Miracle Marriage

Chapter 11

The Second Girl

"When you see a question, Sathya, don't worry or be nervous; rather, try to answer it calmly in your brain. Leave it if you don't remember it or don't know. Don't answer. Ok," those words resonated in my head as I answered specific questions with trepidation. I was quite cautious in all of my responses I will leave the rest to the Gods, hoping for a miracle. It was a three-hour exam, and when I exited the hall with Jessi, I was overjoyed. I'm not sure why, maybe because I answered most of the questions or because I feel fantastic walking and stretching after sitting for three hours. Anyway, as soon as I stepped out of the hall, my eyes began searching for him. Where is he? Suddenly, something started ringing in Jessi's bag. It was a Nokia cellphone. I've only seen a cell phone twice, in the hands of my rich friend's father and doctor. He let me play games in that sometimes, to relax after studying for hours. I like the snake game.

"It's my Papa," She said, balancing the phone between her ear and shoulder as she answered it. I saw the little device, which was smaller than her palm and is now used in place of a telephone. According to an old proverb that states, "Even if it's divine nectar when you devour more, it's a poison," humans are incredibly bright and hazardous creatures. I'm not sure what our future holds. I imagined a world in which people coexisted with robots that did chores. That would have been excellent.

"Sathya, my Papa said, Bala sir is with him and met them at his office. Come on, let's go," Jessi grabbed my hand and dragged me through the hallway, up a staircase, and we came to a halt puffing in front of an office room labelled Head of the Department. "Is her father the department head?" I paused.

We went inside. Dr Kurian Varky, an elderly man nicely dressed, with a thick glass on the tip of his nose, gazed sharply and smiled at me. Doctor (Bala) sat on a chair in front of him, beaming at me. I can see his enthusiasm to scrutinize my exam paper just from his shining eyes, which is making me perspire.

"Papa, the questions were very hard," complained Jessi, like a spoiled kid.

"'Cause this is a competition for 7 seats with an elimination. If it was hard for you then, better luck next time," with a chuckle, her father said. 7 seats? I thought the doctor said only five seats, did he trick me? I pondered with a glare, he is avoiding my eyes, he tricked me for sure. Jessi threw a tantrum at her father. I was standing next to her, grinning, recalling my Appa. I turned to face the doctor, who was staring at me. I realised what he was saying when his eyes veered. "I did good," I buzzed like a bee, nodding my head. He smiled as he drew me in with his eyes and face. My body gravitated to his side like a magnet without even allowing me to think.

"How are you feeling now? Are you confident?" he asked me in a gentle tone.

"Yes, doctor, I knew the answer to most of the questions But I am really scared," I whispered.

"Let me check the question paper," he eagerly extended his hand to me. I passed him the question paper. He took his glasses from his pocket and began closely inspecting them. I was really nervous, much like when Appa questioned me about tossing the neighbour's brat into the canal for calling me "kakai" (crow). I had the impression that I had done something wonderful but in a negative manner. He was able to view the answers I had scribbled on the paper. I felt at peace every time he ticked the response I marked with his fingertips.

"Bala, don't be too harsh on her. She can write next year too," said Dr Kurian.

I knew he didn't mean it badly, but I wanted to tell him, "I'm not going to write again because I'm going to win this one," however,

"I don't believe so, and I trust her. She will pass this one," answered the doctor. I was delighted. My heart began to beat faster, and a smirk formed on my lips. I noticed a more confident smile on his face than mine.

"Look Papa, how sir supports his wife, so lovey-dovey," Jessi taunted.

"You are correct. Finally, I noticed a distinct expression on his face other than the urge to learn more. Bala was always a bookworm, Sathya. A silent boy eats and sleeps in a library if it's allowed. Even after one of his classmates revealed her feelings to him, this guy completely ignore her for five and half years, it was like he was never interested in any girls or like she never existed in his world. He once said that he had no feelings for any women because what he loves is his profession. His friends used to call his stethoscope his wife before you," Dr Kurian laughed, seeming amused.

But the words that stayed with me like glue were about the classmate who confessed to him. He said he never had any feelings for her, right? I was depressed after realising that I don't know the doctor as much as others. They were more familiar with him than I was. I want to ask him everything, but I'm not sure if he'll respond. Maybe in the future, what will be our future? I pondered. Huh! My head hurts. But meeting them was fascinating. I heard so many stories about him, about his days in college as a great student and book lover. I envied them for knowing him better than I did. I was jealous. I wished I had been in the same class as him and known him as my first love. When we got home, I excitedly contacted my Appa and told him about my exam. I was relieved to hear my family gushing about how wonderful my husband was instead asking me how did I do the exam.

Later that night, after supper, we sat on the bed and spoke over the exam questions. I wanted to question him about the girl who proposed to him in college.

"Enna (what) Sathya, what happened? You seem to be distracted, don't be concerned about the result," resting next to me he said.

"That's not it doctor, I want to know more about you. You've never had a romantic relationship? Why? even after the girl from your class confessed," I inquired rashly. I noticed his expression alter and he began to giggle.

"Hahaha, Sathya. Doctor Kurian was joking, and what he stated is not true. I had feelings for two girls but not for the one who confessed to me," he confirmed a new truth that fell on my head as a boulder. "What?" I was dumbfounded. "That time my only love was books and medicine, it's true. But I am also a human with emotions," he replied with a naughty grin. I want to know, who, when, where, how... everything.

"What? You really had relationships with girls?" I questioned.

"I never said that,"

"But you just said-"

"What I meant was that I had feelings for two girls, but I never confessed to them."

"Huh! Why?" I am more confused.

"Because when I met the first girl, it wasn't the perfect moment to confess, and the second girl, I'm still waiting for the proper time," he said, staring at me intensely as if he was talking about me. My cheeks burned and I flushed. I was certain he was referring to me as the "second female." who is the first, though? Who is she? I covet her for taking the first place in his life. Dammit! I want to know that so badly.