''Mom, that's not possible. Not now not, not  ever.'' Tarun screamed hearing his mother's idea

''And why so?'' Devyani asked equally agitated

''Because I don't want to.'' he sounded angry

''Is there any one in your life that you are interested in ?''

''No, but that doesn't mean I marry Kajal.''

''What's wrong with her?'' Devyani was hell bent on making the match. She knew Kajal was one in million , girls like her made the home out of house. But she failed explained the same to her beauty blind son.

''Mom, she is not my type and she can never be. I won't...'' Before he could complete there was a hard knock on the cottage door. Jatin answered and Kajal stepped in asking for Devyani, Jatin guided her to the inner bedroom. With a nod she walked past Tarun and stood facing Devyani, ''Aunty, I know you meant my good but Tarun is not the guy I would want to settle down with. Like every girl, I too have an image of a my life partner in my mind and Tarun doesn't fit it anywhere '' Turning to Tarun she politely addressed him, "I don't mean to insult you, but I am sure your too second my opinion.'' He said nothing or frankly heard nothing, all his mind could comprehend was that he was being out right rejected by her. He kept his eyes on her face trying to figure out if there was a hidden intention behind this refusal. They had started off on a bad note , was she looking for a chance to insult him. Till date he had never seen a single rejection, people flocked around him like moths around light , then what quality or weakness of his made this girl reject him his openly. That bruised his ego rather too bad.

Turning to Devyani, she held her hand between the palms, ''I hope this doesn't affect your friendship with my Mom. She is worried about losing you over this refusal'

Devyani cupped Kajal's cheek, ''Lucky will be the guy who would marry you and tell Sheela that our friendship can never be affected by such petty things. Bless you'' Kajal smiled, she gave the elder lady a hug and left the cottage without giving Tarun a single glance.

''Your problem solved. Unlucky you'' Throwing the words at Tarun Devyani left the room. She couldn't believe her adult son to be so blind. She started throwing the clothes back into the suitcase, today being the last of the trip . She had plans to celebrate the union with her dear friends but her luck. A day back she had been thanking god for sending Kajal to her, now she was cursing the supreme power for making her hope being aware of her son's hopeless choices.

***

''I wish things would have taken a different turn. I so wanted Kajal in my family.'' Devyani whined. She had decided to enjoy the evening tea with her childhood friend , minus their husband and children. Sheela smiled, ''Its fine, I wasn't sure about it. Your son can get the best.''

''No, he just lost the best, or I should say he lost the cream and now left with whey.'' Devyani made a face making her friend chuckle

''Its okay, it will happen if it is meant to be. Let's not force, if something goes wrong they will blame us.'' Devyani nodded. The two friends sat watching the sunset promising each other to stay in touch. It wasn't that difficult , as they both were in the same city. Its just that they never happened to cross each other.

Kajal was ready to leave, she stood at the reception finishing the check out formalities. She watched as the two friends hugged each other emotionally, promising daily calls. Devyani's eyes again went to Kajal, she took a deep breath. Only if her son could see the gem he is losing, she wished for him to fall on  some rock and gain some brains.

''Have a nice life'' Tarun extended his hand to Kajal, she took it with a smile, ''You too, and wish you many promotions.''

''We will see each other again.'' He didn't know why he said that

''That's pretty obvious because out mothers will definitely meet, and we might cross paths here and there'' She replied with a big grin.

He wanted to say more, but couldn't. With a nod he turned to leave when her words halted his steps, ''Tarun, what I said yesterday was not to insult you. I sincerely feel we are not a match.''

''Yeah, and why not. You are a brand and I run after brands.'' He replied sarcastically

She blinked, ''Tarun, the reason was that I don't want to stand next you and hear the world telling me that you could do better. I am not putting myself down, but this is the reality of our society. They expect the girl to be better than her spouse, in looks''

''You find me handsome'' he teased, his ego suddenly got a boost

She rolled her eyes, ''For the world you are, but beauty can never be defined in set words. It's different for different people. I am beautiful, because I feel so but that doesn't mean others feel the same. I don't push my opinion on others, and I don't let others opinion affect me as I care about my feelings equally.''

He stared at her, she expressed her thoughts beautifully, ''Who is your dream man?''

''Someone who has the guts and ability to stand for himself and me .'' She replied handing her card to the receptionist to make the payment

''Is it Robin?''

''Are you snooping around? And you have no right to question me on my personal life.''

''Hey, I thought we have become friends.'' He said with a smile, lifting his palms in surrender

''Really? When you know you said something you shouldn't you simply throw it on friendship. Tarun we are not friends and can't be.'' She stressed on the last part rather strongly

''I know, you don't fit the kid of people I befriend.'' he replied

''Same pinch.'' Her reply came quick. With that she turned and walked where her parents stood. Devyani blessed her, ''Stay blessed kid, and visit us sometime with your mom.''

''I will.'' The bid each other bye before driving off.

***

The days turned into weeks and two friends stayed in touch. Tarun had forgotten about the fiery girl he had met in Shimla. It was Friday and his friends had invited him for drinks, he decided to to catch up with them as He hadn't had time to meet them since his return from Shimla.

