This is a belated gift for Dr. Annie Bananie (Anele). I wanted dedicate a story to you to wish you well with your final exams but I could not get to it.
Finally I have completed it and I really hope you will enjoy it.
Most of all I wish you all the success in these exams and for your future endeavours.
May all your dreams come true Annie B
Everything in its time A Fairy tale
It was the biggest day of her life. Finally after all the years, the sacrifice and hard work had paid off. She could not contain a broad smile every time she looked at her parents, they were absolutely bursting with pride. After all they were her biggest supporters and they were the reason for this day. They had always believed in her and made sure she believed in herself. The fact that she was a girl from a middle class family was immaterial. She was brought up to be strong and confident. This achievement was as much theirs as hers.
Her parents were her heroes. They lived what they believed. Her father grew up in a small village and was the middle child of poor farm workers. He had to drop out of school at 16 to help the family to earn a living. From the small allowance that his parents let him keep, he saved to attend night school and finally finished his schooling. Then he moved to Lalitpur to work as a messenger for a company that manufactured and sold electrical supplies. At 23 he married Shoba who was 21 at the time. She was the daughter of one if his older colleagues. It was an arranged marriage but they fell in love soon. Shoba, was a teacher and besides her family educating young and old was her passion.
He quickly worked himself up to a clerical position, then sales and management. By the time he was 30, Satyendra had his own very lucrative electrical supply store and they moved to Bhopal. It started out small, with her mother doing the bookkeeping part time and teaching full time. But within a few years the company grew and he could employ the personnel needed and Shoba could focus on her teaching. She taught at a high school and she started a literacy initiative for the elderly in a nearby village.
Her mother's mantra to her was always:
"Beta, you are not the kind of girl that fits into a glass slipper, you are the kind of girl that breaks glass ceilings.
She said this with so much love and so much conviction that Aarti had no choice but to believe her. And her whole life she excelled in everything that she tackled. She was an academic achiever, she was a brilliant artist and she was an excellent sportswoman. But besides her natural abilities, she gave 110% in everything. There was no half measures for her.
Her hard work was well rewarded. She was granted scholarships at elite schools and finally accepted at Harvard medical school.
She had finally completed her medical degree and she was now Dr. Aarti Sharma. Her graduation was a month back. Her parents had come to the USA for the graduation and then the 3 of them had a vacation.
Now they were finally on home soil. Aarti loved that she had to opportunity to study abroad, but she most loved the idea that she could help her own people. She always intended to practice in her home country.
But first the celebration.
She was surprised. The business had to be doing very well for her parents to have her graduation at the most prestigious hotel in Bhopal. The dcor as well as the menu were rather extravagant. But they were exceedingly proud of her and they wanted to reward her, she supposed. All her family and friends were there and even some people she didn't know. She was really happy.
There was just one thing missing. It a silly thing really. And things like that never happen anyway. But in her heart of hearts she always hoped... But that only happened in fairy tales. And after all she was not the glass slipper girl, she was the glass ceiling girl she smiled to her herself. How would he remember her 5 years later...
Flashback
She had come home after her 2nd year at University and her best friend Mansi persuaded her that they should do a stint as waitresses at the restaurant of Ananda Spa Resort, Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. She wanted to spend time with her family but her parents encouraged her to go.
It was a marvellous place, full of opulence and natural beauty. It was situated at the foothills of the Himalayas and it was the perfect place for a nature love such as herself. Mansi of course wanted to go as she wanted to snag a rich husband. They shared a room in the staff quarters of the hotel. Mansi's uncle worked as the maintenance manager at the hotel. That is where Mansi heard of the opportunity.
It was her second week there when she was assigned to a table of 8 young people in their mid-twenties. She approached the table, introduced herself and proceeded to take the drinks order. She went around the table till her eyes settled on the last person. He was incredibly handsome, but his most attractive feature were his eyes. They were very deep and very dark and it was watching her intently. She stumbled on her words.
He didn't reply he just kept staring.
"S ... sir, I ... I asked what you ... you would like.
A beautiful smile appeared on his face.
"It's not on the menu.
