ARYAMAN'S POV
My voice softened, each word tinged with regret yet steady with resolve.
For a moment, he just looked at me, his eyes narrowing as if carefully weighing his next words. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and deliberate. "You're certain about this?"
"Yes, Dad. I'm certain," I replied,
my heart caught in a storm of relief and the dread of disappointing him.
"She's... she's someone special. I can't stop thinking about her. I know it sounds impulsive, but it's real."
He let out a long, heavy sigh, his hand drifting to rub his temple, the gesture laced with weariness.
"I understand that love can be unpredictable, but marriage is... commitment, stability. You've only met her a few times. How do you know this is what you want?"
"I just do," I said, the conviction swelling in my chest like a rising tide.
"It's more than an attraction. It's... the way she is, Dad. The kindness in her eyes, her sincerity, the way she helps without a second thought. She makes me feel something I've never felt before."
He studied me intently, his expression softening, though doubt still lingered in the corners of his eyes.
"You know that marriage isn't just about love. It's a partnership-one that lasts a lifetime. Can you promise me that you've truly thought this through?"
I held his gaze, my voice unwavering.
"I promise, Dad. I'm ready to take responsibility for my choice."
For a long moment, he didn't respond, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded, though a shadow of worry lingered in his eyes. "Alright,"
He said, his voice quiet but accepting.
"But remember, love is only the beginning. The rest... it takes patience, compromise, and strength."
He reached out and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, squeezing it gently.
"I hope this woman you care for is everything you believe her to be. Just... don't rush. And remember, you can always talk to me."
A warmth spread through my chest, a surge of gratitude rising within me. "Thank you, Dad. That means more than you know."
As I left Dad's study, a sense of triumph coursed through me.
The moment I stepped into my room, I couldn't contain myself any longer.
"Yes! I did it!" I exclaimed, barely believing I had actually confronted Dad.
Okay I was a little over confident but it's okay I guess!
After freshening up, I immediately called Shubh to share the news.
His laughter and words of encouragement over the phone only added to my joy.
Later, as I joined the family for dinner.
I noticed Mom looking a little sad, her usual warmth replaced with a quiet melancholy.
Guilt gnawed at me-I knew I was the reason for her sadness.
Reaching out, I gently took her hands in mine, my voice soft but earnest. "Mom, I'm sorry,"
I said, searching her face for some sign of forgiveness, though she avoided meeting my gaze.
"I like someone else, Maa," I continued, my words careful and deliberate.
"I have no right to destroy another person's life by being dishonest. I can't let my future partner suffer because of my indecision."
She sighed, her expression shifting from sadness to one of quiet confrontation. "You should have told us earlier. You know we've always supported you in everything."
"That's exactly why I'm telling you now," I said, meeting her gaze with newfound courage.
"I needed time to find the confidence to speak my truth."
"Let it be," Mom said with a playful smile.
"Now, tell me about her. Who is this girl that's captured your attention?"
I shook my head, grinning as I took another bite from my plate. "No, no, Maa. I'm not revealing anything just yet. First, I'll get to know her better, and then we'll take the next steps."
She chuckled, shaking her head in mock frustration. "Such a tease you are, Laddoo."
"Oh, that I know very well, Maa," I replied with a mischievous smirk.
"And don't worry, I'll share everything about her when the time is right."
Just as I finished my sentence, Dad walked in, his presence commanding the room as always.
He took his seat across from me, his mobile phone still in hand. His expression was calm but serious.
"I just had a talk with Mr. Mehta regarding this," he said, his tone steady yet formal.
"He was a little disappointed but said he understood our point."
A wave of relief washed over me as I passed him a glass of water. "Dad, thank you for handling this," I said sincerely, my voice full of gratitude.
"You don't have to thank me," he replied with a soft smile, his eyes twinkling with warmth.
"I can do anything for my family."
That gentle yet resolute gaze reminded me once again why I admired him so deeply.
His unwavering dedication to us was one of his most remarkable qualities.
It made me determined to live up to his expectations. I couldn't let him down-I would do anything for them, just as he would for me.
"So, when are we going to meet her?" Dad asked, his curiosity evident in his voice as he leaned forward slightly, waiting for my answer.
"Uh... actually, there's something," I began, hesitating as I scratched the back of my neck.
"I... well, I like this girl, but I haven't even talked to her yet. We're kind of strangers."
With that, both Mom and Dad let out simultaneous groans and placed their hands on their foreheads, facepalming in unison.
The disbelief on their faces was impossible to miss.
