Shalimar the clown

Shalimar had just an ambition in his life, to be the best, conquer the heights and be called a magnate. He focussed and concentrated on his aim mono maniacally and came out with flying colors from every adversity posted before him.But it all changed when he met her, Shalimar saw the world in different shades through her eyes - a pink shade, everything looked so beautiful to him.

The day they first met, not knowing each other, not wanting to know, not even a smile. Then they started with a blank smile. Then came "Hey, excuse me', then 'hi, hello' and all. They shared their days, hours and seconds. They made castles with their thoughts, moved mountains with their dreams.

Shalimar dreamed of a new life, new ambitions mushroomed out of his barren life. He enjoyed her company immensely and she was delighted by his anecdotes. They talked for hours daily, in fact communicated for hours through all mediums possible. He loved the feeling that a girl found him amusing, even interesting and she charmed him with her mellifluous giggles all the way through their chats.

Come Valentine's day and the cherub's arrows have long pierced Shalimar; he was all set to propose her. He was suddenly conscious of his filthy dress, his addled hair and his really dirty shoes. He bought a huge bunch of red roses for her, he revised and re-revised the plethora of romantic dialogues he snipped out of Mills and Moons. Finally Shalimar was ready for her.

He was an epitome of confidence when he marched into the cafe where they were going to meet. He must have waited for 10 minutes when he saw those luscious eyes looking for him. One look of her and Shalimar forgot all that he had mugged, lost all his confidence and settled down meekly before her, lost somewhere in her profound smile. They talked for sometime and he watched her heartily smile at all the cliche jokes he made. Finally with all the courage he could gain, he made his charge. He fell on his knees, offered her his bouquet to her and screamed with all his might "Marry me". The crowd around although disturbed by the obstreperousness, was unmindful as such jokers are common nowadays. She smiled at him, giggled, collected the bouquet from his outstretched hands and jokingly hit him on his head with it. Then she laughed at him and said "You are such a mandu". They settled down again and Shalimar with a pounding heart asked her "Can I take it as a yes". She stared at him for long time, her eyes dancing with wonder and finally asked "You mean you were serious" and she continued "You are crazy".

Shalimar rushed home after his "date" and opened his books. "This is where I belong" he thought and suddenly he felt very sad in his heart.