Journey Of Many Desires
Outlook|August 11, 2023
The heart sees beauty, kindness, courage and compassion in more than one person and desires to connect with them
Journey Of Many Desires

"I am polyamorous.” A simple response to a question about my ‘status’ has created much disturbances, albeit whispered. Once a not-so-young gent on a date scuttled away leaving his bill for two white wines on me! But that was a lesser evil considering the other upheavals included murmurs about nymphomania and warnings regarding occultpractising Bengali women turning men into sheep via the Kamakhya route.

Yes, it hasn’t been easy living as a polyamorous woman but then, when has love ever been painless—mono, triangular or poly! To those who keep asking me whether I miss the speculative insurance of a single partner and their undying loyalty, on good days, I say that love and life give only hope and never guarantees. On bad days, I remind them of all the cheaters caught late and the dead gone early, taking with them all promises of togetherness. The polyamorous me on any given day feels as lonely or loved as any other person—the difference being that we are more realistic about loneliness as an experience of life than those who believe in one-true-love Qayamat se Qayamat Tak-type popular storytelling.

This story is from the August 11, 2023 edition of Outlook.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 11, 2023 edition of Outlook.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM OUTLOOKView All
The Muslim Question
Outlook

The Muslim Question

In the time of polarisation politics and othering, how to respond to the banality of hate?

time-read
7 mins  |
May 11, 2024
Voters' Cold Wave
Outlook

Voters' Cold Wave

Heat wave, voter apathy and cyclic migration are blamed for the poor voter turnout in Bihar. Political parties are clueless about what impact will it have on election results

time-read
9 mins  |
May 11, 2024
Occupy Ivy League
Outlook

Occupy Ivy League

Students protesting in American universities are asking the US government to rethink its policy towards Israel

time-read
5 mins  |
May 11, 2024
Left Side Story
Outlook

Left Side Story

Personal attacks, lower voter turnout and the BJP’s determined campaigning: how has Kerala voted this time?

time-read
5 mins  |
May 11, 2024
Across the Pir Panjals
Outlook

Across the Pir Panjals

The newly carved-out constituency of Anantnag-Rajouri is set to witness a very close contest

time-read
4 mins  |
May 11, 2024
Gashes in the Red Sand
Outlook

Gashes in the Red Sand

Residents of the tribal district of Gadchiroli resist development models that destroy the environment

time-read
8 mins  |
May 11, 2024
When Taps and Hope Run Dry
Outlook

When Taps and Hope Run Dry

Peaking water scarcity and pervasive groundwater contamination have increased migration from many districts of Rajasthan.

time-read
5 mins  |
May 11, 2024
Pilgrim's Politics
Outlook

Pilgrim's Politics

Two-time MP from Varanasi, Narendra Modi, is sculpting the eternal city in his image

time-read
10+ mins  |
May 11, 2024
Under The Model Town
Outlook

Under The Model Town

Muslim ghettos in Ahmedabad are dilapidated and neglected

time-read
8 mins  |
May 11, 2024
The Master Strategist
Outlook

The Master Strategist

The Assam chief minister enjoys popularity both as an administrator and a politician despite his relentless anti-Muslim rhetoric

time-read
6 mins  |
May 11, 2024