"Are you serious, Arya?!" Dad exclaimed, his tone a mix of shock and frustration. "You told me to cancel that proposal for what? A mere attraction?"
"No, Dad. It's not just an attraction," I replied firmly, though my voice carried a hint of nervousness. "But yes, I'll need to put in some serious effort here."
"I know I told you some serious things but now I am doubting myself "
Dad shook his head but couldn't suppress a small chuckle. "That you will, because winning a girl's heart is no easy task," he said, taking a few bites of food with an amused expression.
Mom, clearly unwilling to let him off so easily, chimed in with a teasing tone. "Aap toh aise bol rahe hain, jaise aapko bohot zyada experience hai?"
Dad leaned back in his chair with a playful smile, responding in an overly dramatic tone,
"Nahi Patni ji , hume toh yeh sab tabhi samajh aaya jab aapka dil jeetne ka mauka mila."
Mom's cheeks flushed a soft pink as she tried to hide her smile. "Stop it," she muttered, pretending to focus on something else.
"Oh, please! I'm single here!" I groaned, covering my eyes with my hand to avoid the growing romantic tension.
Mom, still blushing, got up under the pretense of fetching water from the kitchen. As soon as she left, I lowered my hand and looked at Dad, who leaned in slightly and whispered with a smirk,
"You're saying this as if you haven't seen anything on Chrome."
"Th-that's different!" I stammered, scratching the back of my neck awkwardly.
Before the conversation could get any more embarrassing, I quickly excused myself and headed to my room.
As I walked away, I heard Dad call out, his voice warm and encouraging.
"All the best, Arya!"
That night, with a flurry of emotions swirling in my chest-nervousness, excitement, and determination-I finally fell asleep.
----------
Afternoon (next day)
I paced back and forth in my room, lost in thought.
Should I go to the hospital or not? I wondered. Drishti isn't even going to be there.
But then again, if I want to approach her, the first step is to become her friend.
I do have her number, Instagram account, you might ask how I got all that.
Well, let's just say I have my sources.
After another long sigh, I muttered to myself,
"I guess I should go to the hospital. What am I going to achieve sitting at home anyway?"
After an endless tug-of-war with my own thoughts, I finally made up my mind. I headed downstairs, had a quick breakfast, and grabbed my bike keys.
Today, it's the bike, I decided.
I put on my helmet, adjusted the mirrors, and started the engine. The journey began smoothly, and I felt a small thrill of freedom as the wind brushed past me.
But of course-traffic had to make its grand entrance.
Stuck at a signal, I found myself glancing around, taking in the scenic beauty on the roadside.
Trees swayed gently, the sunlight danced through their leaves, and the world seemed to pause for a moment.
And then I saw her.
There she was, sitting in an auto, looking out of the window, her hair slightly disheveled by the breeze.
I blinked, my heart skipping a beat.
Was that really her?
Or was my mind playing tricks on me?
Maybe it's just my imagination.
Am I really seeing her everywhere now?
Like, wow!! What's happening to me?
I really need to control my imagination,
but what if...
What if she really is Drishti?
My mind kept insisting, It's not her. Stop overthinking.
But my heart, beating faster with every passing second, whispered back,
It's Drishti. I know it's her.
And if it truly was her, this could be my chance-an opportunity to learn more about her, maybe even strike up a conversation and become friends.
Ignoring my logical mind, I kept my eyes fixed on the auto as it took a route leading toward the market.
Without a second thought, I followed it, weaving through traffic until the auto came to a stop.
The moment the woman inside stepped out, my heart skipped a beat.
My heart had been right.
It was Drishti.
She looked as stunning as ever, effortlessly radiant in a baby pink kurti paired with delicate jhumka's and a few bangles adorning just one wrist.
The soft breeze caught a strand of her hair, and for a moment, time seemed to slow down.
I quickly parked my bike near a store, trying to appear inconspicuous, and started walking at a safe distance behind her.
I didn't want to make it obvious, I just wanted to admire her from afar.
Her first stop was at a clothing store.
She browsed through the racks for a while but didn't seem to find anything she liked.
From there, she moved on to another shop. This time, she picked up a few things.
As I watched her, a small smile crept onto my face. Just seeing her in her element, going about her day, made my own day feel brighter.
While I was admiring her, completely lost in the moment, I suddenly felt someone tugging at my bag.
Startled, I turned to find a little boy grinning at me mischievously.
This was so embarrassing.
"Kya bhaiya, vo didi ko aise kyu dekh rahe ho?" he teased, his voice filled with playful curiosity.
