Letter : To classmate’s discouraging love advances

Discouraging love advances

My Dear,

If formality and decency requires, I thank you for your letter. I don’t object to you having addressed me as dear “Sara”. If for no other reason, as a classmate, you have that right.

You know during our two years stay at the college I have always respected you. You were one of the best boys, loved and respected by all of our professors and classmates including myself.

But Mr. Talha I am sorry to tell you, your letter has disappointed me. I never expected, of all persons you being the last, such a letter. You know I have never in my life given a ‘lift’ to anyone. What encouraged you to write me and sing me that love song of yours, I fail to understand. Probably you have fallen in bad company, otherwise Mr. Talha that I knew at the college would not have written such a filthy note to someone he ought to have considered as a sister. All he same I don’t rebuke you for those words. I have simply to tell you that I am sorry you will have to shoot your cupid’s arrow elsewhere. Your classmate here stands already booked.

Mr. Talha, you probably know I belong to an orthodox family. My parents were objecting to my study at the college. It was, in fact, my fiancé who pressed my parents to send me off to college. Afford they could, but their orthodoxy stood in their way. But they had to yield before their would be son-in- law. This is how I come to the college. So, my dear Mr. Talha, you now know that this poor simple girl is not for you. She is not habituated to write or read love notes. I have felt shy even to correspond with my would-be husband. Yet I have dared to reply this note of yours lest you may remain understand some misunderstanding and try to write again.

But Talha dear, I have written already, I have ever loved and respected you as a brother. If you promise to treat me as such — elder or younger, though as classmates we are supposed to be in the same age group, I am duty bound to see to your being well settled. There is a girl in my relations. Her parents have already sounded me for some boy. Their very pretext is that I have been at the college and I might have some classmate to recommend. Now that you have written me your love song, I have located you as the best match.

Talha, brother dear, regarding the girl I can assure you that she far excels me in every respect. If you see her, you will at once realize your mistake of writing me in that tone. She is better educated. She is more beautiful and, allow my impertinence, she is the only daughter of a wealthy family. My dear Talha, rely on me, your sister and say, yes, and I would see to the rest.

With love pure and ethereal,

Yours, Sara