As Neha continued to sob, Ajay's dilemma increased. Everyone wanted to pacify her but they could helplessly stared at the screen while Arjun tried to pacify her. He hugged her, rubbing her shoulders, assuring her that he was with her no matter what it took but her tears knew no bounds.

"I will marry Neha and we are not calling her parents. I cannot see her breaking down like this." Arjun yelled at his father angrily while Mrinalini tried to persuade her husband to give in. Piya and Piyush had seen Neha suffering each day at their parents' house and hence, they could helplessly pray for this wedding to happen. They agreed with Ajay for they knew that the old man was right however, they too, did not want any involvement of their parents in Neha's life, not anymore!

"I still feel that one conversation won't harm anything, Neha. Marriage is a lifelong decision and they are your parents. You might be angry upon them today but you will surely miss them on your wedding, so respect the relationship you share with your parents and inform them." Ajay tried to logically explain his stand to everyone and especially Neha.

He did not like the breakdown of the otherwise, independent girl. He had wholeheartedly accepted Neha however, it did not feel right to plan a wedding without involving a girl's parents. Being a parent himself, he felt they would feel betrayed if they would find about their daughter's wedding later on. He also did not want Neha to have a regret of marrying the man she loved, without informing her parents.

"Dad, but...", Arjun tried to intervene.

"They won't understand", Neha muttered sobbing hard.

"They deserve to know irrespective of their decision", Ajay announced much to the dismay of everyone.

"They would never allow, uncle. I am sorry to have come up with such a ridiculous request of marrying your son. I will abide with the decision of my parents." Neha mumbled with big, fat tears in her eyes. Not wanting to show her weakness, she ran away to the other room, away from the screen. Having realized her folly of deciding for an impromptu, unconventional wedding and hoping for everyone's support; Neha wept and decided to part ways with Arjun, after all, she did not want to ruin his relationship with his parents.

"Neha...", Arjun tried to stop her when she ran to the bedroom, banging the door shut. She needed to make herself presentable and run away from Arjun as far as she could.

"Arjun, listen", commanded Ajay. Arjun could have gladly ignored his father but Ajay was quick enough to announce, "I and Mrinalini will come to Delhi in two days in the meanwhile apply for the registration of court marriage."

"Court marriage?", Arjun asked, and he was glad that his father was supporting his decision.

"What's wrong in that?", asked Ajay.

"We can have a proper wedding. I will bear all the costs." Piyush offered.

"It's not about money. Registered court marriage is the need of the hour. You both are adults and Neha's parents cannot question your decision after a marriage registered in the court of law. Moreover, a proper marriage requires time and efforts. You cannot keep marriage preparations hidden from her parents." Ajay explained and everyone nodded. Arjun smiled in approval, however, his heart was worried about Neha.

"And in the meanwhile, I and your dad will talk with her parents. I am sure they will understand." Mrinalini said, as she intertwined her hands with her husband.

"And what if they don't?", asked Piya and Piyush, almost at the same time, with meekness evident in their voice as they were concerned of Neha. They knew she would break beyond repair if Arjun choose not to be with her.

"Marriage shall happen at all costs and we will sign as the witnesses. See, Piyush, all I mean is, they deserve to know. Piya, we have accepted Neha wholeheartedly but we do not want her to bear the burden of regret in her married life. We will invite them gracefully. If they agree, I am sure, Neha will be the happiest but if they would not, she will have no reason to regret." Ajay explained his stance and Mrinalini nodded, finally agreeing with her husband. Arjun too, had no reason to deny.

"Court marriage is it, then?", Radha piped in and Ajay nodded in agreement.

"Thank you", mumbled Arjun with a huge grin as he sighed in relief. He was eager to break this news to Neha.

"Jijaji, I will plan your reception", Piyush muttered with joy and Arjun was overwhelmed, feeling accepted in Neha's family too.

"You don't have to worry, Piyush", he mumbled, like an elder brother.

"Please let me do this for my sister", Piyush pleaded and he nodded. The thick tension in the air had finally dissipated and was replaced with joy of togetherness.

"Arjun, go after her. She needs your support." Ajay said, feeling guilty of making the poor girl cry.

Mumbling a 'bye', Arjun disconnected the calls, excusing himself, while others joyously made plans of the upcoming wedding.

Arjun received a shock when he saw Neha, dressed up like she came in the morning, all set to leave. He asked, "Where are you going?", panicking for he knew that she was damn upset.

"I am going away from your life, Arjun. I will resign and marry whoever my parents would find for me according to their wishes as your parents want." She mumbled with a sob, glaring at him as she walked towards the main door.

Arjun chuckled at her, irritating her even more as he walked towards her. Within a pull, he yanked her towards himself, pecking on her nose. Riled up, she protested when he gripped her arms and kissed her cheeks, biting the corner of her lips.

"Leave me, you idiot!", she yelled at him ignoring the heat pooled in between her legs while he dragged her to the sofa lying nearby. Pulling her in his lap, he mumbled, "I will register for our marriage, Neha".

