𝐄𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐚'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕 :-

The ride home was quiet, the distant hum of traffic blending with the soft melody playing on the radio. I leaned against the car window, watching the city lights blur past. The evening had been... fine. Hadn't it?

Arsh had spoken about our future-about our engagement, our companies, the power we would hold together. It should have made me happy. But then, why was there a strange weight pressing against my chest?

Ugh! Stop overthinking Ekanshika.

I sighed, shutting my eyes for a moment. It wasn't like Arsh had done anything wrong. He was just practical-focused on success. That was one of the things I had always admired about him. He was ambitious, driven, and he saw a future where we were together. That should be enough.

So what if he spent most of our dinner checking stock prices instead of looking at me? So what if his words about our engagement had sounded more like a business strategy than a love-filled promise?

Love isn't about grand gestures. It's about commitment. Stability. A future.

Arsh loves me. He wants to marry me.

That's what matters.

By the time the car pulled into the driveway, I had pushed away all lingering doubts. I big goodbye to Arsh and went inside my house. The moment I stepped inside, the warmth of home greeted me-the familiar scent of sandalwood and jasmine from Dadi's evening prayers, the soft murmur of the television in the living room. It was comforting, grounding.

I glanced toward my parents and grandparents, who were watching the news together. They looked at peace, unaware that tomorrow, I would change everything.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I walked toward my room. Tomorrow, I will tell them. Tomorrow, I will take the next step toward my future.

As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I let out a slow breath.

Everything will be fine. Right?

Of course it will be fine. I said to myself.

With that final thought, I closed my eyes, pushing all uncertainties away.

Tomorrow, I would talk to my parents.

And I would make them understand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕 :-

Morning came with the soft golden sunlight seeping through the curtains. Ekanshika woke up, her heart steady with purpose. She got ready, wearing a simple pastel pink kurta with delicate floral embroidery. As she tied her hair into a loose braid, she took a deep breath.

Today was important.

The morning sunlight streamed through the large windows of the Malhotra household, casting a golden hue over the dining table where the family gathered for breakfast. The aroma of freshly made parathas and steaming chai filled the air, a familiar comfort that contrasted the unease building inside Ekanshika.

Her father, Keshav Malhotra, sat at the head of the table, dressed in his usual crisp white kurta, flipping through the newspaper with a focused expression. Across from him, her grandfather, Harsh Malhotra, sipped his tea, his sharp gaze occasionally drifting toward the family's conversation. Her grandmother, Parul Malhotra, a woman of gentle wisdom, was busy ensuring everyone had enough food, occasionally chastising Anya for not eating properly.

Ekanshika hesitated, her fingers lightly gripping the edge of her plate. She had decided last night-she would tell them today. But now that the moment was here, her throat felt dry.

Taking a deep breath, she finally spoke. "Papa, Dadu... I wanted to talk to you about something important."

Keshav lowered his newspaper slightly, his sharp eyes meeting hers. "What is it, beta?"

A nervous energy filled the air as everyone turned their attention to her. Even Anya, who had been happily munching on her paratha, paused mid-bite.

Ekanshika forced herself to keep her voice steady. "I want to marry Arsh."

The silence that followed was almost deafening.

Parul's hands stilled as she reached for the sugar bowl. Harsh's brows furrowed slightly, while Keshav's expression remained unreadable. Anya blinked in surprise, setting down her glass of juice.

It was her grandfather who spoke first, his tone measured. "That's a big decision, beta. Are you sure about this?"

Ekanshika nodded quickly. "Yes, Dadu. We've been together for a while now. You all know Arsh. He's responsible, successful, and-" she hesitated before adding, "he loves me."

Keshav leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. "Success is good, but it's not the foundation of a marriage." His gaze was calm, but there was a clear discomfort in his voice. "What makes you think this is the right time?"

"He asked me yesterday," she admitted, choosing her words carefully. "He wants to take the next step in our relationship."

Harsh set his cup down with deliberate care. "And why the urgency?" His voice was gentle, but his question held weight.

"I-" She faltered for a moment, then straightened. "Because we love each other."

Parul finally spoke, her voice soft yet firm. "Love, beta, is not just in words but in actions. A lifetime is too long to live with only promises." She reached across the table, gently placing her wrinkled hand over Ekanshika's. "Tell me, does Arsh understand your dreams? Does he listen when you speak about what you want in life? Or does he only talk about what he wants?"

Ekanshika opened her mouth, then closed it. Memories of last night surfaced-Arsh's excitement about their companies merging, his detailed plans about the business benefits of their marriage, but... had he asked about what she wanted?

Keshav exchanged a glance with his father before turning back to his daughter. "We are not saying no, Ekanshika. We are only asking you to think. Marriage isn't a race. If his love is true, he will wait. He will prove it."

Harsh nodded. "You think you know him well, but have you seen how he handles failure? How he treats people when they are no longer useful to him?"

Ekanshika frowned. "Dadu, Arsh is not like that."

"We hope he isn't," Parul said gently. "But what if he is?"

The question lingered in the air, heavy and unshakable.

Ekanshika wanted to brush off their concerns, to convince them that they were wrong. But for the first time, doubt crept in. Because she realized she had never truly asked herself these questions.

She swallowed, forcing a smile. "I understand your concerns, but I trust Arsh. And I believe in our relationship."

Keshav sighed, his expression softening, but the worry in his eyes remained. "That is all we wanted to hear-you understand our concerns. Think about it, beta. Marriage is for life. Make sure you are truly ready for it. And know his actual intensions to this marriage."

Harsh patted her hand. "Don't let love blind you from seeing reality."

Ekanshika nodded, but deep down, something inside her wavered.

For the first time, she asked herself-Do I truly know Arsh at all?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐃....