Thursday, February 12, 2009

Too Much Mush

10 years back, when I was still in school, pre valentine day evenings were spent “hanging out” in Archie’s Gallery. This was along with a gang of girls who were all single. We went through each and every card and longed for the time when someone would serenade us with these. The soft toys, the cute miniature dancing couples, the heart shaped cushions, those musical key chains, the lockets that are broken in 2 pieces all made our heart skip a beat.

That was then, when I was still a teen, was in a girls convent, was an outright snob and read mills and boons.

Now yesterday, I went to this mall which has an Archie’s Gallery. I stood outside the store and stared hard. The whole place was done up in red and pink. All I could see were teddy bears and heart shaped pillows. The thought of going in and picking up a card struck me, after all it has been a while since I gave a card to Aman (for his first b’day after we got together I did some crazy stuff, well well that’s another post).

I took 2 steps towards the entrance and saw this huge crowd inside. All teens, apparently “hanging out” like we use to. Everything was either red or pink in color, everything either had a heart or a kiss printed on it. Everything just screamed of Valentines Day. Somehow the love was lost; rather what I saw was a very commercial, fabricated setup.
The mush was just too much for me to handle. I am anyways not very accommodating in nature and that whole atmosphere put me off completely. This on my face display of “love” left me with some kind of a queasy feel.

I am a highly romantic person, and I love all forms of expressions.
Now something I so enjoyed a few years back should have brought along sweet nostalgic feel. Rather I felt old and found all this display a tad bit silly.

Now before you take me for a refined version of Ram Sena, let me clarify that I have nothing against Val Day. I absolutely love celebrating all forms of Love. And why just this day in particular, I am lovey dovey most of the time.

The point I am making is about the extreme mush mush. Have I grown old? Why did I find the set up pretentious and blatant? I love going to the market during festive seasons solely because the place is done up and there is a happy feel around.

I think I am becoming old and things that were cute are now being categorized as silly. Is this also a part of growing up? I don’t like it then.

12 comments:

Masood said...

I feel the same. V-day just does not excite that much any more. I guess it's just one of the many signs of becoming an adult. I won't say 'we are old' coz that's kinda disturbing (:P) but I'd rather say 'we grew up'. :)

Aman said...

Yeah...and you know what..your younger sister exactly said that!!!

Jiju Didi...u guys are growing old!!

Monika said...

oh i know what u mean but sometime I crave to go back to those times... weren't things much more simpler and pretty in those days

Rohini said...

It's all too commercial and manufactured, if you ask me. Mind you, I am not complaining about the V-day offers and deals at restaurants though. Make hay while the sun shines ;)

Shruti Narayanan said...

well am 20 n i still dont like these mush much!! does that mean am born old???? lol.. i dont think so!! u never know.. mayb next yr u suddenly get back ur lost interest.. i think these r just temporary mood swings... dont worry ;)

Iya said...

@ Masood - growing up, u bet

@ Aman - for her we have always been old

@ Monica - ya, those days were just so carefree

@ Rohini - tru, commercialization to the core, but y not enjoy the offers

@ Shruti - Welcome to my blog Shruti, ya maybe just mood swings..

Cynic in Wonderland said...

it IS too commercial. and it is toooooooo PINK

Pinku said...

hi

you are not alone...and now you also know..that real love is not expressed through factory produced cards and gifts...

It comes out through that cup of coffee that magically appears when you are feeling down and out...and that loving sms that comes in just when you had picked up the mobile to punch in your 'where are u' message.

Iya said...

@ Cyn - too much,mush and more mush

@ Pinku - glad to see u here, i thought u had disappeared. and what u have written is so beautiful and so tru..

Mama - Mia said...

yup! we habe grown up! and thats alright! grown up romance has its own charms, nahi?! and it usually has nothing to do with flowers and chocolates! :D

cheers!

abha

Anonymous said...

Well..I would say...trying doing one of those stupid gestures once again..the way your partner reciprocates will make you feel young again..and things will not look stupid anymore :)

Mampi said...

Growing up not old is what is happening to you, and you are not alone in this. There is a time for this mush, and there is a time for thinking that its all useless.
It happens, take it easy. And this new phase IS what is real.