Valentine's Day: A Story Of Love

Today is the day I have been waiting for the whole month. Today was the day of Love. Love which is the most purest form of magic. I woke with a smile on my face. I was beyond ecstatic. Humming the lyrics of my favorite song I got ready for the day. 

Taking a shower I dressed up while preparing, of how to finally express my undying love to the woman who had brightened my life in front of the mirror.

"Hi- nope to casual."

"Why hello- now it is to formal." 

Or at least tried to...

Going into the kitchen I prepared her favorite meal, Biryani. I was pretty sure it happened to be her love. She is such a big foodie. Laughing to myself to continued preparing Biryani remembering all those good memories of ours

Flash back 

Oh my god! she screamed when I had covered her in flour being mischievous.

"That's it you are so dead. Come back here." I was laughing while she came running after me.

"Well too bad. Catch me first!" I taunted her and ran away.

Chuckling to myself I set up the food along with fruits and water in the basket. It would be a picnic I had decided what could be more better than it after all. Going down the street I stopped at the flower shop.

Looking in I could see many people buying roses, bouquets of flowers. Apparently I wasn't the only one on the mission. Entering the shop I could practically sense love in the air. Walking down the aisle I found a small bouquet that caught my eye. Small and simple and yet too cute the she way she liked.

Buying the bouquet and leaving extra change at the counter. I continued my journey down the busy streets that seem to have come alive along with the youthful energy filling it. The musicians playing soft music people dancing to song. It seemed as if I stepped right into a fairy tale. Stopping for a while I breathed in to calm the ever-growing excitement.

Today would be perfect, I was now sure of it. All the signs seemed to be pointing that way. Stopping at auto stop. I took an auto, moving closer and closer to my destination.

My heart was beating faster and my hands getting all sweaty. 

"Are you ok sir?" asked the driver looking quite amused. 

Breaking my trail of thoughts I replied "Yes I am." Apparently I was resembling a kid on his toughest exam he had to appear for.

"That would be 30 Rupees sir." said the driver whilst parking the auto at roadside.

"Thanks Bhaiji." I replied while getting off the auto.

"Sir don't mind but are you sure this is the place?" He asked me nervously as if afraid I might burst out.

Putting my hand on his shoulder I replied, "Definitely." With that I continued towards the cemetery.

Yes my friend, you heard it right. Sighing I entered the graveyard my feet moving on their own towards the all-too-familiar place. I stopped in front of the tomb.

On which it was written,

Here lies Mrs Maria a daughter, a mother and a friend. You will be missed my dear.

I noticed wetness on my cheeks I raised my hands to my face to realize I was shedding tears.

Taking a deep breath I began in a shaky voice "Ma Happy Valentine's Day. I know I am a bit too late but look I am here!" I tried to act cheerful but couldn't even fool myself.

Taking out the stuff from my picnic basket I sat down and continued rambling on " Look I even made your favorite dish. I finally learned to cook Ma. I-I a-am s-so-sorry Ma." 

I cried out loud not caring what the world would think of a grown up man wailing like a baby. Like a baby calling out for his mother. But alas! The mother wasn't there to wipe away his tears.

Shaking both physically and mentally, I took deep breaths to calm myself from having a mental breakdown.

As soon as I calmed I continued what I had to say. 

"Ma I am sorry for not realizing your worth when you were there. I took you for granted. I am sorry I truly am. I neglected you and your needs when you needed me but now when you left me forever I realized what you truly were to me. You were the woman who brought me to this world, my teacher, my first friend and the person who actually taught me about true love, a selfless true love. While I was busy looking for love all around the world I never realized it had always been with me whole this time."

Taking out the small bouquet I placed it front of her tomb as continued on, " You were there for me when no one was, you believed in me when no one did and yet I never even said a thank you. Ma today I here convey my love to you even if it is too late, even if you can't see or hear it. Ma I LOVE YOU."

With that I left the cemetery wiping my tears on the way out.

Present Day

Josh what do you think we should name our daughter asked my wife holding our precious daughter, without even a thought I replied,

"Maria"