Perfect DATE!

Music was loud; everywhere I could see neon lights flashing along with the music. Everyone around was dancing. No one was dancer over there but, just moving their bodies for the beats. I was buzzed, so were my friends. I and my friends were in disco. It was Saturday night after all.

The clock showed 11:59:50 pm. DJ stopped the music for announcement. He started the count down raising his both hands. He shouted  10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1,0 “Happy Birthday GAUTAM! This song is dedicated to you from a very special person”; he said and played, “My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion” as requested by my girlfriend.

I hugged her tight and thanked for the wonderful night. Everyone around wished me. It was a surprise party planed by my girlfriend but of course I had guessed it. I thanked everyone and drank more whisky. I was completely boozed off and was acting weird. My friends asked me to stay in their apartment but I went home, since my mom was not at home, that day as she had some plans with her friends.

It was 10 in the morning and my head was feeling damn heavy, as it would happen after such nights in club. I was not able to recall how I reached my home in that condition. I got up from the bed and sat on the couch holding my head with the hand; All of a sudden my mom entered my room with the mocking face, she kept the painkiller and a glass of water on the table. I was surprised to see my mom as I had thought she would be returning in the evening. With the scared face I asked my mom, “You had told you will be returning today evening, how come you came so early”

Without answering my mom slammed the door and left the room saying “consume the tablet”.

From my mother’s reaction it was clear to me that she had come to know about the last night party. I took the tablet and went to freshen up. I was guilty; I had promised my mom that I won’t drink much. Obviously she was angry on me and I had to convince her now. All I need is a piece of cake to convince my mother. She seems like a strict person but in fact she very kind hearted.

I walked like a cat to the kitchen without making any noise and hugged my mom from behind. She got scared and bet me with the wooden spoon that she was holding in her hands on my head. Bang! The spoon hit my eye. Ouch! I shouted. Instead of caring me, my mom started beating me more with the same spoon and yelling at me. I was jumping around and trying to escape from her beats. I was apologizing meanwhile. She didn’t stop at last she got tired and stopped running behind me. Both of us were breathing hard and sat on sofa. Silence ran through the house, after a while we started laughing seeing each other.

I took that as an advantage and laid my head on mom’s lap. I always love to sleep on my mom’s lap; it gives me an immense peace. She started caressing my hairs asking me why I always trouble her. I gave a devil smile. Now it was the perfect timing to ask my question again.

“Mom is anything wrong? Why did u return so early?”

With no answer she dropped my head on sofa and went back to kitchen. I was surprised by what I saw next. Mom was holding a cake for me. I understood she had planned a surprise for me at home. I felt guilty for disappointing her.

I hugged mom and said “I am sorry for spoiling your surprise for me”.

She gave a mocking smile and said “it’s okay”

I and my mom are the best buddies. My dad passed away when I was 10 due to a heart attack. It was my mom who took all the responsibilities about me. My parents had love marriage and both of them loved each other unconditionally. Mom was the most beautiful girl in her college and dad was a hero of his time. I respected and loved them a lot. Even though she missed him a lot but never let me miss him. My life was perfect.

She kissed my forehead blessing me with tremendous happiness. “Tinku, you completed 25 years today. Please marry one girl and free me from your tortures” said mom with a sarcastic smile on her face.

Though I had completed 25 years my mom still used to call me with my nick name. She knew about all my relations in the past and always scolded me for breaking up. I was puzzled! I knew her very well. It sounded fishy to me and asked her the real intension for her statement.

“You remember my friend Jaya; her son is engaged and getting married this august”, said mom.

I asked, “so what?”

With calm voice she said, “He is younger than you and so is Maya’s daughter”

“Oh! So Jaya and Maya aunties were the culprits who had filled her ears”, I said to myself.

To escape from that situation I faked the call from my friend, touched my mom’s feet for blessing and I got out of house. Moment passed!

It was 3 in the afternoon and had told “Mi” to get ready. Her parents had given her a nice name called Lakshmi (Goddess of Beauty), but I love to call her as Mi. It was a surprise for her that I have planned. I informed her that we are going somewhere and it’s an emergency.

I picked her from the home and told her not to ask anything. I had booked two tickets for a romantic movie which she was eagerly waiting for. It is the movie of Jackie Shroff, great actor. I still wonder her taste being a die hard fan of him. The movie was ended at 7 PM and she felt very happy after watching her hero on screen. She asked the reason for the surprise.

I replied “It’s not over yet and you have to obey my orders”.

On the way in the car, I played some classic romantic songs. She pushed her seat back and was enjoying her favorite collection of songs and singing along with it. I saw her blooming face, she seemed relaxed and happy. I felt glad to see her smiling. We were headed to lake where I had booked a 2 décor boat for us. We had to take motor boat to reach over there. We were welcomed by a big gang of guys who were well-groomed with black suit and red tie. We stepped inside the boat.

The boat was filled with orange colored tube lights which gave an illusion of candles. He directed towards the table arranged for us. The table was covered by white cloth with hearten design on its border. On the table there was a golden lady statue. The lady was in dancing pose having one hand in air and another on her waist. The hand in air was used as the candle holder. The candle was lit, along with brightness it was illuminating flower fragrance. Classic music was playing at the background with very low volume.

We could see the rays of the tube light spreading over water making blurred picture of the boat itself on the lake. The buildings at the shore were very visible though it is at far distance which displayed different colored lights. We could also see the twinkling flash lights of moving vehicles. It was half-moon phase, set against a stunning backdrop of stars!

Amar, the waiter bought chilled Champagne, he was briefing about its speciality but suddenly Mi stood up and slapped me. I and Amar were shocked. I was staring Mi, covering my cheek with my palm.

“How dare you to think of having alcohol in presence of me”, said Mi.

With a laugh Amar hide the bottle behind his back. Moment passed. The food was ordered according to Mi’s Wishes. We started tasting the food. After we finished the dinner, I stood from my seat kneeled down on one feet holding a Lilly flower in hand which I was hiding. Mi was so happy and I could make out from her face. After she took the flower from my hand and then I presented a letter. I stood up and started a speech which I had prepared.

I am sorry Mi;

many times I forget to thank you for various reasons. Thank you for tolerating me for 25 long years. I know I have brought many troubles for you. I have made you cry. But I even know you love me like anything and always condone me. I never dare to tell how much I love you. Because of my busy schedule I am not able to care you as much as you do. I know you miss Dad, but just that I should not feel lonely you hide the feelings and always put a smile on your face.

I am not an expert as Dad in making romantic dates for you. But I love you more than him.

Love you….

 

I kissed her forehead. Her eyes were moist due to happiness. She hugged and said I just reminded her of my father. With a mocking face she said “it is not 25 years that I have tolerated you, but 25 years and nine months”.

Both of us laughed.

Mi said in my ears, “The food was not as tasty as I prepare which I could make out from your face but don’t worry delicious food is kept ready at home, so let’s leave now”.

We left in a while, on the way Mi was telling how dad used to take her for dates as it would help me with Pooja.

We always forget and never think it as necessary to express our love towards our parents.

“We thank strangers for minor favors but forget to love those who have sacrificed many things for us!”

“According to Hindu mythology, there is no god representing LOVE, because each person have their own representatives in the name of MOTHER”

__END__