Unfolding love between white coats

Chapter 11: The Bitter Turn of Fate

Ten days had passed since Karthik and Shravani had started talking regularly. Each conversation felt like a step closer to something deeper, a bond that was growing steadily between them. Karthik found himself looking forward to their talks, his feelings for Shravani blossoming day by day. One evening, as they were chatting, Karthik paused for a moment before saying, "I never thought I'd feel this way again, but I think love is growing within me for you, Shravani."

For those ten days, everything was smooth, and their connection felt effortless. They shared dreams, spoke about their families, and discussed their future together. It was as though time had flown by with both of them happily lost in each other's company. They were ready, or so it seemed. But then came the shocking news that turned their world upside down. Despite both families liking each other, Karthik's parents rejected the proposal. The reason—horoscopes didn't match.

Karthik's parents, having gone through the experience with his sister, were firm in their beliefs. His sister's own marriage had been a love marriage, but she was still unhappy. The horoscopes had not matched in her case, and this had led to constant friction between her and her husband. Karthik's father, though empathetic to his son's wishes, couldn't ignore the lessons of the past. He gently explained to Karthik, "I understand you like her, Karthik. I see you both are happy. But we cannot take this risk. The horoscopes don't match, and our experiences with your sister have shown us the importance of these things in a marriage."

At the same time, Shravani, eager and excited about the next steps, had been preparing for the marriage with great joy. She had even applied a face pack, readying herself for the next step in her life, the future she was so eager to build with Karthik. She had forgotten all about the horoscopes, her heart set on the future with him. Her phone rang, and her father's voice sounded heavy. "Shravani, I just got a call. The proposal has been rejected. The horoscopes don't match."

In that moment, Shravani's heart sank. She stood frozen, staring at the phone in her hand as her father's words echoed in her mind. The excitement she had felt moments ago crumbled into a painful realization. All the hope she had built up, the love she had found again after years of waiting, now seemed like a cruel joke.

The boy she had liked for so long, the one she had dared to dream of a future with, had slipped away once again—this time because of something as arbitrary as horoscopes. Her heart broke as she remembered how, at first, she had let him go easily when she found out he was in a relationship. She had convinced herself to move on. But now, when she found out that Karthik truly cared for her, that he too had fallen in love, her hopes had soared high. Now, those very dreams shattered before her eyes.

For Shravani, love had failed her twice. The first time, it had been unrequited, and now, it was being taken away by something as intangible as fate and the belief in horoscopes. She sat there, a heavy weight in her chest, feeling the sting of disappointment, anger, and loss all at once. The pain of losing something she had just begun to believe in again consumed her, and for a long moment, she simply sat in silence, not knowing what to feel anymore.