flicker of flame|| KTH X JJK

9. "Promises Unfulfilled"

That night, Vyn found himself unable to sleep, torn between the battle of his heart and mind. The love he felt for Fathima was overwhelming, yet the fear of not finding her grew stronger with each passing day. He worried that if he missed this chance, he’d lose her forever, but giving up would make him feel like a failure in her eyes.

Unable to calm his restless thoughts, Vyn headed to the hotel’s swimming pool. He swam for an hour, hoping the physical exertion would quiet his mind. As he emerged from the water, he caught a glimpse of the Taj Mahal reflected in the pool. The iconic monument seemed to call out to him, so after a quick change, he decided to visit it.

At 5:00 AM, the Taj Mahal was bathed in the soft, ethereal light of dawn. The sky was flushed with hues of pink and purple, and the majestic structure looked more beautiful than ever. Vyn stood there, mesmerized, a rare smile forming on his lips.

Meanwhile, Fathima had also risen early. After completing her morning prayers, she headed to the banks of the Yamuna River to feed the fish. As she scattered the food into the water, she noticed a pair of swans gracefully gliding together. Across the river, Vyn wandered near the same spot, his eyes drawn to the swans as well.

Both of them, unknowingly so close, shared the same thought in their minds:
*"Like those swans, I will find my love and be with them forever."*

With that, Fathima made her way to the mosque for her daily duties. Vyn, feeling a pull toward the mosque, decided to enter and offer his prayers. Just as he was about to start, his phone rang unexpectedly.

Vyn: “Hello? Appa?”

Voice: “Vyn, it’s eomma.”

Vyn: “Eomma!” he responded, excitement evident in his voice.

Mom: edioissyeo?

Vyn: “What?!” he exclaimed, the shock clear in his voice.

His mother’s voice was urgent on the other end: “Come soon.”

Vyn stood frozen in front of the mosque, torn between two worlds. After a moment of hesitation, he turned and made his way back to the hotel. Once in his room, the weight of it all hit him, and he broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. Memories flooded his mind—his father’s kindness, the time spent with Fathima, and the impossible choice he now faced.

His mother’s words echoed in his mind: “Your dad had a heart attack. We admitted him to the hospital. He wants to see you now. Where are you?”

Lying on the bed, Vyn wiped away his tears, struggling to find clarity. “I’m sorry, Fathima,” he whispered to himself. “I never cared about how I looked in front of you, but my dad, who has always been there for me, is more important right now. I have to go back.”

Meanwhile, across from Vyn's hotel, Fathima was deep in prayer, asking for strength and peace for Vyn. She had no idea how close they were or the plans fate had in store for them.

As the clock ticked on to 7:30 PM, Vyn found himself by the Yamuna River. There, he noticed an old man patiently waiting with a fishing rod in hand. The man waved at Vyn, who waved back and approached him.

“Mr. Vyn, I know who you are. You look handsome,” the old man said with a warm smile. Vyn managed a small smile and thanked him, his eyes still drawn to the Taj Mahal’s silhouette.

“What’s bothering you?” the old man asked.

“Nothing,” Vyn replied, though his heart was heavy.

“Here, take this drink. It might make you feel better,” the old man offered. Vyn accepted the drink and took a small sip, his thoughts racing.

He finally opened up, his voice filled with despair. “I came here to find my love. She loves me, and I love her. I even proposed to her. But then I got a call saying my dad is critical. I don’t know what to do.”