Romance, for I’m not going to use the word love here,
that’s far more deep and pure. So, as I was saying, romance. Ah, yes! That
romance which everyone seems to be seeking in their lives right now. What about
it?
So many of our social conversations seem to revolve
around it. The humour, the gossip, random flirting, all of it.
Now, the great question comes. What is it that has
landed ‘romance’ such a mighty position in the societal paradigm?
Everywhere you go this topic comes to greet you,
either directly, or else disguised up so that later you get the references. And
if you don’t, you’re probably a kid, never mind.
All in all, what is it that makes the idea of romance
so romantic? Maybe, it’s the media we consume. It’s all over it, anyways. The
movies, series, songs, even many social media posts, feature a romantic angle.
All around, everyone’s pitching the idea of romance as such a brilliant one.
That’s probably because that is what the audience will buy.
So, the youth consuming all this content worships
romance leading them to have mislead aims and aspirations because we wish for
what we see.
Freshly into college, I was greeted by a few
distasteful facts. First, almost everyone is looking for a ‘relationship’.
Second, almost all social conversations revolve around ‘relationships’. Third,
even if you’re not into it, people around you will make sure to ship you, or
get you imaginarily involved, ‘just for fun’.
But, who said single people are just sadly traversing
through their lives waiting for the one person to come and propose. No, sir!
We’re pretty happy on our own! Also, on my own is not loneliness, it’s
solitude.
And those flagbearers of romanticizing romance may as
well continue on their path, you’ll find more companions, I assure you. Just
don’t try and pull the ones on the other side. There’s still a concept called
pure and unadulterated friendship.
I’m reminded of an excerpt I read, in ‘Tuesdays with
Morrie’, it goes…
“Here’s what I mean by building your own little
sub-culture, I don’t mean you disregard every rule of your community…The little
things, I can obey. But the big things—how we think, what you value—those you
must choose yourself. You can’t let anyone—or any society—determine those for
you.”
So, the society pitches the idea of romanticizing
romance which most of us do buy.
But, we do have, all along, the choice of not buying
that culture. Romanticize the sunrays filtering down from the tree leaves, that
one friendly kitten on the street, your early morning cuppa, your parents’
silly banters, your friend’s dumb actions, maybe even your professor’s early
morning rant on ‘Irresponsible Youth’. Point is, you can romanticize anything,
from the shape of the clouds to the tinde ki sabzi for dinner (alright,
maybe not the last one), if you choose to! For the culture can change only if
you refuse to buy it. Maybe we can create our own culture, what do you think?
P.S. The reason I’ve not used the word love
instead of romance anywhere here, is that, love should not be confused with
romance. Love is the purest feeling possible. And that, we know for sure, is
not what’s being pitched.
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