There once was a Comma who lived in uptown Manhattan and worked as a graphic designer in Chelsea. He was a kind of an introvert who likes to talk about the details. Yes, that is a fancy way, if that is how you say, of calling someone one a bit boring. He always hung out with his best friend and co-worker, Apostrophe.

Last December, around this time, Apostrophe was teasing Comma about whether he’s going to make a move on his crush at the office Christmas party.

It’s ‘crazy’ that you haven’t said ‘anything’ when it’s a man’s ‘thing’ to say something – said Apostrophe.

I am, at the most, apprehensive about talking, confronting, expressing and letting out, in honest way, my emotions – replied Comma.

You see, the thing is that Comma was crushing over Question Mark in HR. Although it is a bad idea to date someone you work with, no less someone in Human Resources. But Comma had lost his heart to this sexy, tall, blonde Question Mark with beautiful curves and a dimple of a dot below. The truth, however, was that Question Mark was way out of Comma’s league. At the office Christmas party, Comma approached Question Mark by the fruit punch bowl.

So, I just wanted to, in great honesty, say hello but the thing is that my heart, lungs, kidney and mind is so much in awe of your eyes, hair, lips, curves and that, if I must say, majestic dot down below – Comma said nervously.

Why? – Question Mark replied without ever taking her eyes away from her drink in her hand.

Well, the truth be told, I am, perhaps, in the most general sense, probably, in love with you – Comma was in the middle of his sentence that all of a sudden Exclamation Mark popped out of nowhere.

Hey Q! – Exclamation Mark shouted when he was only 3 feet away from her. But Question Mark was blushing with a smile from cheek to cheek.

What? – She responds while twirling her hair.

I love you Babe! – He says spitting all over her as he leans in.

Really? – Question Mark was just all over Exclamation.

You damn right babe! Let’s Fuck! – Exclamation picked Question Mark up and swept her out of the scene.

She’s like ‘such a’ bitch’s ass. – Apostrophe stepped up to console Comma.

How is it, I am saying, even possible, with these people, I mean, they are both last named Mark, which is kind of creepy, but she rejected me, why? – Comma was clearly upset.

Because you talk too much. – It was Full Stop from accounting. She had been sitting there all along in simple black cocktail dress which was just right. With her perfectly calm and toned body which was just right. Comma looked at her and both their eyes met.

Six months later.

Comma had quit the job in Chelsea and was now working in Midtown East. Life was Bleh. One day, he walked into Full Stop at Starbucks.

Hey, I mean, hello Full Stop, which would be your name – Comma initiates the conversation but gets cut off.

Call me Period. – She responds with a smile.

So, what might be the, if I may, the grand – Comma gets cut off

Just getting a coffee. – Period finishes the sentence

Of course, since us no longer, perhaps – Comma gets cut off again

Of course I remember you from Office Christmas party. – Period finishes the sentence

Sky, Jupiter, Liza Minelli, Honda Accord – Comma is cut off again

Saturday at a reputable establishment is fine by me. – Period finishes the sentence with a smile

Wow, it feels like we are finishing each other’s sentences. – Comma is feeling pretty good

No. I am finishing your sentences. – Period drops the mic, throws a peace sign and moon walks out of the scene.

A week later at a reputable establishment.

It needs to be a precise sentence with a quick end. – Period was not sure what were they talking about in her heart she knew she wanted to give it a try.

I don’t believe in, generally speaking, conforming to conventions – Comma didn’t want to lose this.

I don’t know what you are talking about. – Period

Let’s be; together – Period and Comma said it almost together.

I want to be on top. – Period had the last word. But that was the beginning of a wonderful punctuation forever known as a Semi Colon.

Although the relationship lasted only a year because Period’s ex-girlfriend, another Period, showed up at thanksgiving and reminded her of the good old times when they were a Full Colon together. Comma moved to Vancouver and met a hyphen – they’re called a Dash over there.