Neha was too overwhelmed. The idea of marrying Arjun and embracing a peaceful life sounded like a dream but she did not want to fulfil that dream on the foundation of his strained relationship with his parents. She mumbled, "Your parents would not like this", feeling guilty of ruining the bond he shared with his family.

"They suggested that we should register for our marriage in the court of law. They will talk with your parents." Arjun explained her and she was overjoyed to receive such supportive family.

"My parents will never accept us, Arjun". She expressed her concerns.

"Let's hope they do, Neha, because I am sure, their acceptance would make you happy", Arjun muttered, rubbing his nose in the crook of her neck. The proximity they shared was bringing tingles in his body today, especially after they had decided to marry soon.

"And what if they won't? We will cancel the wedding, right!" She muttered annoyingly, pushing him away.

Showering a few sincere kisses on Neha's tear-stricken face, Arjun explained her the thoughts of his father, assuring that he would never leave her. "No, Neha. We will get married irrespective of their decision but you won't have regrets to have cheated on your parents when you will promise to stay with me forever. This is what my parents mean, Neha, and I feel they are right."

"Do you promise that we shall marry? Arjun, I cannot imagine my life with someone else." Neha asked, still seeking assurances to give herself some hopes of a happy life. She was taking a leap of faith with Arjun leaving behind everything. Her future appeared blur yet, she trusted her beloved Arjun blindly knowing that he would never push her into darkness.

"I will never let that happen, Neha. I promise to marry you and keep you happy forever." Arjun promised her, or rather, he promised himself, pecking her forehead as red hues blushed her face.

"I am sorry to have insulted your dad by walking away", Neha apologized wholeheartedly. When her parents were not even giving her a chance to advocate for her choices, his parents were welcoming her demands with open arms.

"Neha, trust me, this apology is not even required. He understands." Arjun assured her.

Still feeling guilty for acting like a brat, she tried to explain herself, "I didn't mean to..."

Arjun was quick enough to latch his moist lips to her heart-shaped ones. He found her too cute while she had blabbering a not-needed explanation, instead of celebrating the moment after all, they had decided to get married soon. Her hands automatically travelled in his hair, pulling him closer to herself while he explored all the nooks and crannies of her mouth.

Swiftly pushing her on the couch from his lap, Arjun hovered over her sexy frame. Their labouring breaths mingled and so did their heartbeats. Kissing sloppily in the crook of her neck, his hands travelled inside the hem of her lavender kurta while her fervish moans increased his carnal desires to explore every part of her soul, peeling through all her layers, and marking her heart with his soul.

His impatient palms touched her bra-clad bosom sending tingles between her legs. She was relishing his masculine ministrations on her untouched breasts in a trance while her heart was ready to pop out of her body. Everything seemed too serene until Neha realized that Arjun was trying to peel off her kurta from her body.

She panicked. She trusted him yet, she did not feel it was the right time. Moreover, she had watched Bollywood movies since childhood where the idea of first sexual encounter is highly romanticized and considered special. Blushing hard, she bit her bottom lip and awkwardly pushed Arjun away, stating, "Arjun, I want my first-time to be special, not on this sofa".

Arjun was disappointed after all, he was left high and dry, ready for another cold shower. He did not make an attempt to hide his erection for he wanted Neha to know what she did to him. However, he could not disagree with her.

She did not even refrain to take a jibe at him this time. "Take the cold shower and come back soon, soon-to-be husband because we need to register for the marriage today itself", as she smoothened the creases on her kurta while she sat on the couch with a coy smile on her swollen lips. Her heart was relishing a happy dance while she was looking forward to a bright future.

More than everything, Arjun liked the progress in their relationship. The girl who had no idea about 'orgasm' once upon a time, had turned bold enough to tease him about his miserable state and he found her admirably cute.

Biting her cheek gently, he husked, "I will make your first-time memorable". Winking at her blushing mess, he rushed to the washroom to take care of his soldier who was giving a standing ovation to his Neha.

Towards the evening, as the clock struck five, Arjun and Neha had registered for the court marriage which was scheduled ten days down the line. They decided to shop for the wedding together, during the lunch hours everyday.

Neha had decided to play along with her parents while Arjun had assured her of a sensible conversation between their parents after three days. Neha did not want to go back home but she had to, especially after her mother reminded her of the scheduled video call with Varun. With a heavy heart, she left Arjun's house while he wished for her safety.

••••••••••••••••♥️••••••••••••••••

Hello lovely people!!

Those who are in India, have a great morning ahead!!!!!! 🌄 🌅

So I brought a lovely surprise today. 💌

The readers of Second Innings, I am into a writer block but I will try to update soon. 😞

Let's wind up the journey of Arjun and Neha soon so that we could start with Tapasya and Chaitanya, and perhaps, many more!!! ☺️

With immense love, I sign off to be back really soon, this time!!!! 💜

See you 🌸