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Fortune Cookie

Short Story by Srivaishnavi Rao

Gowri sipped on her lemon tea, as she sat down in her office to review the surgical reports. The hot liquid felt soothing and refreshing after a very long day of performing back to back surgeries.

This is a typical day in the life of a surgeon, and Gowri was well aware of that. In fact her passion and dedication towards her profession made her one of the most sought Cardio thoracic surgeons in the city. Gowri’s alarm just buzzed. She had to go through two more post operative reports and a brief touch base with a couple of on-call doctors, before she could call it a day. She had just enough time to go home, and get ready for her birthday dinner with her family. Gowri, being a very busy surgeon had very little time for parties and usually preferred a mellowed, quiet birthdays. But this year, being her milestone birthday, her husband and daughters were very keen on celebrating it.

They initially wanted to go on a cruise or at least a weekend getaway . But due to everyone ’s busy schedule, they had to settle down for a family dinner at Gowri’s favorite restaurant. Gowri reached home and had a nice long shower that she had been craving since morning. She wore a navy blue long dress with subtle silver motifs embossed on them. She wore a pair of diamond earrings that her husband, Avinash had gifted for her special birthday. She chose a string of her favorite freshwater pearl necklace that complemented well with her attire. She completed the look with some minimal eyeliner and a simple earthy brown lipstick. Just then, Avinash walked in with her favorite flowers. 


“Happy birthday dear, you look amazing today. You hardly look your age. In fact you look just the way you did when I met you first …. ”, he exclaimed.


Gauri laughed and said, “Thank you,That filled my heart but not my stomach, I’m really starving. Shall we?”


Avinash replied, ”Oh yes, Sorry, me too. Sahana already called twice. She already reached the restaurant.”

Gowri thought to herself, “Of course she reached on time. She was always punctual and organized just like her mom. Even as a kid, she had been very independent and efficient. She had always had a realistic approach towards life. She aspired to become a doctor and was currently pursuing an MS in Neuroscience. She met Greg, in the same program. 


They reached the restaurant and were soon ushered to their table. Sahana was already waiting there with Greg. There were balloons and a beautiful cake waiting for her. Sahana had taken care of all the arrangements and already ordered her mom’s favorite drink and some appetizers.

She hugged Gowri and said, ”Happy birthday Mom, you look gorgeous as always. Here’s a little something for your big day !!“  And gave her a gift bag. Greg had also gifted her a box of favorite dark chocolates and flowers.

Gowri thanked them both and sat down. They started with the drinks and appetizers. The waitress handed them with the dinner menus. Gowri glanced at the watch and kept looking at the entry door. Sahana touched her hand and said,”Mom,I tried calling her and left a reminder message. She should be on her way. Let's start ordering.”

Gowri slowly nodded her head and opened the menu card. Gowri was glancing through the main entrees and heard a slight hustle. Someone had accidentally knocked over the busboy carrying the dishes. Gowri could instinctively sense what or who could have caused and the chaos and turned back and there she was - Saanvi, her younger daughter.

Her spontaneous, whimsical and adventurous little brat. In short, she was completely opposite to her older sister.
Saanvi also wished her mom and gave her a big tight hug and even tried to lift her off the chair. Sahana pointed to her watch and sternly asked, “Well what time were you supposed to be here?” 

Saanvi impishly replied, "Relax sis, Live life by the moment, not a timetable.”

Sahana rolled her eyes and said, “Lets eat”. Everyone enjoyed the dinner, especially Gowri. She was delighted to spend some quality time with her family at her  favorite restaurant. She was enjoying the banter between her girls. San always wanted to try different things in life. She opted out from Medicine and Engineering. During her teens, she wanted to be a fashion designer or a journalist or a theatre artist . The “ors” kept changing often. Currently, she was studying Media Communications . She loved to travel and wildlife photography was her favorite hobby. 


The desserts were being served. Gowri was amused at how in spite of all their differences, both the sisters still ordered the same dessert and still fought over whose was best. But isn’t the contrast  what makes the siblings bond stronger?


As Saanvi was gulping down her dessert quickly, she dropped some on the floor. Without a moment’s hesitation, she picked up a big chunk from her sister ’s plate. Sahana let out a sigh of exasperation and turned to her mom and asked, “So Mom, are you planning to attend Rishika’s wedding in India?"

Gowri cleared her throat and replied, "Well I’m really hoping too. I have to attend an important medical seminar there. And the wedding is around the same time.

Once the dates are finalized, I intend to fly to the wedding. Mama and Maami would be so happy.”

“Certainly, Also it would be nice to have at least have someone represent our family. I would have also joined if not for this upcoming merger summit", added, Avinash.


The waitress brought out some fortune cookies along with the check. Saanvi’s eyes lit up like a kid. She handed out the bowl to Gowri and said,”Here Mom, you pick out the first cookie, its your big day!!”

Sahana teased her, “Are you serious? Please don’t tell me that you still believe in these nonsense Saanu”.

Saanvi retorted back, “Oh I still do. I believe in miracles and everything that is magical and mystical.”

Gowri remembered how Saanvi used to believe in tooth fairy, horoscopes, lucky charms and whatnot. Sahana tried to make her understand that these things were just coincidences but eventually gave up. Although she didn't believe in these things herself, Just to wind up the long day, she picked up a fortune cookie and unwrapped the note inside. Saanvi pulled it out from her hand and read it aloud,

“Your long time childhood wish shall be fulfilled soon. Something that you dreamt long back will become a reality”
Saanvi’s eyes widened as she explained, ”Mom, that means one of your unfulfilled desires shall be transpired soon.”
Gowri chuckled ,”Saanu, you know I’m a believer of science, this is just so random and general. My only dream from my childhood was to become a surgeon. That did materialize eventually thanks to perseverance and hardwork.” 


Saanvi responded, ”But mom…there has to be something…something deep down ….you may have forgotten. Try to wish for it…and believe that comes true.”

Sahana smugly replied, ”I don’t know about mom, I really wish you make an appointment with me sis. You really need some neuro exam. I can give you a family discount too.”  she winked.

Saanvi countered back, ”Well if at all I need professional help, I would rather pay and go and see a real doctor and not a snobby quack like you.”

Gowri jumped in to mediate and curtail the argument.

"All right Saani, I shall wish for something now. And if that does come true, I’ll buy you something special. Ok?”
Sahana added,”I’ll pitch in too.And if you lose, you get us something too.”

Saanvi smiled and said, "Deal! By the way, I would like a Nikon Z8 hybrid camera when that happens.”

Sahana and Gowri looked at each other and said in unison “Deal.”
As they were leaving the restaurant Avinash teased Gowri, "Hope you thought before wishing, huh?” Gowri whispered, ”Don’t worry, I got it .”

Months passed by. As planned Gowri was able to attend her conference earlier than expected and head to her hometown just in time for her niece Rishika’s wedding.

Although it was her hometown, it had been decades since she had been there. When she was in her schooldays, they had to move as her Dad got transferred to another city. Life got busy and she only got to visit there a couple of times in all these years. Her cousin Vishnu and his wife Hema were so excited to meet Gowri after years.

The wedding preparations were in full swing and Gowri was enjoying every minute. It had been years since she shopped and ate so much. She sang and danced and adorned her hands with Mehendi after ages. 


The story continued here....