They found themselves nestled under the comforting shade of a towering neem tree, basking in the gentle caress of the cool breeze and the warmth of the sun's rays. Jude reached into his pocket and produced a tantalizing piece of chocolate, swiftly unwrapping it and offering a taste to Juli. Just as she was about to savor the sweet delight, Jude playfully took a bite for himself, much to Juli's chagrin. In an attempt to pacify her, he presented her with a beautiful cluster of roses. However, his attention was abruptly diverted when he spotted an old friend in the distance. Ignoring Juli, he dashed towards the acquaintance with the roses in hand.
Juli, her lips pressed tightly together, watched the unfolding scene with a mix of anticipation and frustration. Her cheeks flushed with anger, and her eyes blazed with fury as she rose to her feet to get a better view. The brief sequence of events felt unbearably heavy, and the ground beneath her seemed to tremble, adding to her discomfort. A whirlwind of emotions engulfed her, yet she struggled to maintain a facade of composure, attempting to conceal the turmoil within.
Jude greeted his friend politely, "Celia, where have you been for the past few years?"
Celia was taken aback when she unexpectedly came across a stranger. She lifted her goggles to get a better look at him. His tall, lean figure captivated her attention. Jude, too, was struck by her enchanting beauty. She was in her early twenties and possessed all the qualities of a lovely, captivating young woman. Her well-defined features and smooth complexion were attractive. She was dressed in a mini skirt paired with a form-fitting top. Her curves were perfect for falling for any boy. As she stole a second glance at him, it seemed like she had recalled something significant.
She snapped her fingers, "Oh Jude, it's you?"
His joy knew no bounds at this revelation. He hugged her tightly, giving them a peck on her forehead with the bunch of roses that were for someone else in his hand.
He gifted the bunch to her, without thinking about his future, who stood behind his back saying, "It seemed it has been a long time since we last met and that's the reason you took such a long time to recognize me. I was frightened whether you would recognize me or not, but thanks to my stars, your memory is still sharp."
Celia accepted the roses with a bright vibrant smile on her face. She was flabbergasted by his hospitality, but at the same time, she doubted his intentions.
She tried to calm her inhibitions, "Yes, yes! It has been a long time, and my Russian goggles also did mischief. How come you are here, and who is that girl staring at you from behind?"
"Yup, she is my friend. Let me call her," he summoned Juli through a hand gesture to extend a hand of friendship to her.
Juli stood silently in a show to reject his offer. He called her again verbally, "Juli, don't be silly. Come here. Meet my school friend."
The phrase "school friend" brought back memories for her. Juli and Jude had been classmates often in school, but they had attended different colleges after that. Juli took a few steps towards Celia, thinking she was his childhood friend. Celia gave her a brief, disapproving look, which Juli didn't appreciate, but she tried to hide her feelings behind a friendly smile. Juli was a kind and straightforward person, always willing to trust others. Unfortunately, Jude had taken advantage of this trust many times. He knew that Juli wouldn't mind if he revealed their relationship right then and there.
Juli extended her hand for friendship, "Hello, I am Juli, Jude's best friend."
Celia replied promptly, "I am Celia, Jude's favorite childhood friend."
"That's great but how come I was unaware of it till now," Juli expressed her concern apologetically.
"If you don't mind, can I take Jude for a coffee date?" Celia questioned, chiding her inquiry.
Jude seemed worried about it. He needed to speak to avoid any misgivings.
He coughed loudly to clear his throat, "Let's plan it some other time. We are getting late. Bye, bye, see you soon."
"So, so, so..... OK, let it go! I will leave it for some other time," she showed her impatience and fled away from the place after assuring him that Jude had saved her number.
Juli and Jude waved goodbye to her. This was the first and last time Juli had met her. Jude sounded a little bit disturbed about rejecting her humble deed. Something suspicious was going on in his mind.
He fumbled, "Let's get back home. Your parents must be waiting for you eagerly."
"So soon, you want me to leave. We have arrived shortly. You look worried. Why did you cancel a coffee date with your school friend when your heart desired to...? Who am I to object?" she laughed.
"How did you know that my heart desired to be with her?" he threw a fake smile to suppress his true feelings of subdued anger.
"In short, your temper says it all," Juli concluded.
Jude was speechless. His blood was boiling inside to confront reality. After all, Juli was speaking the truth, but Jude admitted it was all a false play and took it jokingly to avoid any misunderstanding. Juli's innocent eyes welled up with tears. Her future was uncertain. It was true that she was truly in love with him, even after committing that she was not. Suddenly, she lifted her palm to touch her hair. The wet sensation brought her back to Earth. She plucked a dry towel from the hanger to dry her long tresses. Jerry, her four-legged friend, came dashing towards her wagging his tail. He lifted his legs to caress Juli. She forgot her pain in fiddling with it.
She asked Jerry, "Do you like my friend Jude?"
The dog wagged his tail forcefully and bowed its head. The other moment, he pulled her gown in a gesture to take her outside for breakfast.
"Jerry, don't do this. Give me a minute, I need to comb my hair."
