The Three Day Survival Game

Karun, being the early riser, noticed me still fast asleep and dragged me out of bed, reminding me that we had many things to settle within the next five days. After a quick breakfast, we set out under the guise of heading to the office, but our actual destination was to meet Priya.

We had arranged to meet at a cozy, family-run restaurant, known for its warm ambiance and delicious comfort food. The soft hum of conversation and the clinking of cutlery created a welcoming atmosphere as we stepped inside. The scent of freshly baked bread and rich sauces wafted through the air, making my stomach rumble slightly in anticipation.

When we arrived, Priya was already there, seated at a corner table near a large window that overlooked the bustling street outside. Spotting us from a distance, she stood up and opened her arms wide, inviting me in for a hug. I rushed over to her, and she greeted me with a pat on the head, asking, "How are you doing, hermanita?"

Karun, accustomed to feeling left out, quickly grabbed a seat and ordered coffee. Once we were settled, Priya asked, "So, tell me, did your brother bully you again?" I had a habit of complaining about my brother to her, and she always defended me. I glanced at Karun, who returned my gaze with pleading eyes, which I couldn't help but find amusing. Despite being the big bear in his appearance, Karun was no match for Priya's influence. "Not this time," I replied with a chuckle. Karun let out a sigh of relief. Despite his usual demeanor of walking with his chin held high, he was, in fact, a lovesick fool when it came to Priya. She held the power over him like no one else, simply because he loved her more than anything.

Looking back to their story.... Indeed, it was Karun who proposed, but the fact that Priya accepted took me days to digest. Unlike us, Priya hailed from a family of high esteem and social status. Her family owned numerous businesses and ranked as the fourth wealthiest family in our country's high-class society. However, Priya was determined to build her own empire from the ground up. She recently started her own venture, driven by her desire to create something significant on her own terms.

I still couldn't comprehend why Priya, this queen of elegance and sophistication, had chosen my seemingly simple-minded brother. When I asked her why she loved him, she simply smiled, leaving me puzzled. Despite my confusion, one thing was clear: their love for each other was genuine. 

Aside from her love for Karun, Priya also cared deeply for me. Being the only child in her family, she showered me with endless affection and pampering. As my sister-in-law, she was the best I could ask for. Despite Karun's occasional warnings not to spoil me, Priya always followed her own rules, proving that in between those two, the queen indeed ruled.

Coming back to the present, the reason we called Priya to meet us at the restaurant today was that Karun had decided to tell her the whole truth. He wanted to be honest with her, so she was the trustee we chose for our mission. The restaurant was cozy and dimly lit, with the warm glow of pendant lights casting soft shadows across the rustic wooden tables. The hum of quiet conversations and clinking cutlery filled the air, creating a serene backdrop for our tense meeting.

My brother explained everything without leaving any details out. I watched Priya's face intently, but unlike what I had expected, her cold demeanor didn't change throughout his explanation. Her eyes remained fixed on Karun, her expression inscrutable, as she absorbed the gravity of our situation.

After he finished, she looked at us for a minute in shock. The seconds stretched on, and just when I thought she might stay silent, she stood up abruptly and slapped my brother. The sharp sound of the slap echoed in the quiet corner of the restaurant. I trembled, wondering if I would be next. My heart pounded in my chest as I looked at Karun, expecting anger or hurt.

Instead, I was shocked to see him smile—I thought for a moment that he had finally lost it. But then he threw his arms open after being slapped, and Priya fell into them, crying. Her sobs were muffled against his chest, and Karun held her tightly, murmuring reassurances. The sight of them embracing, with Priya's tears soaking into his shirt, made my own eyes well up. It was a moment of raw emotion, revealing just how deeply they cared for each other and how heavy the burden of our secret was.

Looking at the lovely couple in front of me, I stood up and walked out, thinking it might be better to give them some time alone. The restaurant's warm ambiance faded behind me as I stepped into the cool night air.

I stood by the road on the small pavement outside the restaurant, watching the occasional car pass by and listening to the distant hum of city life. Leaning against a lamppost, I let my thoughts wander. Seeing Karun and Priya embrace so tenderly made me wonder if someone would ever hold me like that. Will I ever find a man who would truly love me?

It's not that my brother, father, mother, or Priya didn't hold me when I was crying—they did, and I cherished their comfort. But this felt different. There was an intimacy and connection between Karun and Priya that seemed to transcend everything else. It was as if, in that moment, nothing else mattered but their love for each other.

I never really understood what love is. Whenever I asked Karun about it, about what it feels like to love someone, he always brushed me off with a smile, saying, "You'll know when it's time."

I looked up at the sky, and shouted inside my brain, "Oh dear God, when will my time come?" The sky was calm, almost too calm, as if the universe was holding its breath, waiting for an answer that I knew wouldn't come easily.

I sighed and wrapped my arms around myself, feeling the weight of my solitude. The pavement beneath my feet felt solid and real, a stark contrast to the swirling uncertainties in my heart. I longed for that kind of connection, that deep, unwavering love that seemed so effortless for Karun and Priya.

Would I ever find someone who would look at me the way Karun looked at Priya, with a mix of adoration and determination? Someone who would hold me close, not just in moments of joy, but through the struggles and fears as well?

The morning air felt warm against my skin, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions within me. Maybe Karun was right. Maybe I would know when the time was right. Until then, all I could do was hope and wait, trusting that my own moment would come, just as it had for them.