Today I made a terrible mistake!
My wife has gone to “mayke” i.e. Her father’s place at Patiala. Instructions are to ring her up- every morning- without fail – and report everything happening around me.As usual I rang up today also.
“Gooood morning -How are you? Kya ho raha hai? It has been raining in Delhi for last two days…is it raining at Patiala? Papa kaise hain ? etc. etc.etc… the usual stuff every day.
The routine over I said OK Yaar…I am getting late for the office…and see you tomorrow.
She asked ” Aur Kuch ?”
“Aur Kuch nahin…was my response.
“Aur batao ”
“Aur kya bataun ?”
“Kuch Kahna hai ?”
“Nahin kuch nahin kahna”
Though both of us were on mobile I felt as if the phone was banged….I started wondering….her birthday? Our anniversary ?
I checked out on everything.
What was I missing?
My mobile rang…. it was her call…
“Aaap ko kuch kahna hai “?
“Yaar kya kahoon? It is not your birth day…it is not our anniversary…..is it your Papa’s birth day “?
Answer was a short “No”
A Street dog named “Changa” by her father is a permanent fixture outside her Papas home at Patiala….Her father feeds the dog regularly …..Though her papa is not well and is hospitalized….”Change ko Khana diya? doodh diya?” is his constant refrain…
Jokingly I asked her ” yaar aaj Change ka birthday to nahin hai ?
This time phone was banged real hard.
I raked my brain….but could not remember anything…I decided to proceed to office thinking what ever it is I will come to know eventually as the day proceeds …Just as I was leaving the door bell rang…there was a courier for me…
” Jagdip Rana aap hi hain kya ”
” Aap ke liye ye gulab ke phool bheje hain….
It was sure it was not my birthday… why flower for me ?
I took the flowers…there was a card on it….it said
“Happy Valentine’s Day- Your girl friend”
Now I knew what my fault was.
Hurriedly I rang up Patiala…
“Happy Valentine’s Day ”
“Phool mil gaye?”
“Oh yes Thank you ”
“Kaise Hain”?
“Oh … they are wonderful….really good…thank you”
“I am asking kaise hain- which colors?”
I had not paid attention at the colors….I had a careful “deko” at the flowers and informed her that they were of three colors red-yellow and white.
“Do you know why I have sent roses of three colors on this special day? ”
I had a sense being trapped again….I really had no clue.
I tried to answer “Yaar white means peace in family….red means…gulabli like your lips….and yellow means…and yellow means…and yellow means .I could not think of any thing….
And phone was banged once again.
Why three color roses ? For god’s sake how I was to know ? And why?
If you ask me Valentine’s Day is about celebration of love….but why only love between couples only? I love my friends,kids,family and whole lot of others….why not wish them also ?
And what about those who are single?
Those who do not have a Valentine to wish ? No celebrations for them ? My suggestion to them is that you are your own valentine… Give yourself a special treat. Buy yourself a nice gift…a dress you always wanted to buy…a perfume you love…or just shut yourself in your room …with a “do not disturb sign” and read your favorite book, enjoy music or your favorite movie …or have a drink… have your favorite food home delivered..
Or just take a chill-pill and sleep for 24 hours straight….. Have a life !!!
And why such huge commercialization of love ? Why I must spend money on cards and flowers and whatever to say “I love you”. Can’t it be done without spending money? Why cant you go to your wife and say “OK dear…on this special day I have decided that I will serve you bed tea (bad tea?) Everyday of the year or I will help you with cooking and dish washing ”
Isn’t this better way of saying I love you? Why not celebrate love …24 X 7 X 365…. through out the year? Why wait for Valentine’s Day?
Mean while I have to find out about significance of three color roses before the next phone call….. Can you help me ???
Oh…forgot to wish you a happy valentine day….I hope you were not in a soup like me….
jagdiprana 
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