Aahir's POV:

'I do Neiyat...I really love you!!! I don't know when I fell so hard for you and what is it that I love the most in you...is it your simplicity? Is it your way of smiling through tough times? Or is it your kind and humble nature??? Or is it your secret gestures where you try to show that you are one badass but then internally you're a softie cone? I don't know Neiyat...

I don't know people may confess to their dear ones about how much they love them and what they love in them...in my case...I can't decide upon one thing and you know what I'm so insanely in love with you that I probably think today that I may never be able to understand why I do what I do!!! These emotions are unbelievable for me too!!! Huhhh!!! Love and relationships for me were dreamy stuff. I wanted a girl who would be classy, pretty, sweet, kind, cultured, educated, smart, sexy, what not!!!

Duhhh I had a fucking checklist for a woman!!! Not that you don't qualify according to that checklist!!! You do beyond that Neiyat!!!

But you know what I realised in the last two weeks of being away from you...

EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T !!! I WOULD STILL LOVE YOU SWEETHEART!!!

As much as I do now or maybe even more than that!!!

Love is not a package deal after all na...It's not a customisable package that you fall for...You know why I love you Neiyat??? Because you are you!!! And I can't stop myself from loving you...' I said as tears kept shedding helplessly from the corner of my eyes and Neiyat sobbed and cupped my face with a sad expression.

I smiled through my tears and I closed my eyes still smiling feel her warm hands touching my cheeks. Her warmth is insane. For the first time without hesitating I felt her warmth and kept shedding tears...

'Aa...Aahi...Aahir...I....I....' she was fumbling with the words while I smiled and stood up and cupped her cheeks and said looking into her beautiful russet brown angelic eyes...

'I know Neiyat!!! I know you don't love me and you know what Sweetheart...its fine!!! Because love is not a give and take deal...It's an emotion... It's either there or not there... And in that little heart of yours I'm just a friend and you know what?

That's more than enough for me!!! I love you Neiyat and everytime I stand infront of you and tell it to you this loud and clear it freaking sounds so good to my heart, my soul but you know what this time would be the last that I'm telling this to you...you know why because I don't want to complicate your and Ved's life!!!' I said at once and her eyes filled up with fresh tears...

'Aahir...I...'

I left her cheeks and held her hands saying...
'I don't love you Aahir ..I'm sorry!!! Lol...I know it Neiyat...I know it!!!' I said and her eyes filled up.

I smiled and said...
'Its hurting Neiyat...it's not going to be easy seeing you with someone else... because I really love you...but Ved is your happiness and your smile is all that matters to me... nothing at all Neiyat...and hmmm you know what you must go to Delhi' I said and she looked at me with a blank expression.

'Scared?' I asked and she nodded.

'Hmmm... do you get scared when you deal with a new customer...a bride or a groom for whom you find a life partner?' I asked and she nodded a no with a cute pout. I held her shoulders and shook it a little asking...

'Then in this case it is your own wedding! The girl who finds the best for the world... wouldn't she find the best for herself?? I mean look at the irony you and Ved would be the 100th couple. You will organise your own wedding that's gonna be one hell of a wedding' I said and she forced a little smile of her lips and again looked at me.

'Neiyat...if you are thinking what about me...how am I going to live without you... let me tell you .you are marrying and not dying ok...we will still be besties for life Neiyat...I didn't express to you my heartfelt emotions so you feel guilty for not being able to love me back...nor did I tell you this so you come running in my arms. My love isn't selfish Neiyat. It's only from my side Neiyat and it's enough for me. This closure will help me move on in life Neiyat ..you know otherwise this guilt of hiding something from you, ignoring you, hurting you...I mean I've not done a crime have I?" I asked as tears spilled from my eyes and she wiped it with her tiny fingers.

'I have loved you Neiyat...I still do and maybe I always will... people say in journey of life, love is your destination. But at times that destination isn't yours. So you move on!!! I will also move on Neiyat but not leaving you behind, instead taking you along with me. You are like my sky Neiyat...you stay even if I find a new destination. You are my first Neiyat and I'm glad you are my first love' I said and in one go she hugged me tightly.

'I am sorry Aahir...I'm sorry I '

'Dont Neiyat please stop apologizing! Why are you sorry hun??? Neither I have done anything wrong nor you..our relationship is as pure as the flowers my Mumma showers upon Bholenath (Lord Shiva)...so now smile... and come on let's eat ..I am very hungry' I said and she smiled and we walked downstairs.

Neiyat served me really delicious food post which Neiyat took some Ice cream and I had Gulab Jamun, in between we shared it and only then realised Ice-cream and Gulab Jamun are made for each other. We began sharing from each other's bowls while we heard someone clear their throat and soon we noticed Neiv uncle and Chaahat aunty.

