That Love

I know on this iconic day; everyone would have their definition of love to offer. We have all seen love being expressed in different ways and felt it too. Here is how I felt loved.

Recently I was approached by the prestigious N M College, Mumbai to deliver a speech on my profession. I was supposed to be on their campus and deliver a one-hour speech to the students as a part of their Literary Festival.

I was all excited. My husband chipped in with his expert input on how I should be addressing students, as he is an experienced trainer in his field by now. My son expressed his happiness at this opportunity. I also went in to buy myself new attire, just for the occasion.

The countdown was on, and soon enough I got an update from them stating that my speech was cancelled by the committee and there would be a tentative podcast they would record with me at a later date. The reason given was that podcast would have a longer shelf life and more people can have access to it v/s the physical speech in a session that could accommodate only limited students.

All my excitement was deflated. The said day came and went. However, in the usual rigmarole everyone at home forgot to ask me how my session at N M was.

After a week, one day, my daughter came from her board prelims and asked me excitedly, “You did not tell me about your NM event. I recollected it during my exam and couldn’t wait to ask you how it was. Sorry I missed asking you before because of my exams. It skipped my mind.”

I told her, the event never happened, and she was sad for me, and that was that.

In the evening, we went to a nearby town to run some errands. At one place while I shopped something, she disappeared. And then dramatically, she emerged, and presented me some roses saying, “This is a token of appreciation from me. I am proud of you. I am sure, had you been to NM for the speech, they would have presented you with a bouquet. Accept this smaller version.”

I was speechless for a moment as I had totally forgotten about our conversation that afternoon, and even the event that did not happen.

This expression of love was a feeling I never experienced before. Although she has been innovative in her expressions every time, showering me with her hugs and kisses, this was so unexpected. It was so pure, so divine.

I did not see it coming. I did not comprehend how she was observing me, or how she processed everything I told her.

We hugged each other and started our way back home. I, with a renewed excitement and a warm heart thinking, some things take time and will happen when they have to. And then, when you have such love in your life, you can sail through just anything.

The podcast with NM was recorded two weeks back, and I am waiting for it to be published.