THE DECEPTIVE POWER OF INFATUATION

Romantic relationships almost always start with soothing yet tingling sensation called ‘infatuation’, also known as ‘limerence’ or simply stating- ‘crush’. It is a state of mind which results from a romantic attraction towards someone that typically includes traits like obsessiveness, a strong desire to develop a relationship with the other person and inevitable fantasies related to that person. An explosion of hormones occurs which triggers the thought, “I want this person to be in my life forever.”

           Your heart starts throbbing as soon as you start thinking about that person. You feel butterflies in your stomach when he/she calls you. You give your utmost attention while reading his/her texts. You correct your text till perfection before you press send. The waiting time for that person to text you back feel like eternity. When you see that person you experience a twitch and there it is- a smile to die for! Your heart nearly skips a beat. You completely get carried away by unreasoning passion. You get addicted to the importance given to you. Everything around you seems like a paradise created by your own fantasies. This euphoria totally consumes you. Romantic interest leads to overestimation of similarities. Of course, older and wiser people tell you that it's only hormones, but it’s next to impossible to believe. It feels like so much more. It is extremely hard to spot even a single trace of a negative quality in the other person. Your mind is constantly lost in the charismatic but fugacious beloved of yours.

          Physical attraction happens to be one of the crucial reasons for a person falling for someone. Beauty attracts you, and you feel like being physically close to that special person. It becomes harder to get away from this feeling, as you are gripped by the strong forces of attraction. Although choice varies from person to person. After all beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. The eagerness to find someone who treats you special, and actually getting that attention, can be a serious cause for infatuation. Other major causes include ‘Loneliness’ which pulls you into this short lived passion.

          So to save oneself from a treacherous heartache, one should understand the difference between infatuation and love before taking a major step forward. 'Infatuation' is the state of being completely lost in the emotion of unreasoning desire while 'love' is an intense feeling of deep affection. Love imbibes a sense of commitment, faithfulness and contentment. Infatuation eventually fades away within a few months whereas true love deepens with the passage of time. Infatuation when over, results in harsh consequences or a heartbreak whereas love leaves an imprint of stability in one’s life.

          To conclude, I would like to say that it is completely normal for every person to experience infatuation, but one should remember that it is a deceptive bait and should never be mistaken for genuine love.

         

AN ENCOUNTER WITH LIFE

I was on my way home from work. I had a fight with my fiance, Marshall over the phone. My relationship was falling apart. As I was walking down the road, something came up in my mind. I went to the top of my office building and jumped off. The sun was shining bright up in the sky, but everything seemed dark and gloomy. It was a hot summer afternoon but it felt cold. I felt a twitch in my stomach. This is what I imagine death to be like.  I died. It was a painless death. The doctors tried their best to save me, but all went in vain. My body was so utterly shattered that I was better off dead.

And that's when I met someone.


"What happened?"I asked. "Where am I?"

"You died," he said.


"I remember falling down.. really down.. It was a never ending pit."


"That is true" he said.


I looked around. There was solitary. "What is this place?" I asked. "Is this what happens in the afterlife?"


"Yes," he said.


"Are you god?" I asked.


"Yes, I'm God", he replied.

"My family... my fiance, what about them? Will they be alright?"


"You just died and your main concern is your loved ones. I am impressed", he said.


"Do you honestly believe that your they can be perfectly alright without you? They love you unconditionally. Your fiance will be devastated. To be fair, your relationship was falling apart and you know it was your ego that ruined it. But he managed to love you anyway.

He looked in my eye. "The meaning of life, the reason I made this whole universe, is for you to mature, not to end your life when things don’t go your way. But since you ended your life now it's time for you to move on to your next life."


And he sent me on my way. As it happened started to regret my decision. How could I give up on my relationship like that? I missed him as I was dragged to a place far away. I felt helpless. Tears rolled down my eyes. I longed for Marshall. But I knew I couldn’t return. Feeling utterly guilty I closed my eyes in despair. Suddenly I heard a faint voice. It was Marshall’s. My family was calling me. I knew my relationship was falling apart, but suddenly I felt affection for my fiance gushing through me. Our life used to be mechanical, devoid of love. But all that began to fade away. I started to remember all his good qualities which made me fall in love with him and my ego which tore us apart. I suddenly felt sorry for every mistake I had ever done. The thought of losing my family filled tears in my eyes. But it was all over, till I realized that someone was holding me. The touch felt familiar. It was him.

“Honey, it’s 11’o clock in the morning, wake up. Is everything okay? Why are you crying?” Marshall asked.

“I love you Marshall. I never stopped loving you,” I exclaimed and hugged him tightly. He hugged me back intensely. This was a nostalgic moment, our unbreakable bond just like the old times.

“I love you too, dear. And I am not going away from you. It was just a rough patch in our life and it has passed. I am here for you, always and forever. You just had a bad dream”, he said and smiled at me, a smile to die for.

It took merely a single dream to make me realize how short life is and the importance of loved ones. That was the day I vowed to live my life with utter positivism and fill other’s lives with love and joy.

WE COULD HAVE LASTED

The day I met you, I found a friend 

And a friendship that I pray would never end.

you were by my side through it all,

you were there to catch me when i fall.

you told me the truth, even if it was not what i wanted to hear,

you were always there with a hug and a listening ear.

You were my best friend, you belong in my heart,

We went through ups and downs, but still nothing could tear us apart.

I knew you as a sister, and I will always care,

Love, respect, and trust are the things we shared.

You helped me learn to love myself

You made life seem so good.

You said I can do anything I put my mind to

And suddenly I knew I could.

You were always there for me,

I knew I could count on you.

You gave me advice and encouragement

Whenever I didn't know what to do.

but then i watch you walk away from me

And the tears start to fall,

I ask myself a billion times

How did we lose it all?

For the first time I had no words

that to you I could say,

I clanged on to old memories

while I watched you walk away.

I remember the time not long ago

When we laughed and shared it all,

were we the very soul sisters?

Or at least that's what I thought.

now i glance back to take a last look

to see me as a part of your past,

forgotten friendships buried

never meant to last...