With precise balance and concentration, Rhajat carefully poured the contents of a test tube into another, combining the two elements together to create a chain reaction as the dark purple liquid eventually developed into a crimson red. After inspecting it, she nodded confidently and gently placed it in an available spot in the rack situated on her workstation.
Taking a step back, Rhajat took the short moment to stop and admire the rainbow colours before wiping her brow and retrieving another empty tube and migrating towards the sink located at the back of her work station. However, before she could begin cleaning, she was startled by a knock at the door.
Rolling her eyes, Rhajat ventured who it might have been. "I am not hungry, Father", she called back, "if I do wish to eat, I will make my way upstairs."
No response.
Certain they'd left, Rhajat returned to the sink to commence cleaning, but was treated to the unexpected creak of the door's hinges.
Exhaling with exhaustion, Rhajat clenched her hands tightly and hastily turned around to confront her intrusive visitor.
"I thought I told you…?"
The young woman's entire body tensed as she studied the being standing in between the doorway, smiling uncertainly.
"Oh, sorry" whispered Percy bashfully, "I didn't mean to intrude. It's just the door was open, and I couldn't quite hear you from outside. So I…"
Rhajat was alarmed to see him standing in her work station unannounced, considering the previous time had was after being invited when her parents were absence. The young diviner still wasn't prepared to introduce him yet.
Rhajat's eyebrows furrowed, studying the young man as he appeared to be fidgeting with something obscured behind his back. She dismissed the observation. "How did you get in?"
"Oh, your Dad let me inside."
His causal response evoked a sensation of dread and terror. "You spoke with him!?"
Evidently unfased by her unstable demeanour, Percy shook his head ingenuously. "Oh, no, I didn't, but my Mum is. She's upstairs right now." He hesitated. "OK, that's not entirely true. I did say 'hello' to him and explain why I wanted to see you." He smiled warmly. "I like your Dad, he seems really welcoming."
Flaws and inconsistencies within his answer could not being scrutinised or exposed, which is the conclusion Rhajat reached after processing his words. She'd come to know very well when he was speaking honestly.
Relieved to hear they hadn't conversed properly, Rhajat sighed softly and composed herself. "Very well, I believe you." She hesitated, averting her gaze. "I apologise for raising my voice. I did…not expect an appearance by you today."
Turning back, she witnessed her boyfriend's concerned expression. "Oh, alright, I understand. Is there…something wrong?"
"No." She shook her head and gestured towards her workstation. "I've been working all afternoon on my research. I've…fallen behind on my progress, and the pressure is starting to mount."
"Is there anything I can do?"
Rhajat scoffed half-heartedly. "Not unless you know how to concoct magical elixirs."
Percy hung his head in embarrassment. "Oh, sorry."
Although she didn't admit it, Rhajat would not have objected to Percy lending her some assistance; at the very least, his spirit and optimism would provide a welcome change. However, she regretfully acknowledged Percy's presence presented would most likely distract her from her work.
Sighing, Rhajat responded as politely as she could. "Is there something you need, Percy, because I'm very busy right now and really need to concentrate."
As she sorrowfully, expected he lowered his gaze once more, evidently hurt. She placed a hand over her chest. "I promise: we will spend time together tomorrow, but not today. I'm…I really need to work."
Rhajat observed as he returned to fiddling with something suspiciously before returning his gaze and smiling weakly. "OK, I understand, and I'm sorry for turning up uninvited. It's just", he hesitated, "before I go, m-may I talk with you about something? Something…important?"
Immediately noticing the uncertainty and desperation in his tone, Rhajat approved of his request with a nod. "Very well."
With a timid smile, Percy gently closed the door behind him and began to apprehensively approach her, returning to stirring uncomfortably with something obscured behind his back. After a moment of inactivity, the young man spoke.
"Well, I don't know if you are aware or not, but today just so happens to be a very special day – well, for me at least."
Rhajat furrowed her eyebrows. "…Right?"
Percy's bashful, flustered expression returned. "And it may not sound that important to you, but for me it's a really big thing."
