FORTUNE EYE CARE CENTER

“Doctor, the patient’s here.” As soon as I entered, my assistant nurse, Bella, rushed to me.

“Yeah coming. “

And in this way my day begins.

*****

I was busy checking up the patients when my phone rang. I immediately hung up after seeing the caller's name. It was from my grandfather and not for any good. I don’t understand why he is so hell-bent on getting me married. For God’s sake, I’m just 27.

As I was about to pack up for the day, a message popped in.

Mom: come to dinner tomorrow.

I knew it was my grandfather’s doing. “Oh…my life”.

I was just exiting the hospital when a man bumped into me, making me drop the files I was carrying. A unique cologne filled my nostrils. He gave me a quick glance and just walked inside as if nothing had happened. What a rude man! Didn’t even apologize, I grimaced. I don’t know why but he seemed familiar. ‘Oh, Jenny, you are overthinking,’ my mind chimed. I hurriedly picked up the things.

Along the way, I called my best friend Jessica. She surprised me by picking up the call on the first ring. “Hello Doc.”

“Hi there, chef.” Our ‘used to’ way of addressing each other never gets old. My ultimate friend since childhood. “What’s up girl?” She chirped from the other side of the phone. “Dinner at DYNA’s?” I asked.

“Alright, let’s meet up at eight.”

“Okay, I will wait for you.”

*****

DYNA’S DINER

We ordered our meal and sat in our regular place. I was about to talk when someone patted me on my shoulder. “Oh my god, Mike!” Jessica screamed.

Mike!? I abruptly turned around. There he stood, my teenage crush, Mike. “Hey girls.” Jessica went to hug him while I was frozen, too dazed to see him after such a long time.

“Hi Jenny.” “Ah… Mike!” Mike’s voice broke me out of my reverie. He embraced me before placing a kiss on my forehead. “How have you been, sweetheart?”

“I’m all good.” I gave him a gentle smile while he patted my back. Jessica cooed from aside,” awe, love birds.” I blushed and immediately moved aside, but Mike held my hand. I looked up at him with a confused gaze.

All of a sudden, I felt a hard gaze at the back of my head. I turned around but found nothing. Strange!!

“What happened Jenny?” Mike called out. “OH, nothing.” I replied, still in thought.

“So, what got you here, The Mighty Mike?” Jessica jumped in, trying to ease the atmosphere.

“Well, I thought these beautiful girls must be missing me!” he smirked and then winked at me. I wrinkled my nose and replied haughtily, “liar!!” making both of them laugh.

Finally, the waiter arrived with our food, and I was surprised to find even Mike’s share. Mike gave a sheepish smile to both of us, “mind if I join you, girls?” We giggled, “of course not.”

After dinner, Mike insisted on sending me home and, boy, could I say no?

“You have grown up into a beautiful woman Jenny.” He voiced out as soon as we got settled in the car. “Oh really,” I snickered at him. He gave out a haughty wink, making me chuckle.

The gentle breeze fell on me as we drove through the lonely streets of the city. The bustling roads had quieted down. How peaceful! Only when he stopped by the gate of my apartment that I came to my senses.

“Here we are.” He peeped at me. “Thank you for the ride, Mike.” I gave him a shy smile and turned to open the door, but he grabbed my hand. “Let’s meet again Jenny.” He let out as his gaze pierced into mine. This intensity made me feel nervous.

“Sure. Goodnight Mike."

I hurriedly got out of his car, not before giving him a quick smile.

*****

ROSE APARTMENT.

The next day.

The sunlight peeped through the blinds of my window; the birds flocked to my windowsill, waking me up. What a lovely morning!

Out of all the days, Sundays have been my favorite. I lazily spooned the large teddy bear on the side of my bed. It always felt so good. It has been my sole companion all these years.

The doorbell rang. I sprinted to open the door. Who could be this early?

“Good morning sister!” my brother John exclaimed, and I was engulfed in a bear hug. “Rise and shine pig.”

“Brother...” I annoyingly snickered and in return he ruffled my hair. “What brought you here so early?”

“It’s already ten o’clock you lazy pig.” He blabbered.

“Hey, I’m not a pig; you are.” I gave him a nasty glare and went into the kitchen mumbling. “And Sunday’s is an exception!!”

“A black coffee for me, without sugar.” My brother whined from behind.

“As you wish sir.” I replied sarcastically, raising my eyebrows.

*****

“I proposed Marie.” My brother whispered in a hushed tone.

“You…what?” I asked, choking on my coffee. He rushed to pat my back.

“Yesterday… I… I…proposed… Marie.”

After a few moments,

“Congrats brother!!” I suddenly screamed, startling the sh*t out of him. With a huge smile, I went to embrace him, “finally!! Did she really say yes? Now, come on spill the beans.” he narrated the whole story, taking me in complete wonderment.

“Well…my long-time wish is finally fulfilled” I sighed dreamily. John and Marie had been best buds since childhood. At university, their love bloomed, and now they are hitched for life. I have always rooted for them, even before they become a thing. While I was lost in my thoughts, he just scrutinized me for a while.

“Today for dinner?” he asked, breaking me out of reverie.

“At home!” I answered, the obvious.

“….”

“What happened?” I asked, seeing him remain mum as that is so unlike him.

“Ah…nothing. We will talk at dinner. I still have some work to complete. See you at home.”

“Alright...bye bro.”

“Bye,” he left after patting my head.

Why was he acting so weird?! I pondered.

*****

GREENE MANSION

I parked my car and once again checked myself in the side mirror.

Face…perfect.

Hair…perfect.

Dress…perfect.

I knew I was a young beauty with curves in all the right places. Ha-ha! After cheering myself up, I entered the mansion.

My mother stood at the door, and if I am not wrong, she was waiting for me. I am not even late!

“What took you so long?” my mother hurriedly ushered me inside.

“What’s the hurry about?” I whisper-yelled.

“Stop talking and follow me.” Just as I was about to retort, my eyes went onto the people present in the room.

There were a few known and unknown faces. “Is there some function today?!” I examined the people present in the room. “Shhh…,” she hushed me.

“Jenny, come here quickly,” my father called out. My mother pinched me, and I hurriedly greeted the people present in the room and only then did I go to embrace my grandfather.

“So, you know how to come back.” He grumbled. “Grandpa…” I whined. “What’s going on?”

“Hmm, let me introduce you to them,” he uttered, and instantly, my eyes crashed with those cold, gray eyes making my heart flutter.

What a beautiful piece of art! Ahh!!… My eyes widened realizing he was the same man from yesterday. What is he doing here? Now I understood why his face felt familiar.

He must be some long-distance relative. I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn’t even listen to what grandpa was saying.

“He is your soon-to-be husband,” my grandfather informed me, and that brought me back to earth, only to give me the biggest shock of my life. What the f*ck?!