Destiny

Chapter 15: Engagement

Reena had been eagerly preparing for her engagement party, an event that was meant to celebrate her newfound love and commitment to Rohail. She had been hoping to share this joyous occasion with her family, to have them present and to witness her happiness. However, when she approached her family with the invitation, she was met with a response she had not anticipated.

Reena's family had always been traditional, and they held certain expectations regarding her life choices. They had been unaware of the developments in her personal life and her decision to marry Rohail. 

Reena stood nervously outside her childhood home, her heart pounding in her chest like a trapped bird. She had spent countless hours rehearsing her words, carefully crafting her arguments, hoping against hope that this visit would mend the broken bond with her parents.

Her parents, once the pillars of her life, had disowned her years ago, their hearts hardened by a misunderstanding that had festered and grown over time. Reena had tried to reason with them, to explain the truth, but her pleas had fallen on deaf ears.

Today, armed with love, determination, and a heart full of longing, she was determined to bridge the chasm that had separated them for so long. She rang the doorbell, her hand trembling slightly, and waited for the familiar sound of her mother's footsteps.

When the door opened, Reena's breath caught in her throat. Her mother stood before her, her face etched with the lines of time and grief, her eyes clouded with suspicion and mistrust. A wave of sadness washed over Reena as she saw the toll that the years of estrangement had taken on her parents.

"Mama" Reena managed to whisper, her voice barely above a sob.

Her mother's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of recognition crossing her face. For a moment, it seemed as if a bridge of understanding might form between them, but then a wall of resentment slammed down, shutting out the possibility of reconciliation.

"What do you want?" her mother asked coldly, her voice laced with bitterness.

Reena's heart sank, but she refused to give up. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, her eyes pleading for understanding. "Mama, I need your blessing," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

Her mother scoffed, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. "My blessing? After all you've done?"

Reena's eyes welled up with tears as she recounted the events that had led to their estrangement, explaining the truth behind the misunderstandings that had torn their family apart. She poured her heart out, sharing her pain, her regrets, and her longing for reconciliation.

Her mother listened in silence, her face softening slightly as Reena's words pierced through her hardened exterior. The years of anger and resentment began to melt away, replaced by a flicker of the love and compassion that had once defined their relationship.

When Reena finished speaking, her mother remained silent for a long moment, her eyes searching her face for signs of sincerity. Then, with a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of years, she reached out and touched Reena's hand.

Her parents expressed their concerns about her decision, citing their expectations of an arranged marriage within their community. They were worried that Reena's choice to marry Rohail, someone outside their cultural background, would be met with resistance and disapproval from their extended family and social circle.

Reena pleaded with her family, explaining the depth of her feelings for Rohail and her commitment to building a life together. She hoped that they would understand and support her choice, but her family's resistance remained steadfast.