why not married?

People often ask me why I’m still unmarried, sometimes with the same urgency as if they’re trying to solve a national crisis. It’s as if my singlehood is causing some kind of cosmic imbalance. Everyone is concerned—my tailor, my aunts, my colleagues, even the vegetable seller down the street! My mother, bless her, gets misty-eyed whenever a relative drops by and inquires about my non-existent wedding plans, as if the mere mention of marriage might summon a bride out of thin air. And don’t even get me started on the times she hears about another baby being born—cue the tissues!

Then, there’s the endless curiosity about my “flaws.” They ask about them in the most hilarious ways, as if they’re trying to solve a mystery. Some even wonder if I have a secret relationship hidden somewhere, as if there’s a line of people eager to date someone as average as me!

The truth is, I’ll get married when I feel like it—or maybe never. I’m a shy guy, and I like to keep my private life just that—private. Relationships are fragile, and I’ve learned that it’s best not to broadcast them to the world. After all, we all have our own battles to fight and our own stories to tell.

If I ever do decide to tie the knot, rest assured it’ll be a small, intimate affair with only close family. And yes, I’ll let the world know afterward—right after I climb down from my mountain of privacy. Until then, please, everyone, get a life. Clearly, I’m not the one holding up yours!

~August 21, 2022