by Sunaina Jain
Two conjoined heads on cushioned armchairs
Hand in hand, furtive kisses here and there
Elbows jostling, at times facing embarrassing stares
No big deal, they are a romantic pair!
Cinema hall – the perfect place for a clandestine rendezvous
To win and woo!
Soaking in the aroma of semi-toasted caramel popcorns
He manages a smile fake
His shrinking pocket money forcing him to pull in his horns.
His manhood could be at stake
If he asked her for money
So no words except ‘Darling’ and ‘Honey’!
An emotional, melodramatic plot
Some mushy love-scenes – sensual and hot!
All spices in the right proportion
Concocted the love potion.
“Wonderful end!” says the boy,
“See, how the heroine sacrifices her career to save her bond?”
“This is true love, isn’t it?”
A quizzical look in her eyes, she whines:
“It is not fair! Her insides languish, she pines
for her freedom, her space,
though she feigns happiness on her face.”
He grimaces, his lips puckered as she defies.
Under the garb of liberalism were concealed lies –
“Do I know this self-professed open-minded boy?”
But she was not a girl coy
The movie ended but not the debate
This Janus-faced boy could not be her mate.
It was now time for goodbye…
“Thanks for the movie!” she says with a sigh
The question swirling in her head
“Why, why and why?”
