Backstory of Tapasya Oberoi

3. Engagement

Sixth of March was Tapasya's eighteenth birthday

For her, it was like all other normal days. She woke up and, after spending some time with her punching bag, went to take a shower. When she came out of the shower, she found a bunch of white roses and a single red rose with a letter and two gift boxes.

The letter says,'HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR, Open the small gift first'. It was a ring, simple yet beautiful. A four millimeter thick platinum ring with half millimeter gold wire outlined. Total five diamonds were fixed on it, and the spare part has beautiful floral design. There was a small piece for paper inside it too, she opened it and took a minute to admire the delicate writing on the handwritten letter. The letter says:

My dear daughter,

Happy 18th birthday. I know the name you bear is already very heavy for you. Everything that you went through wasn't easy, and I am proud of you for what you are today. You are so calm and compose, never showing the tsunami of emotions that always has pulverized you inside. The ability of yours to hide your pain in your heart and even not show it in your eyes always overwhelmed me.

Coming to the point this ring was chosen by your mother for you, for your engagement to Mr. Devansh Agarwal's son Rishi Agarwal. I know you're shocked after reading this, but this is true. At the age of five, Rishi and Tapasya were engaged, but that accident was a life changer. You were so traumatized that I was never able to tell you this. It was Geet's wish.

Please, the pain of losing my family in a day is too much for this old heart. The only family that is left to me is you, and I don't want to lose you. You don't have to wear it on your finger. All you need is to respect it. Rest is up to you, I hope you'll understand.

With love,

Your father.

Without batting her lashes, she opened the other box. It was a gold chain. Bunch of thin gold smooth wire, probably four or five, elegantly tangled to form a chain with a single round white diamond pendent. This box also contained a letter. She prepared herself.

Dear Tapasya,

Happy birthday, my love. If you are reading this letter, then it means I am no more, or else I would have given the gift to you myself.

I have nothing to say, just that this chain was of my great grandmother's and is passed on to me on my 18th birthday. Now that you are eighteen, it is yours.

Remember, Maa always loved you and will always do. Wish you all the best for your future and have a great life ahead.

Love,

Maa.

Wow, another heart touching. She wondered why someone died in an accident and wrote a letter as a future gift. She put the ring into the chain and wears it, there was no other choice. and went for breakfast.

"Happy birthday, Love," Avinash greeted his daughter once they were seated one breakfast table. "I know it's too much to ask but will you accept my gift?" he asked with hopes in his eyes.

Showing her chain, Tapasya nodded, "I have a question though." she continued, "Why would someone write a letter for the future when they had no idea about how they die?" her blunt question made Avinash still. She sounds more like a detective than a daughter inquiring about her mother's death.

Clearing his throat, he said, "Because Geet knew she was going to die sooner or later, she had cervical cancer, stage two. We did very best, and she was on medicine. She was hopeful yet doubted her life span. So prepared the gifts beforehand."
"Then there must be on for Prateek, too?"she asked with the same unemotional tone.
"Yes," Avinash replied with a shaky breath. "Look, I am not asking you to marry him. Just think about it. There is no need to give you an answer right now. Give him a chance. He is a nice boy." He replied in a hopeful voice.

Tapasya listened and nodded again. her heart ached because the man in front of her was on the verge of breaking yet standing strong. They ate in silence. 

TO BE CONTINUED....