19~ The preparation to Confess
I was anxious and was pacing here and there.
After I returned back from work, I called Akriti.
The reason was that I wanted to apologise for my behaviour and I also needed to invite her to talk face to face with me.
Tomorrow, I am going to confess finally.
After so many years of this hidden love, I will finally tell what I feel for her.
I'll tell how I was always there for her, how much I love her.
I am going to say everything but what if she denies?
No no no! I can't afford that. Time is slipping and so are Akriti and Amayra.
I can't lose two important people! If Amayra gets adopted, I am doomed for life and if Akriti refuses, I think I'll spend the rest of my life like a saint.
But I am no saint! I may be a nice, gentleman and respectable person but I do have needs.
Hey! Don't give me that disgusting look, it's natural.
God, why is this all so complicated? Why am I so old?
I should have done the confession years back, at least by now I could have convinced her but see, my story has halted.
It never started to be precise! What the hell was I thinking?
Spend my whole life without doing anything?
Mom was right, I and dad are slow and brainless.
Why dad? Why did you do this with me? Why were your genes dominant?
If I had received mom's traits, I would have done wonders.
There is no use of over-thinking. What's done is done.
Now, I just need to jump before the lioness and beg her to not eat me.
The fact is I'm scared of her anger. She's more dangerous than mom.
She won't do anything but indirectly wound with her icy words.
And a nice man like me won't be able to say a thing.
I paced around my room trying to prepare a speech.
This is more difficult than learning the names of arteries and veins!
I cleared my throat and practised,
"Akriti, you are the most beautiful woman in the world".
No no no! This looks like I'm a roadside romeo. If I start like this, she'll beat me with her shoes.
"Akriti, I love you".
No! I can't straightway jump to the point.
I need to make it special for her. Aaaahhh it's so difficult!
I can't do it! I think I need help. It's already 12 and I have to go to work tomorrow and in the evening meet her.
I am sure I am going to make fun of myself in front of her.
The last thing I want is to make it all awkward.
Already, I messed it up due that tissue paper and now that I have the chance to correct everything, I don't want anything bad to happen.
I thought and thought until I concluded that it will only mess it up. I'll directly speak in front of her because even if I prepare a speech, I will forget it and end up stammering, thus making a good joke of mine. I sighed and tried to sleep but sleep was nowhere to be found.
With much difficulty, I could sleep for an hour or so but eventually woke up to go to work. I seriously don't know why it is so difficult! I just need to pour out my feelings just like I do during medical conferences. I simply need to utter those three magical words.
Yes, and then earn a tight slap from her
Gosh no! She won't slap me, will she? She's nice and sweet.
Adhyay what the hell are you even thinking?
She will cut you in small pieces. I gulped as the picture of her stuffing my cut body parts into bags, formed before my eyes.
I can't take the risk, I can't do it! God help me. Please save your beloved child.
I sat down with the rest of my family at the dining table.
My mother was looking extremely happy today.
And for a change, even Hrishika was happy.
After we had come to know about that stalking incident, dad straightway talked to the dean and she started working at dad's place.
It was not a big deal for him. Did I tell you how respectable he is in our city?
Even though Hrishit was not happy about it, because his friends will make fun of him, he still agreed.
I don't know why he made that kind of friends.
Becoming a doctor is not easy even if you belong to a doctor family.
You still have to compete with lakhs of students for both UG and PG.
Just because we get some extra support from our parents, that doesn't mean that we didn't do the hardwork.
"Okay people, we have something to tell you", my dad said and all of us looked at him and mom. Now what is it? I don't want another drama!
"What is it?", Hrishit asked eagerly, grinning. Why does it look suspicious? Why are they all so happy?
"I'm returning back to the main branch", dad said and my jaw dropped. That means that I'm no longer the director! What the hell! The fork dropped from my hand as I yelled, "But why? Everything is just fine!"
He and mom smiled and mom said, "Yes it may be but we realised that you are not paying heed to your own life under work pressure. And it will be better if we give you little stress. We know managing a hospital is not easy and you spend your whole day on it, leaving no time for relations and all."
