Tarun Patel was a wise man. When he spoke, people listened to him. And so, he chose his words and actions carefully. One day, a rich man came to him for advice. Tarun could tell he was rich by his swagger, and the way he was dressed – not to mention the eighty-foot-long road clogger people called ‘limousines’ he turned up in. This man essentially screamed ‘rob me’, and Tarun sighed inwardly, steeling himself to face another specimen of the most annoying kind of advice-seeker. By the way people ogled and whispered behind this man, and ambushed him for autographs, he figured it was a celebrity. Great. His day just kept getting better and better.The man approached Tarun, and slicked back his already slick hair before speaking.“Mr. Patel, I have heard tales of your…”He spoke in a deep, scented voice. And he wore sunglasses. Ugh. That irked Tarun more. But then, they were probably to protect the man from his own blingy necklaces – Tarun could use them.But he forced a smile and kept listening.“… and I love her, more than anyone or anything. But I must go abroad for a few years on a concert tour, and I fear she will marry someone else – her father will force her to. I need –““So what do you want me to do about it?Tarun finally snapped.“I… I need your advice. Shall I propose to her? I can’t help falling in love with her…” the man said, oblivious to his annoyance.Tarun stopped short, and thought. It was certainly a better question than some celebrities he’d handled. Finally, he said, “Only fools rush in, my good fellow. This choice and this life are yours; you cannot ruin it. If you propose to her, and she agrees, then you will have to stay instead of touring, which could destroy your career. But if you go, you may lose her, which could destroy your heart. What do you chose? Are both not important? If I were in your place, I would propose to her after the tour, and if she loves you as you love her, she will wait. Remember, only fools rush in.”Strangely, the rich man looked crushed. Nonetheless, he bowed, thanked Tarun, and left. Tarun sighed, leaning back in his seat and pondering the intricacies of wisdom and love, and how the two seemed to diverge more often than not. What choice would this man make? He wondered. Would he listen to his heart, that beat with the fresh pangs of youth, rash and innocent, or heed his advice, the musings of a mind wise and worn with experience?Years later, Tarun lay in his rocking chair, feeling himself fading from the world of the living. Beside him, the radio crackled to life with a new song.“Wise men say,Only fools rush in…But I can’t help falling in love with you…”As he recognized the voice, Tarun smiled. He breathed his last, knowing what choice the rich man had made.“Shall I stay?Would it be a sin?For I can’t help,Falling in love with you…”