i met this person yesterday. we got talking. about farida khanoum and abida parveen, rumi and ghalib.

he said that in all of their poems, their shaayris, their songs, one never knows whether the 'aap' they use is in reference to God or their lover.

it's hidden deep in their eloquent language and graceful flair. one can only make an educated guess. their secrets go with these poets to their graves.

i then talked about rumi and his best friend who was rumi's daughter, kimaya's flame.

my new friend laughed and said, "there were no friends. only lovers..."

i smiled at the truth of that.