Best Friends Forever(#YourStoryIndia)

30

AFREEN

I was like a deer caught in the headlights. I looked around to see my family and relatives staring at me.

"I don't understand, what is wrong with the guy? He is good looking, earns well and is from a good family. Aur kya chahiye tujhe? (what else do you want)" Ice Queen said. 

"I don't want to marry anyone, right now. I'm still in college." I said, glaring at her. 

"Dekha, kaise badon se bath karti hai. Batameez. (See, the way she speaks to her elders. insolent.)" She said, looking at my dad.

I had to control my urge to grab her by the hair and smash her face into the wall. 

Today again,  the same old drama. My fucking marriage. I wish they would all leave me alone. If it wasn't for my so called relatives, my dad wouldn't force me so much. 

"Do not talk to your aunt like that. What she is saying is right. The boy is good. I would be happy if you get married." My dad, reprimanded me. 

"Please, Dad." I said, with tears in my eyes. I looked at my mom for support. She just shook her head and looked at me helpless. 

"This discussion is over. You are getting married. That's final." Dad said and made way to the dining room for dinner. 

From behind him, Ice Queen was smirking triumphantly at me. Everyone left and I was alone in the living room and I collapsed. I started crying. What am I going to do now? I had somehow convinced them that the previous guy was not good, but now another guy!!! Farhan's smiling face flashed in front my eyes and more tears flowed down my face. 

"Afreen!!! Afreen!! Where are you? Who is going to serve us the food?" I heard my dad yell.  

I quickly wiped my face and rushed to the dining room. 

I helped my mom clear the dishes and wash them. After dinner everyone left. I had to talk to my dad. This was my life. I can't let it go to ruins like this.  

I spied my dad in the living room watching TV. I took a deep breath and stood in front of him.

He tried to ignore me for sometime. When I didn't budge, with a sigh he asked, "What is it?'' 

He looked so tired. I felt guilty for stressing him so much. I would do anything for him in a heartbeat,  but not this. I cannot lose my independence. 

"I don't want to get married. Dad, please understand." I said.

He didn't say anything. I spotted my sister and mother spying through the kitchen and my brother came into the living room. 

"What do you want me to do? I have to think about your sister also. Who will marry you,  if you get old. This is the right time. Later, you will not get good guys." He said. 

"Let me finish college atleast. Give me one year." I said and started crying.

"You say one year,  now. Next after B.Sc , you will want to do M.Sc, then job. Should I agree to all of that? Do all of  that after marriage. " He said angrily. 

"I don't know about the future. I just want to finish my degree. I'm begging you." I said. 

My brother looked at me,  sympathetically.

 My dad looked at me and said, "Do you not care for your father,  at all. Have you even considered sacrificing something for me,  atleast once. Ungrateful brat. Always doing what you want. Do what ever you want. In the future, do not ask me anything." He yelled and marched off to his room.

"Dad!! Dad!!" I called after him.  I was crying uncontrollably. Nobody came to console me. Everyone went to their respective rooms,  as if nothing happened and I was not  a weeping mess on the floor. I wanted my mom to put her arms around me and tell me that everything was okay. I wanted my brother to side with me and say that his younger sister is still a kid to be married. I wanted my younger sister to hold my hand and let me cry. None of that happened. The Only good thing was that I wasn't getting married in the near future.

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DIYA

I sighed looking up at the sky full of stars. So beautiful.  

"What?" Dev asked.

I shook my head. Dev and I had come out for dinner. It was almost a week since,  Ana and Abhi got back together. I was truly happy for them,  but I felt a  sense of longing when I looked at them. I wanted that and  felt so lonely these days. 

 Dev grabbed my hand and felt tingles run all over my body. I let him hold it. Some part of me was telling me not to do it. That he would hurt me too. But tonight,  I needed him to hold my hand, just tonight. 

"I told you, you didn't have to walk me home. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself." I said. 

"I am doing this for me, okay. I like walking you home." He said, winking at me.

I rolled my eyes at him. 

"I'm so happy, Abhi and Ana sorted things out." I said.

"Yeah. Me too. I was worried for sometime. My brother was literally driving me crazy. I haven't seen him like that, ever." Dev admitted. 

We walked silently for sometime, when I felt him pull me back.

"You okay?  You seem lost in thought." Dev asked.

 I didn't want him to know I was thinking about him. I didn't want  him to know that I liked holding hands with him. I didn't want him to know that I missed him when he was not around. I didn't want to even admit to myself that I...

I shook my head and said, "I'm okay. Just tired." I looked around to see that we were a block away from my place and it was quite late and  there were less people around. 

I  started walking again when he said, "Wait." 

He looked at me nervously, running his hands thorough his hair, looking, scared and embarrassed. I had a feeling of  what was going to happen and my heart sank. No,  I didn't want him to do this. I like what we have. I didn't want things to change. I had dealt with my fair share of these situations and didn't like what was coming. 

"I think you already know my feelings for you. Since, the day I met, you intrigued me.  You brighten up my life. Everyday,  I wish to  wake up  to you, to hear you talk to me, yell at me, anything." He said.

"Dev, don't do this. Please." I whispered, tears in my eyes.

He shook his head, "Its eating me up,  alive. I have to let you know." He walked up to me and gently,cupped my face in his hands and continued, "I didn't believe in love, let alone love at first sight, but, you made me a believer.  I'm in love with you." He said.