BE MINE

Your Would Be Fiance

For you, I was a chapter
For me, you were the book

Neil looked at himself in the mirror, dressed in his sherwani, hair gelled up.

Neil: You'll be engaged to Tina after some time. The girl you had been emailing for years. You can do it for her and your family. He said to himself. The pain running inside him was evident on his face.

He turned around when he heard the click of his door opening and in stepped his family, including Bebe and Shweta bickering as usual.
 
Bebe: Haye Rabba. Kinna sona lag raha hai mera pota. Nazar na lagien, she said, placing kala teeka on the back of his ears.

Neil smiled. A forceful smile, which only he knew.
 
Shweta: You're right, Bebe. Our Tillu is so handsome that everything looks wonderful on him. I still can't believe he'll get engaged soon enough.
 
Bebe: For once, Madam Madonna, I agree with you *cough cough*. She rubbed her chest slightly.

Shweta: Bebe. You did not take medication.
 
Bebe: I did, Shweta. Don't make everyone worried; it was just a cough, she said, observing Neil's concerned expression.
 
Neil: Are you sure you're okay, Bebe?
 
Bebe: haan baba. There will be numerous problems at this age, but don't worry, your bebe can handle anything, just like I am handling your maa, she said. Making Neil and Prakash control their laugh.
 
Shweta: Absolutely... Wait what? She said, understanding what Bebe had said, and pouted at her.

Bebe: Stop making a face now. 
 
Prakash came towards Neil and gently squeezed his shoulders.

Prakash: Puttar. I know you are fully committed to this relationship. But if you ever feel like you need to talk to someone, if you have something you cannot discuss with anyone, realise that, as a friend, I will always be there for you. Hmmm,
Do not believe that just because you are getting engaged to Tina and will soon marry, you cannot share anything with me. I'll always be there for you, he said with a wide smile.
 
Neil looked at his family. He believed he was very blessed to have such a beautiful family who always provided soothing words. He stepped closer to Prakash and hugged him.

Neil: Dad, I love you. Thank you for always being there. He said, "All of you," he added, looking at Bebe and Shweta, who were also distraught.
 
Prakash: I love you too, mere sher. Now shall we leave?
 
Shweta: One minute, Prakash ji. Last-minute makeup touch-up. She added apologetically,
 
Bebe: Shweta. Neil is getting engaged, not you.
 
Shweta: bebeee. I understand that, but as Neil's mother, I need to look beautiful. She said, smiling brightly.
 
Neil: It's okay; we'll wait for you downstairs. Take your time.

Bebe: It's a good thing the function is at the Metha Mansion; otherwise, Madam Madonna would have made us late. Chal go, we still have time. She replied as Shweta hugged her and then headed to her room. 
 
Shaking her head, Bebe chuckled as soon as Shweta left.
 
At the Metha mansion.
 
Tina gazed in the mirror as Neela placed the necklace around her neck. Her eyes shifted to the shiny object on her neck, and her fingers traced it softly to feel the texture.
 
Tina: I may have gotten this, but I never imagined I'd look this gorgeous when I'm fully ready, she stated. Her make-up was perfect owing to the makeup specialist Avni had hired for her.
 
Neela: You look like an angel. Kisi ki nazar na lagien meri bachi ko. She said while taking some kajal from her eyes and placing it behind Tina's ear.
 
Tina held Neela's hand and turned around in her chair. She looked at Neela and kissed both of her hands, which caused Neela to smile with a small frown.
 
Tina: I never knew what a mother's love actually feels like. But the way you have made me feel all these years makes me believe that it would surely be like this. 
 
Neela smiled fondly at Tina and placed a soft kiss against her forehead.

Neela: You are also my daughter, so how can I not show this daughter of mine all the love she deserves? She said this while clutching Tina's hand.

They both looked towards the door as Shekar, Ashish, and Dayawanti entered.