14th February, 1999
Getting up in the morning, I don’t even need to glance at the calendar
It is February, the fourteenth
And I had been waiting for this day, for all too long
I look at the pretty gift that I had bought for her
Thinking if I would ever get a chance to give it to her
And then, sneaking out of my room into the living room
Stealthily I approach the phone and ring her up
Wanting to be the first one to wish her ‘Happy Valentine’s day!’
Listening to the ‘beep beep’ on the other side
I am spiraling down an abyss, expecting the worst
Whom is she talking to this early in the morning?
Am I too late? Did some one else ask her out already?
Finally, after trying times innumerable
The ring on the other side was the most welcome sound
But then, I was nervous
What if she is not interested?
“Hello,” her sweet voice on the other side
Made me forget the world
Still a little nervous I wish her and say my thing
She giggles and says, “I had been waiting for you to ask”
14th February, 2029
Getting up in the morning, I glance at the calendar
It is February, the fourteenth
Isn’t this day supposed to mean something?
I try to remember, birthdays… wedding anniversaries…
How much ever I try, nothing comes into my mind
Shaking myself out of my reverie, I rush into the living room
Running all around the house
The Daily morning routine, the chores and the rush
Struggling into my clothes, I take a bite at the breakfast table
And quickly set off to the car
Resting on the dashboard was a large card and a little wrapped package beside it
On a card is a large picture of a basket of red roses
And a ‘Happy Valentine’s day’ written in gold
Crap! I forgot to wish her, let alone buy her a gift or a card
I rush back into the living, where she was struggling with the children
As usual, to get them into their clothes, to feed them
And send them to their destinations on time
I go towards her in a run
She looks up from whatever she is doing
I smile and say my thing
She smiles back and says, “I had been waiting for you to remember”
14th February, 2059
Getting up early in the morning, I try to look at the calendar
It is February, the fourteenth or is it nineteenth?
I rub my eyes and look at it closely
What difference does it make?
Everyday is the same…
I walk into the living room, slowly
Looking around, taking in the quiet of the morning
As usual, I get out and start for my usual walk
Taking in the fresh morning air and rejuvenating myself
I continue walking until I see the young girls next door pass by
They were smiling and seemed pretty excited
They stop to wish me a good morning
And a ‘Happy Valentine’s day!’
Oh! It is Valentine’s Day today
I forgot to wish her, as always
I go back home, and say my thing before I forget
In my haste I forget to notice that she is not wearing her hearing aid
She looks at me blankly and says, “Why do you always forget your glasses at home
And now, you grumble. I was worried sick myself and was waiting for you to come back.”