Walking inside, he made his way to his friends with a big smile plastered on his face. ''Hey guys, how are you doing? '' greeting  each of them with a hug.

''You look dashing, looks like Shimla air did you good.'' Sejal batted her lids, swooning over Tarun. Where they welcomed Tarun warmly, Praveen who had accompanied Tarun was being received coldly. This has always been a pattern, nerdy looking Praveen who had been best friends with Tarun since kindergarten was always being taken for granted, his knowledge was the topic of fun. In short they tolerated him because Tarun loved his friend dearly and Praveen also took all the cold behaviour just for Tarun.

''So how was Shimla?'' Zenab asked sipping her orange juice

Tarun's memories immediately flew back to his banter with Kajal, he didn't why but the mention of Shimla just bought her fiery eyes back to him. ''It was awesome....'

''Ladies and gentlemen, the next song is the dedication from Robin to his friend Kajal, before I being the song, HAAPY BIRTHDAY Kajal'' The whole surrounding cheered for the B'day girl and Tarun was left surprised. He didn't expect to meet her this soon. His eyes too were aimed at the place as the others. The group cheered as a guy popped opened a champagne. Tarun crooked his head a bit and there she was, dressed in a shimmery thigh length one piece, her hair made into curls. She was laughing heartily as her friends wished her one by one.

''Kajal!!! The name suits her skin'' Sejal commented as others chuckled

''She is India's top jewellery designer. Her recent collections had received rave reviews from many international designers.'' Praveen briefed the group

''Good for her or else who would look at her.'' Sejal then turned to Praveen, ''Had you been something like her, I guess you too would have got few admirers .''

''Admirers are needed by ones who don't trust themselves, like you. I know I am capable of many things which none of you can.'' Praveen's fitting reply turned Sejal mad. She wanted to retaliate , but Tarun intervened. He was planning to go and wish Kajal , but hearing his friends opinion about her he decided against it. But time and again his eyes went to her, she appeared different. He couldn't find a single girl on the floor who could match her confidence .

The evening ended with friends promising to meet again. ''I am not coming the next time'' Praveen said as he walked out with Tarun.

''Just ignore Sejal.''

''I have been, for long and can't take more.'' Praveen replied unlocking his car

''Even not for me?''

''No, because you don't have guts to stand up for your friend Tarun. You just crave for popularity.'' Praveen drove off without giving Tarun a chance to explain. He just banged his fist on the car roof, today for the first time he heard Kajal in the voice of Praveen.

Taking a minute he calmed his ranging nerves. He unlocked the door, when his eyes went to the source of laughter. Kajal walked out with her friends, she wished all of them and made her way to the her car. He noticed that she was wearing a long coat covering herself till knees.

''Happy Bday'' Kajal yelped when he wished her suddenly from behind while she unlocked her vehicle

''God Tarun!! You really want to kill me.'' She replied facing him

''Sorry, didn't mean to. By the way many more happy returns of the day.''

''Thanks!!!'' She replied turning away, ready to leave

''Wouldn't you invite me for a drink or a treat. '' he teased , but her reply left him mute, ''I would have, if you had wished me in presence of your and my friends. ''

''You saw me there.''

''No, I guessed your presence when you wished me now. Isn't it obvious that you were there since that DJ made the announcement and now you wished me without a hitch, when I am alone and so are you. I understand it all of this Tarun. Bye .'' With that she got into the driver seat, driving off.

'Everyone here seems to have a new lecture for me. Fine, I am the worst man on the planet, But I too can have choices, I like beautiful things what's wrong in that.' Annoyed he kicked the pillar jumping in pain the next moment. His mother had stopped suggesting or giving any kind of opinions to him, even when he insisted, she just would make an excuse. All because he refused to marry Kajal. 'Really? Could you refuse. She rejected you out right'

His conscious reminded him. He pulled his hair once and took deep breaths before driving off.

***

''Sejal's father has send her proposal for you. Think and let me know your decision.'' This was the first thing he heard from his mother the next Saturday morning. He was surprised, Sejal had proposed him many times and he had made it clear that he never saw her that way. For him Sejal was same 6 yr girl with pigtails who went to school with him in the same bus. She was beautiful, yes but he wasn't attracted to her. Not even a bit, ''Refuse, I am not interested''

''You should have told this to Sejal frankly, why did you kept leading her on'' Devyani asked

''Mom I didn't. I refused her , many times but I don't know why she can't understand''

''That's your problem. We cannot spoil our friendship, have some guts and go and refuse on your own. Because we aren't doing it this time.''

Tarun felt trapped, if he stretched this matter things will go out of hand .But his desire to stay in good books of everyone was stopping him from saying a flat No. The continuous nagging of his parents made him visit Sejal's home the same evening. Watching his daughter in pool of tears her father questioned Tarun. He couldn't think of anything at that time and the reason he gave, decided the course of his future life, ''I will soon be engaged to my mother's friend's daughter, I had refused Sejal earlier and said that I just saw her as a friend. I can't marry her'' He walked out without even waiting for reply. Reaching his car, he took deep breaths. For now the things well settled , but he couldn't think of anything about the future. Sejal was known to spread stories adding spices and he needed a back up for it and soon.

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