Valentines Day

"Where the hell have you been the entire day Rahul? I called you 5 times and you did not answer even once. No callback, no reply to my messages? What the hell is wrong with you?" shouted Nidhi in utter frustration. "I am so sorry, my super boss was here the entire day and was really occupied in a series of meetings. Did not have time even for food." was his reply. "You just don't care anymore Rahul and I too have feelings, remember?!" Saying this she hung up. Rahul, who was driving on his way back home called her back repeatedly but she would just not pick up!!

Rahul and Nidhi had first met each other in college, almost 6 years ago. They had instantly kicked off and it was Valentine's day of 2011 when he had proposed her at Madras Cafe over a lunch date. And Nidhi, who also was madly in love with him had instantly said yes. Years passed by and their relationship kept on evolving and became stronger. After completing their education, they both got respective jobs kilometers apart.

"Rahul, I won't be able to make it today. Please don't sulk and make it difficult for me" said Nidhi while jostling around her mails and excels. It was a college reunion and all their batch-mates had planned a Night out. "You always do this Nidhi..always. what will I say to them? After so much planning, we have finalized the  plan, and now you just don't have time!!!!" Rahul shouted in frustration. "You also do the same Rahul, Anyway you will have fun. Bye" came to her curt response.

Things between them had been somewhat like this for a year. Both had been growing in their respective careers and taking time out was proving to be difficult. Rahul knew this fact deep down and wanted to improve their current relationship status, but Nidhi was somewhere done with him.

"Are you sure you will pick me up at 9 in the morning?? And that you won't have an urgent meeting as always?" smirked Nidhi."It is Karan's wedding and you know how close he is to us. You be ready by 8 sharp. Will be there " said Rahul. It was their best friend Karan's wedding at Pune and both of them had planned to go there together. "What do you mean you can't come? To hell with your meeting Rahul, it is Karan's Wedding. Wait, in fact, to hell with you actually" was Nidhi's reply when she read Rahul's message that she had received at 2:20 in the morning, "Baby, I am really really sorry, just got a message from my boss about a client visit at our Nashik site. I wanted to say no to him but could not as you know how tough times have been at work. Sorry babe, you go ahead and have fun. And ya...Miss me" 

Nidhi did go to the wedding but did not enjoy the occasion. Days and months passed by and their commitments had taken a huge toll on their 6-year-old relationship. Both had realized this, but they were trying...perhaps trying too hard!!

Rahul had always tried hard to rekindle the spark but had always fallen short. Nidhi on the other hand had by now given up!! "Hey, what's your plan this Friday?" asked Rahul." Nothing. The same old routine... office and home. Why?" she asked. "I will pick you up at 6 then, from your office. Be there on time" came an excited reply from Rahul. "I sure will, but I don't think you will... as usual Rahul" came a reply from Nidhi who was genuinely disinterested.

It was Valentines Day, 6 years since Nidhi had said yes. Rahul wanted to make amends and wanted to make her feel the way... he felt for her. He had a few things planned for the day and was eagerly waiting for the day. Nidhi on the other end was pretty clear. After a lot of introspection and confusion, she had made up her mind to take a break from the relationship. She was about to do that on Valentine's day!!

"Hey, my beautiful. Long time" said Rahul with a hug to Nidhi who had just stepped out from her office. The drive from her office at BKC to Madras Cafe took almost an hour filled with awkward silence and weird smiles. While Rahul was planning his ideas as to how he would make her realize once again that she is special to him, Nidhi on the other hand was building up sentences that would tell Rahul about the break, without hurting him.

Soon they were there... Madras Cafe, the place where Rahul had got down on his knees 6 years ago. They sat on the very same table and luckily for them, the place wasn't crowded. "Nidhi" said Rahul holding her hands, "I know I have not been able to spend time with you over the past year. But you have been a great support. It was you who made me do what I did and it is you who makes me be me even today." Looking straight into her eyes. "From the moment 6 years ago, when this idiot asked you a question and you said yes, to this day, my life has altered Nidhi and I am grateful for that" She was just smiling. The first thing he sneaked out from his bag was a shirt,"You remember this shirt, this was the first-ever gift that you had given to me. It does not fit me anymore but it will always be there..because..." said Rahul. "Also this watch...Haha, that has my face in it. I wore it for 4 long years and I just love it, because you love it Nidhi" he said now getting a bit emotional not because of the moment but because of the memories that they had had.

"From the first time since you held my hand to sneaking out at night during our college days to me meeting your parents and here we are Nidhi!!! Your Rahul would not have been Rahul without you" saying that he got down on his knees. "I love you Nidhi, Do you love me" he asked while taking out the Orchids that he had hidden behind. Nidhi had always loved Orchids.

She was teary-eyed. Within minutes Rahul had made her relive the last 6 years of their relationship and was speechless."You know Rahul, I had come here to tell you that things between us aren't the same and we, rather our relationship needs a break. But I guess I was so wrong" She said with teary eyes and an apologetic smile. "Break?" Came a sudden reaction from Rahul who was still on his knees."No Rahul. Not that way. Just with the things that have been happening since the last 1 year. Anyway it was not about you...it was about me" she said smiling while wiping her tears. Rahul got up and held her hand, "It was never about you or me, It will always be about Us" he said smilingly. 

"Anything else that you want to order sir?" asked the waiter which brought him back to his senses 3 years later...on Valentines Day..."No, Bill please" he said hardly audible. He was all alone. There was no Nidhi on the other side of the table. Rahul had been coming to Madras cafe all alone for the last 3 years. Sitting at the same table on every Valentines day, he felt her in front of him, he spoke with her and perhaps relived all those memories over and over again.

Nidhi had died 3 years back in a road accident. And Rahul was still searching the US amidst Him and Her!!!