A lady in her late 30s was sitting down on the rocking chair with a photo in her hand. She was staring at the picture without a blink of her eyes.

She smiled and caressed the picture "din mahine guzar jaate hai tumhare intezar mein, aur darr bhi rehta hai kahin tumhe kho na dun I love you Aarav"

Someone came and hugged her from behind "Missing papa?" she asked.

Manvi tapped her head "haan beta.. Tumhare papa se pyar jo karti hun"

"I am also missing him waise aapko toh unke letter ka intezar hoga na" Khushi asked

Manvi smiled and said "nhi mujhe kisika intezar nhi hai"

Khushi came and stood in front of her, she glanced at her and said "jhooth mat bolo mumma.. Mujhe pata hai aaj kal Valentine's Day hai and you are waiting for your love letter"

Manvi stood up, she kept Aarav's photo and said "Shut up Khushi"

"Why should I shut up? Kal aayega papa ka letter zaroor" Khushi said.

"Are tumhare papa ka pehla pyar hai unki border pe duty phir hai unki beti aur thodi bahut jagah bachti hai toh mujhe pyar kar lete hai" Manvi complained.

Khushi smiled at this and said "Aww.. mumma.. Mishing Daddy so much.."

She moved to her room, Manvi smiled to herself. She looked at Aarav's picture and talked "jante ho tumhari beti ek dum tumhari tarah hai, bilkul tumhare jaise masti mazak karti hai kabhi serious nhi hoti.. Iss baar bahut lamba wait karwa rahe ho tum Aarav ek saal hone ko aaya hai na koi chitti bheji tumne na phone kiya aisi bhi kya duty huh."

Aarav was a soldier at the border, Manvi loved him since college days and married him. Even after knowing, most of time he would spend with his first love that is to protect his country. But she was not alone, she has his 7 years daughter with her who was replica of him.

Khushi moved out and started playing, she saw a jeep approaching towards the entrance. The jeep stopped and a person in army dress came. She walked to him and asked "aap papa ki chitti laaye ho na?"

He nodded and gave it to her, she smiled "Thank you uncle papa kab aa rahe hai?"

"Beta tumhare papa kal aa jayenge" he said and left.

Khushi smiled and thought "kal aayenge papa.. Woohu kal papa aayenge toh ye letter nhi dungi mumma ko"

She ran into the house and hide the letter inside her room. Manvi was preparing food, she heard a car sound from outside. She turned off the stove and run out. She glanced and the jeep stopped in front of another soldier house. She sighed.. "Aaj bhi koi chitti nhi bheji tumne Aarav aur na khud aaye" she said.

Kashmir Post near Border

Aarav was packing his things as he will be returning home after 11 months.

"Sir.. kal aap finally ghar jaa rahe hai" his junior said.

"Haan.. beti se mile bahut din ho gaye hai aur Manvi toh roj intezar mein rehti hai mere" he said while looking at their picture in his wallet.

"Acha hai sir kal Valentine's day bhi hai.. Isse acha din kya ho sakta hai"

Aarav thought for while "Valentine's Day.. tab aur zyada khush ho jayegi wo 10 saal baad hum saath honge valentines' day par"

The phone ringed, he moved to his desk and picked up the call "Caption Aarav Mehra here"

"Caption we have information ki border pe kal humla hone waale hai please take the charge and I am sorry your holiday has been cancelled" the senior informed.

Smile vanishes from his face and he came to his duty mode "yes sir.. I will take charge" he ended the call.

He looked at Manvi's and Khushi's picture "sorry ladies kuch din aur intezar karna hoga mera tum dono ko I love you both"

"Shinde.. Mere ghar tak paigam bijwado main abhi nahi aa raha hun" he ordered

"But sir.. Agar kal aap nhi gaye toh phir 3 mahine aapko chutti nhi milegi" shinde said.

Aarav smiled and said "ek pati aur ek baap hone se pehle main ek fauji hun Shinde aur ek fauji ke liye desh pehle hai rishte baad mein.. Wo dono ye baat samajhti hai.." he moved out to the batalian.

