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Chapter-62 The Convocation!

I woke up slowly, feeling her warmth beside me, and for a moment, I couldn't believe it was real. My arm was wrapped around her, and the familiar scent of her hair filled the space between us. 

It felt like all the distance, all the months of long nights and empty phone calls, had dissolved in that instant.

I tightened my hold around her, almost afraid that if I let go, the distance would return, pulling us apart again. But she was there, breathing softly, her body close to mine, and the weight of a year apart seemed to disappear at that moment. 

It wasn’t just about the physical closeness; it was the reassurance that despite the miles, the love we built was still there, strong and steady.

After a year of long-distance, of yearning and missing her at every turn, waking up with her beside me felt like a dream I never wanted to end.

Last night, sleep took over me effortlessly, almost as if it had been waiting for this moment too. For the first time in what felt like ages, I didn’t toss and turn, staring at a phone screen, wishing she was on the other end. There was no space for the overthinking that usually kept me awake.

Instead, her presence beside me, so calm and steady, was all the comfort I needed. The usual restlessness was gone, replaced by a peace that came from knowing she was right there, beside me.

As the soft morning light filtered through the curtains, I brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, my fingers grazing her cheek, and she stirred slightly.

Her eyes fluttered open, meeting mine, still heavy with sleep but quickly softening into that familiar gaze. I smiled and whispered, "Good morning, Sunflower!” 

She smiled back, a sleepy smile that made my heart skip a beat. I leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, and she nestled closer, her arms finding their way around me.

“Did you sleep well?” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. She nodded, her face still tucked against my chest, and I could feel the gentle rise and fall of her breath as she settled into me, her fingertips tracing light patterns on my back.

For a while, we just lay there, wrapped up in each other, letting the world outside fade away. As I looked into her eyes, I couldn't resist any longer. 

I leaned down slowly, our lips meeting in a soft, tentative kiss that quickly deepened. The warmth of her mouth against mine sent a surge of electricity through me, like everything we had been holding back for a year was pouring out all at once.

The kiss grew more urgent, her hands sliding up to the back of my neck, pulling me closer. My heart raced as I pressed against her, feeling the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips. 

I lost myself in the moment, the taste of her lips, the warmth of her breath, the way our bodies fit so perfectly together. Every second felt like an eternity, yet it wasn't enough. 

Our breaths became heavy, mingling in the space between us as we briefly pulled apart, just long enough to catch a breath before she leaned in again. 

This time, the kiss was hungrier, more desperate, as if we were trying to make up for all the lost time in a single moment. 

Her lips parted against mine, and I could feel the intensity building. I was breathless, my heart pounded in my chest as the world around us disappeared, leaving only the two of us tangled together. 

As we finally broke apart, still catching our breath, I smiled at her, brushing my thumb across her flushed cheek. 

The moment lingered in the air, but reality started to creep back in. I pressed one last, soft kiss to her lips before leaning back slightly.

“We should get ready,” I whispered, the corners of my mouth curving up. 

She blinked, and she pouted, “I want to sleep more, Vayu!” 

I chuckled at her cuteness and pecked her cheeks,  “It’s your convocation today, Sunflower!”

I could see the excitement spark in her eyes, that familiar glimmer I had missed for so long. She sat up, stretching herself.

I stood up, offering her my hand as she slid out of bed. “Come on, you don’t want to be late for the moment you’ve been working so hard for.”

She laughed softly, her fingers wrapping around mine, and for a moment, we just stood there, basking in the joy of being together for such an important day.

I knew how much this meant to her, the culmination of years of effort, late nights, and sacrifices. And now, after all the distance, I was here to share it with her.

“Fine! Let me go and take a shower!” she said, her voice playful but laced with excitement.

I watched her head towards the bathroom. I couldn’t help but feel proud, knowing how much she had accomplished. Today was her day, and I couldn’t wait to witness her moment of glory.

Just as she disappeared into the bathroom, the doorbell rang. My heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t expecting anyone this early. I quickly glanced toward the door, feeling a sudden rush of anxiety. 

I opened the door, and there they were—her parents, standing with bright smiles. 

My throat tightened. I wasn’t ready for this. But here they were, standing in front of me, and there I was, very much caught in the situation.

“Oh my God! Vayush! You’re here!” Mummy exclaimed, stepping forward as she patted my back, “Tum kab aaye?”

“Main bas..kal kal sham ko!” I replied hesitantly.

“Good, good,” her dad said, clapping me on the shoulder. “We're glad you showed up for her. It’s a proud moment for all of us.”

