POTION OF LOVE

23. 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧

"What do you mean ‘I won't be able to come back?’ ” I ask, my voice increasing with panic as I glance at the screen and back on the road trying to stay sane and not crash somewhere

I hear Veer taking a deep breath on the call, preparing himself to drop the next bombshell “Royal Crest is expanding, I am trying to get a contract from Singapore and if we succeed then you will be a part of the whole Singapore project! For this, I don't think you will have time to go back to Sydney after you come here. Or you know what that old man will do to sabotage it”

I take a few deep breaths to calm down, I can feel the weight of these responsibilities heaving on my shoulders already.

It's a great opportunity, the best one for me. I can finally be a part of this business and help my brother and father but this comes with a lot of sacrifices.

Not being able to come back here. Meet my friends or the people who have become a second family here. Of course, I can keep in touch yet for some reason I feel like it will be longer than Veer is making it sound

“Look, I know this all is too much right now. So don't stress and-” Before he could complete I cut him off “Don't stress? Seriously Bhai? I just finished my exams, then got to know about your wedding which I was not prepared for! I have my graduation and none of you are here! I don't know what else to do except stress!” I yell in frustration, my breathing gets faster

I am grateful that the car windows are already up or the people around would look at me like I have lost it. But it's the universal truth that I will lose it

“I am sorry for not being there. I know it's important to you but half family is either busy with wedding preparations or the Singapore project” He replies, his voice is calm as if this all doesn't bother him at all. I know it does, he might be more stressed than me

An involuntary scoff escapes my mouth “Both things that have been kept hidden from me” I mutter. At first, I had no idea about Veer’s wedding and now this expansion which has been planned for the past two years but didn't reach my ears.

I can catch the tiredness in his voice.
This guy is travelling back and forth from Mumbai to Singapore during his wedding preparations, giving his best to everything. Yet I am unable to forget that I am being extremely overlooked here.

My family won't be here for one of my important achievements

I need to face my relatives back at home. Prepare for the wedding and be a major part as the groom's sister

“Everything will be all right, Jasmine. Bas thodi aur mehnat” he says, his voice almost pleading for me to understand.
[Translation- Just a little more hardwork]

Well my hope is vanishing at this point

I sigh, pulling the car under Stella's place. “Anyways I will be there na. I gotta go now, bye” I hang up the call without waiting for his response. Maybe I am becoming rude but can't help it, this is too overwhelming