Being ideal is not good; even a boyfriend

Ashutosh went Veronika’s home for the very first time. It was Veronika’s birthday and she wanted her parents to meet Ashutosh, as after one month, their graduation would be complete and she knew Ashutosh would never come to Delhi again.

Their friendship seed was sown when they both were in first semester of same year batch in IIT Delhi, by the time they were in final year, that seed had converted into a fully blossomed tree.

A tree which gives fruits to everyone but cannot eat the fruits itself. Everyone in the college considered them as an ideal couple, but destiny was in a mood of some mystery game.

Veronika already had shared much about her friendship with Ashutosh. When her parents met Ashutosh, their all doubts were clear regarding “why Veronika and Ashutosh friendship is so deep”.  Ashutosh got something in his eyes which gave him a mature look and his body language was so elegant that everyone would wish for friendship with him.

Veronika also told her mother before that “Ashutosh parents work as a full-time servant in a doctor’s home in Habib Ganj District, His mother handles all their in-house related work and father is a driver and manages all other works for the Doctors. They are given a small room outside their bungalow, which is home to their only child Ashutosh,”. Her mother advised her to maintain a distance from Ashutosh, but when she met him, she smiled at Veronika as if in affirmation that Ashutosh is a good person.

Ashutosh was the batch topper throughout four years and Veronika just managed to get decent marks so she could be allowed to apply for last year campus placement.

When birthday party was over and it was time to go, Veronika’s father asked Ashutosh to come next Sunday to meet them in person.

Ashutosh had no other option but to say yes.

Next Sunday after having lunch at Veronika’s home, Ashutosh spent quality time with her parents. Veronika’s parents were observing Ashutosh very closely and till the dinner time they knew that Ashutosh is the best boy for their daughter.

After dinner Veronika’s’ father asked Ashutosh about his future plan. Ashutosh was perplexed as he said “I will go to my home town and will do job or further study from there only.”

Veronika father was confused a little as he asked “You will get the best job in the industry from the college itself.”

Ashutosh did not reply anything.

Veronika’s mother asked “what is your plan for getting married to Veronika.”

Both Ashutosh and Veronika were shocked and looked like an ice statue.

Ashutosh broke the silence and said “Auntie I cannot marry Veronika.”

Veronika said “yes Mumma, we are only good or may be best friends but we cannot marry.”

and this discussion was closed for some time.

When Ashutosh was gone and Veronika was all settled in her bed for sleep, her mother came inside and asked “Do you like Ashutosh, I can see in both of your eyes, how much you both care for each other?”

Veronika said” yes I love him and I know he too loves me but whenever I talk him regarding marriage or something like that, he always changes the topic. He never says anything like a couple used to, we only know one thing that we enjoy each other’s company more than anything in this world. Even on phone we don’t talk much.”

“But what may be the reason for that, if you say, we may also talk to his parents and why he was saying that he will not opt for the college campus.”

“Yes, he will get the first job in college campus placement, but he is so adamant to do the job in his home town only. He never let me talk with his parents, saying that they are too orthodox, they will never understand their friendship.”

“His parents should be happy if he earns good amount of money in an MNC and he can bring his parents also with him here or anywhere he gets the job.”

“Yes, he is the only son.”

“Did you ask him whether he loves you.”

“I asked him several times, he always says I don’t know. This is sure that after college I will go back to my home town.”

“It seems awkward.”

They both did not know what they should do.

Sometimes being ideal is also not good.

Ashutosh was an ideal boyfriend, they set many friendship goals for others in college. There was an obvious understanding between them, which was visible to everyone in college but Ashutosh never accepted the same. They just had fun and were enjoying each other’s company until the time arrived when their graduation was complete.

Veronika got job in college placement in Delhi only and she accepted, but Ashutosh did not apply for any job. He just left for his home town, Veronika was so angry with him, she did not even ask his address and after that she never called him, to her surprise, Ashutosh also never called back.

Ashutosh was not active on social media sites, so Veronika had no other option but to try to forget him, but her heart and mind both were not very co-operative. She engrossed herself in work and was waiting for God’s next plan for her.

Ashutosh got a teaching job in a coaching centre in Habib Ganj. Within some time, his parents stopped working in the doctor’s home as he purchased a small apartment nearby Doctor’s home.

After two years, it was time for Ashutosh marriage as per an agreement between his parents and doctor Mr. Prithvi Kapoor for whom Ashutosh’s parents worked earlier.

