Grasshopper Philosophy without the Karate Krap (sorry, Mr Miyagi)

I do not think

That you know what I am speaking of (Do you?)

You shy away, claiming an overdose

Of flowers and caramel, mush and sentimental goo.

Wait, do not go.

Let me explain myself (Understand, please)

Sit down. Relax (A drink? Or two?)

Give some time.  Offer me a lease.

It began as early as time itself

Older than hatred, younger than survival

It's had its ups and downs

Denials, departures and revivals.

You wish for examples?

Why should I give them?

Take out your preschool drawings

Trace your finger over the letters 'F' and 'M'.

You have stopped scoffing, I see (Good)

Are you realizing, remembering now?

The first time that infantile hand grabbed your finger

And you immediately strengthened that protection vow?

You require elaboration

Think of it this way

It is like water, wonderful water

Cold, clear, beautiful on a hot day.

In the searing desert heat,

It is ambrosia

In the high mountains,

You are glad for its warmth, and know no fear.

When you drink from it

It fills your being with life itself

You may not miss it when it is present

But in its absence, you gasp for relief.

I digress. (Wait, you are saying something)

Yes, it includes THAT  as well

THAT,  to which Laila and Majnoon fell prey

And Jodie and Elton came out of their shell.

I will come to the point (I am tired)

You ask again, of what is it that I speak about

Why, have you not understood at all? (Waste of my breath!)

It's LOVE, you silly, stupid lout!

See

It's easy to pick out a beautiful girl - it depends upon your preference. There are the tall ones who give the best hugs when you're a head shorter than them. They look amazing in gowns but are quick to deny that, and are adorable especially when they're just a little uncomfortable about their height. Then there are those with the outlook of biker chicks, and the souls of poets. Fierce about their personal space, they have sex appeal that pulls you in like a moth to a flame - a tough, take-me-as-I-am kind that instantly puts you in mind of slinky dresses, combat boots and brazen, tousled hair. But gain their trust - and you're getting to know a side of them that is sensitive to anything that is sweetly exquisite in this life. It's an emotional roller coaster that you'll realize you love.

There are also those who command the social life, who gravitate towards bright lights and shiny glass like their lives depend upon it. They'll have their red velvet cupcakes, and eat it too.  A new car, well-made clothes, a fully stocked bar and a wallet fat with currency will convince them that you are definitely someone to have fun with. But like what they project, this is all superficial. A superficiality that is used to mask the pain of a horrible family life, the loneliness of hiding who they truly are, and the bitterness of having to pretend. Then again, some are so kind in spite of such an opulent lifestyle, that you can't help but feel grateful - better feather-brained and warm-hearted, than a mind full of smarts and a heart full of hatred.

But then there is that one girl you'll have to look very hard to discover. She could be hiding anywhere, everywhere. If you're a people-watcher, you may have to wait for hours before she suddenly becomes clearer. She is not beautiful, but if you observe carefully, there's something better than beauty in her face. Her eyes may be downcast, or uplifted - and it may not be because she's upset or pleading for relief.  Try to pick her soul out from them, and you'll end up waiting to decipher that remote twinkle that tells you that you can try, but you won't succeed.

She may not have a perfect body - extremes may shape her. You'll rue the day you thought of that factor, however, when you begin speaking to her. She may be tiny, but she can scare you into agreeing with all her opinions. And you'll hate yourself for that - till she smiles at you, and you suddenly forget what you were upset about in the first place. She will converse in run-on sentences, and get excited about things that will leave your eyebrows raised. She will live in a world of fandoms, OTPs and compulsively read everything from mind-blowing to ridiculous. Or not. She can even be the kind who huffs at dramatics and rolls her eyes at humour that will leave you crying with mirth.

And she will love dance. Mind you, she may or may not be good at it - her entire repertoire of the art can consist of only three  steps. But music will fill her soul and toss her up into a sandstorm of never-ending joy, and that joy is difficult to contain. She is exhilarated in fresh air and rigorous exercise, loving the intensity of running for a deliciously long time. Or not. She may lay languidly on any flat surface, and will find paradise on a comfortable bed in the warm, late-afternoon sunlight.

Seek her out. She is a hard one to find, a diamond in the rough. She will wilfully reject polishing, and in the end, you too will discover that you like some of the jagged edges. You'll grow used to squeals of excitement, and benign gazes when she daydreams. You'll grow to treasure her laugh - because she does it rarely -   and her tears, too, because she is always strong, and those sad moments are when you get a chance to protect her. She will exasperate you, kick you, and practice her punches on your stomach and jaw. She will go on tangents, make you worry and scream and laugh too. You'll hate her, but you'll kind of want to kiss her too. And no matter what, in the end, when she leaves you in every manner possible, everything will pale in comparison. You'll find that she was the reason for that ridiculously happy grin on your face.  

And whether you want to or not, you'll find that you'll have fallen in love with her.