The bloody Valentine

On one fine evening of the late winter, Mr. Raman and we were sitting in the same old place, a small tea shop with few scattered chairs, two patio umbrella tables, an old dustbin in the corner which was less filled with the waste than the corner itself and a busy kettle over the stove with brownish black stain of tea on one side. Overall, it was a cool place to hang out with buddies after a busy schedule of the day.

There was not much left of the evening as on sidewalk people were rushing homes to escape cold night falling soon but a mild lighted butcher shop and a bright liquor distributor on the other side of the road were still busy and counting.

After a couple of teas and few clouds of smoke, we were still deep into a discussion and guess, what was all discussion about? the bloody Valentine Day as it was February 10. There was particularly no one seems to be desperately waiting for the Valentine as far as I was believing yet out of courtesy Valentine Day was a much-discussed topic in recent few days.

So Mr. Raman, who was lost in some thoughts all evening, after listening to all the arguments, taking a few sips of tea, blowing a few puffs of smoke and shaking the ashes in the tray he spoked for the first time in the evening "I think Valentine is just a day, love should be celebrated all year long, celebrating Valentine is like making a day more important than love itself". Saying all this he in his usual manner finished his tea, put down his smoke and leaned on his chair. We all were feeling delighted to listen to the deep understanding of love he demonstrated. On that beautiful looking note we closed the evening, paid the bill and were about to move towards home.

Suddenly, Mr. Raman tapped my shoulder from the back and said "Hey buddy, do you know some gift shop around here, where you can buy a teddy? I just realized it is a teddy day of Valentine week." I was a little disappointed by his gesture but replied politely " ya few steps ahead, in the same way, please get two of them, here is my share of the money."