The Perfect Valentine's Eve

Just imagine you were to create a checklist of the most romantic (Cliché') things one could do over a dinner, what all would it include? I bet it wouldn't be too different from - a classy West-European open restaurant on the banks of an East-European River (Checked), a mildly lit candle perfectly complimenting the star-studded pristine sky (Checked), live music spanning eras from the early 50s Jazz to the late 2020's soul and R&B (Checked) and the Valentine's vibe (Checked).

After checking each of these items of his list, as Jay sat across the table from Avni, he was living a feeling of a lifetime. He couldn't stop smiling as he kept looking at her struggling to interpret the words in the menu. He was overwhelmed, as it had taken him 5 years to make this a reality. He could help chuckling when the wrinkles on her forehead grew intense enough to make her murmur something in her native language.

"You really think this is funny? You know how much of a pain this is for me, and yet you put me through this every single time." Avni groaned looking up from the menu with a pretty pissed off expression.

Jay didn't respond and just kept looking at her with his unending smile.

"I had warned you of this the moment we left home. Stop looking like that, it's making me too conscious and people are watching." She couldn't help but smile as she kept grumbling.

"You're looking absolutely gorgeous tonight." He complimented her making the wrinkles go away and her face light up with a much wider smile.

"You've said that over a times already. Then this place, the music, the flowers, you know I'm not really used to all this. Almost everything is making me so conscious right now, plus this place is loaded with couples. So.." with her nervous voice, she tried to make a point when she was interrupted by Jay.

"So? It's the Valentine's eve. It would be a problem if there weren't any couples here. It's the day of love. And we are probably at the loveliest setting anyone could ever ask for on this day. Just give up all the concerns, would you? I have been planning this night for years, only for you. Please live it with me." He pleaded as he held her hands, "Just take a deep breath, look around and live the moment" he said with his nonchalant smile.

She followed his instruction, took a deep breath, looked around and the feeling of blissful fulfilment suddenly took over her face. She started enjoying the exuberant warmth in the air and instinctively closed her eyes to let it all sink in.

Wise men say, only fools rush in.. But I can't help falling in love with you.

"Come on, let's dance. This is the song I was waiting for." Jay got up went next to her and extended his hand.

"Are you insane? I would never do that. There's too many people here, and it's very awkward." She rolled her eyes and retorted.

"It's taking me boatloads of guts to ask this in the first place. You should be fully aware how far I'm stepping out of my comfort zone. So please, just for 5 minutes. Nothing more I promise." His eyes had the same look which always melted her, no matter how much she wanted to do otherwise.

Finally giving in to his persistence, she took his hand and just danced with him in the calm, peaceful night to the sound of heart-warming music.

Nobody said a word for over a minute, they just moved along with the melodies.

"It's been 18 years you see. 18 whole years of... of.. I'm sorry, I'll just let it be." Avni could feel herself choking out of word as tears started rolling down her cheek.

"Mom.. Not tonight, please don't stop. I know I always used to run away from this conversation, but I want to know today, please go on. He wiped her tears, brought her back to the table and took the chair right next to her.