The buzzer goes off at 5am, and like any other day, I slap the annoying alarm silent. My inner wish is to hurl the palm-sized clock into the wall, shattering the monotonous ticking into oblivion. But, it’s one of those things that you just can’t do because it would be socially unacceptable and the repercussions such as over-sleeping and showing up at work disheveled and late, would probably end my career.

Valentine’s Day is just like an annoying alarm clock. You wish you could take it and shove it up whoever-manufactured-the-holiday’s behind, but you can’t because that would mean no red roses, no heart-shaped chocolate, no expensive candlelight dinners and your girlfriend would probably dump you. It’d be the end of the World! Not.

Women definitely get the better end of the deal. Men are expected to plan something extravagant and surprise the ladies. Whether it’s a dinner or sending flowers to the office, the chic needs to feel emotionally validated in the full view of her colleagues.

How lame is that? Why does the man have to buy something generic like roses and chocolates to ensure their lady on Valentine’s know that they are loved; especially when love is something that cannot be bought?

For the record ladies, your men are most likely working very hard at this very moment to provide for your pretty-selves. Someone’s got to pay for your manicures, weaves, blow-outs, impromptu shopping trips and fuel. So what if I subconsciously forget about February 14th, I treat you like a Queen every other day. Isn’t that enough?

Sitting in my office, I’m wondering what am I supposed to do on Valentine’s anyways? Do I stick to my manly principles and pretend like the manufactured-holiday doesn’t exist, and risk hurting my girlfriend’s feelings and probably putting up with a month-long “Don’t talk to me” tantrum? Do I just pick up the phone and order some flowers like that television commercial suggests? Do I send a worthless SMS wishing her a ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’?

Why is there so much pressure!