Fortuitously Yours (Previously known as Accidentally Yours)

6.c. The Unexpected Proposal (Part-3)

When the two brothers reached their home, it was already half past three. And by the time they went to bend after freshening up a bit, it was nearly dawn. 

The cuckoo birds had started chirping in their sweet voices, and the crows had started cawing. Still amidst all these different sounds, Rohit could distinctly hear Mohit's snoring. 

While lying flat behind his brother, and his eyes forcefully shut closed, Rohit was day-dreaming all the events that took place within just a few hours that day. He knew that his dad was going to be operated on, but he had not expected it to happen through such an unexpected turn of events. All those tensions, all those hussles, his conversations with his father, Dr. Awasthi's words, everything was passing rapidly through the canvas of his eyes, as if he was watching a film in which he was himself a character!

In all these thoughts, he did not realise how hours passed by swiftly, and soon he could feel the dim rays of the rising sun hitting his face from the edge of unfurled curtains. 

Realising that sleep is not going to be his friend right now, Rohit woke up with a jolt, splashed some cold water on his face, wore his jogging suit, and started to run towards the beach. 

If it was any other day, he would have chosen the beach as his morning walk destination just to enjoy some fresh air and the morning hussle of the fishermen, unloading fishes from the fishing boats that reached the shore last night. 

But… today was different!

Today, his heart had instructed his brain to run towards the beach, as somewhere deep within, he was expecting to find a very known person sitting on a very familiar stone bench. He wanted to talk to her, and thank her for a favour that she never did! 

Running at an elevated pace, he reached the beach within just a few minutes, but his face fell low as soon as he reached the stone bench. Very unusually, today, it was empty! 

Saddened by the unexpected, he sat down on the bench, thinking why Priya did not come today. Maybe she was not well, or maybe her college had reopened, or maybe…she was avoiding him. 

This last thought disturbed him a bit, though slightly, but it did. And this slight uproar in his chest made him realise that Priya had already earned a special place in his friend list. 

But what if she is really not well? Or what if she has again tried some stunt to escape, which left her in a really bad state? No, he can't let that happen. He will have to meet her, right now! 

When Rohit reached near the gates of Mathur Mansion, he could see Priya sitting in the garden. Without realising why, Rohit had felt a great sense of relief on seeing her. 

When Priya saw Rohit, she stood up, waved her hand, and started walking towards her. 

"Hiii" she said as soon as she came near Rohit. 

Rohit: "Why didn't you go to the beach today?" 

Priya: "How do you know? 🤔" 

Rohit: "Because I went there…" 

Priya: "You went there for me…?" 

Rohit: "I didn't say that!" 

Priya: "But you meant it" 

Rohit was going to say something, but just then he heard Rajeswari calling him. 

Rajeshwari was coming towards them from inside the house, and was looking a bit concerned. 

Rajeshwari: "I heard from Shanti that your father was operated on last night!" 

Through the rim of his eyes, Rohit saw Priya gasp, but he ignored her and replied to Rajeshwari.