It takes two to tango...

“So Chitra, what special today?”

Not even bothering to look up from my monitor, I half-heartedly replied “Ummmmm” to Var’s question.

“Chitraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa........”

Since I was quite familiar with Var’s tantrums, I did not even check the crack in the roof before turning away from my PC, which I had been peering into for some time.

“Yeah.....what was the question?” even though I had heard it the first time.

Var gave an exasperated look which spoke volumes and repeated the question “I asked ki tum aaj kya kar rahi ho?”

“Hmmmmm…. nothing…. absolutely nothing! Why? Anything special today?” was my counter-question.

“WHAT?” Var’s response could have brought the (cracked) roof down ! “Arrey Chitra, aaj Valentine’s day hain. How can you forget it?”

“Oh yesssssssssss.....” I drew the last word out. How could I forget it? My day started with phully mushy-mushy songs, all thanks to Radio City. I was still reeling under the after-effects of Adnan Sami’s “Kabhi To Nazar milaaon”.

Var was still expecting some answer. Okay.... grapple the bull by its horns....so “Meri chod. Tu bataa. What are you doing?”

It was as if he was waiting for this question – “A surprise gift followed by a candle-light dinner with my wife” was the beaming reply. By then Tu and Roh had joined in and conversation shifted to other topics.

But this sparked off the usual question(s) – why all this hype and hoopla surrounding Valentine’s Day? Why this need for ‘undying’ declarations and avowals of love on this particular day? Is it all that is needed to sustain a relationship between a committed couple?

Radio City (once again) had hosted interviews with a few couples on air on the pretext of Valentine’s day. Initially, I found the discussions a bit too immature for my taste. “I love her because I love to look at the various expressions flitting across her face.” Well.... I can say the same to my pet cat too :) !!

But the conversation of a particular couple who had been married for around 15 years got me hooked. They had never seen each other; their only means of contact being letters (mind you, no mobiles during that time). “In our relationship, gestures, however small, go a long way – an smile, a gaze, a touch. True, they are not as sentimental as flowers or chocolates. But then we do not need them” (I remember writing this down :)...). No giggling, no hiccupping laughs, no boisterous conversation – just quiet, straightforward replies which carried their love across tangibly.

It reminded me a lot of what I had written a few weeks back !

My friend Sree once let me in on this -

“I wanted to be in love cause I felt that I will be doing a mistake if I let my parents decide who they want for me. I felt that what happens to all my wishes and freedom and all. To tell you the truth, even in love, we compromise; we give up something we love. I gave up music, writing, reading, tropical, ice cream, food and lots of others. Truth is that I was scared when I started this relationship ’cause I was scared of all relationships. I LOVE to be free. I can’t stand if anyone is going to stop me from being free. I do get upset at times, angry at times and hell frustrated at times. But at the end of the day, what is life if we can’t give up on something to achieve something else....”

These words struck a chord somewhere deep inside me so much that I actually remember blinking away tears on reading this !! And no, I am not usually this emotional :) !!

But ya…..there was one common thread which I gleaned –

Everyone has the ability to love. Few people have the courage to express it. And very few people have the conviction to keep it alive.The hardest part is commitment.....and that takes time.