Valentine’s day…Now and Then…

14^th 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”

14^th 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”

14^th 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.”