When Love Lasts✔️

Chapter 20

Sukhpreet Kaur

As I sat down with my brother Lovely and sister Jasleen in our family home, the weight of the conversation I was about to have hung heavy in the air. They both looked at me expectantly, concern etched on their faces as they sensed the gravity of the moment.

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my thoughts before speaking, my voice steady despite the nervous fluttering in my stomach. "I need to talk to you both about something important," I began, my eyes meeting theirs with determination.

Lovely and Jasleen exchanged a quick glance, their expressions reflecting a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "What is it, Sukhi?" Lovely asked, his voice laced with concern.

Summoning all my courage, I spoke the words I had rehearsed in my mind countless times before. "I want to tell you about Mankirat," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

There was a moment of stunned silence as my words hung in the air, the weight of their implications sinking in. Then, Jasleen's eyes widened in realization, her expression softening with understanding. "You mean... he's your boyfriend?" she asked, her voice filled with both surprise and acceptance.

I nodded, relieved that the truth was finally out in the open. "Yes," I replied, a sense of liberation washing over me as I spoke the words aloud. "Mankirat and I have been together for five years now."

Lovely's brow furrowed in thought as he processed my revelation, his gaze shifting between me and Jasleen. "But why didn't you tell us sooner?" he asked, his tone a mixture of curiosity and concern.

I sighed, knowing that my decision to keep my relationship with Mankirat hidden had weighed heavily on my siblings. "I was scared," I admitted, my voice tinged with regret. "Scared of how you would react, scared of disappointing you."

Jasleen reached out to squeeze my hand gently, her touch a silent reassurance of her support. "Sukhi, you could never disappoint us," she said, her voice filled with warmth and understanding. "We love you no matter what."

Tears welled in my eyes as I felt the weight of their unconditional acceptance wash over me like a wave of relief. "Thank you," I whispered, overcome with emotion. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

Lovely wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a comforting embrace. "We're here for you, Sukhi," he said, his voice filled with brotherly affection. "No matter what happens, we've got your back."

Feeling the warmth of their love envelop me like a protective shield, I knew that I was no longer alone in facing the challenges that lay ahead. With my siblings by my side, I felt empowered to embrace my truth and live my life authentically, unapologetically.

As we sat together in the quiet embrace of our family home, I knew that this moment would forever be etched in my heart as a testament to the power of love and acceptance. And with Mankirat by my side, I was ready to embark on this new chapter of my life, knowing that I was surrounded by a support system that would never falter.