Battle of the Heart between Love and Family

Wish I knew before

Neha's POV 

I called mom

"Neha, are you ok" mom asked

"Hmm..." I manage

"Did someone hurt you?" She asked with concern 

"I'm sorry mom, I hurt you so much. Sorry for misunderstanding you, I'm a bad daughter. You are the best mom" I cried

"Aunty, I told Neha everything" Karthik said 

"Why did you tell her Karthik? See, she is feeling guilty" mom said 

"I'm glad that I learnt the truth mom. I want to see you, hug you and cry mom. I love you so much" 

" I'm happy to hear, never thought I would hear that. Don't think of anything else. Enjoy your friend's engagement and come. I'm arranging everything for your engagement. Rohan is a gem Neha. I would never give my hand to someone less than best" 

"Mom......" I said looking at Arjun and Karthik. They nodded in encouragement 

"Mom, actually I got married few months back. Sorry" I said 

"Is he Karthik's friend and business partner from India?" She asked calmly 

I was shocked. How did she knew? I looked at Arjun and Karthik. Their faces too showed surprise 

"You know him mom?" I asked 

"I like him" mom said

"You met mom?" I asked Arjun

"I have no idea" he replied 

"Prem, it's me" mom said 

Who is Prem? Maybe mom thought of someone else!

"Attha(mother in law)" Arjun said in surprise 

Attha? He is calling mom attha

"When did you meet him mom"

Flashback 

Anna's POV (at a party)

I'm getting bored hearing Mrs. Davenport and her gang. I noticed Mr. Richmond's daughter flirting with a young man. He is tall, handsome Indian. He looked like a little kitten trapped. He is politely rejecting her advances.

I liked him for unknown reason.

"Finally I found you Prem, I have been looking for you every where. Thank you Natalie for looking out for my Nephew" I said 

"You were busy with your friends, I got bored and came here attha(mother in law)" he said keeping up with my story

Natalie left cursing 

"You are too young to be my attha" he said smiling 

"My daughter is going to get married soon" I said 

"Really"

"You know Natalie's dad is billionaire. She is beautiful and smart" I said 

"I know what you mean, I'm married and I very much love my wife. Can't see any other girl" he said smiling. I see love in his eyes when he mentioned his wife. Lucky girl

"Are you new here" I asked. I haven't seen him before 

"Yes. I look after my dad's business but I wanted to do something on my own. So I started a company with my friend. There was some issue, I came to solve it few months back" he said 

I admired his individuality.

]"Tell me about your girl"

"She is beautiful inside out, kind intelligent and compassionate" he said smiling 

"She is lucky"

"I'm lucky. I used to trouble her a lot when we were kids(really? I can't imagine him troubling). One day I realized how wonderful she is. Due to circumstances I couldn't contact her for 6 years. We didn't express our love at that time. Even then she loved me all these years. Recently I got married to her" he became sad when he mentioned marriage 

"What happened? Is something wrong?" I asked 

"I married her without our parents consent. I wanted to get permission from my parents and get married but she felt insecured when I was going to India. So I married her"

"You did the right thing. Don't regret it. I'm sure everyone will understand" I said 

"It's not about that.... we married 2 months back. I planned to go back last week.  She want us to live as real couple not worrying about anything.  She said,' I would live with those memories if your parents don't accept me. You would be unhappy going against their wishes'

Till then I never thought about that possibility.  I love her so much, can't live without her" he said sadly 

" I haven't met your girl, I already like her. I'm sure your parents will accept her and her parents will accept you. If you weren't married,  I would have given my daughter to you" I consoled him

"I'm taking her on honeymoon tomorrow" he said 

"Don't worry about anything else just make sweet memories as she wish. Everything will be fine. Maybe you should give grandchild soon to your parents. They won't oppose" I joked

"Thank you attha, my name is Arjun" he said touching my legs to take my blessings 

"Nice name, may god fulfill all your wishes. All the best Arjun" I wished

I got call from my PA, I excused myself and went out to talk. I saw Arjun talk to Karthik's PA and signing some papers. Arjun looked around, maybe he was searching for me. Then he left.

I asked Karthik's PA about Arjun. He said, 'Arjun is Karthik's friend and business partner from India'

End of Flashback 

Neha's POV 

Arjun made quiet an impression in our small encounter. After few days I saw three of you at the airport. You were crying, Karthik was consoling you. Arjun hugged you, he too looked sad.

If I hadn't known Arjun was married, I would have thought you both love each other. I was under stress, didn't give it much thought.

If I knew, I would have come to India to talk to his parents about your marriage. 

"Really mom? You know how hard it was to lie to you and meet Arjun in secret?" I said remembering how scared I was

"Me too aunty" Karthik said 

"So Karthik.... You lied to me all the time about taking Neha to your home, got my only daughter married without my knowledge and even sent her to honeymoon" mom accused jokingly 

"Arjun you married my daughter without my knowledge" mom asked 

"I know you like me so much, you said it yourself that you would give your daughter to me and I have this cool attha who advised me to enjoy honeymoon" Arjun said coolly 

Me and Karthik looked at each other 

What happened next shocked us, mom started to laugh uncontrollably. I never heard mom laugh

"Neha, Karthik I'm angry with you both. I love my son in law, he took my blessings" mom said shocking us more

" Neha don't Worry I will come there tomorrow and talk to Arjun's parents. I will give them whatever they want.  I want your happiness. I'm sure you will be happy with Arjun"

"I love you mom. Come soon, I will be waiting" i said whole heartedly 

"I will come tomorrow baby. Take care of Neha, Arjun. Bye"

"Thank you Karthik for taking care of Neha, bye"

We said bye. Don't know how mom is going to react knowing who Arjun is