("What's up, bhaiya? Why are you looking at didi like that?" )
"Tumse matlab, bachhu!" I retorted, trying to focus my attention back on her, but the kid wasn't giving up.
("That's none of your concern, dear!")
"Achha, toh bulaao na vo didi ko?" he said cheekily and made a move to call out to her. Panicking, I quickly clamped my hand over his mouth.
(
Alright, then should I call her ?" )
"Nahi, nahi! Itna mehnat wala kaam tum mujh par hi rehne do!" I whispered with a nervous smile, trying to keep the situation under control.
( "No, no! Let that hard work be on me!" )
The boy's eyes sparkled with mischief as he spoke again. "Achha, bolo na, kya chahiye?" I asked, finally catching on to why he was teasing me.
("Alright, tell me, what do you want?")
"Chocolates!" he exclaimed, his excitement lighting up his face.
Defeated, I sighed and bought him some chocolates from a nearby shop.
But when I turned back, she was gone.
"Shit," I muttered under my breath, panic and disappointment washing over me.
"Now how will I find her in this huge market?"
I stood there for a moment, staring at the bustling crowd, feeling my heart sink.
I had lost my chance. But I couldn't even blame the kid-he was just being his cheeky self.
With a heavy sigh, I muttered to myself,
"I think I should just head back to work."
Turning away from the shop, I began making my way back, my earlier excitement replaced with a lingering sense of regret.
I was walking back, my attention fixed on my mobile phone to check my schedule , when I accidentally bumped shoulders with someone.
Startled, I looked up to apologize, only to realize it was Drishti. My heart skipped a beat.
Well, maybe the plan of going back to work ends here.
"Sorry, Sir," she said softly, rubbing her arm a little, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness.
"No, no! This time, it was completely my fault. I'm sorry," I replied, shaking my head.
"No, actually, I wasn't looking where I was going," she insisted, her tone polite but firm.
"Seriously," I said, holding up my phone, "I was glued to this thing. It's definitely my mistake."
Before the conversation could go on any longer, an elderly uncle from a nearby cart chimed in with a playful smile.
"Beta, ladki bade mushkil se sorry bolti hai... rakh lo," he said, chuckling to himself.
( "Child, girls say sorry with great difficulty... just accept it." )
We both smiled awkwardly at his words. I scratched the back of my neck nervously, while her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink-perhaps from embarrassment.
"Well," I began, trying to fill the silence that lingered between us, "I really think it was my mistake. So... can I get a chance to say sorry properly?"
She hesitated, looking at me with a mix of confusion and amusement. "No, it really wasn't your fault," she replied gently.
"Please," I said softly, my voice earnest. "I'd feel better if you let me."
She paused for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, but just this time," she said, a small smile gracing her lips.
"Only this time," I repeated, smiling back at her, feeling a strange but comforting sense of connection in that moment.
"So, what would you like to eat?" I asked in a friendly tone, hoping to make her feel at ease and not nervous.
"Anything will work," she replied with a warm smile.
"Okay, how about chai?" I suggested.
"Anytime! I love chai way too much," she said enthusiastically, but then suddenly stopped in her tracks, glancing at me as if she had revealed too much.
I chuckled softly and said, "You can be yourself around me. Just relax."
With that small reassurance, we continued walking and soon reached a chai stall. It was a quiet spot, not too crowded, with a cozy little seating area.
"Bhaiya, two cups of chai and some toast, please," I said, placing the order.
I took a seat across from her, noticing how she placed her hands neatly on the table.
"Sir, there's no need for the toasts. Chai will be enough," she said politely.
"First of all, chai tastes much better with some snacks. And second," I added with a smile, "don't call me 'Sir.' We're not in the hospital right now."
She hesitated, fidgeting slightly. "Uhm... but you're my senior. It feels inappropriate ,not to call you 'Sir.'"
I pretended to think deeply, stroking my chin with exaggerated seriousness. "Hmm... for that, I think we can find a solution," I said, finally breaking into a grin.
"What solution?" she asked, raising her eyebrows, curiosity lighting up her face.
"We can be friends?," I said simply, extending my right hand toward her for a handshake.
She stared at my hand for a second, then smiled softly, her hesitation melting away.
"So... friends," I said, clasping my hand in hers for a friendly handshake, her smile making the moment feel lighter and more genuine.
"Yup, friends," she said, nodding her head with a cheerful smile.
"So, from now on, you can call me Aryaman,"
I told her, trying to keep the moment casual.
