When Amaya meets Atul

A beautiful compromise 🌼

Manohar was tapping his feet continuously while sitting at one of the tables in Pinewood Café as he waited for Manoj Bansal. With bohemian styled  interiors, the cozy café had rustic charm. Manohar was getting annoyed with the audacity of these Bansals who were continuously playing with the feelings of his daughter.

Manoj, on the other hand, cursed as he paid to the cab driver upon reaching the restaurant at fifteen minutes past five. Owing to the traffic at the peak hours, he was late. He rushed inside the café and was relieved to see Manohar waiting for him.

Manoj joined both of his hands greeting Manohar as he took his seat before Manohar Aggarwal, the father of the girl his son loved.

“Coffee is good here", muttered Manohar as he called upon one of the waiters of the rustic café and both of the old men rattled off their orders.

“So?” Manohar questioned curious to know about the purpose of this sudden meeting.

Not meeting his eyes, Manoj fumbled with his words. “Umm... I wanted to tell you something”, he confessed when his phone rang and he was shocked to see Atul calling him.

Excusing himself, Manoj received the phone call only to hear Atul hollering at his father, “Where are you, Papa?”

“I will be there by six", muttered Manoj and he disconnected the phone call while he could hear his son and his wife shouting over him in the background.

Closing his eyes in despair, Manoj walked back and sat before Manohar while the waiter served the coffee. “So what you want to tell me?” asked Manohar folding his hands in annoyance. He was losing his patience every minute.

Taking a deep breath, Manoj sighed. Gathering all his strength, he started to speak. “Atul and Amaya like each other and I don’t want to create any hindrance in their lives”, Manoj spoke finally.

“Are we not meeting for the same purpose tonight?” Manohar retorted calmly though his insides were burning with anger and impatience.

“Manohar ji, before moving ahead with this alliance, I want to confess something", Manoj mumbled while Manohar gave him an encouraging nod to proceed though he was getting pissed off at the moment.

Closing his eyes in despair, Manoj confessed, “When Atul told me that he wants to marry Amaya, I could not approve of this relationship because my ego could not accept that Atul wanted to marry someone whom I had already rejected".

“Why are we discussing these things right now?” Manohar asked getting puzzled.

Taking a deep breath, Manoj continued, “My friend had offered me dowry in case my son married his daughter".

Manohar lost his patience and he snapped haughtily, “I will not pay a single penny to get my daughter married. I have brought her up with immense love and I offered her all the luxuries. I am proud of my only daughter who is no less than your son.”

Before Manohar could stand up and leave, Manoj chimed in, “Manohar ji, I was entirely wrong. I was blinded with greed. I never imagined that I would demand dowry from any girl’s father and insult him but my lust for money compelled me to do sins.”

Accepting his mistakes was indeed, a big blow on Manoj’s ego. He could not figure out how could he simply apologize. Confession and apology were surely not easy but Manoj gulped his ego and decided to go ahead for the sake of his son’s happiness.

Manohar was baffled. “What you want now?” he asked Manoj angrily breaking the chain of his thoughts.

“Manohar ji, I want you to please approve this alliance without any grudges", Manoj mumbled while Manohar was indeed, taken aback with his words.

“I don’t have any grudges. I am just concerned of my daughter.” Manohar muttered.

Very calmly, Manoj stated firmly, “I don’t want a single penny from you. I just want you to give your daughter’s hand to my son and I am sure he will keep her happy. I am extremely sorry for my past behaviour.”

“Are you happy with this alliance?” Manohar questioned him while he sipped the coffee.

“Yes", answered Manoj nodding his head in affirmation and a creepy silence prevailed.

“You need to assure my wife that you are actually happy with everything. Come, let’s go.” Manohar suggested after both the coffee mugs were empty.

“Is it necessary?” Manoj asked finally as he wondered if he was supposed to apologize to Amaya’s mother also. The man who had never explained anything to his wife was asked to convince and assure a woman about the fact that he was happy with the alliance between his son and her daughter. His ego urged to snap at Manohar and tell him that he was done with the idea of giving such assurances. He wondered the man sitting before had not only given freedom to his daughter but to his wife too and the idea was not at all appealing to him.

“Manoj ji, I and my wife take decisions mutually and she is afraid for Amaya and her future", informed Manohar subtly. He knew his wife would have no qualms if he announced his decision to go ahead with the relationship of Atul and Amaya but at the same time, taking an important decision about his daughter without the advice of her mother did not sound appropriate to him.

“Let me tell you, Manoj ji, I have brought my daughter well. She is an independent woman who will not shy away to express her views just like my wife. I hope it would not be a problem for you people.” Manohar spoke his mind as he analysed the frown on Manoj’s face.

Manoj, on the other hand, realized it was indeed, fruitless to comment over the independence of Manohar’s wife after all, it was not his place to say anything. At the same time, he wondered if he would have problem with Amaya expressing her views. Taking a deep breath, he contemplated that his son always wanted a woman who could express her views unlike Vandana. He had tried to sabotage things once by interfering in Atul’s life once and he had almost lost his son. As he remembered the humiliation when his son had asked him to get out from his life, Manoj decided to leave things as they were.

At the same time, Manoj remembered the words of Atul who had told him that Amaya did not talk to Atul for a month as she did not want him to neglect his parents. He realized Amaya was a gem to accept Atul how he was and to respect their dignity despite everything. At that moment, Manoj knew that Atul can find none like Amaya. Having faith on both mature kids, Manoj decided to keep aside his orthodox mindset and give things a chance.

“Having met Amaya, I realized your upbringing is just faultless. We will be lucky to have her in our family.” Manoj announced with a smile.

“Why this sudden change of heart?” Manohar probed him trying to see the glint of greed or revenge in his eyes but thankfully, he could not find any.

“I cannot see my son unhappy”, confessed Manoj with a small grin.

“It is already quarter to six and my daughter is calling incessantly. I think we should leave.” Manohar spoke warmly as he gestured towards his phone lying on the table. The device was constantly vibrating on the wooden table as it was on silent mode.

“Thank you, Manohar ji”, Manoj murmured with happiness on his face as he got up. He was feeling lighter after a healthy conversation with Manohar which was perhaps, not possible in front of everyone at Aggarwal House.

“I will drop you", Manohar offered as they walked out and Manoj tried to look for the auto rickshaw.

Desperate to reach home quickly, Manoj accepted the offer. During the car ride, Manohar continued to probe Manoj’s intentions but he did not find anything suspicious. He was happy for his daughter.

♥️♥️♥️

Hi everyone

So, this is it! ❣

Well, families will be meeting up in the chapter! 😍

Manoj is grey and Manohar is someone setting father and husband goals. Manoj is in for a beautiful compromise and this makes me happy 🥰

And I have a small firecracker to be exploded 💣😜

I will be back soon with my li'l, cute bomb 🤣

Till then, don't forget to vote and share your views 🌸

Take care ❤

Love you all
💜