Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le: From Heartbreak To Healing

Chapter- 17

Mr. And Mrs. Sinha (Sanchi's parents)

They both approached Sanchi's house, She was trembling with fear. Abhimanyu placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, offering a steady gaze. Sanchi took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and stepped inside.

"Papa?" she called out, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her father, engrossed in the newspaper, grunted a response. "Hmm?"

Sanchi's voice faltered. "My friend has come to meet you."

Abhimanyu followed her into the house, his eyes scanning the room before settling on Sanchi's father.

Sanchi's father, still absorbed in the newspaper, didn't bother to look up. "What friend?" he muttered.

Sanchi's eyes darted to Abhimanyu, seeking encouragement. Abhimanyu's expression remained steady, urging her to continue.

"papa" Sanchi called him again

Sanchi's father finally looked up, his gaze settling on Abhimanyu. He rose from the sofa, his expression stern. "Who is he?" he asked firmly.

Sanchi hesitated. "My friend, Papa."

Abhimanyu extended his hand, offering a warm smile. "Namaste, Uncle."

But Sanchi's father ignored the greeting, his eyes narrowing. "Why has he come here?"

Sanchi took a deep breath. "Papa, I...I wanted to talk to you about something."

Her father's expression turned skeptical. "If you wanted to talk to me, why did he come?"

Abhimanyu attempted to intervene, his voice light. "Uncle, I came to offer moral support to Sanchi."

Sanchi's father shot him a disapproving look, and Abhimanyu's eyes dropped, his smile faltering.

The air in the room grew tense, heavy with unspoken words. Sanchi's father turned back to her, his voice firm. "Talk."

Sanchi closed her eyes, gathering courage. "Papa, I don't want to get married yet. I want to pursue painting and sketching..."

Before she could continue, her father's hand shot out, striking her across the face. The slap echoed through the room, leaving Sanchi and Abhimanyu stunned.

"He's taught you all this, right?" her father accused, turning to Abhimanyu, his eyes blazing. He slapped Abhimanyu as well, the force sending him stumbling back.

"Papa, he's my friend! Why are you hitting him?" Sanchi cried, tears streaming down her face.

"Shut up! Not a word!" her father bellowed, his face red with rage. "You, get out of my house!" he pointed at Abhimanyu. "And you, go back to your room right now!" he ordered Sanchi and turned back to leave.

Sanchi, still in tears, stood her ground. "Papa, I won't go to my room. I said I don't want to get married, and I want to do painting..."

Her father turned back, ready to slap her again, but Abhimanyu caught his hand. "Uncle, ek baar marne diya kyunki laga aapko bhi gussa niklana hoga. Iss baar nahi, warna bhool jaunga ki aap bade hai." (Uncle, I let you slap her once, thinking you needed to vent your anger. But not again, or I'll forget that you're my elder.)

Sanchi's father jerked his hand free, his face twisted in anger. "Aise badtameez dost hai tumhare? Mannerless!"

Sanchi stepped forward, her voice shaking. "Papa, don't insult my friend! What's wrong with asking you to let me follow my dreams? In 20 years, this is the first time I'm asking for something - the chance to fulfill my own aspirations. And even that's too much for you?"

"Iss liye humne paida kiya tujhe ki Tu humse mooh chalaye? Have you grown so bold that you dare to defy me? You're going against my wishes!"

Abhimanyu stepped forward, his voice firm. "Uncle, she's 21 years old. We get our voting rights at 18, and yet you won't let her make her own life decisions?"

Sanchi's father's face turned red with rage. "Don't interfere between me and my daughter! I gave her birth, and I have full rights over her. I know what's best for her."

"Uncle, what do you mean? No doubt you gave her birth, but she didn't choose to be born. You decided to become parents and bring her into this world. How can you say she's your property? She's your daughter, not your slave. You're not even letting her pursue her dreams and marrying her off at 21...just because you gave her birth doesn't mean you have the right to mess up her life."

Sanchi's father glared at her. "She will do what I say. Sanchi, go back to your room."

Sanchi looked at Abhimanyu, then back at her father, her voice firm. "No."

Her father's expression turned stern. "Madhuri!" he called out, his voice echoing through the house.

Madhuri, Sanchi's mother, appeared from the kitchen, her eyes wide with concern. "Ji," Madhuri replied, her voice trembling slightly.

"Bring all of Sanchi's belongings from her room," her husband ordered.

"Ji? "

"Go right now"

"Ji," She repeated herself, her eyes darting to Sanchi and Abhimanyu before hurrying to Sanchi's room.

She returned minutes later with a large bag, which she set down beside her husband. He grabbed the bag and tossed it out of the house, his expression unyielding.

"With that, you two are no longer welcome in my home. Get out!" he thundered, his voice echoing through the house.

Sanchis eyes widen in shock, while Abhimanyu stepped forward, his face set in determination. As he held Sanchi's hand, ready to leave, Sanchi's father spoke again, his words cutting deep. "Madhuri, tell this girl to send us her address. We'll send the rest of her belongings with the pindaan offering of our daughter."

The words fell like a thunderbolt, leaving everyone stunned. Sanchi stumbled, about to fall, but Abhimanyu caught her.

"How can you say that about your own daughter?" Abhimanyu asked, his voice shaking with anger.

Madhuri cried out, "Aap yeh kya bol rahe hai ji? Aap apni beti ke baare mein aap kaise bol sakte?" (How can you say that about your own daughter? How can you speak of your own daughter like that?)

Sanchi's father turned to Madhuri, his expression cold. "Madhuri, tumhe samajh nahi aata. Humare beti aaj se mar gaye." (Madhuri, you don't understand. Our daughter is dead to us from today.)