Kyon Nahi ✓ || (neirohi)

43. Papa ki Princess

43. Papa ki Princess

"So you're not going to come home with us, is that what you're saying?"

Neil clicked his tongue looking at his upset brother, "bhai kya karu, I've not been at work since two weeks and E-Sports tournament is just a month away. If the team doesn't qualify, we've gonna lose a lot of money. I have to go back to work immediately after the wedding."

Abhimanyu shook his head, "when are you going to return to Udaipur though? You said that head office Banglore se Rajasthan shift karne waale ho? Uss plan ka kya?"

Neil cut the pancake in a small piece, dipping it in the maple syrup, "not too sure, IT hub main preferences zyaada hai humare employees ke. But, plan toh hai."

"So you're basically going to be busy for another what, 3-5 years?"

Neil gave his brother a sheepish smile, "maybe more, I really want the company to be matchable with American eSports, and to get Indians hyped for something other than cricket."

Workaholic was now the DNA trait that the Birlas carried, Abhimanyu could see how much Neil loved his work and wanted him to get the best of all his hardwork. "Shaadi ke plans hai ki nahi?" Abhimanyu asked, eating a spoonful of cereal, "because now that I'm going to be done with, you're next."

Neil's happy smile just vanished quite instantly, "shaadi? I don't think so, and anyways, main itna busy rehta hu, aapko bhi pata hai." He averted his eyes from Abhimanyu's direct gaze and focused on the pancakes. "Aur harr insaan ko shaadi karni hi hai, ye zaroori thodi na hai?"

Abhimanyu sighed, "you're right, it's not a necessity, you don't have to get married. But do you want to?" He held Neil's shoulder, and Neil froze, his hands holding onto the spoon and fork as he glanced at the Goenkas table where they and the other guests were eating their breakfast.

The two sisters were missing from the table. Of course, since the groom and the bride were to not meet, the Goenkas had asked Akshara to eat breakfast from her room and for Aarohi to accompany her sister.

"I don't want to." Neil replied, not with someone who wasn't sure about them. "It's a lot of work, and I'm not sure whether or not I'm ready for this responsibility."

Abhimanyu sipped his tea, nodding in agreement, marriage was definitely not a piece of cake and although he wasn't married yet, he knew how difficult a relationship could get. Especially when there was mental health being the focal point here. For him, Akshara was hardwork, something he was willing to work for the rest of his life because she was worth it, and it was surely the same for her too, and that mutual connection is what was needed to keep any relationship sane.

"So you're not going to pursue your love?" Abhimanyu asked, treading carefully in the senstive issue. "Aarohi?"

"Bhai, I'm not you. I don't have the patience, the love or the perseverance you have dealing with trauma and mental health." Neil replied, taking hold of his mug of coffee. "I don't need someone who needs to be reminded constantly that they're worthy. And no offense, Akshara bhabhi and you are really adorable and perfect, but the hardwork you two put in for your relationship is too much for me." He shrugged, trying to put all of this past him. "I'm not going to work hard in a one sided relationship and definitely not want to be with someone who has more to take than give."

Neil thought a lot after their last evening's confrontation. His heart broke when Aarohi preferred to leave than retaliate and he, like the analyst he was, sat down and processed his thoughts over his feelings and realised that nothing mattered more than your own peace. Clearly, Aarohi and he had great moments, times where they were happy and blissful but the heartache was more than the happiness and the hardwork was even more. He never wanted to date anyone because he knew relationships were an effort, and with his company growing, he didn't have time for anything else.