Does Love Happen in Books?✅

Prayer in crisis

The evening had started with an air of anticipation and unspoken feelings at Midleton College of Fine Arts. Jhanvi had been grappling with her newfound emotions for Sid, uncertain whether to confess her feelings. Meanwhile, Nick had been silently nursing his own affection for Jhanvi, hoping for the right moment to reveal his heart.

As dusk settled over the campus, Jhanvi found herself sitting in the college chapel, seeking solace in the flickering candlelight and the quiet serenity it offered. She had always turned to prayer during moments of uncertainty, and tonight was no different. Her thoughts were filled with Sid, her heart yearning to share her feelings with him.

Across campus, Shanvi wandered through the garden, the scent of roses mingling with the cool evening breeze. She, too, was lost in her own thoughts, pondering over Nick's presence in her life. His kindness and quiet strength had captured her heart, yet she hesitated to admit her feelings.

Unbeknownst to both of them, fate had other plans that evening. Jhanvi's phone buzzed urgently in her pocket, disrupting her reverie. With a sinking feeling, she answered the call to hear the tremulous voice of her mother on the other end.

"Jhanvi, it's your father. He's had a heart attack. We're rushing him to the hospital," her mother choked out, her words filled with fear and desperation.

Jhanvi's heart plummeted, the world around her suddenly tilting on its axis. She struggled to maintain composure as she processed the shocking news. "I'm coming, Mom. I'll be there as soon as I can."

With trembling hands, Jhanvi hung up the phone and rushed out of the chapel, her mind racing with worry for her father. She dashed across campus towards the hospital, her thoughts consumed with prayers for his recovery.

Meanwhile, Shanvi received a similar call from Nick, informing her of Jhanvi's father's critical condition. Without hesitation, Shanvi hurried to the chapel where she knew Jhanvi would seek solace in times of distress.

She found Jhanvi sitting on a wooden pew, her face buried in her hands as tears streamed down her cheeks. Shanvi approached quietly, kneeling beside her friend and placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Jhanvi," Shanvi murmured softly, her voice filled with compassion. "I'm here for you. We'll pray for your father together."

Jhanvi looked up with tear-stained eyes, her heart aching with fear and uncertainty. "Shanvi, I don't know what to do. I'm so scared."

Shanvi squeezed her hand reassuringly, her own voice trembling slightly. "We'll pray for strength and healing. Your father is strong, Jhanvi. He'll pull through."

Together, they bowed their heads in prayer, their words mingling with the soft murmur of the chapel's hymns. Jhanvi poured out her fears and hopes in whispered pleas, seeking divine intervention for her father's recovery. Shanvi's heart echoed her friend's prayers, her thoughts intertwined with Nick's safety and well-being.

As they prayed, a sense of peace descended upon them, wrapping them in a cocoon of faith and solidarity. Time seemed to stand still in that sacred space, their worries momentarily lifted by the power of their shared devotion.

Hours passed in the quiet sanctuary of the chapel before Jhanvi's phone finally buzzed with a message from her mother. With trembling hands, she read the words that brought both relief and anxiety: her father was stable but still critical. He was undergoing treatment, and they were hopeful for his recovery.

Jhanvi let out a shaky breath, tears of gratitude welling up in her eyes. "He's going to be okay, Shanvi."

Shanvi smiled through her own tears, pulling Jhanvi into a gentle embrace. "I'm so glad, Jhanvi. We'll continue praying for him."

As they sat together in the chapel, their hearts heavy yet hopeful, Jhanvi and Shanvi found strength in each other's presence and in the belief that their prayers would be answered. Amidst the uncertainty of their own emotions and the challenges they faced, their bond of friendship deepened, anchored by moments of shared vulnerability and unwavering support.

Shanvi and Jhanvi exchanged surprised glances as their mother dropped the bombshell. "Boys for our alliance?" Shanvi repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Their mother nodded solemnly. "Yes, your father met with a few families, but we refused the proposals. We want you both to focus on your careers and choose your partners when the time is right."

Jhanvi, always the outspoken one, couldn't hold back her curiosity. "Why did you refuse, Amma? Did you not like them?"

"It's not about liking or disliking," their mother replied gently, sitting down beside them. "Your father and I believe that marriage is a serious commitment. We want you both to be happy and settle down with someone you truly connect with, not just because a proposal came through."

Shanvi nodded slowly, processing her mother's words. She appreciated their parents' trust in their judgment. "Thank you, Amma," she finally said softly. "It means a lot to us."

Jhanvi, always quick to lighten the mood, grinned mischievously. "So, does this mean we get to find our own partners now?"

Their mother chuckled, ruffling Jhanvi's hair affectionately. "Not so fast, young lady. It means we'll support you when you find someone special."

As the sisters continued talking late into the evening, they felt a newfound sense of freedom and understanding from their parents. It was clear that while their father had taken the traditional step of seeking alliances, their parents' ultimate concern was their happiness and well-being. For Shanvi and Jhanvi, this revelation strengthened their bond with their family, knowing they could count on their support in matters both traditional and modern.

And as dawn broke over the horizon, casting a soft glow over the chapel, Jhanvi and Shanvi knew that their journey together, through trials and tribulations, would only strengthen their resolve to face whatever life had in store for them.