"If you tell me what it is, I could ask the bartender if he could make it. she tried to remain calm.
"He can't. Besides it's already made to perfection by a master creator.
"Sir? She was so confused.
He smiled broader.
"For now I will take a mineral water please. Somehow I want to keep my faculties about me tonight.
"Yes, sir.
Aarti left to place the order. She felt very strange. This man had a peculiar effect on her, besides that she could not make sense of what he saying.
The rest of the evening continued in a similar vain.
The others had left and he was settling the bill when he asked:
"Aarti, "time do you get off duty?
"Why?
"We are going to the club in the village after this. I would like you to join us.
"No thank you. I am very tired once I am done here.
Suddenly Mansi was at her side.
"Excuse me. I need to speak to Aarti for a moment. she yanked her by her arm to the side without waiting for his reply.
"Are you crazy? Do you know who that is? Just say you will go.
"No, no and no, Mansi. You know I am not into clubs.
"That my dear girl is Yash Scindiya. He is one of the most eligible bachelors in India. And he just asked you out. Do you what this means.
Aarti shook her head.
"How can you be so clever in some areas and so stupid in others? Mansi was exasperated with her as she was most of the time.
"That my, my dear ignorant friend means that I might be able to snag a rich husband from amongst his friends.
"You go with him then Aarti said.
"He wants you. Please say yes. I want to go. Please.
Aarti sighed deeply. Mansi was a typical fairy-tale believing girly girl. Sometimes she was too much, but she was her best friend and she could not say no.
"Sir ...
"Yash, call me Yash.
"Yashji, I will meet you there, if my friend can accompany me.
"Sure. And BTW, I am a bit disappointed that you did not know who I was?
"You heard?
"Your friend is not exactly soft. he smiled.
She smiled apologetically.
"No she is not. But she is a wonderful person, if only she could get the fairy tales out of her head.
"There is nothing wrong with believing in fairy tales.
"I suppose. she shrugged.
"See you soon. Don't disappoint me. he said with a wink that made her smile.
It was almost midnight when Aarti and Mansi arrived at the club. They were expected it seems as they we escorted to where he was lounging on a couch.
"I am glad you came.
He officially introduced her to his friends. The music was pretty loud and she could hardly hear anything. Mansi went to dance with one of his friends.
After a while he got up, took her hand and led her outside.
"So this is really not your scene.
"Nope, I love to dance, but not in clubs.
"So what do you like Aarti?
"I like, no love to walk. I can walk for hours. Just by myself. This place is wonderful for all the walking and hiking trails. I am going to miss it when we leave.
"Are you not from here?
"No, from Bhopal.
"Oh, we have a home there.
"I'm sure you do. she amused.
"Are you mocking me?
"Me, never. Just I have never met someone that possible has a home in all the major cities in the world. she said with a smile.
"A couple of hours ago you didn't know who I was and now you know this.
"Google is a wonderful thing.
He looked a bit sad.
"Not when you want to remain anonymous.
"Sorry. she felt guilty now.
"No. It's not your fault. I would just have liked you to get to know me from me and not google.
"Sorry, I couldn't resist.
"I know. That's normally the case.
"So tell me something that google doesn't know about you.
"Ok, for starters, I am a real person. I love my privacy. But to market our business, I have to be in the limelight and act like a socialite. My family is a very normal close knit crazy bunch and they are the most important part of my life. Being a Scindiya is the best and worst thing for me. Especially at moments like these.
"Thank you for sharing that with me. I appreciate it. My family is everything to me too. She was so touched by is words. The look that they shared held so much understanding.
"So when will you go walking again? he asked.
"I normally go early every morning.
"Can I join you tomorrow?
She nodded.
Although they only left the club at 3am she was still up at 7am for her walk. He met her outside the hotel.
She really enjoyed his company. He was fun and clever and not at all like she imagined someone of his stature would be. He was very interested in her. She was not usually a talker but by the end of the day there was very little he did not know about her.
He was massively impressed with her. She was not in awe of him like most girls. She treated him like a normal person. He loved the way she spoke about her family, how passionate she was about her studies and how goal orientated she was. She had a heart for people and it was obvious that she would have rather helped her mother with her literacy programme than be here. But she also loved her best friend and wanted her to be happy. And to top it all off she was beautiful. Both inside and out.
