It's Valentines day once again.
She woke up with memories warm. As a kid, when they didn't know anything about Valentine's Day, her mother said, it was after a saint, who preached love.
She loved to be loved; so she asked her mother, can I be your Valentine ? Her Mom said, most certainly, I love you, with all my heart. After a while, her best friend came along to play with her. She asked him, " can I be your Valentine? He looked a little confused, but when she explained, he said we will be Valentines forever and ever. This thrilled her. They promised eachother to be Valentines for life.
Every year, Falgun would bring something on this special day for her. She would make something special, with her art material and gift him too. This went on through school and college. Everyone knew they were Valentines.
After graduation, Falgun, left Alka behind and proceeded to USA for further studies. They wrote and called regularly, but as often happens, Falgun kept saying he was busy and those much awaited phone calls, became scarce; though, he would always call her on this special day and her birthday.
He called her once, and said he was marrying a foreigner, to obtain citizenship but she would always be his Valentine, his first love. This was disastrous. She went into depression and became an introvert. On next Valentine's Day when he called, Alka's mother picked up the phone and gave him a piece of her mind. She said, he had ruined her daughter's life. He said, "just once, let me speak to her." He told Alka, it was a contract marriage and he would always love her. But Alka was firm, she said, " we must part". And so they did. Yet he would always call her on her Birthday and on Valentine's.
Today, she hoped to get his call. It was almost evening, and he would be calling anytime. Her heart yearned to hear his voice. After all, he was her first and only love. she would wait for months for these two days.
This evening, she was getting impatient, watching the phone and the clock. She held a book but could hardly concentrate. Just then, the door bell rang. She went to answer it, wondering who it could be. When she opened it she saw a huge bouquet of flowers, but couldn't see the face holding it. She hoped, he had sent her these flowers. Out popped a head; and she screamed with joy. Oh no, this can't be true !!! I am imagining things... Am I hallucinating ?
No she wasn't. It was indeed Falgun. They embraced and kissed each other, danced with joy, like little children. After a while, he said, " hello my darling Valentine, are you fine ?".
He then reached his pocket, removed two rings and proposed. Without a second thought, she accepted. It was a solitaire and and eternity band. He said, I was waiting for this day to surprise her. I have decided to now settle down here, with you, in our own country. Will you be my Bride.
In disbelief, she stood dumbfounded. As he looked deeply into her eyes, she nodded and the rings now shone on her beautiful slender fingers. All she could say was, my childhood has returned.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, TO ALL THE LOVERS IN THIS WORLD. KEEP LOVING.
Armin Dutia Motashaw