Avan's POV

Great..just great! What an ugly joke is this. She's still in school and on top of that she's My Student. How am I supposed to marry my student? Does ma not know that? My students are like kids to me. I angrily glanced at ma and she knew she messed it up. I thought Dharini knew this but still agreed (as if they've asked her opinion, my conscience mocked), but looking at her, I can say, she is shocked as well. Now I now why her sister gave me that look, she knows that I'm teacher at their school, though I don't teach her.
I whispered to ma CALMLY
"She is my student" and her mother heard.

No.. everyone heard!

"Great thing, they already know each other" the other lady said.

While they seemed happy with this revelation, my mother grew tense. She knew I want to marry an educated, independent woman and not a 12th student and that too happened to be my student. She already know I won't be ready. She know my answer.

Dharini's POV

I froze as soon as I lifted my eyes. But my mother is behind me, so she nudge me to keep my eyes lowered again. She said it is considered as disrespect to look elders in their eyes. Oh sunken ship! He is Mishra sir. Oh My God, no no I can't marry him. I hate maths and if I marry him he'll teach me maths lifetime. I remembered his mother asking me to take a seat between her and other lady, so I sat nervously. The other lady asked "what you do?"

I'm so nervous, please someone talk on my behalf. I guess no one is going to help me.

Then...

Suddenly I heard sir tell his mother that I'm his student, I guess it was supposed to be a whisper but everyone heard it.

Nalini Masi interrupted,
"Great thing, they already know each other" no masi.. not a great thing.

Then his father asked what skills do I possess to which I copy pasted same dialogue that I gave to that Golu's mother. I was expecting same reaction but it was just opposite.

"Yes, we've seen your artworks on these walls, you are quite talented Dharini. We would love it if you cover all of Avan's boring house walls with them." It instantly brought redness on my face, followed by a smile. Then the other lady said...

"Let both of them talk to each other in private"

My nervousness grew. Papa said,

"Rini, take Avan ji with you" I stood up and started walking towards stairs. I hope he's following me.

Yes he is.

We went to terrace. What? I'll not just take anyone in my room. It's my most comforting place.

I said "please sit.. sir"

He sat without saying anything.

Are you ignoring his staring? My conscience said. Oh stop that bleach.

Then after a long silence, he asked

"Did you knew about this?" while gesturing between us by his fingers

"N..no sir"

He sighed

"Look Dharini, I don't think we're a good match, I always saw you as my student. Hell (he muttered under his breath) YOU ARE my student. I can't do this." Saying this he stood up and started walking back, followed by me.

We came downstairs in five minutes and they left in few minutes, saying they'll give answer in 2-3 days. But I know it already. Asking for 2-3 days is just a formality to politely reject.

After they went mumma knew something is off.

"Kya baat ki tumne?"

(What did you both talked?)

I told her everything how he said he can't do it.

She hit her palm on her forehead and sat on sofa.

"He is such a good guy for our rini, but he rejected her just because she is his student. Just one year and she will not be his student anymore. He could have asked for marrying next year but no he wanted to reject her."

"Don't worry Devyani, by rejecting her, he is losing a gem. I know the guy would be luckiest to whom our rini will marry." Papa said.

I love my papa.

*****

Avan's POV

..No ma, what were you thinking when you even considered an school going girl for me. How many times I told you I want to marry an educated girl?

"But Aanu, you can let het do further education after marriage. Afterall, she'll be yours so you'll have the influence on her."

"Ma, it's not just about education. I always support women education and request their parents not to marry off their daughter just after school. They'll call me double standard person and hypocrite if I do the same which I oppose them for. And on top of that, she is ten years younger then me,..."

"nine" ma corrected.

"..haah..as if one year make any difference. she is my student, she is like a kid to me...huh I just can't do that." (Sighed) I tried to explain.

"Don't rush for decision Aanu, take your time, anyways we've asked for 2-3 days to answer." Saying this she went to room.

"Aanu" papa said

I looked at him

"Just think again about this proposal, I really liked that girl. I know she'll keep our family together like your mother did. I saw same innocence in her eyes, which I saw in your mother's when I first saw her and see, now we're happy together." He said

"But baba generations change in ten years. What if we are not compatible? What if we don't meet each others' expectations? She's still a teen girl, what if later on she find someone more attractive then me? Baba I can compromise with everything but not this one. I will not tolerate my partner not loving me. I'm mature, ready to settle in life and can give my 100% to this relationship but do you think she'll too?" I never usually breakdown but whenever I did, it was always infront of baba. He's more like a friend to me. He's my safe place.

"Nine years" he corrected

Not again..

"Yes I know that but it will not make any difference!!"

"Aanu...son...you said generations change in ten years..true..very true..but is it visible between your ma and me? We have 12 years of age gap. Have you ever seen us having issues because of that? About expectations, don't expect her to act the way you want. Don't expect her to do something for you first, instead you do it for her. For example, you wake up early, what if she don't serve tea when you wake up? You make it for both of you. And we are human beings, little expections here and there are natural, it doesn't affect relationship. She is a teen girl and it is definitely possible for her to fall for someone else, someone younger than you...BUT..BUT IF YOU GIVE HER CHANCE TO. Love her with all your heart, with every cell of you but give her little space from time to time. Space is really necessary in relationship. Give her your time and she'll stay yours forever. Only one person is required to be mature in relationship. If both will be mature life would be boring." He said laughing.

Then he continued..
"Don't think too much Anav, go with the flow. Don't think too much and make it complicated" he said while patting my shoulder and left.

Now I'm left alone with my thoughts.

It's been 10 hours since we came back and not a second I stopped thinking about baba's words. It keeps playing in repeat mode in my head.

After having dinner, mumma papa went to their room, not before telling me that they'll stay 2-3 days till I tell them my final decision and if it's a yes then they will go and fix our alliance and leave. I don't know what to do. Why they don't understand that I can't just marry my student? I can't have feelings for my student. It's bad, it's a sin that I can't commit.

I really need someone who can help me in this. Not my parents obviously because they're not thinking in my point of view. I know who can help me. I badly need advice on this. After meeting her I was clear that I don't want to marry her and I even told same to my parents but the words baba said to me in evening is forcing me to reconsider my decision. Afterall, I always wanted a life partner who can keep our family all together just like ma does.

Am I really doing wrong by rejecting her?

■■■■

Did you like his parents? Because I really do. I promise, they'll be the best in laws. They live in village but they are very broad minded. Same genes passed on to Avan. You know what I mean👀

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Love you all❤