15. Their Insecurities

"What are you doing tonight?" She asked him as they placed their credit cards on the bill for payment.

"Nothing much. Go through some documents and make things ready to hand over the CEO position" Aryaman said casually as they waited for the waiter to return with their credit cards. A pang of guilty hit Maitri.

"Can I say something?" She asked him with her eyes on the table. The waiter returned with the cards and handed them back. They stood up and started walking out of the cafe.

"Say" He said placing the card in his wallet and keeping it in the pocket.

"I don't want to be mumma but I also don't want want to be like dad. I'll feel guilty for making you give up on something you've loved and worked hard for" She said keeping her eyes on the ground.

"You suggest that we should walk away before anything begins?" He took a deep breath and asked.

"I don't know. I want you but not on the cost of your dreams. This isn't supposed to be like this. None of us were supposed to compromise anything" She said feeling annoyed at herself and her fate.

"Before we come on a conclusion of why this shouldn't work let's come out clear with each other, what say? Probably we will find something more solid for us to break apart" He suggested, tucking his hands in his pants pockets.

"Hmm" She nodded her head and looked other side of him.

"Why do you have so much hatred for your father? Raj, me and Manav trained under him and he seemed strict but nice" He asked what was bugging him from within.

"Haha" She laughed sarcastically and turned towards him.

"That's because you all are related to Rishav sir and Kaira ma'am and duh, he wants to look good infront of them. He's a different person with his family and with the world. If you don't believe me, go ahead and ask for his help and then I'll do the same. You'll see the change in reactions" She said wrapping her arms around herself feeling cold not just on the outer layer but from within too as she spoke about her father.

"That's not your reason to hate him, there's more" Aryaman was slowly looking at a person from another person's perspective and it shocked him that the man he looked up to and the man Maitri was describing were two different people.

"Mumma...As you already know, mum is way more educated than dad but she decided to become a housewife after marriage saying she wanted to take care of her house and her family just to be reduced into a housemaid. It all started with my birth. Sometimes I wonder what if I wasn't born at all would mum still have to face what she had to?" Maitri looked disconnected from world and was lost in her thoughts. Aryaman noticed her hands hugged her arms and wrapped his blazer over her bringing her out of her trance.

"I think if you'd ask your mum that question she'd say that she's proud to have you and would never wish otherwise" He rubbed her arm over the blazer.

"Easier said than done but let's focus on positive." She said wanting to change the topic.

"Will it make you feel better if I told you that me, Avi and Aaru are adopted? Mum and dad aren't our biological parents" He said as if it meant something to him but also didn't mean anything serious.

"But you love them and from outside it looks like they'd give their lives to keep you 3 safe and sound and you'd do the same" Her eyes widened at his statement but she overcame the shock.

"Yupp. I haven't told Avi or Aaru about it. Some things ar better kept hidden" He said with a smile that said he'd never let his siblings know this secret and neither his parents would know about it.

"True..." She said holding his blazer with a smile.

"Do you believe in love?" He asked out of the blue.

"No, you?" She replied faster than normal as if the thought itself burnt her.

"I don't think so but when I look at my parents it feels like if there's love then its like theirs" He smiled widely having an image of his parents in each other's embrace looking at each other as if they as if the whole world is reduced to their eyes.

"I wish I had parents like yours. I grew up in completely opposite of yours. The way Rishav sir always looks at Kaira ma'am asking her whether he made a right decision or whether she's on the plan, its too subtle for human eyes but it fills my heart with warmth" Her eyes said a story of their own. Her smile had sadness that he wished to wipe and replace it with the smiles he gets from her, filled with mischief and happiness.

"In your family, you all took a decision as a family but in mine, dad made a decision and imposed them on us to follow. He is all of a sudden asking for my wishes, my takes, my being as if he's my dad who didn't even bother to be one until his parents died. His parents were vile and poisonous, they could compete with a cobra in terms of venom." She let out a sarcastic chuckle as her eyes showed how much she hated her father and his family. Aryaman let her talk, wanting to know why she possessed so much hatred even towards love.

"You know it is said that for a girl her home is her husband's house but guess what, she never really has a home unless she's born with great luck. Mum used to love participating in dances, she looked gorgeous when she danced... dad wouldn't refuse her but he'd make things so difficult for her that she'd have to withdraw her name herself. Its not easy to burn away things that you like Maan. Its not. After everything she's done for him and his side of the family, they never considered her a part of their family, she always remained an outcast" Her eyes started glistening with tears. Aryamaan couldn't hold himself and pulled her closer to him by keeping  his one hand on her shoulder.

"They were extremely old-fashioned and had created a barrier between me and my cousin brothers. We were kids Maan but we hated each other without having any real reason. After their death, we all so cool with each other, sending snaps here and there, going out for picnics, looking out for each other, its just so good without them. I pray they rot in hell. Dad was blind in his parent's love that he had a family to take care of. He was never there for us but he'll be there for outsiders. After his parents' death he suddenly realized he was a husband and a father to 2 daughters who his parents always looked down to because we were girls" A tear slid down her cheek remembering about how she, Divi and Jiya had spent the complete 13 days after her father's parents' death partying and eating all foods that they loved instead of mourning over their death. Gone was the kindness she held which was replaced with hatred. She was never the one who'd enjoy someone's death except for this one.

