NOW OR NEVER

Nikhil replied, "Cut the crap. I've had enough listening about your relation. Now I'll make it clear for you. You'll either have me in your life or your so-called best friend. The ball is in your court and you've to take the call" and turned his face.

After hearing him, my head started spinning and I didn't know when I fell down. My father was fast enough to hold even before I fell down. He patted my cheek and everything is blurred and heard him saying, "Princess" faintly and then my eyes got closed and I don't know what happened next.

After a while, I opened my eyes as I felt something on my face, later I got to know that my father sprinkled few water drops on my face. When I looked around, I realized that I was brought back to the room where I decked up as a bride. I was laying on the bed, my parents were on my both sides and I found Nikhil and my in-laws in one corner of my room. My father asked me, "How are you feeling Princess?" Even before I answer my father, my mom started speaking, "What is this Dhrithi? How does it matter if Veer wouldn't be in your life anymore? You're getting married, now your priority should be Nikhil and his family not your dearest father or me or Veer. Every girl leaves back all her relations when she gets married. " My father didn't let my mom finish he spoke, "Every girl may do whatever when she gets married but my princess will only do what she wants. I'm least bothered about others, they don't me happy, my daughter does. I'm with her and I'll appreciate of you try to hamper her decision. It's her life, she should be the one making decision about who stays in her life and who doesn't."

I felt extremely proud of myself for being born as his daughter. I know my mom is little conservative but I didn't expect this from her. Even she considers Veer as her son, then how can she do this to him. She very well knew that Veer can never say no to her and she took that as advantage. I can never forgive her for what she did to Veer. I didn't know what to say, I slowly got up from the bed and slowly walked towards Nikhil.

I stood in front of him and said, "Nikhil thank you for all the moments we spent together happily but I can't do this. I haven't given right to anyone to take decision on my behalf. I'm not choosing anyone and I don't want to. I can't choose one between the two of you and I hate you for putting me in this situation." And then I removed my engagement ring and showed it on his hands and moved near his father and said, "I'm sorry uncle, but I can't marry your son. If possible, please forgive me" and walked away from the room. My mother tried to stop me but my father didn't let her.

I started walking towards the entrance and go away from there. I heard people talking behind my back but I cared less. By the time I reached the entrance, Ramu kaka, my father's driver was waiting for me with my car. I got into the car and asked him to take me to my father's office guest house. When I saw Ramu kaka waiting for me, a small faint smile played on my lips knowing how much my father loves me. Today I've seen a different version of my father and I totally loved it. I'm so lucky to have him as my father. I leaned back and closed my eyes. I remembered my conversation with Veer three days back when he told me that he's leaving for U.S

Flashback:

I just came back from parlor and lied down on my bed as it was a very tiring day for me. Someone knocked my door, I asked to come in. Then Veer entered my room, he was looking sad. I asked him, "Veer what happened? Did something happen? Why is bothering you?" He said, "Nothing, there's a seminar in U.S for which our head surgeon was invited. He wants me to accompany him as his assistant. It's a great opportunity and I can learn a lot"

I cut him off saying, "Then it's a good thing, right? You should be happy, why are you so gloomy?" He then looks at me seriously and said, "Dhrithi this is serious, let me finish it first" I was shocked hearing him calling me Dhrithi. It's a long-forgotten thing for us, he calls me Mishti and he never allowed anyone to call me with that name saying that only he has that right to call me Mishti. Even if he's angry with me, he never calls me by my name, now why is he calling me Dhrithi. Something is definitely wrong, so I just blinked my eyes for him to continue. He continued, " The seminar is on day after tomorrow, so I've to go tonight." I immediately said, "Then you're not going anywhere. This stupid seminar is not important than me for you. So, you're sad that you wouldn't be able to make it. Right?"

But his replied shocked me, "No, this seminar is very important for me. I definitely have to go. So, I'll go and I'll be back before your wedding. It's just that I'll miss the other functions held before marriage but please understand, I've never asked anything before. Please just let me go."

I started hitting him on his arms and tears started flowing from eyes, he caught hold of hands and hugged me tightly. When I was calm, he said, " Sorry Misthi, but you also know I wouldn't want to go leaving your marriage rituals if it is not important. You know me, right?" I just nodded my head and he continued, "Please let me go, you'll be busy in all these functions and Nikhil will also be there with you. You'll not even get time to think of me and by the time you'll finally remember me, I'll be in front of your eyes."

I didn't know what to say, but what he said is right. He wouldn't want to miss anything related to me, if he's insisting so much then it must be very important. So, I thought to let him go and said, "Okay you can go, but you should be back before my marriage. I want you beside me while I'm getting married." He smiled and said yes.

Flashback ends here

Like he said, I was busy in my marriage rituals and never thought of him except those good morning and good night texts. I'm really feeling very bad that I ignored Veer during these three days. I can't even imagine what he must have gone through and how devastated he would be right now.

But only one thing is playing in my mind that it's good that I've walked away or else I'll have to let Nikhil to take all decisions for me for my entire life. And I don't know what all I'd have sacrificed for him. It was like a now or never situation for me.