Gauravi's POV
"Fine, then listen. We can't get married." I said it bluntly.
The words hung in the air, and I could see the shock etched on Mihir's face. "We are getting married, love," he said, attempting to play it off with a smile.
"No, we can't. It doesn't feel right. I don't want to get married," I confessed.
Mihir's expression shifted from surprise to concern. "Why not?" he asked, his voice gentle.
"I don't know. I am not excited about it. I feel that we are just friends, very good friends. I don't have any romantic feelings for you," I explained, my gaze fixed on the floor. I didn't want to break this heart as I knew he loved me, but I could not think of him as my life partner.
He took a moment, absorbing my words. "Gauravi, we've known each other since kindergarten. Our families are practically one. I love you. This... it's what we've always planned," he said, his voice a mixture of confusion and hurt.
" No, Mihir, I never planned it. I have always considered you as my friend, one of my best friends, like Roohi and Vihan. " I replied.
" But I have always loved you since forever... right from the time when I didn't even know what love is. Let's give some time to, our relationship, there is no hurry. " He said.
I sighed, meeting his eyes. "Mihir, I've tried to feel what you feel, but there's no spark. When you touch me, there's no flutter in my heart. I can't ignore that. I can't go through with this just because it's what everyone expects."
He stepped back, running a hand through his hair, a gesture of frustration. "Gauravi, we've come so far. We can figure this out. Give it time." He said.
I shook my head, tears welling up. "Mihir, I can't force emotions that aren't there. It wouldn't be fair to you or me. What if I never fall in love with you? I can't spoil our lives. We both deserve something more." I said.
" Is there anyone else? " he asked.
" I don't know. " I said shaking my head.
" What do you mean that you don't know? Did you meet someone in the last month, because you were excited about our relationship before that and had no problem before the roka ceremony or the engagement?" He asked.
" Mihir please, try to understand. We should feel something for your life partner, I have been trying to think of you as my life partner, but you are still a friend to me. I want someone who could make me go mad with Desire for him. I want my legs to turn into jelly just by a mere kiss by the man. I want my heartbeat to increase just by the mention of his name or just by looking at him. I want to feel that kind of attraction between me and my would-be spouse. " I tried to explain.
" You don't feel such things for me, as we have grown up together. But when our relationship will change, everything will change. Don't you find me good-looking?" He asked.
" It's not that, Mihir, you are very good-looking, but I... Ok, we all know that Vihan is extremely blessed with good looks but I don't feel anything for him as well, we are friends. Like buddies... " I gave another explanation.
The weight of reality hung heavy in the air, the silence echoing the depth of our shared history and the uncertainty of our future. I felt light after saying it, though he looked very upset almost shattered. I turned back to go to the living room, he followed me and caught my hand.
After my confession, Mihir took a deep breath, his eyes searching for a way to bridge the gap between us.
"Gauravi, we've known each other for so long. Maybe it's just pre-wedding nerves. We can give it some time, figure things out together," he pleaded, his tone earnest.
I hesitated, feeling the weight of his words. "Mihir, I appreciate everything we've shared, but I can't shake this feeling. I need to be honest with myself and with you."
He reached out, attempting to hold my hand. "Gauravi, we've dreamt about our future together. Don't let a moment of doubt ruin everything we've built."
I gently pulled my hand away, the distance between us growing. "Mihir, it's not just a moment of doubt. I've tried, believe me. But I can't force feelings that aren't there."
He sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Can we at least talk about this more? Give it a chance."
I shook my head, tears welling up. "Mihir, I need to be true to myself. I can't go through with this if my heart isn't in it. We owe it to ourselves to find the happiness we deserve."
Reluctantly, he nodded, a mix of understanding and disappointment in his eyes.
I returned to the living room, the weight of the conversation lingering in the air. Our families noticed my somber expression, and I took a deep breath before breaking the news. "I can't marry Mihir. It just doesn't feel right."
Shock reverberated through the room, and both sets of parents exchanged bewildered glances. They tried to reason with me, attributing it to pre-wedding jitters and suggesting we spend more time together.
