Standard disclaimers applied. See Prologue for further details.
Author's Note: You guys certainly know how to show your enthusiasm. Thank you so much for all your lovely reviews. I'm glad to see that everyone responded (!) to the latest twist of "In This Life."
I'm so sorry that it took so long for this chapter to come out. I had a bit of a writer's block and my muse had been on overload due to other issues that are currently going on in my life right now. Then, when I actually finished the chapter, the website won't let me upload. Anyways, here is an explanation as to how everything from the last chapter came about.
Chapter 20: Divine Happiness
Two sisters sat opposite each other in a quiet booth. They were both drinking their respective cups of green tea and on first impression, it would seem that two women were twins. However, upon closer inspection, one could easily discern a frown on one of the women's faces. If one ventured close to hear their conservation, it would be like this.
"It's not that hard to imagine, Neela."
"You have to be kidding me, right? You and Gates. It's like ..."
"You and Ray. There's no difference."
"Me and Ray? Parama! We're nothing like you and Gates."
Parama rolled her eyes at her sister's tirade. "I don't see what the problem is. It's not like we are sleeping together. We are just sharing an apartment, until things settled down. Besides, Antony likes the kids."
Neela nearly choked at Parama's reference to Gates, whose full name happened to be Antony Bradley Gates (1). "So, how did you guys meet again?"
Parama smiled as it was one of her favourite stories to tell.
(Flashback)
She was shopping for groceries with her two kids in tow. Her oldest son, Mandeep was in one of the those moods where he simply wanted to pick up and cuddle. However, Parama's attention was divided to her youngest child, a newborn, barely a year old. He was hungry and wanted a feeding. In the midst was her shopping cart, baby bag, and her purse. Her husband had just left for a business trip the night before without much of a goodbye. All the while, she just wanted a coffee.
Then the expected happen, the baby began to cry, Mandeep screamed, and everybody turned at the commotion. Gates who just happened in the next aisle came out of nowhere and within five minutes, had Mandeep bunching on a candy bar and chatting about the latest action figure. The groceries all bagged and paid for. The baby was fed. The next thing anybody knew, Gates was handing her a cup of coffee. "Free of charge," he promised with a grin.
He then winked and confessed to her that his partner had a secret affair with the lady who served coffee.
"Your partner?"
Her tone caused Gates to modify his statement. "My partner from work. We are paramedics."
He walked her back to the car. On impulse, Mandeep hugged Gates' and thanked him for the candy. With a wave, he saw them off and she realized that they didn't even know each other's names.
She didn't think that she was going to see him again, so it was a surprise that they met up at a formal gala. She was with her husband this time, but soon, she was left alone as he chatted with business associates. She was twirling a champagne flute in one hand when she was face to face with a familiar grin and a teasing eyes. "Fancy seeing you here, milady."
He was being presumptuous and they both knew it. Somehow, she wasn't offended, instead she found it rather flattering because it was something that her husband would never say to her.
"Fancy seeing you here, stranger whose name I don't know."
"Antony Bradley Gates at your service," he extended his hand.
Her left hand met his and he paused momentarily at seeing her wedding ring. Yet, he didn't miss a beat when he said, "A beautiful woman like you would be married."
Boisterous laughter interrupted whatever Gates wanted to say next. The source was a group of business associates who had a few too many drinks, Parama's husband included. She scoffed and Gates raised an eyebrow. "My husband and his so-call business contracts. What is a guy like you doing at a meeting like this, Antony?"
"What do you mean by a guy like me?"
"A paramedic."
"Actually, I'm here as an escort for my step-sister whose job is to draw up business contracts for other people to sign. Plus, I like the free caviar and champagne." With that, he toasted her with a mock salute.
Before the night was over, she had danced twice with a certain brown eyed paramedic and Gates finally found out her name. Not only that, Parama's husband announced to her that he was leaving for San Francisco for another conference. By the month end, she found out that her husband had been cheating on her and the two filed for a divorce. There was custody battle and in her most stressful moment, providence brought Antony Bradley Gates to her feet. He was answering a call when an elderly gentleman had a heart attack at the court house. On three different occasions, they had met. It was said that a cup of free java later, the rest was history. She accepted his invite to stay at his apartment and stayed ever since.
(End Flashback)
"It's incredible," Neela commented as Parama finished with her account.
"Sometimes, I can hardly believe it myself. Antony is so different than any guy that I can imagine. He has this aura around him that makes you want to hate him but at the same time, it is probably his most endearing quality. He plays at gallantry which most of the time, drives you insane, but that's Antony for you."
"You call him, Antony."
"Yes, I know you and just everybody else calls him, Gates. I'm not a medic or a doctor, Neela. To me, I met him as Antony Bradley Gates and he will always be Antony to me."
"Do you love him?"
"Now, that's loaded question, although I was wondering when you will ask that."
"Do you?"
"Do you love Ray?"
"Of course, but ..."
"How long did it take you to figure that one out?"
Her question was met by silence but Parama knew her sister well to expect that response. "We are not so different. I don't know if I love Antony. I know that he is different, but I doubt that I'm ready for another relationship with the kids and all. Besides, I want to start a new job, reestablish myself in something meaningful. It just helps to have somebody there at the end of the day to cheer you on."
"I know that we had our difference, but I'll be there for you."
"I never doubted that, big sister."
"Besides, I want you to be happy."
"I will be and I wish the same to you."
"I'm really happy with Ray."
Parama bounced at this opening and asked, "And, does he know that?"
"Parama! Of course, Ray knows that ..."
"Then, you should just marry the guy already. No more standing around, doing some invisible dance because you two deserve to be happy."
"It's not that simple." Neela sighed as she turned her face towards away from her sister.
"Nothing is ever simple but didn't you tell me once before nobody can live this life for you, except yourself."
At this, Neela could not help but concede to the point, it was time to face the truth. "Why do you always have to be perfect, Parama?"
-o-o-
Ray came home to a darkened apartment. He had pulled an overtime and was just ready to crash. Suddenly, Neela came out from the kitchen with a birthday cake. He stared in wonderment at the lit candles which adorned the top. "It's not my birthday, Neela."
"I know, but humour me blow them out anyways."
As he closed his eyes, he heard her whisper, "Did you make a wish, Ray?"
"Was I supposed to?" He asked when he reopened his eyes. She smiled as she beckoned him to the kitchen. As she deposited the cake onto the table, she answered belatedly, "If you didn't make a wish, then I guess I just have to make one for us."
Reaching for his chain from around his neck, she saw that it now held two rings instead of the former one. She felt her roommate draw in a sharp intake of breath as she traced the newest addition. "I wish to be your wife, Ray Landon Barnett. Would you grant me that wish?"
He swallowed hard as he enclosed her trembling hand with his. "Are you ready?"
As she slipped her left fourth finger into the metal band, they both knew that their wishes would be granted tonight.
End of Chapter 20
AN: So yes, our Reela couple are finally engaged after 19 chapters. So exciting, isn't it? Are you guys still interested in this story? Please r/r.
(1) Antony Bradley Gates - something that I made up. I have no idea what Gates' full name is supposed to be.
