Highest rank: 43# in short story
"Harshad", I began
He looked straight into my eyes.
"He is no more in my life"
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She was the only girl he loved while she had lost the guy she loved.
The only simil...
I reached home to see how excited my parents were.
"How was the meeting, Deeksha?", my mom asked. I had to tell them the truth. "Mom, dad, Harshad does not want to marry me.", I said trying to make an attempt that this should not hurt me.
"So what? It is his loss. You don't have to worry about anything", dad said caressing my hair. "Go, freshen up and then, we will go out for a walk", he said smiling at me. I nodded and went. I could hear dad asking mom to not to talk about my marriage anytime sooner.
But why was I upset? How can I be? How can I think about another man? I love Nikhil. I do, right?
"Yes", I struggled to convince myself.
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Harshad's POV:
Only, I know how hard it was to say NO to the girl I have always dreamt of marrying. But I had to talk to her parents. I didn't want them to misunderstand. I wanted to them know the exact reason behind my answer.
I knew Deeksha would leave for office every day by 9. So I chose a time when she was not there at home. With utmost nervousness, I rang the bell.
Her mom opened the door and I could say she was quite shocked to see me there. "Can I come in?", I asked her.
"Of course Harshad", she nodded and gestured me to come in. Her dad was reading a newspaper but closed it when he saw me. "Come Harshad, sit down", he said.
"I am sorry", I began. "You don't have to feel sorry for anything Harshad. We respect you and your decision", her dad said.
"No, uncle, let me complete. I don't know if Deeksha has mentioned this to you before but I have always loved her. I can't imagine I am telling this to her parents but yes, I had even proposed to her and she said no.
She does not love me, she won't be happy with me. I don't want her to be in such a relationship where there is no love.
If I had said a yes, she would also agree, eventually, we would get married and I would be the happiest man. But would she be?", I finished.
"Deeksha told us about you, Harshad. I don't know if both of you will get married or not, but I am sure that I chose the right man for my daughter.
I am not asking you to change your decision but please rethink once. We can guarantee you that she will be very happy with you", her mom spoke confidently.
How can her parents be so sure? Can Deeksha and I ever be a happily married couple?
I was confused. I had already said no to her but on the other hand, I was regretting. I love her and when I got a chance to prove it, spend the rest of my life with her, why did I back out?
Should I just go back to her? Won't that look desperate? This was turning into an insoluble dilemma when I got Gaurav's call.
"Guess what? I am coming to Bangalore this weekend", he said with his elated voice.
"Whoa, that is great", I said trying to seem normal. But best friends are after all best friends. He caught me and I could not evade the topic now.
"Do you remember Deeksha?", I asked him.
"Obviously, I do. But didn't she get married long back?", he asked curiously.
I narrated the entire story to him, how her husband passed away on the day of her wedding, how we became friends, how her family became a part of my life, that her parents wanted us to get married and also about rejecting the proposal and the reason behind it.
"Can you for once stop being selfless, Harshad? You have loved her all your life. Your happiness lies with her. Aman and I both knew it but we would pretend so that you move on. But today when she herself wants to marry you, why are you not ready?
Aman has always disliked her but she was not wrong Harshad. She never used you or played with your emotions.
Back then, she wasn't ready for relationships and she also made it clear to you. So we can't blame her for anything. Also, she has gone through a lot. She needs your care and support.
And love? how can someone not fall in love with you? I am sure she will, all you need to do is give her some time and I know how patient you are.
Don't lose this opportunity, my friend. You will regret all your life. Go to her and say you want to marry her", he said which made me realize how stupid I was.
"Thank you so much, I shall see you in the weekend along with Deeksha", I said blissfully.
I drove to her office and called her waiting below.
"Can we meet ?", I asked with my fingers crossed. "Yeah, but is everything okay?" she asked worriedly. "No, but it will be soon. Can we meet now?" I asked hoping for her to say yes.
She came in about 10 minutes. She was wearing a casual and beautifully printed dress which had elegant floral prints and looked pretty as usual. She waved at me as soon as she saw me.
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"Hey, what's up? Anything important?", she asked.
"Deeksha, will you marry me?", I asked her with all the courage I had.
"Harshad, you don't have to do this. Please, I don't want you to do this for me out of sympathy ", she said.
Oh God, how do I explain to her that I still love her and marrying her will make me the happiest?
"I don't want to force you either", I said honestly.
"I might not be a good wife to you Harshad", she said lowering her head.
"You are too good for me Deeksha", I said holding her hands and she smiled.
"Is it a yes then?", I asked and prayed like never before.
"Yes", she whispered.
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Yay makes me so happy.
Next update: 2/10/18. Sorry, I won't be able to update next Friday.
