14th February, Valentine's Day. WOW. (I wonder at times, why, when I mean to utter a WOW, what manages to come out of my mouth is a sigh!) I bet the majority of the people out there must be having a fabulous time. Just looking (read peeping) over my cup of coffee, I can spot a lady-in-red and a gentleman in black sitting doing nothing. Oh no! They are surely doing something, they are actually staring in each other eyes. God! Don’t they ever get bore. I mean no offence but look for yourself, there are hundred of thousands of much-better things you can do sitting in a nice café with your steaming cappuccino in front of you. Like right now, I’m envying other ladies all in red and terribly missing that drop dead gorgeous red dress I spotted a few days back. As the dress appears gradually on the sharp-pixel screen of my memory not missing even the minutest of its details, I come to remember my new motto which is, obviously, not AS SEEN ON TV but on the contrary, AS READ in Sophie Kinsella’s ‘Shopaholic’ series. The proud letters; ”buy only what you want”. And by the way, what the fuss is all about. Obviously I happen to be much informed that love is in the air. It's Valentine’s Day. All you can see are the cutest possible stuffed bears with red hearts hanging round their necks claiming “I'M ALL YOURS” (sounds a bit ... ahem. leave), delicious and erasing-every-moment-of-that-horrible-jog-in-the-morning nut chocolates all wrapped in the fragilest of golden paper, glossy and glittery greeting cards, red roses and (OH! why they just can't put that dress somewhere inside the store. That mannequin always manages to find me some how) .. and of course red outfits.
Well, I've no evil intention of being a wet blanket so I will certainly non be lecturing on the "bad things" the celebration of this day is spreading in our too-innocent-to-understand society. What I wonder at times is the fact that why do people have to make IT so public. I mean if there is something, Okay. Its not “thing”, kindly don't shout. I mean if there is some relationship between two people, then does it require the above-mentioned accessories (costly too) to make it a public affair.
What I believe is that giving this day a personal and deeply-felt-down-somewhere-in-my-heart touch is a much better (and recommended) way to celebrate the day. Relationships don't need they-will-surely-melt-his/her-heart accessories to prove your emotions and feelings. What they do need is just a little understanding, respect, concern, care and consideration for the other. Giving away cards and roses on one particular day of year and remaining on the nerves of your other for the rest of 364 days is, after all, no justice.
Instead of dressing (red color don't suit me at all) gorgeously, putting nice jewelry and making it out for a lavish dinner why don't just remain dressed in your favorite worn out t-shirt, prepare a quick, half-burnt meal for you two and lie lazily on the been bags in the lounge. Watch some evergreen romantic flicks. Recommendations are Gone With the Wind or When Harry Met Sally. If you’re more into Indie tear jerkers, indulge yourself with Karan Johar. Personally, I believe the best thing to do on this day is to talk. Talk your heart out with your soul mate. Think for yourself, how much time you two have in the normal routine days of your life to share things and to talk. Returning from job (or campus, as the case my be) after being struck in the traffic for 2 hours (if you luckily happen to be a Karachiite), none of you wants to talk. Workplace tensions, frustrations and Monday-is-the-dead-line kind of pressures is what on your minds round the clock. So why not make for all those depression-oriented weeks, days and nights now on this day. Its the day to celebrate the bond, rather the very special and fragile-and-strong-at-the-same-time kind of bond you two share.
So this year, forget the extravagance, gloss, laces, pearls, chiffons, candles, caviars and champagnes. Let the menu for today be a ready-made-bought-at-the-super-market pizza and a huge bowl of ice cream with plastic spoons pooped on the top. Get your DVD in action and plan what is the latest you’ve to discuss. Some gossip you come to know about that long legged secretary of your boss or a new road side thella near your office selling the best of chaat and gool gappas in town. Try to be witty and thoughtful, bring into the conversation that recent conflict you two have had over the choice of furniture for bedroom. Talk over endless cups of coffee till the dawn and feel the lightness of your heart and soul for yourself. 100% satisfaction and complete elimination of even the slightest of grudges guaranteed. Happy planning for the big day.
