Ravi Bhandari

Kathmandu:

I had been in love for two years and felt blessed for being loved by her. With her beside me, I was on cloud nine and everything around me seemed beautiful. Valentines Day was approaching and I was waiting for that day to thank her for loving, caring and for making me and my days so special. The day finally arrived and we decided to meet at 2:00 in the afternoon at the same café where we often meet. I reached there at 2:05. Expecting her to be there already, I went to the same old table where we usually sit. Not seeing her, I sat there and put the gift on the table that I had bought after spending an hour at the gift shop simply wanting the best for her. Five minutes passed and still no sign of her. Thinking that she must have got stuck in the traffic, I ordered for a coffee and lit a cigarette. I drank the coffee gulping every sip, my eyes fixed to the door. A couple behind me were talking, laughing

and enjoying themselves which made me somewhat jealous. I murmured to myself: “Let her come and I will not be alone.” My patience was slowly giving out as it was already 2:45. Finally, I picked up the gift and decided to leave. I walked out of the cafe thinking; maybe she got engaged in something more important than this. Or maybe, it was a test of my love and patience. Only God knows. But, it was a date to remember — a cigarette, two cups of coffee and lots of thought.