The calendar proudly announces Valentine’s day. The love-shops are all decorated with a wide spectrum of cards, flowers, chocolates, and other adorable gifts ready to be given to the beloved ones.
At the end of an odd street, an old man lives with his family in a two-storeyed house, where every day is a struggle for existence.
“Dad, what did you buy for mom today?” asked the running feet.
I bought a grand cake and a beautiful gift from Archies, he replied.
“Mom will be very happy to receive it? Am I right, Dad?”
Off course! said Dad.
The running feet took the stairs down to reach to his world of illusion and stories. With him ran the angel of love stepping down slowly and carefully.
“Today is the day celebrate love. Today is Valentine’s day. Do you know?” asked the running feet. I felt the soft cotton balls are floating all around the room.
“Sorry, dear, we don’t know,” replied his most treasured friend.
“Oh! You don’t know! Today you have to give a gift to your beloved, and that is the tradition. Dad brought a big cake and a beautiful gift for mom.”
The angel looked through the eyes of his friend into the sweet, gentle face of the running feet. The curiosity on his face speaks of happy moments that he will receive from his treasured friends, his old grandparents. The rays of the setting sun illuminating big mahogany bed. The running feet left the room in a hurry.
The old man, who is in his 70’s and his wife in 60’s looked at each other. The old man though, had a love marriage but never been able to say the three sweet words. They liked each other, fallen in unspoken love, and travelled the path of 35 years of togetherness.
The son came in the morning to their room when his mother called him. “Yes, father, you called me?” said the son. “Your father’s medicines need to be bought,” said the old lady.
“You know, mother, it’s the end of the month, and there is a shortage of funds,” replied the son.
“Do you remember, we never had a shortage of money for him in the past and now..” grieved the lady. “Don’t worry, don’t overthink. I am fine. Have faith in our child,” replied the old man.
“Hello, father! Good evening. Here are your medicines.”
Tears rolled down the surprised eyes. Hello Mom, here’s the cake that we will cut together,” said the lady in a beautiful attire.
“Look grandpa; this is the beautiful gift my dad brought for my mom. Isn’t she looking like an angel?
Yes, Of course, she is an angel.
So what have you decided to give to my grandma?
I, too, have decided a wonderful gift, let me bring that for her and then we will cut the cake together,” replied the most treasured friend of the running feet, who is his world of illusion and stories.
He plucked the red rose
Put it on his love’s white bun
Fragrance was his love
© Spondon Ganguli