Whoever I loved… in the end, they all left me alone. My whole life feels so unpredictable. I’ve been searching for true love since my high school days, but I still haven’t found my soulmate.

All my friends are married now—except me. And in India, we’re expected to follow our parents' rules. Getting married on your own terms isn’t easy, whether you’re a girl or a boy. Your family decides who’s right for you, who your partner should be, what’s “good” for your future.

So yeah… my prince charming still hasn’t entered my life. That’s what I was thinking as I held the wedding invitation card of yet another friend. She’s been dating the same guy for six years, and finally—after a lot of courage, waiting, and fighting—her family agreed to the marriage.

sigh I slumped into my chair while the whole office buzzed with gossip about their wedding. The girl sitting next to me was smiling at her phone, probably texting her boyfriend. She even showed him the invitation card—maybe saying, “Baby, when will it be our turn?”

And there I was… dying inside. This earth is full of love birds, and somehow, I’m the only one left alone.

What if I die alone?

Mummaaa… I want to get married now…

Bhagwan, koi toh acha ladka bhej do meri zindagi mein… please.

And just then—I heard footsteps. Heavy. Commanding.

I looked up from the invitation card. A tall guy, sharp jawline, charming face. Plain white shirt, sleeves folded just right. And he was holding a flower. A white rose.

Oh my god… what a hot guy.

Bhagwan… itni jaldi sun li meri?

He looked my way—those calm eyes, a soft smile. He walked towards me. My heart skipped. I smiled slightly. Maybe… maybe that rose was for me?

Then…

He walked past me.

Behind me stood a girl. And before I could even blink, I heard him say:

"I love you."

He got down on one knee. Right there.

My face fell like a dying rose.

Everyone around screamed “Yes! Yes!!”

Inside me? A quiet, broken: No… no… please no… maybe I had a chance…

How can people take so much pleasure in others’ happiness?

She took the rose and smiled—like a damn joker. Her wide teeth felt like knives stabbing straight into my chest.

B*h.

I felt jealous. She said yes.

And just like that, my 20-second love story ended before it could begin.

I know now—God doesn’t listen to me. Not even a little.