indian matchmaking, an ode.

Rajni aunty asks
but what about Sahil
the boy from Bangalore who works in the hospitality industry?

Sunita Aunty asks
but what about Akshay
the boy from Delhi running his parents’ coal mining company?

Bindu Aunty asks
but what about Ishaan
the boy from MIT.

I then ask Rajni Aunty,
the boy from Bangalore who works in the hospitality industry
may reserve a dinner table at a Michelin star
but can he make daal-soup
and fold the sheets
and do the bartan
while I sit in the boardroom?

I then ask Sunita Aunty,
the boy from Delhi running his parents’ coal mining company
may dig into the core of the earth to discover a precious gem
but can he mine into my soul
to reveal the diamond within,
and pierce through the darkest parts
of our human existence?

I then ask Bindu Aunty,
the boy from MIT
may solve a Rubik's cube in under five
but can he navigate
the brain teaser that is my mind,
the sudoku that is my body,
the jigsaw puzzle that is my soul?

How sweet it is
to have mothers
who care about ailing your loneliness.

But do they realize
that my self-actualization
may be the only cure?