Made For Each Other Poem by Islahuddin Nasiruddin Syed

A friend had lent him a 1000 Rupees
His 'things to do list' before the date was rather long
Had been two months since the last hair cut
The razor was blunt and hurt while shaving... thick stubble!
She had saved up Rupees 500 for the date
Lunch wasn't necessary every day, she skipped, saved pennies.
The company provided snacks in the evenings, she gorged!
The dress she'd wear was from the last festival, worn only once.
Rupees 20 haircut, Rupees 10 razor
New look for him; seemed much younger
Rupees 5 Anti-dandruff shampoo and a Rupees 5 deo stick
Rupees 950 remaining
He had written many competitive exams
None of them cleared so far

Her father died untimely, she she had quit studies
She earned while he was still carving his career
The portable water boiler dipped in a bucket
She wanted the water warm to wash the oil on her head
Her aunt was feeling suspicious of the cheerfulness
A friend was forced a fake call inviting her to home
The iron box was a rogue; had to be really careful
Another friend's black jean to go with the blue checkered shirt
Neighbour's borrowed shoe needed a bit surgery
Another Rupees 5 he calculated in mind
She had to change 2 buses to reach the movie theatre
A lunch before the movie and pop corn and soda in the interval
She messaged him 'where are you? '
'I'm in the bus' he texted her back
Finally they met in the parking lot
She was on time, he was late by five minutes
He had to run two blocks, sweat trickling
The bus was late by 10 minutes
He smiled trying, not to pant while speaking
She understood and kept talking
He wanted to hug, she too
The security guard, the hawker on street watching!

The tickets were sold out
250 for 100; 250 for 100
Local goon's assistant sold tickets in black
He bought two, laughed at for asking discount.
Balcony seats drilled serious hole in his pocket.
950 minus 5 for cobbler
Minus 20 for bus
Minus 500 for God damned tickets!
Inside the theatre with Rupees 425
She watched movie
He did permutations
And combinations with money
The movie had same old story
Hero danced and wooed the heroine
Beat up the villains, broke some furniture
They spoke sometimes, held hands always
He had to save 20 for the way back in bus

Interval time... He decided he will walk home.
Popcorn and soda Rupees 250 combo
Soda at Rupees 125; broke as hell! ! !
He gave her the combo
And said he did not like popcorn much
Any ways she offered
Engrossed in action scene he ate more than her
She noticed it and felt more affection for him
What money couldn't buy he compensated with sacrifice
The movie ended on a happy note
The hero; heroine; lived happily ever after
They walked out of theatre.
He looked at her with lots of love
He wanted to hug... She too
Hundreds of them watching

She pulled out a present
A surprise from him very pleasant
She said this is all she could muster
His eyes were almost filling up
He said next time he will buy her a gift
She said she knows it
They bid good bye
And walked their ways
Penniless he had to walk 8 kilometers to home.
She had to change two busses.
While walking he opened the present
Inside was a fake pen of a good brand
Also was a note
And Rupees fifty
'Sign with this when you get by our first job.'
'And, don't walk home! '
She was the one who was actually walking
He had no idea and thought of her all along
She prayed he soon get a job
They were made for each other
He received a text
'Congratulations you have been selected'
'For the role of Second Divisional Clerk'
Some prayers do get answered indeed!