Men of my life (or 10 cities I wont forget)

Charming you with his sweetness, active yet laidback, he flirts with you like a teenage boy. With a smile on his seemingly innocent face, yet laughing at you with his mischievous eyes, Bangkok floors you fair and square. And although you will never pine for that teenage love again, you will never forget him either.

Loud, impatient, rude and overwhelming. Calcutta is almost the bad guy. Till you realise that he has a soul. One which underlines everything else that seems disturbing about him. He will leave you shocked, no doubt. And you wont know whether to hate him or like him. Trouble is, you never can decide.

San Francisco is the good friend you could get used to. Friendly, vivacious, warm. He always has a word to say and a ear for you. A stranger you became so comfortable with, you never realised how quickly you liked him. You do consider loving him, but then you'd rather keep him as a friend you can come back to anytime.

In his colourful sarong and tanned torso, Langkawi is the fling you cant resist. He looks good, he smiles well, and he puts you at ease. From the moment you set your eyes on him, you know you will fall. And then, you will have to let go. And you do let go, taking just memories of him with you. No regrets. Just memories.

He is the man of your dreams, and you know it is not for real once you meet him. Darjeeling. He is so perfect, that you are happy that atleast you dreamt about him. An old-world charm intertwined with aristocracy and pure beauty, he is the poster on your wall. The smile on your face. The perfect-10 list in your head.

Cape Town is your charming dinner date. He knows the right weather, the right wine and the right words to keep you entertained. He might leave you a little chilly at night, but it is all worth it, just to see the peaceful sunrise with him. He has his flaws which you can see, but you cant help ignoring them, for the goodness that is the rest of him.

Smartass, cocky, arrogant. You dont like men who play hard to get. That is him, New York. You run after him, trying to get a hand on his pulse. After a long chase, the glamour and pace gives way, and you might even begin to enjoy his company. But you cant help asking yourself, is he worth the effort?

He seems harmless at first, but before you know it, Hong Kong has pulled you into his whirlwind of passion, life and purpose, and it is one hell of a roller-coaster ride. He is the love you almost had. The one you almost settled down with. But he is a wild card. A storm you cant tie down. And so, you must move on.

The sauve, yuppy and impressive gentleman. Bangalore is the man who will charm your senses, enliven you with his youth and leave you satisfied and happy. He might not have a legacy to speak of, but he will convince you that his future will compensate for it. You can risk falling for him. After all, he seems so likeable.

Sensible and mature. You sometimes wonder if those words infact mean boring and predictable. But Singapore is the guy you bring home to meet your parents and they approve of. And you think... perhaps it isnt such a bad choice. After your wild youth has become a story in your journal, you might consider settling down with him. Comfortably. Eventually. Some day.


Credits: Inspired by Queer and her cities, her men and her woman.