Mr. Prithvi Kapoor had two daughters Prerna and Tanya. Tanya went to UK for studies, but Prerna was a special girl, being diagnosed with Autism disease (remember Priyanka Chopra in Barfi Movie). She was not able to walk without support, she could not speak properly and hand movements were also a difficult task for her, in short, her mind and body co-ordination wiring was not proper.

Ashutosh mother took care of her from the time she was born. She spent more time with Ashutosh’s mother than her own mother.

Ashutosh had a genius mind and he loved reading books, so when Tanya was promoted to new class, her old books were given to Ashutosh and his childhood was passed with those books and he easily manged to learn without help of any teacher or school.

When Mr. Prithvi Kapoor noticed Ashutosh’s interest in studies, he placed one offer before Ashutosh and his parents,” I will bear all expenses for Ashutosh’s studies till the time he needs, but after completing studies he has to marry my daughter Prerna”.

Ashutosh’s parents denied for this sort of agreement but Ashutosh loved books and school so much that he could not deny it.

Ashutosh got admission in sixth Grade directly, as he already learned till fifth grade from Tanya’s books on his own.

He loved Veronika from all of his heart but he also knew that Prerna had grown up knowing that one day “I will marry her” and he respected Mr. Prithvi for all he has done for him.

In last two years, he came to visit Prerna daily and he helped her in reading and writing. She was also curious to learn, she tried to pick the things as much she could. He read books for her and she laughed and enjoyed with him.

But Prerna observed a change in Ashutosh’s eyes, when the marriage topic was discussed. She knew Ashutosh is a kind man and any normal girl will be on seventh heaven who is going to marry him. But she noticed that “Ashutosh heart does not belong to her.”

She knew that if she will ask him directly, he would never tell her and she also knew all about her father’s agreement.

Very soon their marriage date approached, Tanya also arrived from UK and she was happiest for her sister was getting with the best man of this world.

Only three days were left for marriage, everyone except Prerna was waiting for the final wedding day eagerly. When Prerna was alone with Tanya, she told about Ashutosh to Tanya in writing in air” I think Ashutosh loves someone and he is marrying me only because of that agreement of papa.”

Tanya was surprised “what are you talking about? Are you sure? And how you learned writing like this?”

“Ashutosh helped me. He is such a nice man. He is not happy with this marriage and I cannot be a burden on anyone’s life.”

“But how did you find out and after three days it’s his marriage with you.”

“Yes, I know it’s very late, but I want to try and I ned your help.”

Prerna asked Tanya to check Ashutosh’s Facebook profile and see the friends who were added in last four years. Tanya checked and told her” There are only five of them.”

“Message all of them to give their no., tell them it’s about Ashutosh and its urgent.”

Tanya did the same and after half an hour she got the reply from one of them Arnav.

Tanya called that no and asked about Ashutosh friendship or relationship with anyone. Everyone knew about Ashutosh and Veronika, so Arnav told Tanya that they were best friends and then Ashutosh left Delhi without any clue.

Tanya asked Arnav Veronika’s number and called her.

Once again Tanya asked Prerna “you will be happy for life with him, are you sure I should talk Veronika?”

Prerna replied “I can never be happy, if Ashutosh is not happy.”

Tanya frowned “Oh! You love him so much.”

“You just call Veronika and ask her to come here in two days, tell her it’s about Ashutosh and its urgent.”

Tanya did the same. Veronika arrived their home and Tanya introduced Veronika to her parents as online friend from Delhi.

On the marriage day, Prerna was all dressed in wedding dress, when Tanya and Veronika came inside.

Tanya told Veronika about the marriage agreement. Veronika was in tears when she saw Prerna.

Prerna motioned in air saying” Help me get out of this dress and Veronika to get ready as a bride.”

Veronika did not know what to say” Shall we ask Ashutosh about it once?”

Prerna replied” He will never accept that he loves you. But I know him, he loves only you and I can see that you also love him. I will be proud of myself that I have done at least one meaningful thing sitting on this wheelchair full day.”

Tanya hugged Prerna” You are doing something which normal people standing on their own feet can never do. You are one in a million girl.”

Veronika called her parents and explained them. They already knew Ashutosh well, so they agreed.

She got dressed as a bride and married Ashutosh.

After marriage, shocks and surprises were handled by Tanya and Prerna together.

Veronika and Ashutosh started their own coaching center in Habib Ganj and are living happily with their parents.

They do go to Prerna’s home at least once in a week to spend wonderful time with her. With both their support Prerna is now an active member of an NGO helping special people like her.