"I've seen my mum suffer and I intend to make her husband suffer too. He is as good as a stranger to me. The only reason am handling his nonsense is because he still hasn't written my name in the will. The day he writes it, I'd divorce my father and ask mum to take one because that man is toxic. He feels like he should make up for the time he lost with us but he forgets that we don't want him to do anything such except him to leave us alone. One good thing I did was never re-apply for his visas. Haha" Maitri had an evil, satisfactory smile on her face. Aryaman didn't know how to respond to her because from what heard he felt as if her actions were justified and hated it that the man he worshipped was so cruel to his own family.

"Love isn't supposed to be like this Maan. Its supposed to be bring happiness and smiles everywhere. It should be a fairy tale not Shakespeare tragedies. I don't hate love but I don't feel am capable to love someone. Earlier I used to think that even though mum and dad didn't workout, I'll still be able to fall in love and have my happily ever after just for that hope to even break. I liked a boy back in college days but before anything started things were brought to an abrupt halt by none other than my dad because he didn't think that boy was capable for his reputation. Instead of holding onto hopes of ever falling in love I gave up on that idea" She pulled his blazer closer liking its warmth. Aryaman and her walked for a few minutes in silence, trying to arrange their thoughts. They had reached her home when Aryaman stopped her and knelt down on both his knees infront of her, holding her hands.

"I won't be your dad Maitri. I'd give you friendship and love both. I'll never be anyone who'd hold you back from progressing. In Ranawat family, you'd always feel welcomed and will have their support in every step. I am saying this on behalf of my family because I know they'd say the same thing. You'll get all the love you wanted from your dad from mine. Dad will treat you as equal as Aaru, mom will sometimes scold you but even in her scolding, you'll feel as if your mom is the one scolding you. Avi and Aaru will always be on your side when we fight. They are a little mischievous, but you'll eventually fall in love with them. Don't refuse from this arrangement because you think I'd turn out like your father. I understand the value of promises and wouldn't dare to break them, trust me on this one" He said looking at her with a silent plea.

"Why did you refuse to marry me earlier?" She asked knowing that he too had some past which made him broody and so stern.

"In university we were a huge group of friends. Avi was a nerd and a silent boy then while I was a risk taker, arrogant stud, loved chicks and was alot more like Avi right now. Me and one other friend of mine fell in love with the same girl and we didn't know that until one day where I decided to surprise her just to see her and my friend in compromising positions. Later we got to know that she was playing with both of us because of a dare from her friends. I loved her, truly, deeply. That was my breaking point and from then onwards Avi and I shifted our roles. He became outgoing and fun so mom and dad didn't miss having noise at home while I became...boring as you can say. I was so lost in my head that I didn't realise I was pushing away my siblings. Aaru used to share everything with me until she shared only important things. It became as if they were a team and I was just a father to them. Earlier I was jealous of Avi that he got to be the guy she'd trust with her secrets then me but with time I realized that it helped me stay away from emotions and a heartbreak. I want to open up to them again and I need your help for it because I don't think anyone else can do that. Your crazy funky self wants me to be the boy I was" Maitri bent down on her knees and looked into his eyes, reading the sincerity in them.

"Can we get married after one month? In this one month we'd take each other on dates, try to understand each other and see whether we are compatible. I don't want you to lose your position over something that you'd regret in future. Let's first confirm with ourselves and each other that we want to be together. If there's anything like love in this world, I pray we fall in each other's love in this one month and it always remains young" She hugged him tightly as a small ray of hope built in her heart screaming that he was her HAPPILY EVER AFTER while for him he felt as he just found the right path to go home. Unknown to them a seed of love was sown in their hearts already.

"Every Friday alternatively" He said smiling as he hugged her back.

"Today's friday... I'd want to take you out if you want" She pulled out of the hug and asked him.

"You lack in 'asking out on a date' skills dear" He said laughing, teasing her. He stood up and held out a hand for her.

"Hey Mr. Casanova, I've never had a boyfriend before so this is all I can give you" She took his hand and stood up and pointed her index finger at him.

"Aww, feeling jealous that I got to live a vivacious life? Don't worry, I'll train you on how to impress your boyfriend Miss Never-Had-A-Boyfriend" He said laughing at her misery. She tried hard not to smile but ended up smiling.

"Are you coming on the date or we are skipping?" She asked as if she was bored.

"Ask properly" He said crossing his arms at his chest.

"How?" She threw her hands in air and asked.

"Probably by going down on your knees, saying a few cheesy lines. Hmm that should be a good start" He said placing his finger under his chin and then replied.

"Mr. Aryaman Ranawat would you please go out on a date night with me? I may not have flowers and champagne ready for you but I have my heart out to give you" She bent down on her one knee and held her hand for him and asked him out as if she were confessing her love to him in an overdramatic way.

"I've never heard such a fake sweet tone in my life. I'll get diabetes my darling at this point" He said mocking her.

"My knees are paining" She glared at him for an answer.

"We might need to tone the anger down but for now it'll work. So yes Maitri I'll come out on a date with you" He pulled her up laughing.

"Asshole" She glared at him in mock anger.