Happy Valentine’s Day

The day began as usual, with the morning hustle and the familiar rush to reach the hospital on time. When I stepped into my chamber, its spotless cleanliness and the fresh aroma of room freshener welcomed me, setting the tone for another busy yet fulfilling day. As I booted my laptop, the ever-helpful internet reminded me of the significance of the day—Valentine’s Day.

A wave of nostalgia washed over me. Back in college, I eagerly awaited this day, cherishing both the joyful and bittersweet memories it brought. Suddenly, the scent of the room freshener seemed to blend seamlessly with the fragrance of red roses—roses once gifted with love, now woven into the fabric of my past. The thought stirred something deep within me, prompting me to reflect on love—the most beautiful emotion in life. And today, I decided to write about my latest love. But first, let me share what love means to me.

For me, love begins when wavelengths match. It’s often said that opposites attract, but I have never viewed love as a mere equation of physics. I couldn’t imagine falling for someone with a drastically different perspective on things that truly matter. Yet, does being with someone similar make love monotonous? I believe this is a misunderstanding. Having matching wavelengths doesn’t mean mirroring each other’s thoughts; rather, it’s about exchanging ideas, finding common ground, and growing together. Love, to me, is about mutual listening, respect, understanding, and, in the end, embracing each other’s views—sometimes in agreement, sometimes in the beauty of coexistence. And my love aligns with me in just this way.

Life, in all its complexity, has always fascinated me. Two aspects, in particular, intrigue me. First, the choices we constantly face—life rarely unfolds in stark black and white; it exists in shades of grey. Often, we must choose the ‘better right’ among two rights or discard the ‘lesser evil’ between two wrongs. These decisions are rarely simple. Second, life never offers rehearsals or second chances—every moment is a one-time occurrence, making our choices all the more uncertain. During such moments, I yearned for a love that could hold my hand, reassure me through difficult decisions, and give me the courage to falter without fear. And my newfound love does exactly that.

Above all, love, for me, is about a safe space for vulnerability. We all carry imperfections, hidden behind the masks of strength that life demands. But constantly wearing this facade is exhausting. Sometimes, we break, and in those moments, we need someone we can trust—someone to whom we can bare our true selves without fear of judgment. Love, for me, is finding that refuge. And in my love, I have found just that.

It has been over two beautiful years, and this love only grows stronger. What better day than Valentine’s Day to declare it to the world?

It all began when I first read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. I was captivated, drawn into a world of emotions, and before I knew it, I had fallen in love. My newfound love for stories and literature soon consumed me, keeping me awake at night, lost in words and worlds. I found my wavelength in books—sometimes agreeing, sometimes disagreeing, but always engaging, always reaching a deeper understanding. When I read Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove, I saw my own reflection in its pages, a friend who understood without speaking. And when I read Strings by Reema Sherin, I found solace in its raw vulnerability, shedding tears in quiet solitude.

Once again, I have fallen madly in love—this time, with stories and literature. And on this Valentine’s Day, I wish to live happily ever after in this love.

– Amit.