On special request, I have written part two of - Mom’s Prince Charming Hunt. If you haven’t read part one, here’s the link - Mom's Prince Charming Hunt (livealittlelovealot.com)
Don’t forget to leave a comment or click on the tiny heart at the end of the story.
Have a great day!
The doorbell rang; Veena took one last look at herself in the mirror and rushed over to answer the door. She looked gorgeous in a plain lavender dress and had huge voluminous curls cascading over her shoulders.
‘You made it!’ Veena beamed, welcoming her beloved Sunny inside her small cozy apartment. She wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him tight.
‘You’re looking stunning!’ Sunny said as he stepped back and admired his love. ‘What’s the occasion?’
‘Well, it’s always the same story… either I’m at your place, or you're at mine. And I’m always wearing a pair of tracks and a tee. I just wanted to dress up a bit. And….’
‘And what?’ Sunny asked, looking a bit apprehensive, raising one eyebrow.
‘Well, as of today, it’s been a year since I moved to Sydney. And then we discovered each other again…. you already know how much fun we’ve had since!’
Sunny smiled and said, ‘Wow!’
‘I’ve cooked your favorite for dinner. Chicken curry and rice,’ Veena said excitedly, clasping her palms together. ‘I’ll just get some glasses, and maybe we can open up a bottle of wine. There’s something I want to talk about.’
‘Umm… Okaaay? Should I be sitting down…’
Veena giggled, ‘No, silly!’
‘Okay. You’re freaking me out.’
‘Will you just relax! Come and sit next to me,’ Veena said, tapping the couch and then pouring two glasses of red wine.
Sunny took a seat next to Veena on the couch. They clinked their glasses, and he hesitantly took a sip of wine.
‘So, how was your day?’ Veena said lovingly.
‘Actually, my day went better than expected. But enough about me. What did you want to talk about?’
‘Umm... Okay. Are you ready? I’ve got something for you….’ Veena said with excitement.
‘Okay, now you’re really making me nervous,’ Sunny said.
‘Here… Open it,’ Veena said.
Sunny looked at a red gift-wrapped box and slowly began to open it. ‘It’s a key,’ he said, sounding confused.
‘Yes, it’s the key to my apartment!’ Veena grinned. ‘Let’s move in together.’
‘Move in together?!?’ Sunny exclaimed.
‘I don’t want to keep shuffling from house to house. Half of my stuff is at your place. Half of your stuff is at my place. And your workplace is closer to my apartment. And I figured, why not just move in together rather than keep moving back and forth.’
‘Umm… Okay. Honestly, Veena, I don’t know what to say. This is all a bit overwhelming.’
‘Okay,’ Veena said slowly.
Suddenly silence filled the room. Veena got up from the couch, walked to the kitchen, and began to heat the food. Sunny headed towards the balcony and silently took a few sips of wine, staring out the window.
‘Okay, this is really awkward. I was expecting a different response from you. I thought you would be happy. And I thought we were there already… you know and….’
‘Veena. I think there’s something we need to talk about,’ Sunny said and moved closer to the kitchen. ‘I am scared to move ahead in our relationship. I’m perfectly happy with where we are. Please don’t get me wrong or anything, but I just feel I could never commit to anyone. I think I have gamophobia.’
‘Gamo WHAT?’ Veena gapped.
‘It’s the fear of committing to someone. You see, when I was in college, I had a girlfriend. I was so in love with her, and then out of nowhere, she dumped me. I was shattered and depressed. It took me years to get over her. After that, I’ve just been unable to commit myself to anyone. I’m just afraid to move ahead. And I’m very happy with where we are. All of this might not make sense, but please try to understand.’
‘Why didn’t you ever say anything before?’
‘I just didn’t want to scare you away. That’s why I disappeared in India. And then, out of nowhere, I bump into you here in Australia. And we became really good friends. But then, I don’t know if I’m ready to go to the next level. It’s not your fault Veena. You’re a wonderful person, and I feel we make a good team together, but I just need some time to think.’
‘I don’t know what to say, Sunny. I must admit I am pretty disappointed, but maybe if you were open about all of this in the beginning, I would probably have been more mentally prepared.’
‘It’s the same response every time,’ Sunny sighed.
‘I beg your pardon,’ Veena said.
‘I don’t think this is a good idea. I think I should head back to my place,’ Sunny said as he placed his glass of wine on the dining table and picked up his office bag.
‘You’re leaving!?!’
‘I can’t do this right now, Veena. I’m just not there yet, and I don’t know if I ever will be.’
Veena’s eyes filled with tears as Sunny walked out the front door. She felt a lump in her throat and turned off the gas. ‘Is it over? Is this the end of our relationship? What am I going to tell Mom? That her so-called prince charming has gamophobia? What was I even thinking?’
As time passed, Veena engrossed herself in her professional life. She never contacted Sunny or heard from him. She tried to suppress her feelings for him and pretended to go on with her life. But every day, her thoughts were filled with Sunny and her hopeless love for him. Her inner life was an endless series of ruminations - the fun she had had with Sunny. The absurdity of not being with him. The terrible loss and sorrow she was feeling. She missed him so much it hurt. There were many times when she had cried herself to sleep. Her apartment was full of memories of the beautiful, precious times they had spent together.
Months later, Veena was at her office when she received a parcel. It was a red gift-wrapped box with a white bow. Veena slowly opened the box and found a key wrapped in golden tissue. She held the key close to her heart, closed her eyes, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Just then, her office phone rang.
‘I have really missed you. And I know that I am ready for this now. Thanks for asking!’
Veena gripped the phone tightly as she heard Sunny’s voice. She smiled, and at the same time, her eyes filled with tears. ‘What the hell took you so long?!?’