Even in love's name, never tell me to become you! I am simply myself! Let me remain myself, never force me to become you!
Perhaps you love roses, but accept this too— I don't love flowers at all! That one must love flowers— I've never lived with such a vow upon my head. Not everyone in this world lives loving flowers, some live loving stones instead.
The childish grammar of pulling roses close and pushing stones away— I've never followed it, don't follow it now, never will tomorrow. Roses are precious—I'll pay the price only if I'm ready and willing!
Perhaps you think rising early from sleep is status; know for certain— I gave up staying awake at night long ago.
Perhaps you're used to English songs or never listen to music at all, but let this not mean you'll suddenly stop me when I'm listening to my favorite song!
Maybe you love chatting endlessly with friends, still, let me be alone for a while. Not everyone drowns in loneliness when left alone, many still live talking to themselves— look around and see.
Perhaps you prefer seeing women in saris, salwar-kameez, or covered in burqas. But never stop me from wearing shirts and pants, jeans and blouses, for these are my favorite clothes. This is how I feel most comfortable.
Never mistakenly think your wish is my wish— even a devoted dog has its own desires! Each person's wishes are different, every wish is beautiful, natural, true—remember this.
Learn to respect my different desires. Never think of yourself as my guardian, think only as a friend. In truth, each person's real guardian is themselves. I expect friendship from you, not guardianship.
Never force me to live by your rigid rules of life. And if you can't help it despite trying hard, then why not stay a little distance away from me? Willful distance is more peaceful than tyrannical closeness.
Never poison my life to meet your personal needs. I respect all your personal needs only as long as they don't turn my life into a valley of death. I wasn't born to dance as a puppet to your wishes.
Yes, if you have opinions, you can share them with me, on the condition that you won't mistakenly force me to follow them. For I too have opinions, I too have beloved philosophies of living, just like you, I too know how to respect myself.
The way you live your life— just as I have no trouble accepting it, in the same way, let me arrange my life as my heart desires.