"And you can call me Drishti," she replied, her happiness evident in her voice.
I don't know how it happened, but we found ourselves locked in each other's gaze, as if the world around us had faded away.
Time seemed to stand still, and for those few moments, it was just the two of us in our little bubble.
But this time, it wasn't just a silent connection-we were also holding hands. Neither of us seemed to notice how long we had been like that until the chai stall bhaiya interrupted us.
"Yeh lijiye, aapki garama garam chai," he said, placing the cups in front of us before walking away.
("Here you go, your hot cup of tea.")
We both snapped back to reality, quickly withdrawing our hands as if we had been caught doing something mischievous.
"Yup," she said softly, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush as she picked up her cup.
"So, you're spending your holiday here?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation back to neutral ground while taking a sip of chai.
"No, actually," she said, nibbling on a piece of toast. "The plan I took a holiday for got canceled, so I thought I'd use the time to shop for a few things."
That's why we met here... I thought to myself, unable to suppress a small smile. I really am lucky.
"Well," I said, seizing the moment, "if you don't mind, could you help me pick out some accessories for my sister? I'm terrible at these things, and you seem like you'd know what to choose."
I asked her, hoping to spend a little more time with her.
"Oh, I can," she said, hesitating for a moment.
"But what if she doesn't like what I pick?"
"No, no, I'm sure she'll love anything you choose," I reassured her with a confident smile.
"Okay, then. After we finish this, we can go shop for your sister," she replied quickly, taking a sip of her chai.
We finished our drinks and wandered around the shops looking for accessories.
As we strolled, I noticed a large store that caught my eye.
"Drishti, I think we should head there," I suggested, stepping toward the store, but then I felt her gently tugging at my wrist.
"No, they sell these things at high prices," she said, her voice soft but firm.
I nodded, though my attention was still drawn to where her hand was placed on my wrist.
She quickly withdrew it, and my focus shifted to her angelic face.
"Uhm... actually, we should go to that small stall over there. They have so many pretty things," she said, her tone shifting to something more excited and hopeful.
"As you say, Sahiba," I said playfully, following her like a puppy, unable to hide the smile tugging at my lips.
I noticed a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks, and it made my heart flutter a little.
"See? There are so many accessories here-earrings, jhumka, bangles, and bracelets, too," she said, gesturing around with enthusiasm.
"Yes, you're right," I agreed. "Well, I don't know much about these things, but my sister definitely likes simple stuff. So, I think this information might help you find something perfect for her."
"Yup, this will work," she replied, her eyes bright with the satisfaction of being able to help.
And there I stood, folding my arms, admiring the moment. My sister was going to be so lucky to wear something that my girl chose for her.
The way she was looking at the accessories, so happily and with such focus-it made me feel a little jealous.
But I knew, one way or another, she would look at me with that same expression someday, filled with admiration and love.
I felt her tap my hand, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Yes?" I asked.
"I think this one will suit her," she said, holding up a beautiful pair of jhumkas to her ear, showing me the design.
"Yup, I think she'll like this one, too," I agreed, a smile tugging at my lips.
"By the way, you can also pick something for yourself," I added, my tone light and teasing.
"Do you really think I wouldn't pick anything from this little heaven?" she said, her voice being playful.
"Maybe," he replied with a teasing smile.
"Well, Mister, you're wrong, because I'm definitely getting a pair of jhumka for myself," she said, her hands resting on her stomach in a confident, almost playful gesture.
"Okay, then. Go ahead-we've got plenty of time," I said, watching her try on several pairs of jhumka, my gaze softening as I admired her.
While I was watching her, my eyes caught sight of a stunning bracelet.
It had small, heart-shaped designs on it-simple yet elegant. I couldn't help but be drawn to it.
Without her noticing, I made my way over to the stall and bought it, feeling a little excitement bubble up inside me.
Going back to my place.
"This one looks so pretty on you," I said a little too loudly, and immediately I tried to hide my blushing face from her.
She turned to me, her eyes catching the moment.
"Okay, bhaiya, this is final-we'll take these," she said, trying to pay, but I wouldn't let her.
"Drishti, no!!, you're not paying," I said, firmly refusing to let her.
"Why not? I can pay for these things," she replied, pushing her money toward the stall owner.
"I know you can, but I'm paying for this," I insisted, offering my money to the stall guy instead.
"No, I will pay," she said, her voice determined, not backing down.
