Destined To Be (Previously AdiYa Ki Daastaan)

Chapter 2

Aditya Hooda

If only I had the power to refuse my mother, I would not have been stuck in this situation. Such a typical desi mom attitude to emotionally blackmail her kids to make them agree. My mom was the master of such blackmail. I had been up since four in the morning, thinking of excuses to tell her.

What if I was suddenly sick? Then mom would insist going to the doctor and my lie would eventually be exposed.

What if an urgent meeting came up at work? Then mom would call Divesh, my business partner and also best friend, to handle the issue on his own and Divesh being a terrible liar would come clean and again my lie would be exposed.

What if –

My conspiracy theories got interrupted by Arjun, my younger brother.

"Bhai, you are just going to see a girl today. You don't have to play for the cricket finals. You don't even have to give your board exams. Why are you so nervous?" Arjun laughed audibly.

“Arjun, please help me. I’m not interested in this arranged marriage prospect. My business is finally flourishing and we are getting more projects. I’m not in a place where I could give my attention to both a relationship and my business,” I explained to him. “Please help me get out of this!”

"Bhai, it's just a meeting. You don't have to marry her at first sight itself. Relax,” he tried to calm me. “And I cannot lie again on your behalf. The last time I did that, mom pretended to believe me and then we both got the scolding of our lives. No way I’m putting us through that again!”

“Fine. I’ll just go for it,” I answered grumpily. "Don't come running to me the next time you need my help."

“Cheer up! Who knows that you may be meeting my future sister-in-law today,” Arjun said in a teasing tone. “Just a little tip for you, don’t go empty handed. Get her something. It’s the basic nowadays.”

First I did not even want to meet someone and now Arjun said to get her something. Closing my eyes, I prayed to god to bless me with the power of emotional blackmail so that I could refuse mom next time. This meeting was going to be so awkward.

On my way to the coffee house, I was still undecided about what to give her. Flowers? What if she turned to be allergic to them? Perfume? What if she did not wear perfume? Ice cream?

I scoffed mentally at the idea of ice cream as it would already have melted by the time we would talk. I stopped racking my brain for other suggestions and let go of the idea of ice cream. I reached the coffee house quite quickly but the parking lot was already occupied. I had no choice to drive the car into the next lane where luckily I found a parking spot.

What surprised me next was that there was an ice cream shop just when I got out of the car. Was this a hint that I should have got the ice cream? Since I was a kid, I always believed in destiny. It was hard for me to ignore the ice cream shop and I just had to buy an ice cream now.

But as soon as I entered, I was confused which flavour to choose. Chocolate? Vanilla? Strawberry?

I saw a girl standing near the counter. Mustering all my courage, I approached her.

"Excuse me?" I said, touching her shoulder gently.

"Can you help me, please?" I requested her politely.

"With?" She asked in return.

"What's your favourite ice cream?"

"I’m sorry?" She let out, looking confused.

All of a sudden, I felt as the biggest idiot ever. I could not believe that I was the same person who spoke confidently in front of clients and here, this was the way I asked for help.