My Fortune
by Priyanthi Karunadasa
“Neethu....are you ready? They
will be here at any moment...” I heard my mother shouting from the
kitchen. She knows how much I hate these dreadful marriage proposals. I
am 23 years and my parents think that this is the best age to get
married. I have faced about 10 young people to choose as my
husband-to-be by now. But the most funniest thing is that even though
most of them are well educated and handsome, none of them could make me
feel anything other than a stranger.
I wore a light pink saree which was more comfortable to wear with
simple jewellery. Then my mother came to see me and grumbled to put on a
little make up and I decided to apply a light pink lipstick. Then after
some time, I heard the visitors come and it was my turn to say ‘Hello’
to them.
 Oh My God! I never thought this time my proposal would be Sonal. Even
after seven years, he made me feel the same way. His mocking laugh and
boyish grin made me feel love, I had nerves and at the same time, I felt
extremely happy. He has grown up in to a very handsome young man. I
could not take my eyes from him. Then I felt he was staring at me too. “Neethu...
Do you know each other?”
I heard my mother ask me. I nodded a ‘Yes’ and sat next to my mother.
We were in the school debating team and we happened to meet the first
time at a competition held at our school. From that day onwards, he
started following me wherever I went. Then he started coming to my
tuition class too. Even though I fell in love with him immediately, my
pride and my goal to pass the O/L with best results stopped me from
getting involved in the love affair.
After O/L, when he disappeared only suddenly I realised how much I
missed him and how much I loved him. Even after some time I came to know
that he left the country for higher studies and I never had any contact
address to reach him. I bounced back to reality and subsequently they
left us alone in the verandah for us to get to know each other. “Hei...
hei.. My proud peacock! I finally found you...” said Sonal smiling. I
couldn’t stop laughing because that was the nickname he addressed me
with when we were schooling. “I still didn’t say ‘Yes’ Sonal so don’t be
over confident”.
“You don’t have to say ‘Yes’ Neethu.... Your eyes already told me
that you are in love with me.” “Oh Sonal, you haven’t changed a bit. You
know how much I missed you. You never told me that you were going abroad
for higher studies” I said meekly trying to hide my delight. “Not my
fault, Princess.... it was your fault.
You never gave me a chance but don’t worry now I am here and we are
not going to miss each other hereafter. I will take you to my kingdom
which is in the United states. So will you marry me please?” he asked
with his intent eyes staring deep into my soul.
“Yes Sonal, I can’t believe this. Everything is like a dream, you
waited all these years for me.. just for me Sonal....” my voice trailed
off but I was happy. “Yes nobody else could rob my heart the way you
robbed it.
I knew about you very well and I knew you will not fall in love with
someone else that easily. You see I am Sonal and nobody can rob my
princess from me...” he was grinning at me with his mocking laugh again.
How lucky am I! I thought gleefully and embraced him.
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