But I stood my ground, explaining that this wasn't mere hesitation. It was an acknowledgment of a deeper truth. As their attempts to persuade me continued, I couldn't help but feel the weight of disappointment and confusion settling over the room.
" It is okay... We all know that sometimes either the would-be bride or groom gets tensed and feels that he or she can't get settled and they give such arguments. Let's not hurry in setting up a date, give them some time to settle down this between them. " Megha Aunty said.
" Yes, I was about to say the same. If there is a problem between you two, you can talk to us, we will try to find a solution for it. And even after that, if you don't want to get married, then it is absolutely okay with us. We are not going to force you to get married. Mom said.
" Why don't you all understand... I don't think, I am not in love with Mihir, he is just my best friend. " I explained.
" And how did you come to realize it now? " Ron asked.
" I felt that kind of attraction for someone else. " I said hesitantly. Mihir looked absolutely hurt and upset.
" Oh, so that's the case?? May I know who he is and where you met him? " Mihir asked.
" That is not the point... we don't have that kind of chemistry, that attraction between us. "
" I still want to know. " Mihir asked.
" Okay, I think, I have fallen for someone else. " I finally said.
" Who is it? "
" Shaurya. " I finally said his name.
" Shaurya?? " Mihir and Ron said in unison. Mihir looked shocked and hurt.
" Shaurya? As in Shaurya? Sagar's son?" Dad asked me, absolutely shocked.
Gauravi's POV " Shaurya? As in Shaurya? Sagar's son?" Dad asked me, absolutely shocked. His eyes seemed to be coming out of his face. " Yes, Dad! " I said and all the color left his face. " No!! You are kidding... Right? You and Shaurya have always been like enemies. " Ron said. " I am not kidding. " I said firmly. " You are lying, just to avoid getting married. I know, you can't fall for him." Mihir said. " No Mihir! I am not lying." I said looking into his eyes. " Shaurya?? Like really?? He is a certified Casanova. Every other day, we see him with a new girl. How can you think that I will allow him anywhere near you? Sid, get my gun. " Dad asked Chachu to get his gun. " No, dad!! Please don't say anything to him. " I requested. " I will not say anything to him, I will go and shoot him between his eyes. " Dad said. " Mom, please try to make him understand. " " Sweetie, stop this prank, now. You are just like your dad. But let me tell you this is not funny stop this nons
Gauravi's POV "I agree that Mihir is a nice man but he has feelings for you, not for Tami. " Mom said. " But he is a good man from a good family... A good son, a good brother, and a good friend." I argued. " I'm sure he would be a good husband," Dad said. " Yes, I am sure, but he would not be my husband. " I said firmly. " There is no rush, I think that you panicked as we were fixing your wedding date, take some time and think about it for some time. I want you to think of all the pros and cons of this. " Dad said and Mom nodded. " Dad, Mom, trust me I am saying this after thinking all these things. I don't deserve his unconditional love when I can't reciprocate his feelings. " I said and Mom looked into my eyes, I averted my eyes away as I knew she was trying to read my mind as she had this magical power to read people's minds, now even Tami had inherited that trait. I wish I could read people's minds and know what they were thinking. " Gautam, stop this! There is no use,
Gauravi's POV" What happened?? Is he not picking up your call?? Or is his phone busy? " Siddh asked with sarcasm." His phone is not reachable. I have been trying to call him for a few days." I said." I am sure, he is involved with many such girls and hence he is not picking up your calls. I think you should forget about him, he is not reliable or dependable. I am not comfortable with the fact that you are even thinking of him. Let's go and meet Shahs, we can say that it was just a prank. They know that I am a big prankster and you are very much like me. They might forgive you, Mihir loves you so much that he would be very happy to have you back in his life. I must say, that Mihir is a very nice boy, and I was excited to have him as my son-in-law. " Dad said firmly." No, Dad... Please try to understand, it is not possible. " I said." Why is it not possible? I will make it possible for you. You deserve Mihir, not Shaurya. " Dad argued." No Dad!! I don't want to get married to Mihi
