It Happened In Florida

4.Karan

"When it's time for souls to meet, there's nothing on earth that can prevent them from meeting"

Karan walked into the Water Street resort carrying his duffle bag in one hand and his parent's suitcase in the other. His scrunched-up face made it quite evident that he would rather be at home watching his unfinished documentary on how dictatorship affected the people of Iraq in the late 70s than attend a wedding of two people he'd never met. Meenu was given a free pass because she had her work from home. And his nephews were busy with school and university respectively.

Just how many clothes were his parents carrying for a two-day event?

"Why is your bag so heavy?"

"Oh, you remember my friend, Amitabh Nanda? We were in the airforce together, they have their farmhouse just five miles from here, and they've invited us to stay. We'll be leaving the morning after the wedding. You can head back home with Poonam and Gaurav, that's why they  came in a different car."

His parents definitely had a more happening life than him right now.

He was just about to ask the front desk about their rooms when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned back to look at an Indian girl with a sash around her that said BRIDE in bold capital letters.

"Hey, I am Arshita. I hope you found your way to the resort comfortably." She said politely while shaking his hand.

"Yes, we found it just fine, Thank you. Let me guess you must be the lucky girl getting married?"

"Oh I wonder what gave it away" she laughed.

She then turned to his parents to touch their feet. His parents took turns hugging her and blessing her with their hands on her head. They looked so excited.

Sometimes Karan felt guilty about how his relationship drama affected his parents so much. They should not have to worry about their 35-year-old son's love life drama in their 70s.

Arshita gave a key card to his parents. Telling them that the breakfast has already started and they can come as soon as they are freshened up.

"You go relax, they've already sent your luggage up to your room." She accompanied his parents to the elevator who walked happily holding hands.

Arshita then came back to Karan.

"So when did you come from India?"

"It's been just a little over two weeks actually. For the first 14 days, I was anyway quarantined in my sister's outhouse."

"Oh that would have been lonely and boring"

In more ways than you can think. Karan thought to himself.

"Yeah sometimes. But I tried to be productive and finished some work interviews that were lined up. And now I am attending this wedding with family. I know it was so last minute, thank you for having me here."

Did Arshita's smile really faltered a bit at his statement or did he imagine it?

"Actually there has been a minor issue regarding that."

He knew it.

"You see I had an extra room all ready for you till morning today but then my fiance's grandparents decided to invite along their neighbours and just informed me when they got here. So I had to give away your room to them. And all the other rooms are already booked because of the wedding. I am extremely sorry."