Engaged Till Tommorow

"Sometimes your life is just a badly written rom-com (?)" I questionably announced the headless phrase written on the piece of paper that I got from inside the fortune cookie.

"Wow. Talk about futile." She said, crushed her own cookie and started reading. "You will be invited to a party."

"That's a good one."

"Yeah, but it doesn't says when or by whom, and just because I'll be invited doesn't mean I'll be attending."

"You want to give them another try then?"

"No, let it be. I think I've used all of my fortune for today. Let's just go."

We leave the cafe behind and take the route to my apartment. I'm suddenly washed over by a wave of random memories from the past as we look at the familiar corners. It's understandable, given that mine and Gemma's college years will be officially over tommorow. And I'll either be going back to India, or shifting to Gemma's residence soon enough.

I can't believe it's graduation day already. It feels like I joined college just a week ago. But when I think of all the things that have happened in the recent years, I can actually believe that I'm here.


The day my school results were announced, dad felt I can achieve more so he sent me to London to get the best education I could get. Being an Indian, it was hard for me to adjust to the British accent but Gemma helped me out. Gemma, and Theo. He's Gemma's brother who graduated last year. We were thick as thieves, honestly.We really thought we'll be the best group of friends forever, until last month, when Theo and I started dating. And that's a different lable. Gemma had been working really hard to get the two of us together and was happier than us when we finally admitted that we like each other.

I don't make the wisest choices always. If it wasn't for them, I'd have been a lost soul years ago. She and Theo are the reason that I'm here today. Happy, excited and in love, avoiding frauds and fuckboys like the pests they are.

I took a glance at Gemma's face. She noticed me and immediately stuck her tongue out. She's childish and I love that.
She and Theo look like gender-bend of each other. They have same dirty blonde locks, curious grey eyes and flawless skin with the slightest of tan. The countable difference being Theo's taller structure, while Gemma is even shorter than me. And ofcourse, their hairstyles. Theo has a flirty beachy hairs, while Gemma prefers them to be simple and waist length.

As we neared the apartment, she asked. "So how did the date with Theo go last night?"

"About that..." I said and lifted my hand to show off the ring on my finger Which Theo gave me yesterday.

Her eyes widened and she almost screamed. "Oh. My. God! Is this what I think this is?!"

"That depends on what you think this is."

"Myra." She looked at me, all business "did Theo propose you?"

I added a little pause to my dialogue for extra dramatic flair and said, "Then yes. This is exactly what you think this is.."

"Ohmygod-ohmygod-ohMYGOD!! We are going to be sisters!" Her cheeks got more defined as she smiled like a kid.

"Gemma, calm down. The neighbours will complain."

"Oh, yes, sorry, I forgot."

Taking deep breaths she fanned her face with her hands​. But when she spoke again she had a hint of worry in her voice.

"But Myra, are you sure you want to marry him?"

Blinking twice, I asked, confused, "What's with the sudden change of mood? I thought you wanted us to be together..."

"But this isn't about me, it's about you. Are you absolutely sure you want to marry Theo?"

Taken aback, I fumbled. "I- look- why are you asking this?"

"You didn't say yes, so I'll assume that you aren't sure. I'm not saying that taking things fast is necessarily a bad thing. And though you weren't dating you did know Theo for about three years now. Just make sure you know what you're doing before you take the next step. Okay​?"

"Yeah..." I reply and welcome her inside my residence.

I'm not sure if I can call it "my" residence or not because I share it with two more people. Gemma and Theo come over often and none of my apartment mates have any problem with that. Rather, they enjoy meeting them.

One of my apartment mate, Mariah is a fashion designer and blogger and she often makes dresses and wants people to try them and pose. Gemma is a perfect candidate for her.
The other one, Vikky is reserved and doesn't interacted much with anyone. She rarely leaves her room when someone's over but we can tell she doesn't hates, if not loves Theo and Gemma. We know that since she once shared her mangoes with Gemma.
Yeah. Gemma is everyone's favourite. The Heather of our group.

"How are your parents? You said they'll be here for the graduation ceremony." Gemma asked and jumped on the sofa.

"I talked to Dad few hours ago, he said they'll be here tomorrow."

"Wow that rhymed."

"It did?"

"Totally. Anyway, do you think I should wear something Indian? Or if Theo should wear Indian colours? The tri colour across his chest? We'll be meeting your family for the first time and I want to impress."

I Snickered at the think of her unnecessary but sincere efforts.
"There's no need for that. I blabber a lot about you guys and I think they like you both already. And I really don't think Theo will like this idea either. You know how he is."