“Uske liye nahi to aur kiske liye aaunga!” I muttered within myself, smiling on the outer side.

As they settled, Mummy started going inside the kitchen and said, “Let me make tea for everyone!” Papa nodded but I stopped her gently and spoke up, “Aap betho main banata hoon!” 

She looked at me surprisingly as I smiled at her and gestured to her to sit down.

I went inside and prepared tea for all of us, keeping in mind their preference and taste. Less sugar for Papa as instructed by my Sunflower and more strong for Mumma.

When I returned with the steaming cups, I settled beside Papa handing him over the cup, “Ye aapki kam shakkar vali!” 

He glared at me while Mummy laughed hard, “Ye maa beti to mujhe meetha nahi khaane deti, bas tumhari hi kami thi! Laao!” He said like a kid whose chocolate has been snatched.

I muttered sorry to him and replied, “Ab aapki beti ke order ko kese taal sakta hu. Aap to jaante hi ho kitni strict hai vo aapki health ko leke!” 

“Bas bas!” He scoffed at us, making us chuckle.

Soon Reya emerged from the bathroom, her hair damp and she was wearing a loose shirt and knee length trouser.

The moment she stepped into the living room, her eyes widened in shock, landing on her parents casually sitting on the couch, sipping tea as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

"Mumma? Papa?” she stammered, blinking in surprise. “Oh my god!”

Her mom laughed, standing up to give her a hug. “Itna chaunk kya rahi hai pagal! We wanted to surprise you!” 

She returned the hug, “I didn’t think you’d be here this early!” she said, her voice light but still holding that edge of surprise.

Her dad chuckled, taking another sip of tea. “Well, your big day deserves a big surprise.” 

“Thanks a lot Mumma Papa! I love you guys so much!” she said, recovering quickly as she sat down next to them. 

“And what about me, Sunflower?” I asked in a baby voice. 

“Shut up Kashyap!” She glared at me. 

“She loves you too!” Mummy Papa spoke up in unison making her eyes widen in surprise. 

“Stop this you guys, I think I should get ready fast, and then we will head out together.” she said, covering her face with her palm in coyness.

As I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my dress, a surge of emotions hit me. Today was the day I had been working toward for years—my convocation. 

The weight of everything I had been through felt so real in that moment, and yet, there was a thrill of a new beginning.

My parents were waiting outside, beaming with pride. Their smiles said more than words ever could. They had been my pillars, the ones who believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. 

And now, seeing them ready to witness this milestone made everything feel complete. Vayu was here, calm and steady as always. He has always carried a sense of quiet strength that has kept me going through some of the hardest years of my life.

We headed out together, the car ride filled with excitement and anticipation. “You'll rock it, Sunflower!” My thoughts broke by Vayu's soft voice, his hand resting over mine giving reassurance.

I nodded softly and smiled back at him while inhaling deeply.

As we approached the college, the sight of it brought back countless memories—the long hours, the challenges, the friendships. 

But today, I wasn’t alone. I was walking into this moment with the people who mattered most, the ones who had made this achievement possible.

I could feel my heart swelling with gratitude as we made our way toward the ceremony, knowing that this day belonged to all of us.

There was a thrill about the speech I was about to give. I had practiced the words a hundred times in my head, but the best part was that Vayu had no idea what I had planned. 

Today, in front of everyone, I would finally introduce him to the world—my constant support, my strength, my captain.

The thought of his reaction made the excitement even more intense. This was his moment as much as it was mine, and I couldn’t wait to share it with everyone.

As we arrived and found our seats, the excitement in the air was almost palpable. My parents were buzzing with pride, and Vayu who sat next to me, still unaware of what was coming.

As we settled in, Mumma leaned over, smiling brightly. "Yakin nahi ho raha Kittu! It feels like just yesterday we were dropping you off for your first day of college."

My dad squeezed my shoulder and said, “We’re so proud of you, Kittu! You’ve earned this.”

As the ceremony began, a hush fell over the crowd. The dean stepped up to the podium, welcoming everyone with a sense of pride and accomplishment. 

I could feel the energy shift, the weight of the years we had all spent working toward this moment settling into the room.

The speeches started, one after another, full of reflections on our journey, the hardships we overcame, and the bright futures that lay ahead. 

My parents listened intently, their eyes glistening with emotion. I could feel my dad’s hand patting my back every now and then, as if to remind me, You did it.

Beside me, Vayu sat calm and composed. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, feeling a thrill at the thought that soon, he would be part of my story in a way no one had expected. 

