What does it mean to be single in a world where
everything comes in pairs?
A good part of my early adult years was spent
dodging the incurable ‘match makers’ who believed that everyone above the age 18 must be tied to someone or something, even if it is only to the nearest peepul
tree. They tried to market the ‘supreme settlement’ theory by waxing eloquent
on the marvels of marriage, which ranged from somebody being there to make black coffee when I have the flu to someone
walking with me well into the sunset!
Some friends constantly advise me to “go and get a life!” I have deduced that this advice stems from a collective mindset which undermines solitary existence and considers it to be as exciting as that of a leech gatherer's.
Some friends constantly advise me to “go and get a life!” I have deduced that this advice stems from a collective mindset which undermines solitary existence and considers it to be as exciting as that of a leech gatherer's.
When I remained unimpressed, few well meaning members of my family tried to shock me into submission by painting
blood-dripping pictures on my mental canvas- their all-time favorite being that of maggots feasting on my mortal remains. Incidentally, I've a congenital
habit of sleeping through horror films, which worked well in my favor, and all
concerted efforts to chill my marrow failed.
One hassled member of the much- married tribe
accused me point-blank -- “Plain selfish, that’s what you are! Just ‘ME
ME’ all the way!” Translated, it meant
that any person devoid of husband, in laws and a pair of pint-sized horrors (children) is
drop- dead selfish. It might comfort them to know that life spent in the company of ageing,
hearing aid -free parents is no stroll-in-the-park either!
Of course being single, as with all other forms of
existence, can be happy and crappy in turns! Sometimes, I spend long hours by
myself wondering what makes the rest of the world tick. Other times may be
spent ruminating on unsavory remarks or tactfully asking people if they minded
minding their own business. I’ve also had to suffer the ignominy of people, who
I barely knew, asking me about the ‘issues’ I had!! ‘Oh, you wouldn’t want to
know’ I'd growl inwardly.
But, as with everything else, there’s a sunny side
to the solitary state! Thankfully I am spared the potential trauma of living with a tiresome individual whose habits can shame a sloth , lose peace
over the spouse’s dalliances while I’m away nursing his mom’s broken hip or worry about
his participation, incognito, in the LGBT rainbow parade!
To the gentle and thoughtful souls who have told me
that people who are single do not count, all I want to do is to congratulate them
on their domestic trappings. Meanwhile, I prefer to just drift along with the
barest of fuss –thank you!
