Hey I am also interested about making a statement on Valentine’s Day, why should I let the limelight be only on my political colleagues? Ok, let me confess, I am a good-for-nothing fellow for whom building a rocket engine and saying those 3 magical words pose the same challenge and difficulty.

Let me get on to my story. This one happened some years back when I was in college. Like thousands (may be millions) of other fellows, Valentine's Day did not hold any special significance for me. Yes, I was not in love! There was nothing so special about it. People do fall in love and sometimes they fall and get hurt. Love does not always provide the cushion to catch your fall. Me being a thin and lanky fellow, I dared not to take any chances!

That morning the sun shined more brightly on my face than other days and only then I realised that I had overslept! I quickly got up and looked around for my mom and dad. Mom had been ill for the past 2 days and my father shouldered her responsibilities. I tiptoed towards the kitchen for a small snack. To my surprise, I saw the day’s meal has been already prepared and neatly covered. I remembered that dad had some work early that day so he finished cooking and left. Mom called me. I went to her.

She took my hand and wished me happy Valentine’s Day. I wished her back. This was unexpected, but I was happy. I wanted to do something for her. I got an Idea, why not make her tea? I told her that I would be back soon and rushed towards the kitchen. I quickly put on the stove and put some water to boil in a steel container. I smiled at my ingenuity and started looking for tea leaves. I did not want to ask mom as I wanted to give her a surprise; but the damn tea leaves were nowhere to be found. I silently wished if google could have come to my aid.

After harnessing my manual search skills for half an hour I managed to locate the container having the tea leaves. As I turned towards the stove, to my utter dismay the water has boiled dry. Now, I was determined more than ever to make tea. I quietly followed the protocol. After another half an hour, I was satisfied with the brown liquid I produced. I poured it in a cup and took it to mom.

She was surprised but happy from her heart and she took the first sip. No reactions! I had already been imagining thundering applause all around. Was something wrong? I inquired. Instead she handed me the cup. Confused, I took a sip.

Moments later we were laughing our hearts out. My day was made. Who could have guessed that no teddy bears or roses or chocolates but a simple cup of bitter and salty tea and loads of stupidity would do the trick?