''What have you said to Sejal's dad, I have been receiving calls from all around the world congratulating me on your engagement.'' Devyani was beyond mad. She was tired of the questions being thrown to her about her son's would be bride and her reason for keeping it in dark

''I said I am engaged to your friend's daughter.'' Tarun replied without looking at his mother

''And which friend's daughter? Does this friend exists  or I will have to invent or pray to god to miraculously make her appear with a daughter''

''Mom, just stay low for sometime and then we can tell it didn't work out'' He replied non-nonchalant

''What after that? Sejal will be here again with her parents , trying to be  the shoulder you can cry on to heel your broken heart.Why couldn't you tell her upfront that you don't like her that way''

''Mom, she is my childhood friend and I didn't wanted to break her heart.''

''No, you just wanted to be good in all books. A son who gave in to the wish of his torturous mother, you made me a villain in everybody's eyes '' She said turning away

Tarun was now worried, he never thought of the consequences of his lie. He thought after the propaganda of broken engagement he would be free of Sejal's proposal. But after what his mother mentioned had put him in dilemma again. 

The phone buzzed again and Devyani answered the caller as patiently  as she could. ''One more congratulating me on your engagement , you better find a way or I am going to break the bubble. Why you had to cook this story ?''

''Mom when her father landed at our door with proposal, all I cloud think of you wanting me to marry Kajal. Hence, I just made an escape story. '' Devyani didn't know what to say and Tarun didn't know why Kajal was the first thing that came to head.

For coming weeks all Tarun received was wishes for his coming life. His mother had warned him about clearing the misunderstanding soon. But if he accepted that he lied, his friends would hate him and brand him as a liar. He felt trapped in his own web of lies, his nights were filled with dreams of being a laughing stock among his peers. His desire to be in good books and being good to all has now landed him in trouble. After twisting turning for all night about all the girls he knew , he couldn't think of one girl he wanted to marry. Sejal was definitely never on the list and then he recalled a pair of fiery brown eyes. 

***

''It would have been good if you would have agreed to marry Kajal, I would be receiving these wishes in real.'' Devyani ranted on receiving another call asking for a party. The curiosity level of her peers was at peak, the secrecy around the bride was making them doubtful. On the other hand Sejal had been visiting them a little too much and Tarun wasn't allowing his mother to speak the truth blackmailing her emotionally.

''I am ready to marry Kajal''

''Have you hit your head somewhere?'' Devyani asked her son who suddenly seemed to have been infested by an alien gene. She had a doubt if the one she was speaking to was her son or some ghost who had acquired her son's form.

''Mom!'' Tarun felt little irritated, after thinking for straight 4 days he had gathered the courage to speak and now her irrational questions has been draining him off his courage. He took a deep breath, ''yes mom, you heard it right I am ready to marry Kajal.''

There was crashing sound , he jumped when he found mother had dropped the big china bowl that she held in her hand. ''Mom watch out''

''First tell me what made you take that decision , are you having temperature.'' Tarun held his mother's arm who seemed to be determined to find one part of his body affected with fever. Tarun walked his mom to the main hall and gently pushed her down on the couch, ''Mom, I thought about what you said. I thought about my interactions with Kajal. Yes, she is different a lot different from me, but I guess our difference would make our journey beautiful.''

''Tarun, I hope you are not in some kind of pressure because its about my best friend's daughter. Your one wrong step can destroy my friendship and I might not forgive you for that ever in your life.''

''Mom, I agree I am not in love with Kajal, but she seems more interesting than others. As you said, I don't have anyone in my life marrying Kajal wouldn't be that bad right?'' Devyani thought, she was happy that Tarun had agreed but now the issue was about convincing Kajal. The girl had outright rejected him , will she agree knowing that Tarun had agreed to marry her. Shaking her head she decided to leave things on destiny, for now she would do her part and let God decide the future of the 2

***

''Mom, it doesn't mean I too should agree because Tarun did. I don't like him'' Kajal said pushing her sketching book and pencils in her bag. She wanted to work peacefully at home, but her mother's continuous probing to know her opinion about Tarun had turned her mood sour. She couldn't explain the nagging feeling she had at the back of her head about marrying Tarun. He was good, she had no doubts about it but their ideologies were very different and she feared that it wouldn't work.

''Okay, lets reach an agreement. Meet him once, please.'' Kajal huffed looking at that hopeful smile on her mother's face. The news of Tarun wanting to marry Kajal was like god send blessing. She wouldn't have to be worried about Kajal facing any issues with inlaws, as its her friend and Sheela was sure her daughter wouldn't miss her in the new house, as Devyani would definitely treat her like a daughter. Kajal stared at her mother for a minute, she huffed , ''Fine , mom I will meet Tarun, only once . But after this meeting if I am not convinced , you will never bring this up again.'' Sheela agreed

''I will pull a good dress out for you.''

