Man in Dreams

Promises and Pain

Maya, Hobi, and Yoongi walked out of the house, the tension from the confrontation still heavy in the air. Maya's eyes were filled with tears, but she held Yoongi's hand tightly, drawing strength from his presence. Hobi walked beside her, his arm around her shoulders, offering silent support.

As they reached the gate, Maya turned back to look at her home, the place filled with so many memories. Her heart ached knowing that she might not be able to return.

Yoongi stopped and gently cupped her face, wiping away her tears with his thumbs. "We'll get through this, Maya," he said softly. "I promise you, we'll find a way to make things right."

Hobi nodded in agreement. "Bubli, you have us. We're your family too, and we’ll always be here for you."

Maya managed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, both of you. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Yoongi leaned in and kissed her forehead tenderly. "You don't have to find out. We're in this together."

They got into Hobi’s car, with Hobi taking the driver's seat. Yoongi sat in the backseat with Maya, who immediately leaned into him, tears streaming down her face. Hobi glanced back at them through the rearview mirror, his heart aching for his best friend.

After Maya, Yoongi, and Hobi left, the house fell into an uneasy silence. Mrs. Janani stood alone in the living room, her eyes red and glistening with tears. The weight of the day's events was almost unbearable, and she struggled to hold herself together.

Mr. Krishnan, still standing in the spot where he had been during the argument, looked equally distressed. His stern demeanor had softened slightly, revealing the deep turmoil he felt inside.

Mrs. Janani approached her husband, her voice trembling with emotion. "Krishnan, how could you let them go like this? Our daughter is heartbroken, and you’re pushing her away. Is this really what you want? To lose her over this?"

Mr. Krishnan's expression was a mix of guilt and frustration. "Janani, it's not that simple. You know how deeply I value our traditions. How can I just ignore them?"

Mrs. Janani’s voice cracked as she spoke. "But Krishnan, Maya is our daughter. We raised her with love and care, and now, when she needs us the most, we're turning our backs on her. I know the cultural differences are significant, but isn’t her happiness worth something? Yoongi truly loves her."

Mr. Krishnan's resolve seemed to waver. "I don't want to lose her, but I can't reconcile this with our values. It feels like a betrayal."

Mrs. Janani’s tears flowed freely now. She reached out and took her husband’s hands, her voice breaking. "Krishnan, you’re tearing this family apart. I understand the importance of our traditions, but Maya's happiness should be our priority too. We've seen how Yoongi treats her—with respect and love. Isn't that what matters most?"

Mr. Krishnan’s defenses crumbled as he looked at his wife. "Janani, I feel like I’m failing as a father. I love Maya so much, but I don’t know how to balance that with our beliefs. This decision is tearing me apart."

He slumped into a nearby chair, his face buried in his hands as the reality of the situation hit him hard. Mrs. Janani knelt beside him, her own tears mingling with his. "Krishnan, we need to find a way to bridge this gap. If we let our principles drive us to alienate our daughter, we might lose her forever. Please, let's try to find a solution together."

Mr. Krishnan looked up, his face etched with anguish. "I don’t want to lose Maya. I don’t. But I feel like I'm caught between my love for her and my commitment to our heritage."

Mrs. Janani took his hands in hers, squeezing them gently. "Let’s not make any decisions we’ll regret. We need to talk to Maya and Yoongi with open hearts and minds. Maybe, with time, we can find a way to accept this situation and support them."