"I don't want to become the kind of Adwait who would rip every single skin cell off any man who dares to have even the faintest touch upon your skin," He placed a soft, lingering kiss on her earlobe.
Nitya's heart raced in response to his words. Sh...
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"Maa, please don't do this to me. My whole life will fall apart," Nitya begged, tears streaming down her face as she looked at her mother.
"It's already in pieces. It shattered the moment you decided to focus on a boyfriend and all these petty distractions instead of your studies," her mother said sternly, adjusting Nitya's dupatta.
"Maa, I've never compromised on my career. Adwait made sure I didn't. He always puts my studies first, even more than I do. You've all misunderstood him," Nitya defended.
"I don't want to hear that man's name from you ever again. You're marrying someone else now, and your husband should be your priority and your love. Got it?" her mother declared.
Nitya got up from the bed, her face set with determination. "I'm not tying myself to anyone else. No matter what you throw at me, my heart is with Adwait, and it's him I'm going to marry."
She'd been locked in her room all day. Just an hour ago, her mother had dropped the bombshell—her marriage was arranged, and the suitor was arriving today for the engagement. She felt completely crushed. She pleaded and begged, but it was like her words didn't even reach them.
Feeling utterly defeated and devastated, the thought of suicide hovered in her mind. But just as the darkness was about to swallow her, the images of Adwait and Adya popped up like a lifeline pulling her back. She couldn't just leave her family behind.
"Why wouldn't you?" her mother scolded firmly. "What's the issue? Raj is a great guy—well-educated, polite, and, most importantly, someone we all know. He genuinely cares for you."
Nitya clenched her fist in anger, not just towards her parents but also at herself. Adwait had been right all along. Things weren't as simple as they seemed. Her parents had been plotting this for a long time, and she hadn't had a clue.
"Then what's the problem with Adwait?" Nitya voiced her frustration. "He is well-educated, possesses a good heart, loves me, and consistently shows respect. If you are so desperate for me to marry, why not him?"
"Marry you? You think he will do that?" Kashi narrowed her eyes in suspicion and sought confirmation.
I swiftly wiped away my tears. "He will, Maa. He is willing to marry me. You wouldn't believe, Maa, he is precisely the kind of man you've always wished for your daughter, in fact, even more than you've asked for. He respects me profoundly, speaks to me with sweetness, cares for me, and supports my dreams. You both won't find a man like him, Maa. Please, just accept him."
Kashi scoffed, shaking her head. "I know these kinds of guys very well. He did that to lure you. He won't take a moment to reveal his true colors once you marry him. They target innocent girls, Niu. Why don't you listen to us?"
"Enough is enough, Maa!" Nitya yelled in anger, her eyes fierce. "I have endured all this nonsense for far too long, but you will not utter a single word against him now. You have no right to disrespect him when you don't even know him personally, and neither will I tolerate it any longer. Disrespecting him means disrespecting your daughter."