Third person POVGautam and Maurvi are going to Malhotra's mansion." Gautam, drive slow. What is wrong with you? " Maurvi said." I don't know, I have never felt so helpless in my life. I don't want Shaurya and Gauravi to be together but ... I don't like his way of living. He is even worse than Sahil. I don't know how this happened, I mean they always used to fight, complaining about each other... " Gautam said." Hmm, even I didn't ever feel that they could ever be together. Maybe I could imagine her with Shlok, but not Shaurya. They are quite mismatched, both short-tempered and impulsive. Gauravi needs someone like Mihir, or maybe Shlok, or Sujal. But what can be done now? Let's hope, everything goes well. But please be calm there, let me talk, you know that I am better in these matters. " Maurvi said. Gautam nodded reluctantly." Now don't look like a grumpy uncle. " Maurvi said and he rolled his eyes." I swear if you yell at Shaurya or misbehave with him there, I will not talk t
" We know that you got into a relationship with Gauravi. So you don't need to hide it, beta, uncle is not going to punch you. " Damini said." Gauravi?? "You think that I am in a relationship with her??" He asked, looking at all of them. Maurvi and Damini nodded."No!!! It is a lie!! I am not in a relationship with her. " He said shaking his head and looking absolutely shocked as well as surprised as if this was utter nonsense." Don't lie, Shaurya, it's ok. We understand you are scared as Gautam is here. " Maurvi was saying." No, Aunty, I am not lying, I am not in a relationship with her. How could you think it was even possible? And... And she is in love with Mihir, in fact, she is even engaged to Mihir. Then why do you think that she and I... ". He said.Gautam had started getting angry." I know, but she refused to get married to him and the reason that she gave in front of everyone is that she is in love with you. " Maurvi said" No!! It must be her latest prank. You all know h
Gauravi's POV " Don't blame me for the baby you are carrying. I am not related to it in any way. I don't even like you, being in a relationship, being married to you, or having a child with you is something that I would not do in this lifetime. " He said firmly." Well, what do I say, if you are denying it outrightly... Okay fine, all the best for your life, I guess I was right about you in the beginning. Anyway, thanks for saving my life. Mom, Dad, let's go, please. " Gauravi said." How can you deny everything like this?? He should take the responsibility. " Siddh got angry and charged at Shaurya but Gauravi came between them." Siddh, let it be, please don't force him. I can take care of myself and if I am in this situation it is my problem. Nobody has to take the responsibility for my life. Let's go! Please Bhai. "" We don't need him to take care of you because we can't take care of you, Gauravi, it is the right thing to do, he has always been a playboy, but at least now, he sho
Gauravi 's POV" Gauravi, I am sorry to say this but I can't stop myself from doing it... You know how much Mihir loves you, right?? Then why did you break his heart? I know, he has been in love with you since we all were in kindergarten. I swear, if I had someone who loved me so much, I would have died for him. " Roohi got emotional saying that, Vihan was looking at her with a weird expression." Oh, please, don't exaggerate! A child in kindergarten doesn't even know about this emotion called love. " Vihan said." I am talking about normal people, everyone is different, Mihir has been in love since then, he is not like you, as you don't know about that emotion even after your post-education." Roohi rolled her eyes and said sarcastically." You are being mean now. I love everyone, every girl has something better than the other so how can I choose one, I want all of them. And I don't chase them they do it. I just don't turn them down. I love all of them. " Vihan said with a smile and w
Third person's POVMihir's heart raced as he witnessed Gauravi losing her balance near the staircase. Time seemed to slow down, and a sense of helplessness washed over him. "Gauravi!" he shouted, his voice trembling with urgency. Every step felt like an eternity as he desperately tried to reach her in time, but fate seemed determined to play a cruel game.In that moment, he saw her vulnerability, the fragility of life on full display. Her eyes, filled with tears, just a few moments back, widened with shock now as she teetered on the edge of the staircase. Mihir's instincts screamed at him to save her, to protect the woman he had loved since childhood.The world blurred as he sprinted towards her, a silent prayer escaping his lips. But before he could wrap his arms around her and pull her to safety, fate intervened mercilessly. Gauravi tumbled, and the horrifying thud echoed in Mihir's ears as she landed on the ground floor."Goddd!" he gasped, his heart clenching in agony. Panic and d