We told others that we'd be out for Valentine's. No, it wasn't a date. There was none. We both were supposed to be at our respective homes, sipping away tea at five o'clock.
We had told others. Which was a good excuse for me to pop up at Connaught Place. I didn't live far away from Connaught Place. It was convenient to pop in at Connaught Place or adjoining areas on my bicycle at any bright hour of the day.
I didn't wait for the evening, otherwise it'd be cold by the time I return. It was more of a late afternoon vibe, when I dusted my bicycle, kept in my steel water bottle and pedalled on.
I take Janpath to reach Connaught Place. There are other lanes too, which will lead me to the epicenter, but Janpath is both, close to my side and convenient. More so, Janpath houses some other things I love passing beside from. The Western Court, Windsor Place, Sovereign, HC Mathur Lane, Kartavya Path, National Archives, Ministry of External Affairs office and not to forget, The National Museum.
She was not there. Obviously. She doesn't live nearby and as I said, there was no date planned. I took out my phone, clicked a pic and circled the place on my bicycle itself. It was well enough a date. Despite not being there, both of us secretly wanting to be there.
I clicked the picture at exactly 1717h. It was sent to her soon after.
Later when we started going out, we frankly forgot about Connought Place. Maybe because the place wasn't an important bit for either of us at the moment. But Janpath was lucky to have been remembered an year and half later.
I took my cycle and headed towards Shivaji Stadium. Its just two crossings away. My journey then took me to Mandir Marg and then back to home. A fruitful day.