My eyes widened! They are crazy! My parents have officially gone nuts. They think that because of work, I don't have a woman in my life but who will tell them that the woman I love doesn't love me.
"Adhyay you are young and I don't want to neglect your personal life because of work. Everything is fine, but now you do need to find someone", my father continued and that was the moment when I wanted to bang my head on the table and cry. They have gone mad.
Hrishit and Hrishika started laughing hysterically as I glared at them. My parents are so thoughtful that they are separating me from my dear work, my position!
"Mom dad! That won't be necessary. I'm invested and content in my life", I tried to explain but mom shook her head and in a gentle tone said, "Even your father said that, didn't you Hriday?"
Dad clicked it tongue and nodded. Huh, he would obviously agree.
"Hn bhai, mummy is correct. Even we are getting old and jab tak aap settle nhi hoge, hum bhi nahi hoyenge", Hrishit said shaking his head dramatically. Such a monkey!
"Why are you all so adamant?", I shrieked.
"You are adamant!", dad stated and I huffed.
"You want me to get married right?", I asked and the four of them nodded innocently. They are not innocent.
"But why?"
"Because you are old enough Adhi", mom said and I rolled my eyes. Why do they need to make me feel like an oldie? I'm 33 for God's sake, not 300! And the thing is that I still didn't confess. If they continue doing this, how will I tell Akriti?
"But mom I already love someone", I blurted in the heat of the moment and when I realised, I facepalmed.
Why did I say that? What was the need to say it?
Now, they'll pester me more.
My mom and dad's jaws dropped as they looked at me with surprise.
I closed my eyes, I wanted to bury myself! I am so so so stupid!
"Hriday? Did you hear what your son said?" Mom asked, her voice shaky and both of my parents glanced at me with a super weird look. Just wait for a second more, my mother will now yell in happiness and force me to let her meet the girl.
"I can't believe it, Mishika! Our son said that!" Dad cried and I looked at both of my siblings who turned towards the other side. So, it is what it is. They told them! And they wanted me to tell them about Akriti. My siblings are traitors!
"How dare you both!", I roared at my siblings, getting frustrated by how the events turned so quickly. I'll kill them and Adrija! These three won't let me live in peace! Stupid idiots.
"Bhai we were helping you", Hrishika said and I glared at her to shut her. Help? This is the way they decided to help me by embarrassing me in front of my parents! Siblings are pain in the ass and mine are super annoying. What did my mother eat when they were going to be born?
"We know you like Akriti", my mother said, putting her hand on my shoulder. I snorted and corrected , "I love her".
I hate when people label my love for her as a crush. I am not a teenager for God's sake that I will have a crush on her. I love her.
My mother rolled her eyes and said, "Hn wahi, but you are so stupid to not tell her. Bilkul apne papa pe Gaye ho". I scrunched my eyebrows and looked at Dad only to find him throwing glares at mom.
"Kya papa pe Gaye ho Kar rhi ho? He has got your traits!", dad yelled and hence their silly fight began.
"Mom Dad can you do it later?", I asked sarcastically and they looked at me with bored expressions.
"So what's the plan?", my mother asked and I shook my head. I don't have any plans. I don't know what I will do, how much fun I'll make of myself in front of her. All I know is that I'm gonna die today.
"What plan?", I asked and she facepalmed.
"Are you taking a step forward or are you going to wait for a century more?", she sarcastically asked. I don't have time to wait anymore. It's now or never.
"Nah, I'm doing it", I said and stood up determined.
My mother proudly patted my back, hyping me up like a warrior going on the battlefield and chirped, "All the best!
Naak mat katwana."
I nodded and looked at my dad who nodded at me showing me a thumbs up.
I really feel like I'm going through a battle.
It's not less than a battle. I'll fight till my last breath for Akriti and Amayra.
I'm not leaving them, at least not in this lifetime.
Adhyay's gonna fight for his love!
What do you think? Will there be more dramas?