"Is it somebody's birthday?"
"No, nothing like that".
The young woman continued to study him, curious to hear him share what was causing him some discomfort.
"I didn't really think anything of it at first" continued Percy, "but then I thought about it, and I knew I had to something for this occasion."
Rhajat had grown tired of Percy keeping her in the dark. "Percy, I'm very busy so can you please cease with these cryptic words and just tell me why today is so special?"
Although she hadn't meant to sound so provocative, the hurt and disheartened expression on her boyfriend's face suggested otherwise. Rhajat noticed the audible rustle from behind his back as he fiddled anxiously with whatever it was.
Remorseful and embarrassed, Percy looked Rhajat in the eyes, and whispered gently. "It's our three month anniversary."
"…Excuse me?"
Percy smiled hopefully. "On this day three months ago, you and I became boyfriend and girlfriend."
Upon performing the calculations, she realised that day did mark three months since they began seeing one another. Rhajat experienced a warm sensation over the notion of Percy remembering such a small detail, but she dispelled the childish notion.
"And this is significant…why?"
Percy's averted his eyes. "W-well, it's not really important, but I still felt that I needed to do something to commemorate this event."
Rhajat sighed softly. "Percy, I appreciate the gesture, I really do, but couldn't this have waited until after I'm finished?"
"I know, I know. I understand how busy you are, and I'm sorry. You're right: I really shouldn't – look, that's not why I'm here. I came because…because I," he slowly stared into her eyes, "because…"
Rhajat watched in bated anticipation as he slowly removed what he had been obscuring, and the item he revealed made her entire body tense. It was a rose.
The young woman felt the heat suddenly rise to her cheeks as her heart began to beating excitedly. "…Is this for me?"
Percy nodded bashfully.
Still incapable of accepting sudden development, Rhajat shook her head. "You didn't need-"
"I know. I know I didn't need to get you anything, but I wanted to. I wanted to give you something."
Rhajat tried desperately to control her breathing. "But why? I haven't gotten anything for you."
Percy smiled warmly. "I wanted to give you something to thank you - to thank you for being the most kind, most caring, most amazing girlfriend in the whole wide world, and to show that I care about you." He absentmindedly placed his arms behind his back, and whispered quietly. "You're the most important thing in my life right now."
A thrill of excitement raced down Rhajat's spine while anxious butterflies began to circle patterns in her stomach. She couldn't believe everything she had just heard.
The two young adults exchanged anxious glances between each other - neither one knowing how to approach the other after they'd experienced.
Breathing solemnly, Rhajat hesitantly broke the silence. "…I really need to get back to work."
"Oh, yeah, of course, you're really busy. I understand. Look: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you or anything; I just wanted to…y'know?" He gestured towards the item bashfully. "I'll let you get back to what you were doing. I'm just…I'm gonna go now."
Acknowledging, Rhajat watched as he boyfriend slowly approached the entrance to the room but not before gently placing the rose on an available desk. With a somber expression, he slowly raised his hand, and mouthed "goodbye' before opening the door and softly closing it behind him.
Rhajat listened attentively to the sound of footsteps behind the door slowly disappear. Certain that she was alone, Rhajat hesitated before approaching the table and retrieving the unexpected gift - a present she didn't believe she deserved at all.
Gently unwrapping the plastic, the anxious young woman slowly brought it closer for inspection, and inhaled the beautiful aroma.
With a passionate smile, she ventured immediately what she could do to preserve the gift, and wasted no time in retrieving the empty test tube she had been cleaning, pouring a small portion of water into it before inserting the rose inside the cylinder. After clearing an area on workstation, Rhajat placed the item down arranged it into a position she desired.
Taking a step back, Rhajat felt her hands migrate to her chest as she studied the beautiful gift, observing the stem of the delicate rose gently sway under the surface of the water.
She couldn't begin to fathom what someone like her could have done to deserve such a gift. She couldn't begin to fathom what someone like her could have done to deserve such a thoughtful and compassionate young man for a boyfriend.
But all the promises we break / From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you