The heartbreak
Daya and Abhijit decided this would be the day. They would propose to their respective GFs – Shreya and Tarika. Abhijit had been waiting for 4 years. He and his best friend had decided that they will get married on the same day. While Abhijit had found his love, Daya had many failures and heartbreaks. Abhijit was very happy for his friend. At last he found a worthy girl.
They both went shopping for diamond rings. Abhijit seemed confident about how and where he would propose – he would invite Tarika to his house, play some soft music, make something nice for her to eat and place the ring covered under one of the dishes. He remembered the last time she came he had tried to cook palak curry but it was a disaster and he had to order from a restaurant. She still made fun of him. This time he learnt a couple of good dishes from a TV show and mastered it to perfection before inviting her.
Daya seemed more hesitant. He was a bit wary of girls, having had a few bad experiences. Abhijit convinced him that Shreya was a good girl and she would keep him happy. He had secretly talked to Shreya about Daya and confirmed that she wouldn't refuse. Still Shreya wanted Daya to directly propose. Daya decided to take Shreya to dinner on a rooftop restaurant and propose to her there.
Both buddies decided that today was the day. While Daya left to pick up Shreya at 8PM for dinner, Abhijit busied himself in the kitchen cooking up a palak paneer and shahi kofta for Tarika.
At the restaurant, Daya asked for a soft music to be played. Shreya was dressed in a dark blue kurti with gold embroidery and looked stunning. Daya tried to recollect all the rehearsals he had done with Abhijit, but everything vanished from his mind. Shreya asked 'what happened sir'? Daya said 'don't call me sir'. Shreya knew what was coming. Abhijit had prepared her for this. She still innocently asked 'but why sir'. Daya said 'because….because I don't want my wife to call me sir'. Shreya was shocked. She expected a proposal to come in a more romantic manner. Daya realized how he had goofed it up. It was a bad, bad proposal. Still he smiled a shy smile and looked up at her. Shreya was blushing. He knew her answer was yes. He took the lid off the plate and there was a lovely diamond ring. Daya picked it up and asked 'will you marry me'. Shreya nodded a yes, with tears in her eyes…and extended her finger to him.
At 12 in the night, Daya had dropped off Shreya and rushed to Abhijit's house. The house was dark. Tarika seemed to have left. The house was bolted from inside. Daya rang the bell. Abhijit opened the door. He saw the wide smile on Daya's face and knew what Shreya had said. Still he wanted to hear it from Daya. 'What happened', he asked. Daya said 'she said yes! Oh my God, I messed it up badly, but she didn't mind. Now lets plan our marriage date'. Abhijit only smiled in return. Daya found something amiss. He knew Abhijit too long to know that there was a sadness behind that smile. 'what happened boss', he asked.
'Leave it Daya, let's celebrate your wedding'. Abhijit said.
'Your wedding?, I thought we both were getting married on the same day'.
Abhijit was facing the other side. Daya pulled Abhijit's shoulder and turned his face to this side. Abhijit was very sad.
'What happened?' asked Daya.
'Tarika says she wants to focus on her career for now, and will not be able to give time for marriage' and turned towards the window. Daya knew there were tears in those eyes.