Delhi

Manvi was saddened as today also Aarav had not sent any letter. Khushi saw her upset and thought "mumma toh sad hai.. Unhe khush karti hun papa ne kaha tha mumma ko kabhi upset nhi hone dena unke peeche"

She brought the letter and said "mumma.. Papa ka love letter hai mere paas"

Manvi looked towards her and was shocked. She asked "What? Ye letter kab aaya?"

She smiled "Aaj subah..."

"De mujhe.." Manvi said while trying to take the letter but Khushi ran out. Manvi ran behind her.. "Khushi letter de mujhe"

"Aao aao lelo papa ka love letter" Khushi chuckled while running.

Manvi was tired, she sat down on the stairs making sad face "tum bhi uski tarah pareshan karti ho mujhe.. Baap beti ek jaise hai wo door rahke satata hai aur tum paas rahkar" tears slipped down from her eyes.

Khushi looked at her, she bends down in front of her cleaned her eyes with her hand "nhi rote mumma.. Sorry ye lo papa ka letter" she said.

Manvi smiled, she kissed her forehead and took the letter from her hand. She ran upstairs on the terrace. She looked at it and opened it quickly as after 6 months he had sent the letter.

"Naraz hogi na? Hona bhi chahiye itne mahino se ghar nhi aaya hun aur chitti bhi nhi likhi par kya karun duty hi aisi hai.. Na toh khushi ke janamdin pe aa paaya aur na hamari anniversary pe koshish karunga agle saal dono pe aa pau, yahan pe na bahut yaad aati hai tumhari specially jab raat ko sota hun. Iss darr se ki subah uthunga ki nahi kahi dushman goli na maar de.. Par tumhara pyar hai jo mujhe ab tak zinda rakhe hue hai Manvi.. Bhale hi hum door hai par hamara pyar ek dusre ke liye kabhi kum nhi hoga.. Khushi zyada pareshan toh nhi karti na? Ek baat bolu tum hamesha mujhse puchti ho ki ghar kab aaoge aur main jawab hi nahi chitti bhi nhi bhejta.. Kyuki tumhe udaas nhi karna chahta tha meri inkar se par main kal hi aa raha hun.. Tumse milne khushi se milne.. Tum dono ka hasta hua chahra dekhne aur tum dono ke gale lagne.. Intezar karna mera love you lots tumhara Aarav"

Tears slipped from her eyes, she attached the letter to her heart "aa jao Aarav ab taras rahi hun tumhari bahoo ke liye tumhari awaaz sunne ke liye"

She looks down, Khushi was making preparation for Aarav's return.
"Mumma khushi aapka aur papa ka room decorate karegi Valentine's Day ke liye" she shouted and moved to the room.

Manvi smiled..

The next day, Manvi was waiting for Aarav desperately. The phone rings, she runs and picks up the call.

There was a silence from both side. She could hear her own breaths. Tears slipped down from her eyes "Aarav...."

"Sunke naam apna tere hothon se sukoon aaya bada mujhe" he said in his poetry way.

"Aarav.. Kahan ho tum? Main kabse wait kar rahi hun tumhara" she complained and questioned at the same time.

"Sorry Manvi, chutti cancel ho gayi hai yahan pe kuch khatra hai ab main 3 mahine baad hi aaunga" he said dejectly.

Manvi shouted "ye koi baat hui bhala.. Ek saal hone ko aaya hai aur tum mujhse pyar hi nhi karte ho itni doori itna lamba intezar ke baad bhi tum nahi aate I hate hun"

She was about to cut the call but stopped when she heard his voice.

Mein Yahaan Tu Wahan, Zindagi Hai Kahaan...(3)

Tu Hi Tu Hai Sanam Dekhta Hun Jahan.

Neind Aati Nahi, Yaad Jaati Nahi...(2)

Bin Tere Ab Jeeya Jaye Na!

Mein Yahaan Tu Wahan Zindagi Hai Kahaan

She leaned against the wall with teary eyes. Aarav was trying to hold his emotions. He was too missing her badly. He never showed because his duty said to dig his emotions deep inside his heart but today he could not control.