Although he hardly knew her, he found himself telling her personal things about him and his family. She seemed to enjoy the tales of mischief the 3 Scindiya boys got up to. Her laughter was infectious. He could describe this day as the most perfect day he had every experienced.
They had breakfast and lunch on the trail and they got back late afternoon so that she could still have a nap before her shift started.
"Thank you Aarti. I had a great time.
"Me too. I really enjoyed your company. Mansi normally moans so much about the distances when I make her join me. So it was nice to have someone that enjoyed it with me.
"So tomorrow?
"Definitely. she said.
He took her hand and kissed it and then went to his suite.
She felt excitement course through and she ran back to her room.
The next morning he waited for her. He kissed her good morning and she was surprised but pleasantly so. It was just a peck, but it said everything. They held hands as they walked. When they sat down to take their meal, they fed each other and after they had done eating her lay own with his head on her lap an entwined his fingers with his as they continued talking. Every day that week she joined him after work and every morning they went for their walks. It was pretty evident to their friends that something was happening between the two of them. The progression of their relationship felt natural and easy to them.
Finally the last night came. She did not work that evening. He arranged for dinner in his suite. The mood was heavy as they knew they only had a few hours together.
They were standing on the balcony, looking out onto the stunning view of the mountains.
"I'm going to miss you.
"I am going to miss you too. She replied.
"I love you Aarti, you know that right?
"I hoped. I love you too.
There was silence.
"What happens now Yash?
"Nothing.
"What?
"Nothing. I don't want to be a distraction to you. I love this passionate, empathetic goal orientated person that you are. I want you to pursue your goals and when you are done, I will be waiting.
"No, Yash. Please. I can study in India ...
"And I can travel to the USA regularly as well, but I am going to be fair to you. I am already qualified. I am doing a job that I love. No one distracted me. So I am going to give you the time that you need. Once you have graduated, I promise I will be there.
"But that's 5 years away!
"Yes, 5 long years, love. I am already suffering but I have made up my mind. And my love is not limited by time or proximity. I need you to trust me on this. Please.
She was crying. She just did not think what he was proposing was logically possible.
He wiped her tears.
"Please sweetheart, trust me.
"Can I phone you?
"No.
"E-mail?
"No. No contact whatsoever. It will make it more difficult.
"Yash ...
"You will only trust me when you see this happening won't you. I promise you, whether you believe it or not, we will have our fairy-tale. Even if only I believe in it.
They spent the rest of the time just holding each other, neither really speaking. And finally he escorted her to her room.
As they stopped in front of the door he took something out of his pocket. It was a locket in the shape of a book. On it was an inscription "Fairy tales do come true. on one side and "Fairest of them all on the other side. Inside was a picture of the two of them, a selfie that he took on the first day of their walks. The other side was empty. He pointed to the empty side and said:
"This is for our happily ever after picture.
He wanted to tie it around her neck but she stopped him.
"No. You keep it. You can tie it around my neck when we have reached our happily ever after. Only then. Promise.
"I promise.
They hugged again and she went into the room.
That was the last time she saw him.
End of Flashback
She turned around and walked to the balcony. She needed some fresh air. Just to compose herself. It was crazy to still be affected by something that happened 5 years ago with a person that she had only known for about a week.
At least Mansi had found her dream. She had met someone at the resort that year. He was 12 years her senior. His wife left him and he had a daughter. Mansi was happy an in love, her husband treated her like a queen. And they both loved their princess. Since then she had given birth to two sons who were now 1 and 3 years old.
She was standing there, her eyes were moist with unshed tears. He had asked her to trust to believe but she knew better. Then why did it feel as if her heart was in pieces again.
She was deep in thought. She didn't realise someone was there until she felt arms being lifted above her head and come down to fasten a clasp at the back of her neck.
She brought her hand up to touch it, and shut her eyes. She didn't need to look what it was. She knew it was the locket. The tears now fell freely down her cheeks her eyes still closed. She felt him step away and finally she turned around and saw him down on one knee with a beautiful, clear sandal in his hand.
