Boyfriend

#2

3 years later
Mumbai

"I only want that red and golden saree neil. I love it and it is my brother's wedding. I want that saree or I don't want anything. ", athira shouted on the phone as she rushed around the house packing her things.

"But athira...." , neil tried to convince her but as usual the stubborn girl didn't let him speak.

"That or nothing", she declared.

"Ok, I will go." Neil gave in.

Neil smiled as he kept down the phone. Life changed so much for him after meeting athira. He was a fun filled guy and had all his life his aim was to make people smile. When he met her she was low, disturbed and hurt. She was sinking. Her smile was lost somewhere. But neil knew there was life somewhere in this brathing dead body. He knew it might not prove to be his best decision but he was determined to bring back her smile. Neil picked up his phone and glared at the wallpaper.  Their wedding picture. She looked really pretty but the smile on her face was forced. It was an arrangee marriage. Following the heartbreak athira agreed to this arranged marriage as an oppurtunity to move on. And he was glad, with time she was learning to move on. She was more of a small child he was taking care of. She was a stubborn drama queen. Though still there were scars on her heart but she have learnt to live with it. And the credit goes to neil. He became a great friend of hers. He never asked her to spill her past. He didn't want her to go through those pains again. He just tied a band aid on her bleeding heart. He knew he may never be able to get to her heart and he didn't want to. He wanted to keep her happy. Just that! he was a keeper just like once she was.

He left the office to buy her the saree from the next corner of the town. Dealing the traffic, pollution and drama of the busy streets of mumbai. it took him 3 hours but the scream of joy athira gave took away his tiredness in a wink. They packed their bags. They had to leave for udaipur the next evening. Athira's brother saksham was geting married. A beautiful palace was booked for the destination wedding with the love of her life, 'nikita'. Athira was jumping around the house in excitement while neil made the perfect partner for her craziness. The night fell down but their spirits didn't.  They practiced and prepared themselves for the big fat indian wedding!