'Finally looks like things are sorted now?' Neiv uncle asked while we both smiled and nodded.

'Thank god...I was so worried she would settle down with that Kakkar. Damn Neiv hates him...finally we are relieved...let me talk to Aaru and we will organise the engagement whenever you like...as of now how about a small Roka ceremony...you both ca' and before Chaahat aunty proceeds I interrupted.

Neiyat's POV:

Dad and mom looked ever ready to hook me up with Aahir but immediately Aahir interrupted.

'Aunty Uncle...we have sorted things out doesn't mean we both want to marry each other. Yes ..I love Neiyat...but I'm not her choice...and her happiness is beyond my love for her. Her smile matters to me and her happiness is Ved' Aahir said when dad snapped at him.

'Aahir...you probably don't know about Kakkars...I have seen them during business events. Hungry for power, money minded, blood sucking vampires they are. I don't think Neiyat can even be with those toxic people, getting married to their son is a different story all together!!!' Mom said when Aahir argued...

'But is Ved like his parents??? Everyone says he is a friendly guy!' Aahir stood by my side as a true friend

To which this time Dad spoke up...
'Aahir... that guy doesn't have a good name in our society. They call him a gambler, a pervert... he's a Casanova!!! Neiyat and he are absolutely not for each other' to which Aahir smiled and said...

'Well that's exactly what you were termed as once upon a time...am I right or Am I Right Neiv uncle?' Aahir asked leaving my father speechless. While mom snapped at him.

'Aahir... enough!!!'

To which he smiled saying 'Aunty you can't disagree to the fact that you and Neiv uncle were World's Apart...you had your own differences, you even seperated, you...you yourself ran away from your wedding because you thought uncle wasn't the right one for you...but then you are still happy with him aunty...Neiyat also likes Ved and she will be happy with him!' Aahir said while I looked at him with teary eyes.

How can someone have such a big heart.

While Dad looked at him and asked...
'Doesnt it hurt to let her go Aahir??? She is my daughter... she would get drawn by a toy for 4 days but 5th day she would still go back to my dad asking him for a piggy back. Neiyat needs a constant in life and that's you Aahir...listen to me Neiyat...Ved is not a good guy' dad said which left me disturbed while Aahir said...

'Well in that case...it's for Neiyat to decide... for her to choose and she has chosen him...just bless your daughter uncle...And no it doesn't hurt anymore uncle because her happiness is all that matters to me' Aahir said and I kept looking at him wondering how can someone be so selfless...

After sometime I felt dad keeping his hand on my head saying...
'All that keeps you happy My LadyDevil' and I hugged dad while Aahir kept smiling.

'Okayyyy people...Now if you are done with all the emotional manipulations how about someone feeding me more Gulab Jamun and ice cream???' Aahir whined when mom chuckled hiding her tears and said... 'Sure son' to which he held my mom's hand and kissed it saying...'Now I know why mom said I used to call you my wifey...you are indeed so unique and sweet Chah aunty...you know what you still have a chance...there that old man of a husband has a tummy and under this shirt is a good set of biscuits...think again' saying Aahir winked at my mom while my mom hit his chest and my dad pulled mom into his arms saying...

'Ooooo Dr Sehgal...you only find girls from my house is it??? Just because my daughter said you a no... now you will catch hold of my wife??? Go...go find yourself your Tinkerbell' while he smiled saying ..

'Had found one...but nevermind' and I looked at him. I knew it was hurting him, I didn't like this feeling. While I felt a nudge on my shoulder...

'You don't need to blame yourself Miss Kapoor...it's heart not langar (free food at Gurudwara) that you give to everyone!!! You and yours is precious...keep it safe for your Mr special one okay?' he said and I nodded.

Just then the landline phone rang and mom called me out
. To which Aahir winked saying...
'Hmmm go go... have some sweet talks... while let me eat savour some of these Gulab Jamun' he said pushing me away while I picked the call...

'Neiyat...why the heck was your phone switched off??? You just disconnected the call??? You think I'm some jobless guy here??? Listen Neiyat I like you...but this doesn't mean you can treat me like a random someone ok?'

'Ved... actually...can I call you back later... actually Aahir came home after so many days'

'So???? Big deal ..I mean he doesn't stay in a Delhi...he stays next door Neiyat...am I not more important?' while I could see Aahir and my parents smiling.

'Neiyat .. Neiyat you there???'

'Ummm yes ...Sorry i'

'Neiyat I really want to take this relationship to the next level...and I want to see you here this weekend for my parents anniversary...no arguments!' saying he disconnected the call.

I stood there for a long time. Am I ready for such a big commitment? Isn't this a bit too early???