Valentines Day

 Hi All,

Writing this after a long time. Hope you enjoy reading:

"Aanchal", "Aanchal", "Aanchal" - uff where are you beta I have been calling for you since the past 10 minutes said Neeru who had just finished cooking and had to rush to office for an urgent meeting.

"Ya Mumma" said Aanchal casually coming out of her room. "I was in the washroom Mumma, can't I even take a dump without being called out". Neeru was in a rush & to avoid any conflicts she kept her cool and said "I have cooked your meals, and leaving for office, I may be late as I have to visit the client in Gurugram" 

"OK whatever" said Aanchal & without even saying bye - she went back to her room. Neeru took the house keys & left thinking how will she ever be able to build her rapport with Aanchal. 

After Neeru left, Aanchal went to the kitchen and took her breakfast. She noticed an half closed drawer, on attempting to close it, something caught her attention & she opened the drawer. She saw a very beautiful diary, curiously she opened the diary & a picture of her Mom & Dad fell out. Neeru & Vartin were looking so gorgeous together. It seemed that this picture was taken on or around valentines day as the place was fully decorated with heart shape balloons. 

This was the first time Aanchal had seen this Diary - "Maybe Ma writes Diary" - she said to herself. She thought for 2 minutes whether or not to look what's inside & sheepishly started fluttering the pages to see what has her Mom written. By the time she read the whole Diary - She was into tears & couldn't hold herself up. She cried unconsolably & regretted how she has been a fool to behave in such a bad manner with her Mom. 

Suddenly her Phone rang - Aanchal saw its her mother calling her - Anchal picked up the phone & tried to relax her voice. Yes "ma" she said. Neeru was a little surprised as Aanchal generally doesn't call her Ma like this - she just picks up the phone and says "yes". Neeru ignored & said Hey I am going to be late & may reach home by 11 PM, so please eat on time & go to sleep, I have the house keys". 

Suddenly Anchals face started beaming, smilingly she said "Ok Ma" & looked up the watch - its 7 PM, so I have a lot of time. Aanchal kept the diary back its place & took the photo, picked up the house keys, her wallet & left home. She went out to the market, brought some stuff & started preparing for the evening.

It was almost 11:30 PM when Neeru reached home, she opened the gate & saw it was utterly dark - "Uff, this girl can't even switch on the lights, God, please help, how will  ever be able to manage so much alone" said she.

Suddenly Lights were switched on & there was Anchal all dressed up. Neeru was looking at her in surprise, "What has gotten into you?, what are you doing all dressed up at this hour?, tell Me Aanchal did you like leave the house & had a party with your friends without telling me?"

"No, Mumma, This is all for you, come on, I have a surprise". She tied a cloth on her eyes & took Neeru to her room. Anchal untied the cloth & said "Surprise". Neeru was utterly mesmerized, her room was decorated with red & white balloons, there were candles all over & a small pastry on the table. There was also a gift packet right besides it.

"What is this beta, I mean what is all this?" asked Neeru. Aanchal said - "Ma, lets cut the pastry & open the gift, then I will tell you everything, this is all what I could do with the little pocket money you give me. I will have to start saving more. Uff..." Said Anchal making a face and smiling at the same time. 

Neeru was still surprised & shocked as she could not understand anything, but she was just happy, as it was the first time she bonded with her 15 Year old daughter. After Vartin had gone, things were not the same for her and Anchal. Vartin was the link between Anchal & Neeru but that bond broke after they lost Vartin in an accident. Somewhere Anchal Blamed Neeru for that accident as her father was going to the marker to get a cake on Neeru's birthday & lost control of his car while trying to save a puppy. It had been 5 Years - Neeru had never celebrated her birthday again.

"Happy Birthday Ma" said "Anchal" bring back Neeru from her memory Lane. Anchal suddenly sat on her knees and asked Neeru "Will you be my valentine for ever Ma, & you dare say No, I love you Ma & will always love you, more than anyone ever loved you". Neeru was in tears - she never expected this, she hugged her daughter and "Yes my princess forever & ever & ever". Both Mother daughter hugged each other & cried unconsolably. Then Anchal suddenly said "Cut the pastry now na Ma, I am very hungry now & we are yet to have dinner also" & you have not opened my gift also.

"Oh you did not have dinner, What all is waiting for me today, its the best day of my life. I got my daughter back." Neeru cut the pastry, gave the first bite to Aanchal & then ate herself. Anchal playingly put the pastry cream all over her Moms face giggling & the duo took selfies. "Now open your gift Ma" said anchal.

Neeru was utterly shocked. This was her last photo with Vartin before he left her forever. This was the last dinner they had together. Anchal had got it framed for her mother. "Where did you get this Anchal" asked Neeru. 

"Wo Ma, I am so sorry, the drawer was open & I read your diary Ma" - Neeru was taken aback - she said "Anchal what have you done, oh please, Anchal please after knowing the truth please, please don't ever leave me." 

"What are you saying Ma, How can I ever leave you?, Ma I have been a bad daughter, the way I treated you was very bad, you did not have to do this Ma, I am a very bad girl, you should have made your own life Ma, you should have let me go to a boarding or a shelter, how will I ever repay what you have done for me"

"No Beta no, what are you saying, I am your mother, never ever say this, you are the best daughter a mother can ever expect, oh my bacha, what ever have you gone through, I never wanted you to read all that"

"Ma, said Anchal wiping Neeru's tears & her own, I will never let a single tear come out of your eyes now, you have cried enough, I will become what you want me to be Ma" - "No Beta you have to follow your dreams" Said Neeru. "Now that I have my daughter back, I will never cry or let you cry. We will start a new life together where were are there for each other forever and always.

"Ma" Asked Anchal "You did not have to do this? You did not have to stick around me specially when dad left us, you could have re-married & settled. Why did you do this when I am not even your......." 

"Shh shh" said Neeru - "Never say that again, you are and always will be my daughter. You were 7 Years old when my best friend Anu Passed away. Vartin, Anu & I had been college friends and he just could not think about managing you all alone. When he asked me to marry him for your sake, I could not say No.  I know, you never accepted me as your mother but in the hope of your acceptance, I decided that I will never let anything come in the way of raising you & you will always be my only child" The journey got a little difficult after Vartin left us, but now I am hopeful that I will be able to meet eyes with them, when I meet them in Heaven. Oh Anchal, I am so happy, I could give away anything in the world for you. 

"Ma, every year we will celebrate your birthday together, no matter where I am, on your birthday, you will never be alone. I am sorry for all the years that went by. We will celebrate Valentines day & your birthday together forever"

Anchal & Neeru hugged each other again. A mother daughter bond that will never be broken again.