Will you be My Valentine?

I prepare a grand meal- all Indian delicacies. I get the aroma of the Mughlai chicken I have followed step by step from “The Great Art of Mughlai Cooking”, even from my bedroom. The kheer looks exotic with fragments of almonds, pistachio and rose petals. The long grains of the pearly white basmati rice with raisins and plums look inviting. That’s what I want it to be today for both me and the food I have prepared.

I open my wardrobe and select the most sensuous outfit that is there in my possession. Do I not look like Cecelia from “Atonement”? I reach out for the crimson lipstick and apply it lightly on my lips, with mastery, to give them a freshly bitten appearance. Wow, indeed, I am Cecelia today. I take out my silver stilettos, put on my diamond ring, and keep my waves open, which are a bit unruly. That’s how he likes it. He should be coming around 9, and it’s only 6. But I like doing this, dressed to kill as early as possible and to wait for the man of my life.

I missed him on his birthday yesterday, but today, February 14, I will not miss him. He will be here with me for the grand dinner, then for a cosy movie date at home. I have selected a few of my favourite mushy romantic films, too. I know he will enjoy it; I know him more than he does. I check on the red wine I have picked up in the morning. The thought of opening and pouring from the bottle and the clinking of the wine glasses excites me. No one can beat me when it comes to planning extreme romantic dates.

It’s 8:30. Wasn’t he supposed to call me before boarding the flight? He might be planning a sudden break-in sort of surprise. Maybe he is planning a game of hide and seek. I can feel the goosebumps starting from my bare upper back as if he is touching me. I almost begin sinking into the couch when the phone starts ringing. I jump up to attend it. It's him.

“When can I see you, honey?”  I asked in the most sensuous voice possible.

A sudden silence, and I can hear him say, “Tomorrow.”

I could feel a stab in my heart from an invisible dagger; still, hopefully, I murmur, “ Oh come on, come quickly, I am not in the mood for jokes.”

“ I am sorry, sweetheart. All flights have been cancelled due to bad weather. I can be home tomorrow, not before that.”

I cut the call and switch off the phone. My ears are hot and sore with anger. "Brutus, Lago, Mirzafar- how could he!"  I hold onto the velvet fabric of the couch for some time. My eyes move towards the bookshelf next to the television. I tame my anger, walk toward the shelf and take out “Much Ado About Nothing.” That’s what it has been today- All Ado and Nothing. I feel the touch of the book and whisper, " Will you be my Valentine?"

This post was written for Unicorn Magazine's Valenine Day Special post