Five Years In Love

Maturity

"Neha, have you ever wondered what happens when you dad finds out about Ranveer?" Ananya enquired. "He won't mind,I've dated before and dad knows that." Neha calmly replied. It was true. After her mother's death, Neha and her father only had each other. She was the only kid and due her father's transfer, no relatives lived nearby. There relationship was more than that of a father-daughter. They were friends. Neha was smart, independent and she was aware of how to handle things. Her father trusted her, and respected the fact that she was able to take her decisions and learn from her mistakes. He knew all about her, and all truth, as Neha was the one who kept him updated.
"I know that. My question was what happens when he knows 'about' Ranveer? " Ananya focused on the word about, making her question now more obvious. "What exactly 'about' him Ananya? The fact that he is a mechanic who works for his survival or that he has no family? Because i don't see anything wrong with either." Neha retaliated. "Grow up Ananya. It's not a big deal. And my dad will accept him, I know that."
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Neha and Ranveer met 3 months ago while Neha was walking back home from her college and she saw him working on vehicles.The garage he worked in was on the way to Neha's home. She saw him everyday, fixing bikes as they were human hearts. She used to take one glance at him, and through these everyday glances, she ultimately fell for him. He was unusually good-looking in a rough, casual way. No one could say that he was a mechanic. But he was. And it didn't matter to Neha. At first, Ranveer repelled any emotions that felt for Neha. He knew she was out of his league. He was a mechanic and she was the only daughter of a well-off business man. But as time went on, his feelings for Neha only grew. Neha won him over with her warm vibe, and they began dating. They met everyday after Neha's college and spent an hour under the shade of a tree nearby, talking.
"Did you talk your dad?" Ranveer said while caressing through Neha's hair. It was the question Neha had been dreading. From the last 2 weeks, Ranveer had been convincing Neha to talk to her father. It was the end of her college years and soon she would get her job. They wanted to spend their lives together and the only thing standing between this dream was Neha's father's approval.
"I will." Neha took Ranveer's hand and kissed it. "When? It's been a week since you've been saying that." Ranveer said. "Soon. I just need the right moment." Neha promised him. "I know what you're doing Neha. You keep saying that because you don't want to ask. Do you want me to ask?" Ranveer said being irritated."No. I'll ask him promise." Neha told. "You will ask him today. Or else I'm coming to your home tomorrow." Ranveer told Neha. "Okay baba. I will. Today." Neha sweetly said. And inside, her heart began to thump loudly. ********
"Dad can i talk to you about something?" Neha asked her father on the dinner table."Sure, what about? " her father casually replied. "Actually, I want you to meet someone. A guy." Neha said in a barely audible voice. It was shocking to her father. All the time before he met her 'friends' , he was the one who said to invite them over. And for the first time ever, Neha wanted him to meet someone. He immediately understood that it was important. He was important. "Sure kid. Bring him over tomorrow." he replied with a smile. Neha's smile covered her face and inside, she was half excited and half terrified.
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"Okay so don't talk about his work, his salary, my bad habits. Keep your shirt's collar button closed so that he doesn't thinks that you're a stud. And don't laugh too loud. Or talk too loud. Rather you don't at all and let him talk. Just to be safe." Neha was preparing Ranveer to meet her dad. "Babu, tumhare papa se milna hai ya unki company may job ke liye interview dena hai? Chill bacha. I can handle it." Ranveer said while holding her face in his two hands. "I know you can." Neha said, but beneath that smile, her heart was thumping and racing fast. This was it.
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Neha rushed to open the door as the doorbell rang. He was here. Her father was already sitting on the couch, reading a newspaper. As Ranveer entered the living room, her father lifted his eyes. He looked at Ranveer for a moment and then again started to read. After a moment he said, "Gaadi bhijva toh di hai maine, Ram le ke gya abhi kuch der pehle." Neha's heartbeat slipped. Shit. Her dad knew Ranveer. He knew the Ranveer who worked as a mechanic. On top of that, her father's car goes to the same place Ranveer works in.
Neha tried to say something, but her voice was caught up in her throat. Ranveer's head was sinking in shame, his girlfriend's dad knew him, but as a mechanic. As he was about to walk out, Neha held his hand. "Dad, this is Ranveer. The one I wanted you to meet." Neha said. The moment she spoke, she regretted it. Her father, now staring at both of them, threw the paper and walked to them. "What are you talking about? Kya bakwaas hai ye Neha?" he yelled. Neha wasn't holding back anymore. The teuth was out, and she had to handle this." He is my boyfriend dad. We've been together for 3 months now. We love each other and we wanted your blessing." Neha said. "Blessing? For what? " Neha's father asked her, dreading the answer he was about to hear. "We want to get married, dad. Once I get my job, and settle. I want to marry him dad." Neha spoke with all the courage she had inside of her. Hearing this, Neha's father slapped her, much to Neha's surprise. "You want my blessing to marry a mechanic? You want my blsessing to start your life with this low life mechanic? What is wrong with you Neha?" Neha's father was disgusted. His daughter, his ownblood, marrying a roadside boy. The progeny of a respected family, marrying a boy who doesn't even know the names of his family. He was horrified at the situation, and of his daughter's decision.
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"Dad. Say something please." Neha said weeping. "What happened to the girl who I raised?The one who is smart and knows what is right for her? What happened to her Neha?" her dad said. Neha could feel the disappointment in his voice. She wanted Ranveer here. His touch could erase all her problems and fear, he made her feel invincible. Like with him, she could accomplish all. And this was one of the moments when she wanted to succeed. Just as she was about to give up, her mind started to stir. She closed her eyes, and began to speak. "Dad, please. I know what is right. But for once, let me do what I want, not what is right. I know you love me and you want me to have a good future, but I want a happy future dad. And it's only possible with him." Neha sat on the floor, keeping her head on his knees. "Dad, he's a human. I'm a human. He's made up of everything what I am made up of. He breathes in the same air, he eats, drinks just as me. Tell me, what is it that makes me any different than him? This screwed up idea of inferior- superior is in our minds only. It doesn't make any difference. I love him, irrespective of whatever unfortunate things happened to him. Just as same I love you, no matter how much you scold me. Please dad, say something. Please." Neha began crying. She looked up to her dad's face. He was smiling. A satisfactory smile. "How did you grow up so quickly Neha? And so much?" her dad looked her into the eyes. "I'm so proud of you."
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1 year later.
"She doesn't eat anything papa, all she wants to do is to look at papers all day and work!" Ranveer yelled. He was talking to his father, the one Neha bought into his life. Neha watched from the couch, relieved as she saw Ranveer cooking, the man she will love forever from this day on, and her father, the man she loved all her life and will. How one found a parent he never had, and other a son he always wanted.