Open for (Mis)Interpretations

Misinterpretation is a pervasive phenomenon of social life, sometimes with serious consequences. It is especially hazardous in high-stake events, for instance in the legal system.

When we read a book, we hold a person’s life in our hand. Though the author tries to put his/her thoughts and feelings into words, it is not always possible to see into the emotions and thought process of the other person; hence the words are likely to be misinterpreted.

Even though we explain ourselves in simple words, the other person may have a different interpretation of what those words mean. For example, when a man says to a woman after a date, “I’ll call you later.” he is speaking very plain and simple English, but what he meant and what she understood could be two completely different things. The man “knows” what he means and the woman “knows” something else. We misinterpret because we assume that another person has the same meaning for words that we have, but they don’t.

She suffered from a similar episode when he figured out that she was in love. He also learned that she has known him for three years but during this time, they never met. They spoke a few times and she felt that he was a wonderful person. He gathered a few more hints but he never tried to relate them to himself. Instead he kept looking for the signs around him.

On his birthday, she designed a beautiful card for him but he didn’t acknowledge. Perhaps, he didn’t like her gesture of designing the card for him.

He kept to himself mostly but one fine day, he decided to leave a message for her.

“Isn’t it plain common sense that getting emotionally involved with someone who does not reciprocate and with whom one has not spent time developing a real relationship is stupidity?”

She had a mighty laugh. Then she realized he seriously had no clue she was in love with ‘him’. She didn’t know how to react.

“Yes, I think you’re right! It’s insane to love someone who doesn’t reciprocate. I shouldn’t be loving you.” She thought. She had lost her mind or was she coming back to her senses. I bet on the former. She wondered if she had the right to kiss his forehead before giving up on ‘the insanity’.

PS. The purpose of my blog is not to glorify my love or for him to read, it is just to express my feelings which I can’t really share with anyone because like you, none of my friends understand how I feel about him. I can’t even mention his name to anyone. Perhaps they all are right, including you.

Cruella de Vil - You are saved already but I am not coz I haven’t found ‘you’ yet. If you still don’t get it, you're the one I'm in love with... you're my ‘wonderwall’. I can identify your writing style in a thousand scripts. And your constructive feedback is welcome, anytime.