Flipped apart

20. Destiny

Adil's POV:

As the sun was about to descend, a mixture of red and orange tints started to paint in the blue sky creating a beautiful artwork. We were sitting near a beach, and the only sound audible was from the waves of the sea. The whole atmosphere was unusually serene. She began to relax and laid her head on my shoulder, I encircled her waist with my arm to bring her closer.  

She was dressed in a bright red kurti, blue jeans, and a blue hijab and all these complimented with her favourite hand embroidered jhuttis (Indian - Pakistani traditional flats usually it is hand embroidered by local artisans) . One hand held her wristwatch, while the other held the bracelet that I bought her to propose, tiny diamonds sparkled on the bracelet, creating a rainbow-like effect. I am not sure when I gave it to her; the last time I recall seeing it was in my cupboard. I tried applying pressure to a corner of my mind, but it remained empty.

When she noticed that I was staring at the bracelet, she brought her bracelet-cladded hand up to her lips and gave it a tiny peck, making my cheeks turn the same shade as of the sky.

"Adil, can you bring me the roasted corn? I am craving for it", she asked, looking at my side.

Getting up, putting on my sliders, I told her, "I will bring it just now you sit here itself; do not move." She nodded her head obediently and turned to face the view of the scenery.

Looking for the food stalls, I started walking through the lanes outside the beach area. 

It has been a while, and I am wondering why I cannot seem to locate any corn vendors. Normally, there will be a lot of vendors selling various eateries near the beach, but today none of them are present. I was disappointed that I could not grant her wish for roasted corn. What kind of person am I that I cannot even grant such a small wish?

An eternity later, I eventually found one corn stall, searching for the finest raw corn, I asked her to roast it. She started to roast it skilfully. I feel a profound sense of happiness; the miles and time spent looking for the corn felt worth it.

"Bhaiya, Bhaiya, buy these flower bangles, please." A small girl approached out of nowhere and began to sell jasmine flowers quilted in the shape of a bangle. I tried to ignore her and focus on the corn lady. 

"Bhabhi will be happy. Please buy these Bhaiya. I will give you a set of two bangles for 50 rupees. Please buy." She pleaded more. 

"Sahab (Sir), we ladies love flowers as a surprise; Madam will be happy seeing the fresh flower bangles." The corn selling lady handing me the perfectly roasted corn also started to urge me to take those flowers. Giving up, I took a 200 rupee note and gave it to the girl to take a set of fresh jasmine quilted bangles.

After taking the flower bangles and roasted corn, I turned to the beach side to go near her. It seemed like an eternity when I finally reached the beach. I don't know why it is feeling like that.

As I went to our place,She was not there. I began searching the entire beach for her, but I got nowhere. Nevertheless, I continued to wander around to look for her. 

Sweat beads began to form on my forehead; the heat from the corn had long gone and it was now cold; and my foot was sore from the constant splashing of water from the waves at the beach.

Giving it up, I turned to go to the previous place where we sat. As I went, I saw a lady with a similar bracelet as hers. Bewildered, I turned to her side to have a look. She was wearing black formal pants, a green colour shirt, a grey coloured hijab, and high-heeled formal sandals; her whole personality was unlike my girl.