10 June 2020,

Dear Zindagi Gulzar Hai,

Every person we encounter in life is meant to leave a mark on ours.

When I met Kashaf, she came across as a simple, hardworking, uncommonly tall yet so elegant lower middle class girl, who is the engine of the family. The eldest of the three daughters to a family, whose father remarried just because they were daughters, I found her to be an ultimate epitome of sophistication even amidst all the struggles of her life. She belonged to a dysfunctional family which was very relatable, be it the selfless mother or her amazing sisters who reminded me of the blessings in my life.

The way she won’t tolerate nonsense and diligently work towards her goals, has always kept her different from the rest. She learnt to be on her own at a very young age, always carving her way out and not caring about the so-called society. She realized her familial responsibilities and ensured she was always there for the family, not as the eldest daughter but as the ‘son’ the family never had.

Her distrust on the people was justified to me, in particular, for which she apparently looked no more than a deadpan to the people around. Aloof in her own world and heeding to things that actually matter, she proved a daughter can never be a ‘son’ but more.

She never looked for love and wanted her own world of solitude and peace while not being defined by a someone unknown. She showed me how to be self-reliant and focus on the things at hand. Yet, she didn’t step back when she accepted to marry her complete opposite, Zaroon, a rich carefree yet amazing guy who is the dream boy of every girl out there.

Although she cribbed about everything in life, for life has not been that blissful, she often came across as a negative person. But that doesn’t falsify the fact of what an amazing persona she is. A rarity in this world of pomp and glamour. No wonder a person like Zaroon had to enter her life and be that positive force which transformed her only for good. I admired her only more when she gave importance to personal space and independence in a marriage but yes, I realized, not at the cost of hampering the relationship. Zaroon filled in that aspects of her life which she probably needed – her smile and her all-time person with whom she would spend the rest of her life. The way she evolves with Zaroon by her side, is a true wonder and an inspiration.

We might not know each other, but if ever we met, I want to say ‘Thank you’ for being who you are, Kashaf! ❤

P S – This is the first letter submitted towards the June Letter Writing Challenge. Details here – https://www.instagram.com/p/CBLsJEdldL6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link