Seven Letters From A Wanderer: The First Letter

A VALENTINE'S DAY SURPRISE!!!

 

14 February, 2009

Hi Ash,

As you know, today is Valentine’s Day. I hope you are reading this letter today, i.e., on 14^th of February (not that it makes any difference, but still I’d feel good). The possibilities are dim (who, after all, checks official e-mail account on Valentine’s Day); still, I am happy that at least you’re reading this. I thought let me give you a surprise. There is so much to tell you that I don’t know where to start. I am not even sure that you want to know. Anyway, it is only an e-mail. You can just delete it, if you don’t.

You know, everyone in this world aspires to achieve some dream. You chase your dream with all your effort. You toil day and night and overcome mighty hurdles to obtain your dream. But somewhere in the midst of your journey, when you turn back to look at the past that you have lost, you find nothing but an emptiness. In the quest of your dream, you make yourself alone. You forget that the stairs of success you are climbing have no end to them. The more one climbs, the more of it appears. And with every step, you have to get rid of your belongings. What are these belongings – can you guess? They are nothing but your friends & relations. Those, who once mattered more than your life, become just that – belongings to get rid of.  And one day, when you stop & look around yourself, you see the futility of your quest. You realize that in hope of some illusory happiness, you have lost the small joys of your life. You have become alone. Yes, alone. The quest for success makes a man so forlorn, so lonely.

Loneliness is such a painful thing - especially, when you’re part of a fast-moving, merciless & callous city. Where dreams are crushed underfoot every day, and not even a single sigh escapes from anyone’s lips. Where a million souls respire, and yet you feel the strangest soullessness. Where the sense of being alone, even in the midst of a surging crowd, becomes so overwhelming that sometimes you feel like shrieking at the top of your voice, just to know that you’re alive. The heart pines for the proximity of someone who can listen to the laments of your soul. And that is why we need love. Because, love gives us strength. The strength to carry on.

There are a billion lives on this planet. What does a single life matter? What is the significance of the life of an ordinary man? Who cares what happens to anybody else? But when you’re in love, you begin to understand the answers. Because when you love somebody, you take an oath. An oath that whatever may be the circumstances, whatever the state of affairs, the life of your beloved will not go unnoticed. That you will be there, through times, both good & bad. You will stand shoulder to shoulder, throughout his rise. You will hold him tightly, for his every stumble. You will forward a helping hand, on his every fall. You will be there to say that you care. Perhaps, that’s the reason, they say, love is beautiful. Who would not give his life to get that love?

Have you ever loved someone? Have you ever felt the extreme joy that surges in the heart on just the sight of someone? Is there someone with whom you can talk for hours & hours & yet feel that you haven’t talked at all? When even long silences between both of you become hours of cheerful converse. Have you ever placed your head on someone’s shoulder & forgotten all the sorrows of the world? Have you ever woken up on a bright morning with your heart throbbing in the anticipation of meeting someone? Have you ever felt alive?

You must be thinking why the hell am I telling you all this! Rest assured, everything has a purpose.

Let me tell you something else. Do you believe in destiny? It is a strange thing – this destiny. Unknown to us, it spins a stunning web of coincidences & uncertainties. Sitting at a precise moment, it is difficult to see the connotations of those coincidences. But with the passage of time, we begin to perceive the meaning of these flukes. When we realize the whole plan, we begin to appreciate the beauty of the plan.

Have you ever wondered that maybe there is someone with whom you always cross your paths? Your eyes meet for a moment & then you go on separate ways – to meet again the next day. You don’t even realize, but destiny begins spinning its web. You go on with your life in oblivion, indifferent to the world. But for someone else - you have become the world.

This Valentine, I’d just like to tell you that for someone somewhere in this world you have become the solace of heart. Who is happy, because you are happy. Whose heart melts, with every twinkle in your eyes that appears when you smile. Who flows, in every tear that trickles down your eyes when you’re in sorrow.  Who is alive, because you breathe. This Valentine I want to convey you that you’re not alone - because I’m with you. Because

I LOVE YOU.

Surprised? I had told you - destiny is a strange thing, my dear. It is curious that unknown to you, there are people who love you; who’ll do anything for you. And yet, you languish for love & companionship, without even realizing that it is so near to you. You just need the eyes to see it; the hands to grab it.

So, what next? I’d say – nothing. One thing I’ve learnt in my life – never hide your feelings in your heart. Let them pour out. So that, in future I would not have any regrets. There will be no “ifs”, “buts” or “maybes”. I’ve promised to myself that I’ll never ever say ‘if only…’. We are hungry for love; and nothing gives us more pleasure than the feeling of being adored, being sought after. That’s why I think I needed to tell you all this.  I owe you that. I owe you much more. I wish someday we’ll be able to meet face to face.

But before that I want to listen to you. If you’ve faith in me, reply back. I expect nothing from you. Just your trust. Your thoughts, your reflections, your hopes, your aspirations, your joys, your sorrows – anything you’d like to share (even your abuses for me, if any). As my friends say, I’m a good listener. And who knows, maybe we can become good friends, at least.

So much for now. Looking forward to hear from you.

Love,
Ascetic Wanderer.

PS: You look very handsome in black formals. Wear them more often.