CHAPTER 29 Neel
Neel
“I don’t understand why, when she told you she loved you, you let her walk away,” Arjun says, leaning forward. “Tell me I’m hearing this wrong.”
I nurse the glass of whiskey in my hand, slouching on the bar stool at the pub where we’re hosting Dilip’s bachelor party. “It’s complicated.”
Dilip drops onto the barstool on the other side of Arjun. “Okay, what’s up with Kavita and you?”
“You’re in on this too?” I groan.
“This whole thing started because of his soon-to-be wife’s wedding dress. It demands his involvement in the matter,” Arjun says.
“I’d met Kavita before that,” I argue. “And I don’t want to drag him into this.”
“We’re already involved, whether you like it or not. You wouldn’t have met her if not for Elena’s dress, but—” Dilip pauses when I give him a look, then continues. “Look, I know it’s my night, and I should be enjoying myself, but I’d like to keep you guys company. I won’t interrupt.”
“I say you’re overcomplicating things,” Arjun says. “She told you she loves you. Just stop making it so hard and tell her you love her too.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s not that simple. She wants me to meet her parents. She’s ready to tell them about us, about how she feels.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Arjun asks, clearly confused by my demeanor.
I shake my head, frustration bubbling up. “Her parents have arranged for a suitor to visit her. She wants me to meet them before then to show I’m serious about us.”
“And you’re not sure if you want to?”
“That’s not it,” I say immediately.
“Then what is it?”
I twist my empty glass as I think about how to explain.
I’ve been thinking since Kavita left my house last week.
I haven’t even been able to concentrate on work and didn’t feel like leaving my house until Arjun showed up and reminded me I couldn’t miss Dilip’s party.
But even now, I still don’t know what to do.
“Kavita makes me feel alive. Every time I look at her or I’m with her, it’s as if every cell in my body is tingling with joy. I’ve never felt that peace and happiness. It’s like we just fit together perfectly.” I look up at Arjun. “Is that how you felt with Kiara?”
Arjun smiles and clinks his glass against mine. “From the absolute beginning.”
“I don’t know how you did it. How did you convince Kiara you were right for her?”
“I just did what made me happy.” He laughs. “Love makes you do things you never thought you would.”
I nod, understanding the truth in his words.
“So, now that we know you want to be with Kavita, what’s stopping you?”
“I...I don’t know, Arjun. I love her. God, I love her so much.
But I have to make her parents happy too.
They have to approve of me. With Ramya, I tried everything I could to make her and her parents happy.
But it was never enough. What if I fail with Kavita’s parents?
What if Kavita ends up miserable, just like Ramya was?
What if she realizes she’s made a mistake and leaves me? ”
“Listen, your relationship with Kavita is nothing like your relationship with Ramya. Is that what you’re scared of?
That you might never be enough for Kavita?
” He runs a hand through his hair. “What you have with Kavita is more than what you had with Ramya. Just the way we’ve seen you look at each other says it all. ”
“You’re head over heels for her, and we all know it,” Dilip adds. “You’ve talked about nothing else the whole time since we got here.”
“Ramya made you miserable, Neel,” Arjun says. “You know she didn’t really love you. She was just using you. This is different. You have to trust that this is different.”
The two are staring at me.
“You have to decide if you love Kavita enough or not,” Arjun says.
I rub a hand over my face, remembering the hurt in Kavita’s eyes as she left my apartment. “What if I’m not good enough for her parents? I’m so much older than her and divorced. Her parents will never approve.”
“You don’t know that,” Arjun argues. “And even if they don’t approve at first, Kavita loves you. She’s willing to fight for you. Shouldn’t you do the same?”
Dilip adds, “You know, Neel, when I first met Elena, I was terrified. I thought she was way out of my league. I was sure you and your family would never approve of me because my family isn’t nearly as wealthy as yours.
But you all opened your hearts to me. That’s when I realized love isn’t about being ‘good enough.’ It’s about choosing each other, being there for each other, no matter what. ”
His words hit me hard. I know my sister is happy because she and Dilip chose each other. I think about all the moments Kavita and I have shared and how much she means to me now. The thought of losing her makes my chest ache.
Her words that night float into my mind. I don’t want the perfect match. I just want you, Neel.
“I’m terrified, Arjun,” I admit quietly. “The idea of meeting her parents feels...”
“Overwhelming?” Arjun supplies. “Of course it does. But think about how Kavita must feel, putting herself out there, asking you to take this step with her.”
I nod slowly, the weight of my actions—or lack thereof—settling on my shoulders. “She said if I don’t show up before her new suitor does, she’ll understand. That it’ll be over.”
Arjun places a hand on my shoulder. “Then you have a decision to make, bro. Are you going to let your fears cost you the best thing that’s happened to you in years? Or are you going to fight for what you want?”
As Arjun’s words sink in, I realize how stupid I’ve been.
“What day is it today?”
“It’s Sunday, bro.”
Shit, it’s Sunday. I’ve already wasted enough time. I have to decide if I’m brave enough to face Kavita’s parents, to fight for our future together. And I have to do it now.
The image of Kavita’s hopeful face, as she asked me to meet her parents flashes in my mind. I think I’m going to go insane if I don’t make this right.
“I need to see her,” I say suddenly, standing up. “I need to tell her...”
Arjun grins, finishing up his drink. “Go get her, bro. It’s about time you put yourself first for once.”
They’re right. I’m scared of failing. But walking away would be the biggest failure of all.
Which means I have to figure out a way to take the plunge and go all in.
Which means I have to be ready to take a chance on love again.
***
I rush to Kavita’s boutique, but it’s closed.
The entire building is dark. Kavita isn’t home.
Then it hits me. Of course, the suitor would be meeting her at her parents’ house, not at her boutique.
I panic and start making a few phone calls.
I need to find out where Kavita’s parents live.
Finally, Kiara gives me her address. “Good luck,” she says.
“I can’t believe how long we’ve waited for this. ”
As I’m about to leave, my phone buzzes. It’s news about the deal I’ve been working on. It’s finally come through. But this is not the time to celebrate that.
I get into my car and drive fast, my thoughts a whirlwind. Elena’s wedding is just a month away. I should be focused on that, on making sure nothing overshadows her big day. But Kavita’s face keeps appearing in my mind, her words echoing in my ears. I’ll know you want to give us a real chance.
My heart races as I park outside Kavita’s parents’ house, making it in record time. Or maybe not. I check my watch, hoping I’m not too late. Has she met her suitor already? Has she said yes to him?
I grip the steering wheel. I almost want to drive away, to let Kavita find someone unburdened by the past. But a small voice, growing louder by the second, urges me to do this, to fight for what I want.