The speech I was about to give wasn’t just about me—it was about us. And he had no idea.

As the ceremony continued, I could feel the anticipation building within me. As the dean’s voice rang out, I heard, “And now, we call upon Dr. Reya Sharma, one of our brightest and most resilient graduates.”

My heart raced as I stood, the sound of my name echoing through the hall. My mom gasped quietly, and my dad whispered, “C'mon go ahead!”

I glanced at Vayu, who smiled with pride and gave me an encouraging nod.

I walked toward the stage, and the dean handed me my degree, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment wash over me. 

He shook my hand firmly and said, “Congratulations, Dr. Reya Sharma, you’ve earned this.”

The audience clapped, and I could see my parents beaming from their seats. Mumma's eyes were wet with happy tears, and Papa nodded with that proud, quiet smile of his. 

With the degree in my hand, I moved to the side of the stage, pausing for a brief moment to let it all sink in.

I took a deep breath as I approached the podium, the sea of faces before me both familiar and comforting.

I adjusted the mic, glanced at my family and Vayu in the audience, and smiled—because they had no idea what was coming next.

"Good afternoon, everyone," I began, my voice steady but filled with emotion. 

“Standing here today, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude, not just for the accomplishment we celebrate, but for the people who made it possible. 

To the faculty, thank you for shaping us into doctors, for guiding us with knowledge, wisdom, and patience. 

To my peers, thank you for making the hardest days bearable, and for reminding me that we were all in this together.

And ofcourse, my parents, thank you for your unwavering love and support. You’ve been my strength through every challenge, and your belief in me has carried me to this moment.

But there’s one person who deserves a special mention today—my fiancée, Lieutenant Vayush Kashyap. 

A very few of my friends knew about it, that I'm engaged.

To the love of my life. 

Our journey has been anything but easy. For the last two years, he’s been far from home, leading his own battle while I fought mine here in medical school. 

The distance was difficult, and despite being stationed miles away, in places where even a phone call was a luxury, he was always there—listening, supporting, and reminding me to keep pushing forward. 

No matter how exhausted he was after his duties, he would always take the time to listen to my endless rants about exams, patient cases, or subjects I was struggling with. 

I would often go on for hours about anatomy, pathology, and pharmacology, and sometimes it felt like mere saath isko bhi mene doctor bana diya.

In the darkest hours, when both of us were completely drained, he always found the words to lift me up, reminding me why we were enduring all of this. 

He taught me that love is not about proximity but about showing up, even from afar, when it truly matters.

So today, as I stand here in this white coat, this achievement belongs to him as much as it does to me. To my captain, my love, thank you for standing by me through every challenge and making sure I never felt alone. I couldn’t have done this without you.

To everyone who has supported me along the way—family, friends, mentors—thank you for your patience and love. This is not just my accomplishment; it’s ours. We made it.

Thank you.”

The room fell quiet for a second, and I could see the surprise dawning on his face. He looked stunned.

His eyes locked with mine, and I could see the love and pride swelling within him.

Claps from the audience echoed in the hall but for me, all I could see was him—surprised, touched, and completely caught off guard.

As I descended from the stage, my heart raced, not just from the speech but from the overwhelming love and support radiating from the crowd.

I could see my parents standing, clapping with pure pride on their faces. But it was expression that made my heart swell—still stunned, his smile wide and filled with emotion.

As I made my way toward them and when I finally reached my family, Mumma pulled me into a tight hug, whispering, "You were incredible." Papa patted my back, his quiet pride saying everything. 

As I turned to him, I could see the mixture of surprise and pride in his eyes. He pulled me into a tight embrace, holding me close for a moment before pulling back, still shaking his head in disbelief.

"You really did that," he said, his voice filled with awe. "You introduced me to everyone... I didn’t see that coming."

I smiled, my heart full. "I had to. You’ve been there through everything—through the late nights, the stress, even when we were miles apart. This moment belongs to you too."

He chuckled softly, his hand still resting on my waist. His eyes softened, and for a moment, the world around us seemed to disappear. 

"I’m so proud of you," he said quietly, his voice sincere. "You’ve worked so hard for this. I’ve always known you’d make it here."

I smiled, my heart swelling with love. "And I couldn’t have done it without you."

We stood there for a moment, surrounded by the sound of applause and celebration, but in that instant, it was just us.

As we stand together today, I am reminded that the journey we take is not just about reaching the destination but about who we become along the way. And with him by my side, I know we can face anything and achieve everything.

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To be continued.

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