Cycle

" Mommy" he said seriously , "I want to marry Shrishti".

" But why Arjun ? " I asked.

"Because she has got a bee-yoo-tiful cycle !" he gushed. I smiled as I saw my four year old son who was experiencing first pangs of unrequited love - for the brand new tricycle of our neighbour's daughter.

He had pushed his last cycle down a slope to see if it could fly and the previous one was too old fashioned to ride for Rockstar Arjun.

A couple of days later , I noticed Arjun sliding out of the house with something hidden behind his back. When questioned ,he held out a slightly bulky, somewhat a pink envelope, with crooked red hearts and 'Simran' emblazoned on top.

Intrigued, I opened the letter and drew out a hand made card. It bore some more crooked hearts and the legend , "Dear Simran, I love you very very much. You are a Super Girl !". Inside it was ridden " Please will you let me ride your cycle? " Arjun had enclosed a small pearl too as a token of his love . He for sure , didn't want to leave any stone unturned.

"Don't tell Shrishti !" he pleaded. I mocked him saying , "Oh my god Arjun ! Are you a  Casanova? Are you double dating ? Okay . Fine . I won't tell Shrishti only if you wait till your father comes. I want to show this card to him too. It is lovely. "

"What ? No Mommy. I can't even wait a second. Please try to understand . I need to go now or it will be too late ."It meant that it would get too dark soon and hence, chances of a ride too dim.

He trotted off with his first love letter - a bounce in his step and hope in his heart. But alas ! The course of true love never did run smooth. The damsel had the last word. Soon came the reply with a card, crooked hearts and all. With "Arjun I love you too !"  after thanking him for calling her a Super Girl, she wrote - "Repair your cycle soon. Then we both can go cycling together."

Since his old cycle was beyond salvage, we were treated to sights of Arjun literally being taken for a ride behind the Simran's petite two seated scooter.

That was Twenty six years and three cycles ago. I smiled again as Simran asked why I am smiling all by myself. Telling her to wait as a surprise awaits her , I went to the store room . She looked at me , still puzzled, as I came back holding a small box. The looks changed from that of puzzled to amused. "What is this , Mom ?" She asked.

"Tada ! Look for yourself. " I chuckled. She laughed shyly as she held that same love letter from Twenty Six Years ago with crooked red little hearts...
That couple on the  scooter 26 years back is all married now and we all laugh as their three year old son runs out with a love letter ..