Valentine's Day is yet far away, howbeit he'll receive it on time only if I send it now. I have already bought the gift, all I need to do is finish writing these cards and then both can be couriered together tomorrow. This is the first Valentine's Day, that I am away from Amit. I have come to Bangalore, to my mom's place for delivery and Amit is in Mumbai.
Valentine's Day is extremely special for us. We met for the first time on this day and our wedding date is also 14th February. I will never forget Amit's affectionate words. He had taken me in his arms and said,
"Amit found his darling Amrita on the day of love. We will get married on Valentine's Day, so this special day will become invaluable for the rest of our lives."
"Honey, why aren't you asleep yet? You should be taking more rest in this condition."
Grandma came to my room with a glass of milk. She kept it on the table, caressed my back and asked,
"What are you doing so late at night?"
"I'm writing cards for Amit."
Grandma laughed and sat on the bed,
"In today's digital age, is the practice of writing cards still going on?"
I turned towards grandma and replied.
"Many may not be doing it. But Amit and I have maintained this as a ritual. For two years before we got married, we used to send letters and cards to each other. It's a lot more satisfying. You can read them time and again and feel special and loved."
I blushed at my own words and grandma smiled.
"Very nice. I'm glad to hear this Amrita."
She got up and was about to leave. Whilst I thought of something and held her hand.
"Mom and Dad still celebrate Valentine's Day. Why don't you and grandpa celebrate it too?"
Grandma took a deep sigh and sat down again.
"Amrita, what do people usually do on Valentine's Day?"
"Ah ... exchange cards, give flowers and basically express their love for each other."
"Valentine's Day is important for you my girl, because you met Amit on that day, and it's also your anniversary."
She touched the braided jasmine flowers in her hair and affixed further,
"Every day is Valentine's Day for us. It's been fifty years since I got married, and not a day has gone by when your grandpa has not brought jasmine flowers for me. He would himself remove the old ones and pin up the new braid in my hair."
I was aware that grandpa brought jasmine flowers braid for grandma every day, but I was surprised to hear that he did it so religiously and since so many years.
"Really grandma!! Has grandpa never forgotten in fifty years?"
Now it was her turn to blush. She was looking so cute when she went pink in her cheeks.
"No dear. Once it was raining heavily, he was late and I began to worry. Later I came to know that the vendor from whom he used to bring flowers everyday, wasn't at his place, so your grandpa went further, somewhere far, to bring from another seller."
"So sweet grandma! You are so lucky. But what about when grandpa went out of town?"
"He had booked a flower girl who would come home and give me the jasmine braids in your grandpa's absence."
"Oh My God!! I definitely need to take love tips from grandpa."
Grandma stood up and patted my back.
"You are just like your grandpa. In today's social media age, haven't you preserved this ritual of exchanging greeting cards? Some old habits are good and maintaining the tradition probably runs in the hereditary of our family."
Grandma took my face in her hands and kissed me on the forehead.
"May God shower his choicest blessings on you and Amit and always keep you happy. Now don't you stay awake. Go to sleep."
So saying, she left. I took a deep breath and stared at the door after her.
"Good night grandma. God bless you and grandpa."
Shamim Merchant, Mumbai
