||VALENTINE'S DAY ||
__________________
I rushed through the gift shop looking for something that she would like. The racks were full of photo frames, red cushions in the shape of hearts, teddy bears and huge cards carrying love messages.
My phone beeped for the 10th time since I had entered the shop. I checked my phone, already knowing what the screen would show.
10 missed calls from her.
I switched off my phone and pushed into my pocket. She would have to wait.
I hurriedly scanned the shelves before my eyes finally rested on the beautiful pendant hanging from a silver chain. She wasn't too fond of jewellery but this particular pendant would only add to her beauty.
I quickly took it to the cash counter and paid for it. I drove out of the parking lot praying that the gift would be enough to satiate her rage considering that it was the first time I had not answered her call.
***
I rang the doorbell with reluctant fingers. She opened the door after a few moments and her gaze seemed to,penetrate me.
"You are late and you have not been answering my calls. May I know the reason?"
"I was out for some work", I fumbled.
"That doesn't explain why you couldn't answer one call and tell me so." She turned around without another word, clearly more angry than she had ever been with me.
I grabbed the chain that I had bought for her and pulled it out of my pocket. I tip toed after her as she entered the kitchen. I stood behind her and slipped the chain around her neck. Her hands reached for her neck and her fingers wrapped around the pendant. She turned around and look at me with tears of joy swimming in her eyes.
"This....Why...."
"Today is valentines day. And whom do I love more than you Maa?"
And the woman who had given birth to me huddled herself into my arms like a child.
"So, will you be my valentine Ma?"
"You're much romantic than your dad ever was", she said laughing through her tears.
~Shreya Barua | The Anonymous Writer
__________________
I rushed through the gift shop looking for something that she would like. The racks were full of photo frames, red cushions in the shape of hearts, teddy bears and huge cards carrying love messages.
My phone beeped for the 10th time since I had entered the shop. I checked my phone, already knowing what the screen would show.
10 missed calls from her.
I switched off my phone and pushed into my pocket. She would have to wait.
I hurriedly scanned the shelves before my eyes finally rested on the beautiful pendant hanging from a silver chain. She wasn't too fond of jewellery but this particular pendant would only add to her beauty.
I quickly took it to the cash counter and paid for it. I drove out of the parking lot praying that the gift would be enough to satiate her rage considering that it was the first time I had not answered her call.
***
I rang the doorbell with reluctant fingers. She opened the door after a few moments and her gaze seemed to,penetrate me.
"You are late and you have not been answering my calls. May I know the reason?"
"I was out for some work", I fumbled.
"That doesn't explain why you couldn't answer one call and tell me so." She turned around without another word, clearly more angry than she had ever been with me.
I grabbed the chain that I had bought for her and pulled it out of my pocket. I tip toed after her as she entered the kitchen. I stood behind her and slipped the chain around her neck. Her hands reached for her neck and her fingers wrapped around the pendant. She turned around and look at me with tears of joy swimming in her eyes.
"This....Why...."
"Today is valentines day. And whom do I love more than you Maa?"
And the woman who had given birth to me huddled herself into my arms like a child.
"So, will you be my valentine Ma?"
"You're much romantic than your dad ever was", she said laughing through her tears.
~Shreya Barua | The Anonymous Writer
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