Aahir's POV:

Everyone kept looking at us and she walked away!!! I saw Chaahat aunty run behind her. I tried my level best to stay calm. I stood up when I had my mother come and pull me into a hug.

'I..... I don't know Aah....Aahir... how come'

'Mumma!!!' I called her softly and she looked at me with her big button eyes filled with tears. Everyone says my eyes are exactly like hers. I wiped her tears that kept flowing down her cheeks.

'I am sorry calf...it's...it's me...you told me not to hurry but I' and I pulled her into a tight hug...

'No yaar Mumma.. please don't blame yourself. You are not at fault here please stop it. She doesn't see me that way Mumma... it's a no from her and it would still be a no even if you wouldn't have organised this ..shhhhh calm down you old lady... please... you know your tears weaken me from within' saying I cooed her in my arms.

'Aahir!!!' my father kept his hand on my shoulder and I smiled saying...
'Dad I'm ok...relax...it's...its not like I was in a relationship with her...I'm not her types...didn't you hear that?' I told dad

'Neither was I her mother's type Aahir...we were 'World's Apart' Aahir... even then we ended up together. Years of happy marital bliss...I know I was against Aaru's idea of surpise engagement but that doesn't mean we think you are not the right one for my daughter Aahir. Neiyat is a child, a little stubborn, a little annoying but she's the sweetest daughter anyone could get, at times she doesn't know what she wants...but we do ..just give us sometime Aahir...I'm sure she will be ok...I mean any girl would love to marry a picture perfect guy like you Son' Neiv uncle said while I only smiled.

'No one is going to force upon Neiyat. My emotions are for me to handle...If Neiyat feels I'm not her type then no one has the rights to shove this relationship on her..her happiness matters the most!' I said while I heard a old manly voice.

'He is right Gabbar!!! Neiyat is a grown up kid, she can decide for herself and so can Aahir...love and marriage cannot be force shoved and if they are destined to be together even if they are 'Destinies Apart' the universe will show signs to bring them together but till then no one interferes!!!' Dev Daadu instructed my mother and Neiv uncle.

Neiyat's POV:

'Maa please I need some space' I yelled at her while she stood there at the door glaring at me...

'Baccha (child) listen to me...I know you probably are not ready but I think you are taking a decision in hurry burry...Look...we are not asking you to get engaged to him right away...but...why don't you guys go with a flow... Maybe date each other'

'Maaaaa please stoppppp!!! Why can't you people understand Aahir is not my kinda man...I have some dreams some expectations...I am a wedding planner Maa...I find dream girls and dream boys for folks in this world, bring them together, get them married...isn't it unfair that I wouldn't be able to find my prince charming and settle to some random 'Mummy Papa's choice!!!'...no Maa never...have you seen Aahir...I respect that guy... he's a gem...he's too sweet, caring, responsible, a good human being, there is nothing that stirs something inside me...if I marry him...my story will be yet another random arranged marriage...it's not special...it's nowhere like you and Dad...like Dadu and Dadi...and I'm sorry Maa I want a epic lovestory for myself...Aahir is a complete misfit!!!'

To which my mother came to me and sat next to me on my bed and asked...
'Neiyat... have you heard yourself??? You want problems in your life??? Mine and your dad's story, your grandparents love story had pain, seperation, depression, self hurt what not...we went through hell and back, lost and found our love...we don't want that for you princess and it's unbelievable that you are rejecting Aahir because he is a good man!!! Like really??? What do you want Neiyat? You cannot digest goodness?' she asked and I closed my eyes and huffed.

'I don't know Maa...he is not like Dadu...I want someone like him..you know I always wanted someone like Dev Kapoor... have you seen them Maa... They are in their 90's and still so much in love...Dadu is smitten by Daadi...they stick to each other, sit in each other's lap, feed each other, still go on honeymoons, celebrate valentine's...they are so dreamy and romantic!!! And Daadu he's so charming with girls, even today my friends are head over heels for his charms, it's like the whole world has eyes for him but he only has eyes for Daadi...now that's the kinda man I want... dominating, Posessive, charming!!! Aahir is too plain, too straight Maa...

Dev Daadu sings, dances, is funny, is a charmer, he is literally like the life of the house and have you seen Ishu Daadi is always blushing around him...even in her 90's. I mean Daadi has hardly a few hair on her head...but he still combs her hair softly every day... gosh that's the kinda love story I want for myself!!! That's the kinda man I want for myself...have you seen Aahir...he is too sweet..he gives me diabetes Maa..he is a good boy, gets up early in morning, takes care of everyone, speaks so less, doesn't even go closer to any fun activities, I mean he didn't even want to go river rafting Ma...I dragged him along'

'But he came Neiyat!!! He came along with you... isn't that special? He isn't the party animal but he joined you guys to Kabini... and yes he may not be a dancer, singer but he is a responsible son, a caring brother, a loving grandson...he literally quit his flourishing career in Sydney to settle here in Bangalore only for your Bela Nani...for my SonaPie...why can't you see that Baccha...yes ..he is a good boy but is that a crime?' she asked...

