Stuti Basnyet

Valentine’s Day has gone by, but the month of love, February, hasn’t. February 14 is one such day aspiring lovebirds of all ages eagerly wait for. A day even the feeble minded summon the courage to say, “Will you be my Valentine?”

The day is also a boon for the chocolate, greeting card and flower industries and an occasion for the dark, cynical, pessimistic and moody people to feel even more so because of their self-imposed exclusion from the day’s celebrations.

There are 365 days in a year, out of which people set aside a single day for love. Apparently it takes February 14 for people to realise they’re in love or for those already in it, to express their love. Why there is so much evil and hatred around is obvious, then. Why allocate a special day for it? Isn’t love supposed to prevail all the year round? Commercialised V-Day is a hype generated to cash in on sentiments. This, by the way, is the negative outlook.

This is also the day, that singles — unfortunately plentiful — have a penchant for despising. It’s easy to see why. This day is a reminder that you’re single and not a part of the celebration. Despite the fact that V-Day isn’t solely meant for couples to celebrate their love, one somehow feels inadequate and loneliness creeps in. Definitely not something you appreciate.

Meanwhile, celebrations entail even on the V-Day’s eve. Known as the anti-Valentine’s Day, February 13 is for those who believe that the next day is for mushy people who need something to muse about.

As such, members of the anti-V-Day league include those who don’t need the day to proclaim their love to pledge their eternal allegiance; those who don’t need to wait for V-day to prove their love; and singles — whether by choice or default — are welcome to the club! Don’t let yourself bogged down by being single. You’re more than one-half-of-a-pair, and you know it! On the whole, I belong to the group which appreciates V-Day for what it brings along. If there aren’t such days the year will be monotonous. There are some people who wince on this day because of the fact that they’re lonely. So, it’s not just celebration or mourning, it’s the yearly renewal reminder. In general, singles at least are reminded on that day about the indispensability of pairing up.

A paired up person expresses his love all round the year, but on the V-Day he puts in an extra something that breaks the monotony of “I love yous.” That’s what special days are for, be it birthdays or whatever. Breaking the monotony and renewing emotions...!