Page 68 of Knot So Romantic

“Then what is it?”

I twist my empty glass as I think about how to explain. I’ve been thinking since Kavita left my house last week. I haven’t even been able to concentrate on work and didn’t feel like leaving my house until Arjun showed up and reminded me I couldn’t miss Dilip’s party. But even now, I still don’t know what to do.

“Kavita makes me feel alive. Every time I look at her or I’m with her, it’s as if every cell in my body is tingling with joy. I’ve never felt that peace and happiness. It’s like we just fit together perfectly.” I look up at Arjun. “Is that how you felt with Kiara?”

Arjun smiles and clinks his glass against mine. “From the absolute beginning.”

“I don’t know how you did it. How did you convince Kiara you were right for her?”

“I just did what made me happy.” He laughs. “Love makes you do things you never thought you would.”

I nod, understanding the truth in his words.

“So, now that we know you want to be with Kavita, what’s stopping you?”

“I...I don’t know, Arjun. I love her. God, I love her so much. But I have to make her parents happy too. They have to approve of me. With Ramya, I tried everything I could to make her and her parents happy. But it was never enough. What if I fail with Kavita’s parents? What if Kavita ends up miserable, just like Ramya was? What if she realizes she’s made a mistake and leaves me?”

“Listen, your relationship with Kavita is nothing like your relationship with Ramya. Is that what you’re scared of? That you might never be enough for Kavita?” He runs a hand through his hair. “What you have with Kavita is more than what you had with Ramya. Just the way we’ve seen you look at each other says it all.”

“You’re head over heels for her, and we all know it,” Dilip adds. “You’ve talked about nothing else the whole time since we got here.”

“Ramya made you miserable, Neel,” Arjun says. “You know she didn’t really love you. She was just using you. This is different. You have to trust that this is different.”

The two are staring at me.

“You have to decide if you love Kavita enough or not,” Arjun says.

I rub a hand over my face, remembering the hurt in Kavita’s eyes as she left my apartment. “What if I’m not good enough for her parents? I’m so much older than her and divorced. Her parents will never approve.”

“You don’t know that,” Arjun argues. “And even if they don’t approve at first, Kavita loves you. She’s willing to fight for you. Shouldn’t you do the same?”

Dilip adds, “You know, Neel, when I first met Elena, I was terrified. I thought she was way out of my league. I was sure you and your family would never approve of me because my family isn’t nearly as wealthy as yours. But you all opened your hearts to me. That’s when I realized love isn’t about being ‘good enough.’ It’s about choosing each other, being there for each other, no matter what.”

His words hit me hard. I know my sister is happy because she and Dilip chose each other. I think about all the moments Kavita and I have shared and how much she means to me now. The thought of losing her makes my chest ache.

Her words that night float into my mind. I don’t want the perfect match. I just want you, Neel.

“I’m terrified, Arjun,” I admit quietly. “The idea of meeting her parents feels...”

“Overwhelming?” Arjun supplies. “Of course it does. But think about how Kavita must feel, putting herself out there, asking you to take this step with her.”

I nod slowly, the weight of my actions—or lack thereof—settling on my shoulders. “She said if I don’t show up before her new suitor does, she’ll understand. That it’ll be over.”

Arjun places a hand on my shoulder. “Then you have a decision to make, bro. Are you going to let your fears cost you the best thing that’s happened to you in years? Or are you going to fight for what you want?”

As Arjun’s words sink in, I realize how stupid I’ve been.

“What day is it today?”

“It’s Sunday, bro.”

Shit, it’s Sunday. I’ve already wasted enough time. I have to decide if I’m brave enough to face Kavita’s parents, to fight for our future together. And I have to do it now.

The image of Kavita’s hopeful face, as she asked me to meet her parents flashes in my mind. I think I’m going to go insane if I don’t make this right.

“I need to see her,” I say suddenly, standing up. “I need to tell her...”

Arjun grins, finishing up his drink. “Go get her, bro. It’s about time you put yourself first for once.”