It was New Year
time! I wasn’t seeing anyone at that time, but I received a big box of
chocolate. Those were actually my favourite! I spent many hours trying to figure
out who had sent me those chocolates. My
ex from a few years ago? The guy I went on a few dates with but petered out? A
secret admirer? And I didn’t want to call up any of these people and ask. Uhh….what
a suspense!
After wondering
for the whole day, in the evening I received a call from my best pal – Zubeen, who
was studying in Delhi.
“Did you like the
chocolates, bestie?”…..and now, I got to know who is the person behind my favourite
chocolates.
“What is this
yaar? You wasted my whole day… I kept thinking who has sent these to me.. kept
wondering who could be my secret admirer…..”
“Arre, without
admiration how can I be your best friend? This is just a trailer dear,…..wait
for few days, a lovely surprise coming with me on the Valentine Day. Can you
come to receive me on the Valentine Day at the airport?”
Huh??? What he was
saying??? He had been my best friend for many years. It’s been three years now
since we are apart, as he had taken admission in Delhi University.
Zubeen’s dialogue
stirred up my mind, excitement and emotion, distracted me from my study, enlivened
my soul, and enthused my eagerness to meet him soon. I started doing self-introspection
– did I admire him, like him, love him, did he really like me, love me, did he
resemble with my dream boy, could I accept him as my boyfriend if he would propose
me on the Valentine day…….And, and… what’s the surprise he would bring with him
on the Valentine day! I was in a confused state, but, I was getting ‘Yes’ in
most of the answers.
Two days left for
the Valentine Day….my exhilaration, yet turmoil in my heart and soul was
accelerating. I bought one bracelet and his favourite candy with my pocket
money. I went to the parlour, did facial and curled my hair as he used to like
curly hair. I planned to go to the airport to receive him in the morning.
14th Feb. 8:30 AM. I was waiting for him in front of the arrival gate. I didn’t know why I was there. Why I was wearing my most favorite, beautiful pink dress…why I was wearing the matching crystal long earrings that dangled and playfully touching my shoulders. Why I tried to make myself beautiful as much as possible!!!! I saw myself in the mirror at least hundred times before coming out from my home.
14th Feb. 8:30 AM. I was waiting for him in front of the arrival gate. I didn’t know why I was there. Why I was wearing my most favorite, beautiful pink dress…why I was wearing the matching crystal long earrings that dangled and playfully touching my shoulders. Why I tried to make myself beautiful as much as possible!!!! I saw myself in the mirror at least hundred times before coming out from my home.
Excitement.
Excitement. Excitement.
It was 9 AM. Oh….
I could see him from far….. He was approaching towards me with a wide smile…..
He was looking bright, fresh…. Yes! I wanted this kinda guy as my boyfriend, my
fiancée, my husband. My heart started beating fast and faster….. I could see
him in a new avatar.
“Heyyyy…….” I couldn’t
realise when he reached me. He hugged me…
“Thanks so much
dear…. You have come. I have a surprise for you….”
He turned back, extend
his left hand to hold the hand of a beautiful girl with long curly hair, who was walking behind
him….
“Hey… meet my
Valentine. We are going around for one
year now…. I wanted to introduce her to you as you are my bestie…”
For a moment, I felt
like Sita (Ramayana)…as if I will plead Mother Earth to open the ground and take
me in her lap…..
But, Voila!!! I realized
next very moment that there were two basement parkings down the airport…..No no
no no….