"Your glass slipper my princess. he said. She could see his eyes were moist too.
She extended her foot, he took off the sandals she was wearing and put the new ones on her feet.
"Just perfect. He said as he got up.
"I told you to trust me. I told you that I would be here when the time is right. When you've reached your goals. But you didn't believe me. You didn't trust me did you?
She shook her head tearily.
"Will you trust me now? To love you, to protect you, to be with you forever? Will you be my wife, my queen for all eternity?
She could not utter any words so she simply nodded in affirmation.
He smiled in his amazing way. She could see the happiness in his eyes.
"I will take that as a yes.
He opened his arms and she rushed into it and they both sobbed as they held onto each other for dear life.
When they had both calmed down, he wiped her tears with his stole.
"It's time to meet your in-laws. Both our parents have already agreed to the marriage.
"You ... you arranged all of this?
"Yes, a graduation cum engagement party.
She smiled.
"Do you know how amazing you are? Do you know how much I missed you, how I love you.
"I know. he answered.
"I am the luckiest, most blessed girl in all the world. she said as she looked up adoringly.
He hugged her again and led her back inside. The family was waiting for them and had obviously been watching them. She felt a little embarrassed.
He introduced her to them, she took his parents blessings and then they got ready for the engagement rituals.
He mother came to her and said.
"It seems I was wrong all these years. You my darling, do fit into the glass slipper as well as break those glass ceilings. Sorry for limiting your thinking my love.
"No mom. Don't apologise. My life is perfect right now. I have all my dreams. The ones I knew I could achieve and the one that I thought was out of my reach. My fairy-tale. I love you mom.
"I love you too Beta.
Yash would have liked the wedding sooner, but being a Scindiya once again proved to be a big hindrance. A big celebrity wedding was planned and the guests were coming from all over the world so he had to wait for 3 months to make her his queen officially.
It was strange for Aarti, as all of a sudden she was a in the limelight. In the tabloids, on social media. People calling her for interviews. Designers seeking her out to offer their services of wedding outfits and jewellery. There were always people taking pictures of them. It was not easy.
"I'm sorry baby.
He said as they were interrupted at dinner once again for someone to take a picture of them.
"How many times must I tell you not to apologise. I am marrying Yash Scindiya and I love him very much. I won't say this is easy, but I am willing to live with it, because I will do anything to be with you and this is part of your life. I can do this little thing for you. You have made a big sacrifice for me. So no more of that. Ok?
He just smiled at her.
It was indeed a fairytale wedding, attended by her poor relations from the village to the whose of Indian Film and politics. Including some her friends that she studied with and Yash's friends and colleagues from abroad.
And when the wedding was over he took her back to the place that they met. This time he got a cabin outside of the hotel for them so they could be alone. They spent two weeks, just relaxing, going for walks and exploring each other.
They had come full circle. The sacrifice they made, giving each other up for so long, made them appreciate each other more. They would never take each other's presence for granted. It was the most painful thing for him letting her go. For 5 years he feared every day that he would never get her back, that she would forget him and move on. For 5 years he prayed every day that he made the right decision by letting her go. For 5 long years her had to stop himself every day from calling her, taking a flight and fetching her to come back to him. The locket was his salvation. He had sent an instruction to the family jeweller the day after the first walk. He had fallen in love with her already. After speaking to her and seeing her passion for her career goals he realised he had to let her fulfil them. The instruction was to make a locket out platinum with the inscriptions and add the picture and deliver by the end of the week. And when Yash Scindiya spoke things got done. He did not expect her to ask him to keep it, but in retrospect he was glad she did because that was what gave him hope and perseverance every day. He carried it with him everywhere until the day he could give it back to her. To her he knew the locket meant even more than her mangalsutra. The other side now contained a wedding picture. She wore it every day, it was her habit to fiddle with it without even knowing. And when she caught him staring at her, as he often did, she would bring the locket to her lips and kiss it, as her sign of her love.
He had convinced her to believe in fairy tales, after all they were now living their happily ever after.
The end
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