Assorted Emotions...

Relationship Goals!

Relationship goals, we keep hearing this phrase often. And the social media not only makes sure that we are updated about the latest trends, but also raises the bar with each passing day. So whenever I come across any such extraordinary tale of relationship goals, it makes me wonder about the complexity of relationships.

Since my school days, I have always been an introvert, who secretly locked occasional crushes on girls within deep corners of my heart. This shyness cost me dearly and I had to remain single for most of my college life. As if it were not enough, I got baffled by stories of guys with guitars singing for girls in crowded malls and people performing extraordinary feats of proposal in public spaces. The idea that the girl won't acknowledge your feelings if your display of emotions is not an exaggerated one gave me serious nightmares. The situation worsened when I lost my heart to one of my colleagues. I spent a lot of time imagining stupendous ways to dazzle her but failed miserably at executing them.

After all hope was lost, I sought out to seek some relationship advice. My friends were themselves struggling with multiple heartbreaks and the successful few gave suggestions which were too cheesy to even contemplate. And since I was in this for real, after serious deliberations I decided to go to my father for some relationship advice.

Eh! Not a sensible decision one would think. But desperate times calls for desperate measures. And believe it or not, he proved to be the best consigliere ever. My mom and dad have been married for thirty years and growing up I never saw them so much as raise their voices at each other, they never quarreled or fought and were still going strong so they were a kind of an ideal couple to me. Hence I decided to approach my dad, and with their thirtieth marriage anniversary just around the corner, I did not face any difficulty in cleverly bringing up the topic without letting him in on the real subject.

"Son..." That's the way he actually started!

"Your mom is the sweetest woman I have ever known, I have been extremely lucky to have her as my wife. She came from a wealthy family and as you know I was an orphan, so you can understand my financial situation. But I set my heart for your mom and tried insanely to win her over. Being the smartest guy in her class, of course, she had to give in sooner or later." My dad bragged.

I smiled at him realizing why my mom always called him cute. But ignoring my smile he continued on his own.

"So I decided to propose your mother on her birthday which I later realized in the evening, that it was a stupid decision. I worked part time after college, and with whatever little savings I had made I decided to buy her a present."

Pausing for a second he chuckled, "You have seen the expensive looking solitaire box in your mom's closet, haven't you?"

"Yes, but I have never seen her wear one" I got curious, I have had always wanted to ask my mom about the box but somehow I never did.

"Now son, however simple a woman may be but they all have mysterious affection for diamonds. Your mother was no exception, I acquired information about her from reliable sources and the obsession for shiny stones was one such piece. But with the kind of money I had I could never afford the most expensive box, but yes of course without the stone in it. So I decided to do it." I was astounded by the revelation made by my father that the box which my mother kept so protectively was empty!

His chuckle broke into a laughter.

"I know you might be thinking what an absurd thing to give a girl whom you are about to propose. But that is how true love is, it gives you enough inspiration to do foolish things." He continued laughing.

"So when she came to see me in the evening, I got to know that she was showered with expensive gifts, particularly her father had gifted her a car, and her mother some luxurious jewelry. And here I was standing like a fool holding a rose in my hand along with an empty solitaire box! I was so embarrassed but your mom, being the sweetest thing she is, blushed and kissed my cheeks."

He was glowing with happiness recalling those memories.

"You know son, why I bought that empty box?" I looked at him anxiously for a disclosure. This conversation was turning out to be more interesting than I imagined.

"That box was a hope that I wanted to give her the most beautiful life ever, which I couldn't afford right away. And she understood exactly what I was trying to say."

I saw the pride on his face and the glow in his eyes.

"People do fancy things in life for the ones they love, but believe me they don't matter much, what matters are the little things, things like helping her with the dishes, surprising her with a breakfast, holding her hand while crossing a busy lane, taking her for an evening stroll on the beach, making soup for her when she has a cold. These things tell her that you care, and appreciate her. The girl doesn't need expensive jewels to feel like a Queen, she just needs to be treated like one."

My father had put the most complicated feeling in the simplest manner possible. Later he took me to the jeweler's to show me the most beautiful solitaire I had ever seen, which he was going to gift my mother on their anniversary.