"If you pay even a single penny for this, I'll buy the whole shop-maybe the whole street!" I whispered to her, trying to tease her.
Her eyes widened, and she immediately lowered her hand, surprised by my words.
"So, you can pay me directly," I said, acting as innocent as possible.
She raised her finger at me, but then quickly took it back, clearly flustered.
"This is so wrong," she said, standing on her toes, trying to make herself taller.
"Then you can decide what you want to do with this shop," I said, standing up straight, matching her playful challenge.
"Okay, okay... you can pay," she finally relented, and we left the shop, both of us in high spirits-well, at least I was.
I couldn't help myself. "You can treat me to Aloo chaat " I said innocently, sensing she was a little too serious.
"Can I?" she asked, looking at me with a bright, happy smile.
"Yes, you can," I said, smiling back. "So let's go!"
We walked to the food stall, where she ordered Pani Puri for herself and Aloo chaat for me.
She looked so cute, like a little kid, as she enjoyed the Pani Puri, making me smile without even trying.
As much as I wanted to enjoy my chaat, I found myself distracted, unable to take my eyes off her.
Then, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw that it was a call from the "Kebab Mein Haddi" guy.(Shubh)
"Saale, din bhar se kahan gayab hai?
Bola tha half day ke baad aaunga... shaam ho gayi hai, abhi tak raste me ho kya?"
("Saale, where have you been the whole day? You told me - I'd come after half a day... it's evening now, are you still on the way?" )
"Arre, aaj maine chutti le li thi, kya karega?" I teased, trying to get on his nerves.
(
" Arre , I took a off today ..what will you do !? )
"Aise bol raha hai jaise hospital tere papa ka hai!! "
( "You're talking as if the hospital belongs to your dad!")
"Hain toh sahi" I replied back .
(
It's true though)
"Zayada bol raha hai , bataa kidhar hai tu ?" He said .
( "You're talking too much, tell me where you are?" )
"Jahan bhi hoon, bohot khush hoon," I said, glancing at Drishti with a smile.
("Wherever I am, I'm very happy.")
"Wait, tu bhabhi par cheat toh nahi kar raha? Hai Bhagwan!" he said, his voice a little overdramatic.
(
"Wait, you're not cheating on Bhabhi, are you? Oh God!" )
"Aisa kuch nahi hai, aur phone rakh, moment kharab mat kar," I said, cutting him off.
( "There's nothing like that, and put the phone down, don't ruin the moment.")
"Konsa moment-" Before he could say anything else, I hung up the call.
(
" Which moment -" )
I turned back to Drishti, trying to shake off the awkwardness.
I finished my plate, and she was done with her Pani Puri too.
"Thank you, Drishti, for this," I said softly, smiling at her with genuine warmth.
"You're most welcome," she replied, checking the time on her watch. It was already 5:30 PM.
"I... I should head home now," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
"Uhm, I can drop you," I suggested, feeling the urge to spend just a little more time with her.
"No, no, there's no need. Thank you for asking," she said, a little panicked.
I could tell she wasn't fully comfortable yet, and I knew I had to respect her space.
"Okay, as you say," I nodded, understanding her hesitation.
"So, thank you for today," she said, taking a step back, her eyes downcast.
Just then, something clicked in my mind.
I had bought her a bracelet, something small but meaningful.
This bracelet wasn't just jewelry-it would symbolize the beginning of our bond, a token of our friendship.
"Wait... wait a minute!" I called out, rushing to catch her attention.
I pulled the bracelet out of my pocket, my heartbeat quickening. "Here," I said, offering it to her with a soft smile,
"this is from me like a friendship band."
She hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting between the bracelet and me. Then, with a gentle smile, she said,
"There's no need for it. We're friends now, and that's what matters the most."
Her words made me feel a warmth deep inside, but I wasn't ready to give up.
"I know, but please," I said, trying my best to melt her heart with my puppy-dog eyes.
She laughed softly, her expression softening. "Okay, okay, you win. Do the honors, then."
She extended her hand toward me, her fingers trembling just slightly.
A rush of excitement coursed through me as I carefully slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, feeling like this simple gesture was a small, beautiful step forward.
"Bye, take care," she said, her voice quiet but warm, as she waved at me.
I watched her walk away, my chest tight with happiness, my heart racing.
I stood there for a moment, savoring the feeling of the day-of having spent it with her, of this connection we had started to build.
Yayyyyyyyyyy!
With a light, almost giddy step,
I turned and made my way home, a smile stretched across my face,
knowing this was just the beginning.
************************************************************************
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