Chapter 8: A Surprise from Afar
It was a lazy Sunday morning, and Niyati was still wrapped in the warmth of her blankets when her phone buzzed insistently. Four missed video calls from Parth blinked on the screen. Groaning softly, she rubbed her eyes and sat up. With a mixture of curiosity and concern, she immediately dialed him back.
“Buddy! What happened? Why did you call so many times?” she asked, her voice still thick with sleep.
Parth’s voice came through, bubbling with excitement. “Niyati! I have some really, really big news!”
Her heart skipped a beat. Could it be that he had returned to India just to meet her? A part of her dared to hope.
“Wait… hold on. I’ll send you a picture first,” he said, his voice teasing yet filled with anticipation.
Niyati opened the image, and her world seemed to pause. She froze, her eyes widening as she took in the scene. Shock rippled through her, a strange mix of disbelief, surprise, and heartbreak.
“Who is she, Parth?” she asked softly, her voice almost a whisper, though her heart was pounding.
He laughed lightly, the warmth in his voice contrasting with the ache in her chest. “Niyati… she’s my girlfriend. My future wife. We’ve known each other since college. I liked her back then, and she knew it. But life had other plans, and we both had to complete our studies. Yesterday was her birthday, so I proposed and gave her a special surprise.”
Niyati’s lips curved into a small, polite smile, but inside, a storm raged. She had known he had a life far away in London, yet hearing the words made her feel an unexpected sharp pang. Memories of their childhood, their laughter, their shared secrets, all came rushing back. She had always carried a soft corner in her heart for him, though she had never admitted it — even to herself.
“Congratulations to both of you, Parth. I… I really wish you both all the happiness,” she said, forcing her voice to remain steady.
There was a pause, and then he continued, “Our engagement is next week. I wanted to invite you, Niyati. I hope you can come and be part of our celebration.”
She listened carefully, nodding even though he couldn’t see her. Her smile was gentle, but her heart was heavy. Deep inside, she felt the familiar ache of longing — a reminder of the feelings she had kept tucked away, unspoken. She realized that telling him now would have been meaningless. Life had moved forward for both of them, and the timing wasn’t hers to control.
“Thank you, Parth. I… I’ll be happy for you,” she whispered softly, hiding the storm within her.
After the call ended, Niyati sat quietly, staring at the phone as if it might hold the answer to the turmoil in her heart. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, but her posture remained composed. She had grown strong through loss, responsibility, and the hardships of life. Yet love — even unspoken and distant — had a way of touching her deeply.
She sighed, taking a slow, deliberate breath. Life had a strange way of testing her — giving moments of happiness and heartbreak side by side, teaching patience, resilience, and acceptance. She whispered to herself, “Be happy, Parth… truly, be happy.”
Rising from the chair, she moved to the window and gazed at the bustling city below. The sun reflected off the tall buildings, glinting like tiny promises. The city pulsed with life, and Niyati felt the quiet strength within her — the strength that had carried her through tragedy, that had allowed her to rebuild her family and herself.
She poured herself a glass of water, drank slowly, and let the cool liquid remind her of the steady, grounded person she had become. Today, she was strong, independent, and resilient. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new responsibilities, and perhaps new joys. But for now, she allowed herself a moment of reflection — a mixture of nostalgia, love, and quiet sorrow — and silently blessed Parth’s happiness, knowing that life would continue, and so would she.
With a soft exhale, she turned away from the window, ready to continue her day. Her heart was heavy, yet steady. Her path was hers to walk, full of purpose, love, and the unwavering strength that had become her true self.
