20

I watched as he rose from his chair and came near me with the speed of light. With eyes widened, he stood in pure shock like I had told him that fishes can fly.

Like, they do fly, but in water...if that makes any sense.

Shaking my head to get rid of my nonsense thoughts, I focused on the current situation in front of me.

Or more like a person.

His behavior was totally in contrast to what it was a few minutes ago- the calmness that he always wore on his face was nowhere to be seen. It left me wondering what happened suddenly.

He breathed out and held my arms lightly with his both hands. His eyes were searching for something as he looked into mine. The ocean-blue orbs were filled with shock, but something was shining brightly in them.

Hope.

There was a pin-drop silence in the room that was making the situation even more weird.

"You...You remember?" He whispered in a low voice.

I just stared at his pretty face, not understanding what he was asking. It was getting quite hard for me to concentrate on the question when he was so close. Bringing back my attention, I blinked.

Remember what?

Is there something I should have remembered?

Like some Important Files?

His black coffee?

His next meeting schedule?

"Um...Remember what?" I asked blinking my eyes, trying hard not to look directly into his captivating eyes.

For the next few seconds, there was complete silence in the room as he stared at my face like he was thinking really hard about something.

Then, he looked away from me at the sky from the window, releasing a deep breath and removing his hands from my arm.

Running his hand through his hair, he asked, his eyes still focused on the sky. "When is the next meeting?"

I hastily opened his schedule and answered him. "At 5 with Mr. Luke."

"Cancel that."

With that order, he turned around and left the room without sparing me a single glance.

I rolled my eyes at his mood swings and started collecting files from the tables.

×

I didn't see him the whole day after that incident. He just disappeared to God knows where.

Maybe he was with someone special, maybe his girlfriend?

Or that girl- what was her name again?

Daira?

Lyra?

God! This problem of mine, forgetting everyone's name is too serious maybe I should just consult a doctor. Eating almonds isn't helping.

I looked outside the car at the quiet streets. With my gaze fixed out the window, my mind was full of thoughts, that were making everything around me drift away in a blur.

Today was weird.

Time flew by too fast, and it was evening.

My car decided to betray me when I had to return home. That thing didn't start at all. So, Rosy offered to drop me off. Maybe I should buy a new car, but that would cost much.

My mind drifted back to Mr. Rude. He behaved strangely today.

I snapped out of my thoughts as I felt hands on my shoulder, and someone shook me.

I looked to my left side at Rosy, as she stared at me with wide eyes.

"What?" I asked, my eyebrows knitting together in confusion.

"You've been sleeping with your eyes open. Do teach me this skill," she said, turning the radio down, and the music faded away into a distant hum.

I gave her an eye roll and noticed the car had come to a halt. Glancing to my right, I saw we had reached my house.

Unbuckling my seatbelt, I passed her a small smile as I replied, "I was just...thinking."

"Yeah, I can see, you've been quiet since we left. Tell me who is in your mind?"

I sighed, and tied my loose hair in a ponytail, "It's not always about a person. It can be something else."

The corner of her lips curved into a smile as she looked ahead at the empty roads, "Yes, but in the end, everything is connected to a person. Every problem we have, every worry, it starts with us." Then she looked at me, "What do you think?"

I shook my head with a small smile, "I don't think so."

The streetlights flickered to life. I watched as she looked at the cozy homes surrounding us. In the distance, a family gathered on the porch, laughter, and conversation spilling into the air.

"I will be taking a few days off." She announced.

"Why?"

She shrugged, "For the past few days, I've felt stuck as if my life is on a loop. Perhaps I need some time for myself. I will be visiting my parents; it might help me feel alive again."

I passed her a weak smile, "That's great idea, take care of yourself." I said and got down after thanking her for the ride.

Entering my house, I went towards the living room and found the most unexpected person sitting there.

The guests who visited our house that day, were seated there, chatting with Grandma. I looked at the clock.

7:49 pm.

Before I could dwell on my own thoughts, Grandma's eyes fell on me, and she called, diverting everyone's attention towards me.

"Hello." I greeted everyone politely with a cheerful smile on my face and took a seat beside Aaron, who was, of course, playing a game on his mobile.

He glanced at me for a second and passed a mischievous smile which made me frown at him.

"How are you, Ria?" Dhruv uncle asked to which I responded with a smile and the conversation started. He is the person you can easily talk to without getting awkward or feeling a generation gap.

It reminds me of my father. He was just like his best friend. I remember my father mentioning his best friend, Dhruv Uncle, when I was a kid. He will tell me stories of his childhood.

I never thought I would meet his friend. But here we are now, without the main person in the picture.

I looked at Aunty, she was quiet all the time or maybe she doesn't like talking much.

After talking for some time, I stood and walked towards the kitchen, where I found grandma and the maid -that we hired a few months ago- setting the dinner table.

"Something special?" I asked Gradma, opening the fridge and drinking the chilled water.

"Yes." Her serious reply made me confused. But before I could ask anything, she ordered me to call the guest.

×

After dinner, when we all sat in the living room, I could feel the strange air.

A kind of silence, which was scaring me. And telling me that something big is coming on my way.

Dhruv Uncle cleared his throat and looked at me, "Ria, you are just like my daughter." he paused and exchanged glances with my grandma, "I have something to tell you."

I nodded slightly, encouraging him to go on.

"I came here to tell your grandma about my younger son's wedding."

"Okay," I responded, unaware of what was coming next.

"But I want my elder son to settle first. It's our tradition that the firstborn marries first."

Weird tradition.

Why are you telling me all this?

I wanted to ask this question badly. But I kept patience. I hope he doesn't say the thing that my sixth sense is indicating.

I'm too young for marriage.

Even if I get old, I won't marry.

No one can change my mind.

I don't feel the need for anyone.

Plus, I don't think that I am ever gonna find the type of person I want. This world is not so kind after all- It has always snatched away my favorite things and persons from me.

So, in conclusion, I think I should spend my life being single and die single.

"Ria?"

"Ria?"

I came back from my thoughts as I heard my name being called.

"Yes, I am listening," I uttered in a low voice.

"I was trying to find a perfect match for him. When your thought came to my mind. We have decided to arrange your marriage." He spoke with a small smile, and continued, "No one is pressurizing you. If you meet and don't like him, then you can reject him. It's all up to you." His eyes were filled with hope as he spoke. And I was having a hard time digesting the words he was saying. There was a heaviness that I felt in my chest indicating me about the new storm entering my life

He rose from his seat while I was still trying to process his words, "My son's wedding is in a year, and before that, I want my elder son to settle. So, if you agree, then your wedding will be held after 6 months. Please think about it. You have enough time." He patted my head and took his leave.