Indian Valentine's Day

Vijetha surveys her reflection in the milky teak, engineered-wood dressing unit's mirror-neatly draped yellow saree, hair tied in a bun, deep-set eyes prominent with the use of eyeliner, crimson lips entertaininga broad smile.

- Sreelekha Chatterjee

She gives an insouciant shrugwhile wondering whether she has failed to notice any barely perceptible flaw.

"Hi! Oh, you look ravishing today!" Anita says, as she walks into the room.

"Hi, aunty! How come you are here today?" Vijetha has just joined college and will be an adult in a year's time.Anita is her father's younger sister, probably in her early forties.

"Our office has declared a holiday today on the occasion of Vasant Panchami." Anita says while settling down on the bed. "I will put my feet up today and sleep." She continues.

"I will be attending the Saraswati puja in our college, followed by a function celebrating Vasant Panchami."

Vijetha pauses as if cogitating about something. There is sunshine dispersed in abundance outside, birds chirping to their hearts' content, splendorous flowers starting to bloom in a blaze of glory-nature bequeathed with unearthly glamour to the season of spring that has arrived after the painful, freezing winter. But to her everything seems vacant, meaningless.

"What's the matter, dear? You look so absent minded today. Are you engrossed in the thoughts of someone special?" Anita asks teasingly, unable to take her eyes off her beautiful niece.

"I was expecting a mail today."

Vijetha feels a little uncomfortable from her aunt's stare, and avoids looking into her eyes.

"A mail? You mean a postal mail." Anita persists.

"No aunty, an email from Arham." Vijetha confesses, giving in to her aunt's pestering.

"Who is this Arham? Your boyfriend?" "Not really. He is a classmate I have known for a couple of months now. A few days ago, I sent him a Valentine's Day e-card on his email. He hasn't responded yet. I am hoping that he will send an email today, as it's the Valentine's Day."