To which I huffed and said again...
'No!!! It's not Ma...but it's not right to think just because he is good, fills your checklist, fills family's checklist he CANNOT fill my checklist too!!! I have some dreams about my dream man and I'm sorry Ma...Aahir can never be my man!!! We are 'Poles Apart!!!'' and just when my mother wanted to speak out something...her words died in her mouth and then she exclaimed...
'Aah...Aahir???'

And my body stiffened!!!

Gosh he heard me...I hope I wasn't too rude!!!

'Chaahat aunty...can I have a moment with Neiyat please?' he asked softly and my mother nodded.

He walked into my room and I shifted on my bed a little uncomfortably...

'Ummm Neiyat...can I borrow a few minutes from you please? Ummm maybe we could go to terrace for a small walk? What say?' he asked and I felt better. After what our families proposed downstairs, he in my room having this uncomfortable conversation was the last thing I wanted.

✨

Cool breeze of November was hitting my body. I covered my body a little more with my crape Dupatta... Bangalore winters can freeze you to death at times!!! Aahir noticed it and excused himself for a moment and I kept looking at the stars. It's rare that you get to see stars in Bangalore, especially on a Diwali night. I could hear loud crackers everywhere. The entire city had lit up like a newly wedded bride.

I was in my thoughts while I suddenly felt a warm pashmina shawl on my shoulder and I saw Aahir had placed it on my shoulders.

I smiled. He is a gem. I so feel bad for him. But I am helpless.

'You were cold...so... you know... and I know you are sensitive to weather...so you know' and I smiled saying

'Aahir...you don't need to explain...we are still friends...I hope we are?' I asked hopefully and he gave me a dry chuckle.

'I so hoped we could be more but I heard you there...I'm not your types!!! Huhhh funny right Neiyat...entire life I lived as a good boy, didn't smoke, didn't drink, never had girlfriends, became a good doctor, always tried to be a good son and a good brother but I never thought these qualities would only be a thorn on my way someday...I didn't know being good can also be bad!!! I'm so perfectly imperfect' he said laughing sarcastically and I felt terrible.

I stopped him by holding his shoulders and made him turn towards me...

'Aahir...look at me..you are not imperfect!!! You are just not the kinda guy I want for myself...it doesn't mean you are not good...you are great guy...a great friend Aahir... infact the comfort I feel with you...I never felt with anyone...not even with Lavanya or Aaryan!!! You are my best friend Aahir but beyond that I'm sorry...I don't see anything could ever happen between us'

'Even if I start drinking, smoking and partying?' he asked raising an eyebrow

I scowled looking at him and said...
'Why would you do that? I like my Aahir just the way he is...you are one in a million Aahir...I like you the way you are...and I would never want you to change...it's just that you don't fit into my love brackets...and I'm sorry if I ever made you feel that I have a thing for you because even if you are the last guy on planet I can't fall for you buddy...you are not my types...you are you know buddy types not boyfriend or lover types!!! I'm sorry' I said honestly holding his hands in mine while I had tears in my eyes.

He nodded and wiped my tears saying...
'Heyyyy relax!!! It's ok Neiyat...I'm not that weak that I can't take a no!!! Please...And come on you are not the only girl on earth...I'll find a much more sexier woman than you someday watch out!!!' he said while trying to hide his tears behind his glasses and my heart tore at that sight!!!

In one go I pulled him into a bone crushing hug. I wiped his tears and kept cooing him warm.

'You know if this is how I'm being rejected... like you hugging me and all...we can maybe do this all over again' he said and I chuckled wiping my tears.

He removed his glasses and looked at me wiping his tears. Cupping my cheeks he said...

'My feelings are my headache...you don't need to worry about it ok? We are friends... best of all' saying he held my hands and tears fell from my eyes and he added

'We will forever remain besties for life Neiyat...and I won't lie it hurt me...this heart is right now full of pain but come on its not like you broke up with me...it's just a no!!! And I'm a cardiologist!!! I can take it and I can take it well!!! So stop crying...these pearls in your eyes kill me' saying he wiped my tears and I smiled and next second hugged him tighter.

Mom is right. He is a gem ❤️ My bestie forever!