"Yeah, I know how he is. Tall piece of molded bread. Always wearing gray. Didn't tell his own sister that he plans to marry her bestfriend. Baka. But more importantly, how do you think they'll react to it? You and Theo being engaged."

"Oh, I've already informed them actually. Wrote them a long text. So far they're ok with it."

Dabbing fake sweat from her forehead, Gemma said "That's a relief! I thought you'll have to be a runaway bride." Keeping the back of her right palm on her forehead she acted out a scene from DDLJ as badly as she could, "bauji, mujhe jaane dijiye bauji. Mai Raj se pyar karti hu. Let me go, daddy. I'm in love with Raj."

She loves bollywood movies for some reason which is foreign to me.

The conversation went on very comfortably and we didn't realise how time passed. Soon enough, it was time for Gemma to head back. She left after she had followed each of my family member on Facebook, calling it an "emergency asset" in case my family takes me back to India and she has to track me down. This girl thinks weird.

---

The next day.
I receive the result of my three years of hardwork on stage. A piece of paper. Wasn't feeling too happy about it, if I'm being honest. But I was stressed for different reasons. My eyes were searching my parents but couldn't find them. I had tried contacting them before I left for the event but failed. I assumed their plane might have just landed, so their phones were switched off. But now I'm getting worried. As I descended down the stage, Theo embraced me and tried kissing me. I was too deep in thoughts​ so I just shrugged him off.

"Myra? Everything okay with you?"
Theo asked, sounding more angry than concerned.

"My parents aren't here Theo. Their plane has landed hours ago, but they still aren't here."

"Don't worry, they must be on their way. Must be the traffic or something. I forgot the camera in the car, wait here, I'll be back in a minute."

He said and ran off to fetch his camera.

"Everything alright between you two?"
Gemma asked as she approached.

"Yeah, we're fine. He just forgot to bring his camera."

"Oh. That's normal. Where are your parents though?"


Before I could answer, my phone rang and Dad's picture popped on it's screen.
"Papa? Kaha ho aap? Where are you? You missed the entire thing.."

"We're sorry Myra. We couldn't make it. We missed our flight."

He sounded very tired and that scared me.

"You.. you missed your flight? But, you'll be taking the next flight, right? I mean, you can atleast meet Theo's parents."

"Myra, beta I'm sorry, but I don't think that can be arranged."

"But why? It's been three years since we've met."

There was a minute of silence and it made my heart sink. I had a feeling that it was the calm before storm. Then dad continued. "I know Myra, but it's not possible for us to go anywhere right now. We... We had an accident."

Now it was my turn to be silent. My lungs forgot how to function. My palms were sweaty and dad had to check if I was still on the line.
"Myra? You there?"

"Y-yes I'm here. But how? Are you ok? How's mom?"

"I'm good. Just a few scratches here and there. But mom-."

"Is she too serious? Can I talk to her?"
".. you can't"

Another pause. I didn't dare to ask the next question, but in a shaky voice I asked a more subtle one. "Will she be okay?"

"We can't say for sure. She isn't concious yet. The doctor says that even if she's lucky and- well-" dad let out a fake laugh, probably to prevent himself from crying. "and even if she recovers fast, she might never be able to walk again."

I didn't realize my eyelashes were wet until now. Why is this happening? Evergreen, ever-hurtful questions like "why me" and "why my family" echoed inside me. At that moment I had only one though in my mind. That I had to go back and meet them.

"Papa, I'm coming back."

"Calm down Myra. We're okay, you-"

"Maa needs me papa, I have to be there! I'll see you tomorrow."

Not wanting to hear more, I ended the call. I explained everything to Gemma and she supported my decision.

"Go. I'll explain everything to Theo." She said.

"Explain me what?" Theo asked as he walked towards us with his camera.
"Theo, I have to go back to India."

I didn't expect him to understand, but I did think that he'll atleast ask me the reason behind it. But that didn't happen. "You canNOT go back to India! You have to meet my parents today, remember?"

"Theo... Try to understand. My-"

"I don't want to understand​. Whatever excuse you have, keep it to yourself! In fact, you need to understand the responsibilities of a relationship Myra. We've gone through this before. You have to deal with the cons of relationship as much as me."

I really can't waste my time with this right now. "See you later." I said and sprinted away.

"See me later? Myra, wait! Come back here!!"

Theo tried to follow me but Gemma stopped him. I could hear him screaming for a very long time, but that faded away with increasing distance.

I did the most unorganised packing I've ever done and reached the airport, but nothing seemed to be in my favour today. The flight I booked on my way to the airport got cancelled, and there were no flights to India for three days. Frustrated with all this, I removed my engagement ring and threw it away.
This day couldn't get any worse...