Statistics. She casually glances at him again but in vain. He seems to be listening to the professor with rapt attention and a slight disappointment settles in her mind. All the effort to look prettier than usual seems like an utter waste of time now. As she glances at him again hoping to meet his dreamy eyes, she sighs. “Maybe it is wiser to give up and concentrate in class” she thinks as the class progresses to multivariate analysis.

 International Finance. “And that was a very valid point miss! “, the professor comments on Kaajal’s answer and faces the white board to explain US fiscal policies. Her phone buzzes, the text reads “Show off!“.  She looks at him, surprised, as he grins toothily and shakes his head.

“No, not even once did he ask if I found the book engaging. Are you sure this is his favorite book?” quizzes Kaajal. She had carried the book to the class ceremoniously for a week now. This should have been a good conversation starter but he didn't seem to have noticed it. She dumps the book in her closet later.

It's 3 in the afternoon and the library is almost empty except for a few students. Most are either enjoying the weekend or sleeping in the hostel. Kaajal turns the pages of her new book noisily and a throaty whisper makes her jump slightly. “Didn't know you were into political thrillers” he comments and casually walks past to the newspaper stand. 

It is a regular day in the sports bar with a few friends. He is chatting with the pretty girl next to him. “It is a lost cause I am telling you. For God's sake, she doesn't even understand real cricket. This IPL is just show biz.”  She complains to her best bud as they gulp down another beer.

Twirling her hair, she winks at her friend. Read the text you dimwit she silently whispers through her teeth. The girls giggle at the private joke they seemed to have shared. The professor warns them and they straighten up in the seats. Kaajal has the amused, suppressed laughter look on her face. Through the giggles, she tries desperately to put up a straight face. She looks around only to find him nervously staring back at her. Check your phone he mouths silently. The text reads, “You know you are damn cute when you smile like that. I kind of like you :) ”

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too… (Rudyard Kipling)

There is something unnerving about poetry. If you don't understand it, it is just words. But if you are of those few who enjoy metaphors, it has the power to tickle your mind and enrich your soul. A fine specimen of such words is If by Rudyard Kipling. All you need is the mind to read beyond the syntax and the words will tear down the walls of your heart.

Does this looking beyond syntax happen in mundane and non-poetic situations too? Do we ever read the feelings behind the words that spout out of our mouths? Mostly no. We are beings of syntax; we dwell in the words and mere words alone. You'd believe this if you count the number of times you've felt sad or reacted immediately on a comment made by a friend or family. Though you realized the true meaning and the feelings behind the words later, for that moment you lived in the words. A harsh comment by your friend makes you cry, a snide remark by your lover makes you sulk. A politician's casual comment will get all the angry men howling while a celebrity author's loose words are condemned as blasphemy. Yes, we indeed live in a world of only words.

 Most of the time, it is increasingly difficult to think beyond the wreath of words. We attach our emotions, our fears and our anxiety to the words we hear. They are dipped in the colors of our own perceptions before they reach our ears. Anything and everything we listen to is a connotation of our deepest underlying apprehensions. We fret, sulk and ponder over imaginary meanings we attach to the words over and over again when all it takes is thinking straight. Thinking beyond the syntax is not an easy task to do. When the words seem like cold daggers or ice picks, emotions are bound to flow. As humans we accept sarcastic compliments far better than genuine criticism. Criticism takes courage to acknowledge and overwhelming strength to accept. Most of us have natural filters for hurtful comments and it is way easier to be mad at a person than to be reasonable and not take the words at face value.  

It takes certain strength of character to keep your calm and accept the words rationally. Then think about the real intention and figure out if the meaning we attached to the words resonates with the intention. In many instances, it won't because as humans we are creatures bound by our irrationality and emotions. But again as humans, we learn from our mistakes and we are blessed with a kind heart that can love infinitely. I believe our ability to love and have a heart is what differentiates us from others in the animal kingdom rather the brain's function of comprehending complexity. To look beyond the syntax is a tough promise to keep, but for some people in your life, I am sure, it is worth all the patience needed.