It only happens once every four years and, when it does, hopeful girlfriends pluck up the courage to ask their men for their hand in marriage in a romantic leap year proposal. The tradition says, if the man, God forbid, rejects the proposal, he has to compensate the girl by kissing and giving some money for buying a dress as a parting gift.

There are couples who have been together but have not gathered courage to plunge into matrimony. We know men can be slow on the uptake and, occasionally, just need a shove in the right direction.  

Aarthi Jayadeva, a techie, knew that her classmate Praveen was the one for her. After finishing the engineering course, they joined the same company and their friendship became stronger. ``I was always so comfortable with him, our families approved of our relationship, yet he never bothered  to propose. Whenever I tried broaching the issue, he would skirt  around it. It was in 2004 that by chance I came to know about the significance of the leap year and I wasted no time. I popped the question and Praveen just stared at me. He couldn’t escape this time,’’ says Aarthi.    

Valentine's Day was disappointing  for Martha Sebastian as she was expecting her boyfriend to propose that day. ``We went out for dinner, he gave me red roses, but there was no ring. I was heartbroken. February 29 is my only chance to seal the deal myself,’’ she says taking out the ring that she has bought for her would-be fiance. 

Then there are also those people who were born in the leap year, who get an opportunity to celebrate their real birthday once in four years! Reshma Srivastava, a BPO employee, was born on February 29. ``I don’t celebrate my birthday on February 28 every year as people born on leap year mostly do. But I consider that I become a year older only after four years unlike everyone else.’’ Reshma has planned to propose her boyfriend this year.

However, she has no plans of getting married now. ``I will wait and get married only in the next leap year,’’ she tells.      

So gals, today is the day to muster the courage and propose him or else keep on waiting! But see that you don't get down on one knee, especially if you're wearing stilettos - just chuck them away and stun your man!