this time

how do you know he's the one for you?

how does anyone know that's the person they like or

this is what it feels like to be in love?

Is there a warning?

maybe the sun comes up a little late that day,

maybe you wake up in a frenzy from a nightmare,

maybe you hate karelas so that's what you get for lunch.

the universe is talking to you all the time.

but you are busy talking to yourself so you don't see the neon flashing danger sign above his head. It reads, "I'm going to suck your heart and you're going to love it!!!" but you look in his eyes and see his fenced hair and you instantly want to touch it. That's your heart's translation for "this boy is going to marry me and we will have six kids!"

[woah-easy now woman]

so the game is on.

you go for movies and he gets you flowers,

late night conversations - indulging in guilty pleasures.

you've crowned him your magician and he calls you not-his best friend.

tagging is how the games end tho

fizzle out like a soda after being left open for too long,

that's what sparks do.

burst like a balloon over fire.

that's what sparks always do.

beautiful goddamn sinners, you and him.

And so on the day you wake up early to rain pattering on your window,

when there are aloo paranthas with makkhan for breakfast - meethi lassi to wipe the heat,

when you laugh at a silly meme on your phone,

on the day you get your eyeliner in the perfect wing and

all auto wala bhaiyas agree to your claimed amount without bargaining,

the metro is on time and then - when the world is finally settling down,

that's when you receive a paper.

you giggle because that's something the two of you do.

exchanging words and winning hearts the old school way.

you hide it under the table, fingers already opening the edges

heart beating like it wants to escape.

there it is.

"Maybe we are not meant to be."

The universe spoke again, and this time, you hear it.