An overdose of red and pink - Valentine's Day

It all started with a soft beep last night.

My cell had just received a message.

Nothing extraordinary about it – I receive close to a hundred messages everyday.

Except that this one came from a person who I had not been in touch with for ages.

A saccharine-sweet message unfolded right in front f my eyes, much to my surprise.

Oooooh, it all dawned upon me: the clock had just chimed twelve (I knew thanks to the nearby temple that devotedly reminded one of the hours that went by).

And it was Valentine’s Day. GROAN.

I was just wondering the other day why this day whips up so many otherwise sane people in a frenzy. Sample the following:

For some people, preparations start right in earnest as long back as a fortnight or even a month before the actual day.

All the more a field month for card and gift makers, flower-sellers, jewelry manufacturers, watch makers (one enterprising watch company this year even came out with matching ‘couple” watches. Cho chweet. No?!) etc, who go grinning like Cheshire cats, all the way to the banks!

Shades of red (and pink) which I had never known existed, seem to be shouting off the rooftops in the form of abundant soft, furry toys that make me

a) Grimace
b) Break out in a cold sweat
c) Both the above

An up market coffee place has even come out with “innovative” Valentine shakes, complete with one straw (how exceedingly orally-hygienic. Ahem.) for the oh-so-much-in-love couples and guaranteed pink / red interiors.

Promises to be quite a mentally-progressive sight.

Then comes the D-Day. Complete with all the fanfare you can imagine.

Couples, dressed all in their finery (read more shades of crimson), walk all lovey-dovey, hand-in-hand, casting deep looks of adoration at each other.

Oblivious to those around them, they proceed to their chosen venue – a restaurant, a hotel, a tapri, a McDonald’s (depending on how deep their pockets are).

Ohhh, and can I forget, they are armed with bouquets – blushing flowers (again of the red-hued variety), carrying them like war-trophies.

(The flowers have been purchased at triple their actual costs, making many flower-sellers break out into merry jigs).

With looks that speak a thousand words, the couples then start the customary gift-giving (procured from grinning merchants). Ooooohs and aaahs follow in quick succession. Furtive pecks, kisses, caresses, you name it - do the rounds.

Some guys down spirits; some "adventurous" women, after circumspect looks, demurely take a sip or two.

Is that really what Valentine’s Day has come to?

Sad but true for quite a few folks.

Though the next morning many of these selfsame couples may go back to their quibbling selves, for one 'glorious" day, love is definitely in the air.

And how!