from St. Valentine. And high hopes about the day. About the hyped day of love. So he paired his favorite Chicago Bulls bright Red shirt with his favorite denims on that spring morning of the superficial day of love. He had a feeling that Red, being a color of love, may prove lucky. The luck was on his side though. He got a U-Special (a specific DTC bus that carries the University students to the campus). He even managed to get a seat in that bus.
Maddy being Maddy, he wrote up a poem for Maggie:
IN LOVE FOR SURE
You stole my heart, you made me lose my mind,
"You are love struck," say friends of mine.
My charming princess, will you be mine.
My li'l heart that I kept reserved,
Intense romantic emotions, that I preserved.
My body, my soul, my cherished possessions.
Are all yours, just make me yours.
You came in my life and shook me up,
You come in my dreams and wake me up.
My dreams and ambitions are at your will,
And I am ready to pay all your bills.
My life has a void, only you can fill.
And nothing goes without your will.
My destiny, my life is at your disposal,
Please consent to my little proposal.
Lets get together and share,
My promise, I won't let you despair.
You take my joys and I'll take your sorrows,
Yesterday, today and the tomorrows.
Lets get together under the sun,
My lady, it would be much fun.
Love is heaven, love is bliss,
I am lucky, 'coz I know this.
With high hopes, I will put an end,
To this work of art, of your commerce friend.
He reached college. There was chill in the air. The campus smelled of lovely Delhi chill combined with Eucalyptus trees, and a faint fog loomed over the air. He was confident of talking to her. He had been a state level champion in inter-school debates till a few months back. His plan was to hand-over that hand-written poem to her. There must always be a plan, coz failing to plan is planning to fail.
Maggie, as always, turned up late. There's this thing about energies and vibes. Our very charged Maddy seems to have sent some really intense vibes. The first person she stared at after entering the class was him.
She stared back. Again. Amongst a class of 50+ students from all over the world, he was getting that attention. The attention he wasn't used to. The attention he desired. And yet the attention he never got. Until this day. This day of love.
He lost it.
The last iota of his resolve, the last drop of strength. This was all sucked out from him. He was always restless. Now he was still. He just couldn't ask her. He wouldn't. He didn't.
Maggie stared for one last time. And then went to the back benches, giving him the look of longingness.
_________________________________
Many years have elapsed. But that beautiful day is still etched in his memories. He relives that moment many years down the line. Right down to the fragrances.
Maddy is still not clear why the hell he was so shy. What was it that stopped him? Was it just shyness? Couldn't be. He had asked for her number 6 months back. Couldn't be the fear of failure - he had enrolled for two of the toughest courses with a clear intention of clearing them both. What could it be?
How would things be today, had he asked her out on that day? The cosmos had hinted. Amidst the foggy environs, there was a superb sunshine. He did see some chicks staring at him in that canteen. Even Maggie had stared at him. Perhaps he was too immature, he could give out the vibes, he could receive the vibes, he could understand the vibes, but not act upon them.
And he hated that part of himself. He knows things. He knows what is to be done. And yet he doesn't. He lives in limbo. He can change that. But he doesn't.
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