Valentine Girl

As we sat over our morning cuppa today ..pouring over the papers.

Mom - ‘Valentine. Is it only girlfriends n boyfriends? Ma-beti etc ..ho sakte hain?’

I look up from the newspaper - ‘Of course ho sakte hain. Siblings, friends ..its about love after all ..’

Mom - ‘Theek. Pher tu meri Valentine banegi?’

Me, giving her a long look - ‘Buss aise hi? Ek badi si chocolate deni padegi. One big chocolate.’

Mom - ‘Chocolate?? Chai mein chinni nahin leti ..aur chocolate chahiye??’

I shrug - ‘Lets make that two big chocolates.’

Mom, a little shrill now - ‘दो दो chocolates?? Tu तो बड़ी expensive Valentine nikli ..!’

..and then - ‘Rehne de. I dont need a Valentine.’

I shrug.

Koi na ..