Waqt Jaise Teher Gaya Hai Yahi, Har Taraf Ek Ajab Udasi Hai.

Bekarari Ka Aaesa Aalam Hai, Jism Tanhaa Hai, Ruh Pyaasi Hai.

Teri Surat Aab Ek Pal Kyu Nazar Se Hat Ti Nahi

Raat-Din To Kat Jate Hai, Umra Tanhaa Katti Nahi

Chah Ke Bhi Na Kuch Kah Saku Tujhse Main...(2)

Dard Kaise Karu Main Bayaan...

Main Yahaan, Tu Vaan, Zindagi Hai Kahaan.

His eyes became moist as he could not hold his tears anymore. He heard no voice from her side. He said "Acha.. Manvi rakhta hun phone"

He was about to cut the call but stopped when he finally heard her voice.

Jab Kahin Bhi Aahat Hui, Yuh Laga Ke Tu Aagayaa.

Khushboo Ke Jhoke Ki Tarah Meri Saanse Mehka Gaya

Ek Woh Daur Tha, Hum Sada Paas The...(2)

Aab To Hai Fasle Darmiyaan

Main Yahaan Tu Vahaan, Zindagi Hai Kahaan

Tears slips down her eyes and she started to cry. "I love you Aarav.. Miss you tumhare saath bitaya har pal yaad karti hun main, Khushi ke saamne kuch nhi kehti, mana ki majburi hai tum waha desh ki sewa kar rahe ho par mera dil hai ki tumse door rahke udaas hai, kya tumhe mujhse alag rehna ka dukh nhi hai? Bolo na.. Chup kyun ho" she asked.

Aarav smiled from other side tearily..

Beeti Batein Yaad Aati Hai

Jab Akela Hota Hun Main

Boliti Hai Khamoshiyaan, Sabse Chupke Rota Hu Main

Ek Arsa Hua Muskuraye Huye...(2)

Aasoan Mein Dhali Daastaan

Mein Yahaan Tu ...Jeeya Jaye Na

A silent prevailed between them, their eyes were filled with tears. Manvi heard shooting sound from background. She was shocked "Aarav.. Tum thik ho? Aarav"

"Manvi I am fine.. Team practice kar rahi hai" he assured her.

She had a sigh of relief..

"Jante ho Khushi ne kitni tayari ki hai room decorate kiya cake bhi leke aayi hai" Manvi said.

Aarav smiled and said "toh kya hua? Tum aur Khushi cut karlo acha ek kaam karte hai tum waha cake cut karo main imagine karungi main bhi hun tum dono ke Saath, aaj valentine's day phone pe manate hai"

Khushi brought the cake near to Manvi, MAnvi smiled, it seemed she got to know what is Aarav talking about.

"Le aayi tumhari beti cake mere paas" she said.

Aarav smiled.. "Samajhdar hai meri beti ek dum apne papa ki tarah"

"Haan pata hai mujhe.." she said.

"Happy Valentine's Day Biwi.. cake cut karo" he said with a smile on his face.

Manvi cuts the cake and feeds to Khushi. "Papa it is delicious come soon warna mumma ghar ko pani se bhar dengi apne aansu se" she shouted so that Aarav could her.

Manvi gave her the phone "haan meri pari.. Main jaldi aaunga.. Give me a kiss"

Khushi kissed the phone "love you papa.. "

"Love you too my bacha.." Aarav said.

Khushi gave phone to Manvi and left the room. "Manvi mujhe jaana hoga.. Kaho you love me" he said.

"I love you Aarav.. Hum door hai par isse pyar aur gehra ho gaya hai hamara.. Jaldi aana intezar karungi tumhara" she said.

"Ab toh aana hi padega.. Love you too" he said with smile and ended the call.

Manvi kept the receiver. She looked at his picture "phir 3 mahine ka intezar.."

Khushi held her hand and said "main hun na.."

Manvi nodded and kissed her forehead.. 

A soldier loves his family but he can't show it. Just one talk is celebration for him.

His family loves him and waits for his arrival.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Aise bhi Valentine Day manate hai.

Not everyone is lucky to have loved one by your side.