Letter : A cousin’s love confession to a cousin

A cousin’s love confession to a cousin

My Dear,

I really wonder whether I have to express my annoyance for your behavior at Faisalabad or have I to thank you for that behavior since, but for your behavior, I would never have found My Boy.

You remember, it was by chance that I saw you had a young man’s photograph in your valet. The more I insisted on having a look on that photograph, the more hesitant you grew in not showing it to me. And you then equally remember what I said. I too am going to have a boy friend and could keep him safe within the four walls of my heart.

Sara darling, I have been true to my word and have been fortunate in my choice too. Now that I am sure of my choice and have full confidence in my love, I, unlike you, would not hide him. I herewith announce it with the beat of drum that I have my boy-friend. My boy-friend is charming young man, highly educated more than any of our professors here. He is lovable, obliging and a prince in his manners and way of life. And it tell you, he has taken a liking of me too.

Are you interested in knowing who he is and how I located him? The young man of my choice was there then, though not within the hearing distance but definitely within the magnetic field of my personal self. I selected him there and then decided to follow him. chase him and adopted him, if you approve of this word ‘adoption of a boy-friend’.

Luckily he was also a passenger for Lahore. He was waiting for Karachi Express. Moving slowly near him, I straight off knocked at him.
“Gentleman, can I know the time?”
‘Yes Madam, it is 5 minutes to four”.
“What time is the train, I mean Karachi Express, for Lahore expected?” “Oh, I am also waiting for that very train. They say it would be here at 4.45 p.m., so another 50 minutes to wait, Horrible, How difficult it is to pass time and especially when one is alone”. The gentleman was sporting. Readily he offered me his company. I had already selected him. I had created a liking for him.

“Can I provide you a company?” I simply jumped at the suggestion and said, “I do not mind, it is so kind of you”. He took me to the Refreshment Room. We sat over a cup of tea and introduced ourselves. He is young man from Karachi, visiting this part of the country. He was on the way to Lahore. The train came, we traveled together, talked and talked. At Lahore we parted. He had his reservation at a hotel. Before parting I promised to meet him at his hotel the next morning and agreed to take him round the places of interest. Up in the morning, I got ready, apparently for the college, but actually to run to my boy-friend. I hastened to the hotel and went straight to his room.

He was ready, all dressed up waiting his break fast in his terylene shirt and silken pant. Sara, I tell you, he looked a prince. Though I had already taken mine, he insisted and I had not he guts to annoy him. So, I joined him for a second round. Roaming about the places I brought him to the river. Sitting on the Ravi bank, I introduced him to the topic of my mind. Sara, straight off I questioned him, “Will you like to be my boy-friend”?

At first he was a little surprised and then said “Why?” I in blank words told him of my proposition and Sara, do you know what he did. He took hold my hand and said, “I don’t mind, if it suits you”. Sara, you are an experienced girl. Probably your boyfriend treats you like that. I do not know whether it was right or wrong, but it pleased me. I need not repeat my feelings. I was all fire. It was time for the college closure. So unwillingly I suggested a return.

Sara, I have a number of photographs he took of me at the river bank, in the Jinnah garden and in his room. I have a few photographs of him too. Unlike you I could not keep my boy-friend in hiding. I am enclosing a photograph. See it and admire my choice. Don’t forget to write me your reactions to my love and my boy-friend.

Your cousin,
Maria

The cousin’s reply

Poor Maria,

I got your interesting note yesterday evening. I have read with immense laughter your experience in the field of love. But poor girl, my reaction and answer to all what you have written me is simply this — you have been too hasty to choose your boy-friend, too hasty to lose your heart. Undoubtedly, your choice is charming. He is handsome and splendid. No wonder you feel for him. Many girls in your position would have done the same. That way I admire your selection.

But Maria, my sweet girl, you have, ignored one big factor. Your boy-friend, whatsoever his name, is from a distant place. He has played with you for two days. He would stay with your for another day or two and what then? He would go away and then leave for you just a sweet remembrance of these few days — the few good hours that you had with him. Do you think his photograph you posses would satisfy your love?

So you now realize how hasty you have in your choice. There is no dearth of boys around you. May be they are not so charming as your choice appears, but any of these boys could be yours for days, for months and for years to come. May be you could have one for life to come. But all this is not possible with your present choice. The earlier you forget him the better it is. Maria dear, forget about this innocent love game of your life. It would be painful. The only alternative now is to replace him at your earliest. Send all photographs of him to me. I would keep these for you safe and secure to be returned when you write your history.

How do you react now, after you have read my letter? What are you feelings?

Your cousin,
Sara