''What? Now?''

''No, in evening but you need to look fresh and happy.'' Sheela went about instructing her daughter who just smiled at her mother's enthusiasm.  What harm a simple meeting could do? She thought and geared up to meet the man she greatly disapproved of.

***

Tarun tried to losen the collar that seemed to tighten around his neck in nervousness. His eyes kept moving to the entrance, waiting for Kajal's arrival. He was nervous, what if she didn't turn up? What if she turned him down again? He would become the laughing stock among his peers. He could never forget the rejection he faced in Shimla, though he had forgotten the one he was about to give her then. His eyes again went to the entrance and there she was, dressed in peach colour floral buttoned up dress, Kajal looked chic. The heels complimented her elegant walk and her model like physique. Tarun shook his head, he was surprised and amused at the way his thoughts suddenly changed with his decision to marry her. He was checking her out, he averted his eyes in fear of being caught. His previous experience had made him learn that Kajal wouldn't blush nor she would avert her eyes, instead she would raise a brow embarrassing him more.  

''Now, what's all this?'' She asked as soon as she reached his table. He gestured her to sit. Making an irritated face she slumped opposite to him and banged her hand on the table, ''Now, tell where did this marriage thing popped out all of a sudden. I thought it was all over in Shimla.''

''Will you just relax and not scare me with that intimidating voice of yours'' he teased, she frowned at him , leaning further she asked again, ''I don't fool around Tarun, what is this all about.''

''When mom suggested marrying you, it did came as a shock because I had never imagined marrying someone unknown. But then I thought, our mothers have been friends, they have known each other for ages and they will think best for us. I too  don't have any one in my life then what's wrong in this relationship.''

Kajal stared at him, ''Are you hearing yourself, what ever you said made no sense. Tarun, don't deny but I have seen dislike for me in your eyes. I don't know what made you suddenly change your mind Tarun but this isn't a joke this is life.''

He smiled and repeated her words from Shimla, ''I don't even know you properly, dislike is a strong word.'' She blinked and he smiled, she couldn't help but return with one of hers. He placed and order and like a gentleman collected it from the self-service counter. ''Tarun, why this mess. We both know that we don't fit each other and don't tell me that you have fallen for me.''

''I haven't but I don't hate you either. Okay do you have anyone in your life?'' She shook her head in negative, ''Are you against arranged match.'' She again shook her head in negative, ''Then what's the problem with me ?''

''Tarun, we are too different and different run parallel not together.''

''Can we at least try, who knows we might come together.'' He said looking into her brown eyes. She leaned back, increasing the distance between them, ''Tarun this is not trial and error, this is marriage. Its about whole life, what if tomorrow you feel I was a bad choice. What happens then, we go our separate ways?'' She asked

''Suppose, tomorrow you marry some one perfectly matching your choice  and then you realise that your choice was wrong , what would you do?'' It was her turn to be quite. She looked every where but him. Traun extended his hand , holding her chin he turned it to him, ''Future is what we make it, lets give a shot.''

She moved her face removing his fingers, he seemed different today. Other than his self appraising attitude she actually didn't find anything bad about him but there was something in her head telling her that something was wrong about all this. ''I need time to think.''

''Sure, take all you want.''

She decided to leave but then a question popped her mind, ''Why me?''

''Mom said that you are one in million and I just didn't wanted let go the best. You see, I have a habit of running behind everything that is branded, and as you said you are the brand.'' He replied tongue in cheek. She threw the tissue on his face, '' I need time.'' He nodded She got up to leave when his words stopped her, ''Can you now accept my friendship.'' he extended his hand. She shook it, ''This doesn't mean a yes.'' She left without turning back. Tarun in his desire to save his reputation forgot that he was playing with an innocent life. Though, he had no plans of breaking the relationship after marrying her but he didn't realise he was playing  with emotions and dream of someone who had decided to trust him. He was so worried about his image of being labeled as a liar that he found it better to marry Kajal then anyone know about his lie. He even forgot about his mother's friendship, all he cared was to keep his rightful image intact.

Little did Tarun know that Kajal was just not going to be his fate, but she was the lesson God had decided to bestow him with. He wasn't aware that the girl he was planning to marry was not the one who would sit in a corner and cry, she knew how to fight for what she believed on.

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Next- Kajal looked at the guests seated in main hall, all her and his relatives looked excited. Since they had met Tarun, she had been complimented on her luck. Her heart started hammering, something was not right. She messaged Tarun to meet her in the lawn.

''Are you sure you want to marry me.''

''Yes. I am...''

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