The dog showed no signs of understanding, it didn't stop until it pulled her to the dining table.
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Juli found herself sitting at the dining table, feeling a heavy weight of worry and anxiety. Her mind was racing, causing her to lose her appetite and feel a numbness in her hands and feet. The constant calls and messages she was receiving were adding to her distress. Despite feeling overwhelmed, she tried to focus on eating the pudding that was laid out for breakfast. At that moment, she couldn't help but wonder if her parents were upset with her.
When she heard some noise from the kitchen, she shouted out loud, "Muma, where are you?"
She received no response. She shouted again, "Papa, where are you?"
She stood in disbelief as the silence filled the air. Sundays were usually bustling with the sounds of shopping, cheerful chatter, and laughter. But just a few days ago, the house had been alive with excitement. It was her birthday, and her father, George, had thrown her a surprise party at home. He had invited all his colleagues and friends, making sure Juli's closest friends were the center of attention. George had spared no effort in ensuring it was a memorable event. Stella showcased her exceptional culinary skills by preparing a feast for everyone. Laughter and joy filled the air, turning the gathering into a truly special celebration as Juli marked her twentieth birthday. The house was beautifully decorated, thanks to the work of talented specialists. Even Jasmine, Juli's elder sister, had joined in the festivities with her own family.
On that particular day, Mr. George received an unexpected and exciting proposal from the esteemed magistrate of his town for the hand of his daughter, Juli. The magistrate happened to be George's childhood friend, and the prospect of entrusting his daughter to such a well-respected family brought him immense joy. Similarly, Stella, George's wife, was genuinely pleased with the match. Juli, on the other hand, viewed the young man as nothing more than a brother figure. Their relationship had always been platonic, as they had grown up together, sharing their childhood, education, and home due to their parents' close friendship.
Her parents got angry when she first opened up about Jude. She tried to convince them with all her might, but she was unsuccessful at every attempt. They regarded him as a spoiled brat no matter how she tried to convince them. They didn't like his mannerisms when he was called upon for a short introduction at a nearby restaurant. They were against a business family.
Juli ate her pudding and entered the kitchen. Stella was mopping the floor.
Juli caught her from behind, "Mummy, you are still angry with me?"
Stella dropped the mop and started rinsing the dishes.
Her lips cracked to reveal a sarcastic smile, continuing with her work, "Who am I to be angry at you? You are a big girl now. Our decision never matters to you."
Juli spoke to erase the confusion, "O mummy, I will. Please don't worry. I will keep my word. Yesterday, Jude rang up several times, but I didn't pick up his calls. I am attempting to forget him forever. I will marry you wherever you want."
Stella appeared indifferent, "You told me you had broken ties with him. How dare he be supposed to call you for no reason?"
Juli prepared to utter, "Yes mummy you heard it right. I have blocked his number for his stubbornness. Now I will not trouble you all. Cool down, mummy. Just cool."
Stella raised her eyebrows, sensing that something big was about to happen soon. Then she continued with her kitchen chores, trying to ignore the tension in the air. Juli grabbed some chocolates from the refrigerator and began munching on them, her mind preoccupied with what was to come. She wandered through the house, searching for her father, a sense of unease creeping in as he remained out of sight.
Finally, she mustered enough courage to call him gently, "Papa, papa, where are you?"
There was no response from anywhere. She thought to herself to manage her anxiety, "Today is a Sunday. Papa might be in the washroom or studying."
She made her way to the washroom and noticed that the door was slightly open, indicating that he wasn't there. Juli sat quietly, hesitant to ask her mother for help as she was already in a bad mood. Jerry came over to keep her company. She absentmindedly stroked her furry pet's hair, lost in thought. Suddenly, she was startled by the weight of her father's hand patting her back. She stood up to greet him, and George hugged her tightly.
He took her hand and declared "Daughter, you are everything to me. I will abide by your decision if you select the right man. Alas! I was a fool in making my daughter's life secure throughout my life. In doing so, I forgot that you also have a choice. I know you will never forgive me for this, but I give you the liberty to browse over your decision umpteen times so that you will not have to feel sorry for your deed later on. We are no one to entrust our decisions to you. I hereby leave you free to take the stand."
Juli was feeling quite upset. She had never seen her father so serious before. Even though she believed he was speaking out of anger, his wise words still managed to soften her heart. She also wasn't certain if her mother had spoken to him.
She cleared her throat to speak, "Papa, I will always remain your little girl whom you dropped to school on your scooter. Although I have grown in age, I am not fully grown and able to make my own decisions. I have always obeyed your rules and I will never go against you. I have broken all ties with Jude, and I am ready to marry whomever you want. Please acknowledge my sincerity, papa. Please don't neglect me."
George could feel the sentiments of his daughter. He stayed quiet as usual.
Stella rushed from her kitchen, "Oh! You are back very soon."
"Yes, my dear. I am back. What's special about today," he inquired.
"Nothing like such. This mopping and cleaning will take a few more hours. Till then, you can read the daily news."
Juli asked, "May I help you, mother?"
"No need. You can carry on with your studies," prompt came a reply that broke her heart into several pieces.
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