The night everything changed. pt1
Morning sunlight shined through the sheer curtains of Priya Sharma's apartment, painting golden streaks across the hardwood floor. Her alarm had been ringing for well over a minute before her hand finally reached out from beneath the blanket to turn it off.
She groaned loudly.
*Ten more minutes* she muttered to herself.
The silence that followed brought to her remembrance the fact that she lived alone.
Priya pushed herself up as she stretched.she could hear the city outside her window. It was alive, she could hear the annoying sound of multiple vehicles honking all at once.
She walked barefoot to the kitchen as she put her hair up in a messy bun,and put some water to boil for some tea.
As some people literally couldn't function without coffee, Priya belonged to tea loyalists.
During the not so long wait for the water to boil,her phone rang.
MOM
She smiled before answering.
"Hi mommy. I was just about to call you."
"Were you?" Her mother asked obviously unconvinced.
"No."
"I knew it."
Priya laughed.
"You'd forget your wedding if I didn't remind you."
"Well let's find the groom first."
"Your amazing mother has suggestions."
"I know you do."
Her mother let out a dramatic sigh that blared through the speaker.
"Priya darling you're twenty six years old."
"Correction - I'll be twenty six in eight months."
"That's the same thing."
Priya rolled her eyes affectionately as she poured the boiled water into a huge mug that she always took her tea in.
"Thanks for your love and concern mommy but I have to leave for work."
"Eat something."
"I will."
"Eat something proper. You can't do a full days job with just tea and muffins in your belly."
"I know."
"And don't stay out late."
"Mom..."
"I'm serious."
"You say that everyday. Nothing's gonna happen,I'm not twelve."
"You'll thank me one day."
"Love you mommy."
"I love you more."
The apartment became silent when the call ended.
For a brief moment,she stood still to appreciate the good things she had going on in her life.
She has a job she loved that paid her well.
She had parents who loved her very much.
And her friends did absolutely everything in their power to make sure she had fun.
The laboratory where Priya worked smelled of latex gloves and disinfectant.
This did not bother Priya in the slightest. She thought it smelled like home.
She put on her white coat, slipped on her ID badge and waved to Veronica the receptionist.
"Morning doctor Sharma."
"I'm not a doctor yet." She laughed.
"You'll get there soon."
"Yeah, I hope."
Even though she didn't show it,she loved when people called her doctor. It was one of the little things that motivated her to work harder.
"Morning,boss."
Richard appeared behind her carrying a stack of patient files. The files looked much to heavy for a single person to carry.
"You know," Priya said lifting a few files from the stack,"there's this superb invention. What's it called? Ah yes,trolleys."
"I was just testing out my muscles boss."
"Well they failed."
"Ouch, that really hurt. Handsome guys have feelings too, you know?
"Is the handsome guy in the room with us?"
Richard dramatically clutched his chest.
"Well all the female staff would disagree with you."
Priya laughed.
Richard had that effect on people.
He was kind, earnest and hopelessly optimistic. Priya loved these things about him.
He was three years younger than her, but boy was he hardworking, at least for the average twenty two year old of today.
"You need help with the cultures?" He asked.
"Don't worry. I've got them."
"You always say that."
"Because I've always got them."
There was something unspoken about his expression.
It was something that Priya noticed...
... and ignored.
By lunchtime,the lab had continued with it's usual rhythm.
The answer to a difficult case had finally been produced.
A child would finally receive her long awaited treatment because of the months of effort put in by Priya and her colleges.
Moments like these made Priya understand why she chose this profession in the first place.
Not for prestige.
For the people whose life she could turn around.
Immediately she finished logging the final report,her phone buzzed. She had received some messages.
MAYA: you're coming tonight.
Ashley:no excuses girl.
Bryan: I've already made us a reservation.
Priya smiled.
OMG guys,I have work tomorrow.
Exactly,Maya replied almost immediately. So have fun with us tonight. You always work.
She looked at the messages for a second.
Maybe...
Maybe one night wouldn't be that bad. It's a date then. See you guys later then,Priya replied.
The whole group chat erupted with cheering emojis.
After all,Priya promised herself that she would go out more and enjoy her youth. This was her chance.
Little did she know that she'd never get a chance to keep that promise...
After all,Priya promised herself that she would go out more and enjoy her youth. This was her chance.
Little did she know that she'd never get to keep that promise...
