Short Story - A Valentine to Remember - Bindu Vinod

Vidhi was folding laundry in the bedroom when her teenage daughter, Meera, walked in, headphones around her neck, fingers texting at lightning speed. She plopped onto the bed, sighing dramatically.

“Mom,” she groaned, “why do relationships have to be so complicated?”

Vidhi chuckled, folding one of Bijoy’s shirts. “Because people are complicated.”

Meera huffed. “See, that’s the thing. I don’t get it. You meet someone, you like them, you text, you go out. Then suddenly, poof! Everything turns into drama.”

Vidhi sat on the bed beside her daughter, amused. “Ah, young love. What happened?”

Meera made a face. “Nothing. My friend Maya is freaking out because her boyfriend didn’t reply for six hours. And I’m like, chill, maybe he’s busy. But she’s convinced he’s losing interest.”

Vidhi smiled knowingly. “Sometimes, we overthink things when we care about someone.”

Meera scoffed. “See, this is why romance is overrated.”

Vidhi’s smile faltered just a little. “You don’t believe in romance?”

Meera turned to her, one eyebrow raised. “Mom, come on. I mean, sure, maybe at my age, romance is fun. But you?” She waved her hand. “At this stage in life? What even is romance for you now?”