"Do you believe me, now?" I ask between my breaths.

"Are you sure you're not going to regret it later?" She asks her voice becoming little. She has everything but the only thing she doesn't have is confidence in her.

I lean again but she holds me and changes her lines, "I believe you! I believe you!"

"But what about your parents?" She asks.

"Ah, well... I have convinced them already."

A gap forms on her lips, "What? And they said yes?"

"Well, no."

A coat of sadness appears on her face as I hold her chin and lifts it so she can look at me directly to my eyes.

"I've said it already have faith in me. They want an heir so, it's not an impossible task. We'll work something out. Future trouble for future us." I wink and a small smile forms on her face.

"Let's not worry for the future now." She leans in and warm spread all over my body as we cocooned against each other.

"What did you talk, by the way?" She asks as I recall the previous memory of our conversation:

"Dad, mom, I want to talk with you."

They look at me with questioning glances.

"It's about Agni."

My mom's face becomes sour instantly. "What about her?"

"Do you hate her?"

"No."

"Then stop judge her based on if she is able to bear an heir or not. It was just a day ago, you liked her but now that you know, she can not become a mother, you are looking at her as if she is a bad omen." I tell and add, "Mom, it hurts me."

Mom's expression changes to solemn, "I know, Adi. But what I want—"

"I know that very well. But, if I live with her, I will be happy. We can adopt a child or there are various methods to have your own flesh."

Mom is clearly not satisfied and her face twitches at the mention of adoption.

I go to her and take her hands in me, "She is a very good person, Ma. But she needs a person to take care of her as well. I like her and she likes me (probably)."

"We have enough time in our hands to look for. Please, mom." I look at dad with pleading eyes.

"Son, you have grown into a good man. I am proud of you." He pats on my shoulder but mom is not at all pleased as her eyes fill with tears.

My mom glares at Dad and I have expected to change his statement however when he opens his mouth 'Chamatkaar' happens. (Unexpected)

He says, "Let him decide for his future. If he can be happy with Agni, let him be. An heir is an excuse as we already have another child, right?"

"But Trayi is a girl."

"Don't talk like a hypocrite. A girl or a boy, both of them are our children. Just because society has decided to make a son an heir doesn't mean we have to follow it. What if Aditya has a daughter. Will you beg them to create more babies for the sake of an heir?" Dad's voice was strict which manages to shock both mom and me.

I had no clue Dad's thinking is way modern and I thank him from my head since it is weird.

"If you want me to not ask her then say me now," I say my voice bears the seriousness in it. I am serious about her.

"I like that girl. She knows when to say something and when not. But if that is what you want then go ask her." Mom says her eyes stay on the ground as if she is ashamed of what she has said a minute ago.

Her voice is still full of hesitation but she loves me and I know, no matter what she will support me.

That's how it ended. I look down at her and peck a kiss on her forehead.

"I knew it! Mr Banerjee surely is a great person!"

"Yes, I know. I am a great person." I nod.

"I was talking about your dad. After all, he is the creator of Lovebites!"

I pause. I open my mouth then close. I bit my lips. Okay! Now the inventor of the concept of it was my father and it sounds weird if anyone would say my father created it.

That name is seriously needed to be changed!

So, when we reach the venue the dances are already finished and now we are at the last batch where everyone knows about our little proposal.

I am sure it is Trayi. She can't stop blabbering if she gets a clue to harass me.

As I take my seat my eyes meet with a person and a shiver walks on my backbone slowly. Very slowly. Agni's mother is sending daggers in my way however, I have decided to have a talk with her. Of course, she is stressed and angry because her daughter has to suffer a lot because of men and I don't want to be the guy who will only give her pain.

While almost everyone teases us I walk to her mother and sit beside her.

My heart thumps but as she isn't starting a conversation, I decided I should start one.

"Err... Aunty."

"I know." I haven't even said anything.

"What?" I ask a bit perplexed about what she will say.

"She has suffered all of her life and I don't want her to suffer more. It's not a child's play, Aditya. You have only met her for three days." She says her voice breaks and I feel she has every right to get angry with me.

She has a point but I start, "I know, Aunty. I should have spent a little bit of time with her before asking her but for that, we also need to know each other."

She glares at me and I add, "I like her with her flaws. I know everything about her and she has warned me also. I have decided this and I have consulted my parents too."

Her glares evaporate and turn into a frown.

"They agreed?" She asks.

"Yes. I will ask them to have a proper conversation with your family." I assure her because I already have a clue my mom is going to talk with her.

As I come back to my sit Agni asks, "What did she say?"

"Nothing," I say as I punch on the chicken pakoda.

She looks at me with tied brows and worry crawls on her face.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay. But first, we have to decide how we're gonna keep in touch." I assure her and she nods while answers, "With phone, video calls."

I narrow my gaze and she asks, "What?"

"Well, this is s good opportunity to spread my business to New York."

A grin forms on her face and I smirk.

"It will take some years to capture the market but it is not entirely impossible, I guess." I nod and she chuckles.

"Okay."

"Let's date until you are ready." I propose.

"Are you sure you can wait that long?" She asks.

"Yes, ma'am! I am pretty sure. Ek baar maine jo commitment kardi fir main apni aap ke bhi nehi sunti." I quote the dialogue from Salman Khan's movie and she laughs. (Once I give my commitment, I don't listen to anyone, not even myself)

'Yeh sham mastani... Madhosh kiye jay...' The song blares from the boxes behind us and I think it's perfect for us as I start to devour my dinner while my other hand snicks under the table and reaches for her other hand.

As I catch her palms, she looks at me and immediately shies away.

And that's how it's the end of the little love story of Agni and mine. I know life is not always fair but I can always decide for myself.

*****

Deleted scene:

Barun goes behind a tree because nature is calling pretty harshly this time. He has gulped down a good amount of liquor as a result he needed to go to for bathroom after a few minutes.

As he comes out he sees her wife is not far away, talking with an aunty.

"Zindagi ki talas me hum... Maut ke karib aa gaye..." blares through the boxes as the man mistakenly chooses the wrong song.

Her eyes stay for a bit too long for his liking and he knows he has messed it up again.

THE END

(23rd Feb, 2021)