Eternal Ties: The Heartfelt Journey of Rohan and Priya

7.) Torn Between Duty and Heart

The days following Priya's discharge from the hospital blurred together, a strange mix of routine and recovery.

Each day, Rohan kept his promise, arriving at her home to keep a check on her. He brought with him fresh fruits, bright flowers, and an unshakable optimism that never failed to brighten her spirits. He had a knack for making her laugh, for distracting her from the lingering weakness that clung to her after her illness.

But as the days passed, the warm flutter in Priya's heart whenever Rohan was around was countered by a growing unease-an unease she could sense in the quiet, watchful eyes of her father.

Mr. Sharma was a man of few words. He rarely expressed his feelings outright, but Priya could read him like a book. She noticed the way his face would tense slightly when Rohan entered the room, how his usual, faint smile would fade just a little when he watched them interact. It was in the way his gaze would linger on them, eyes narrowing ever so slightly when she and Rohan shared a joke or laughed too easily in each other's presence. There was a tension in the air whenever her father was in the same room as Rohan.

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One evening, after a particularly lively visit from Rohan, Priya noticed her father's expression tighten as Rohan hugged her and said his goodbyes. As the front door closed behind him, Mr. Sharma turned to Priya with a look she hadn't seen in years-calm, but with an edge that made her stomach twist with anxiety.

"Priya," he began, his voice measured but firm, "we need to talk."

Priya's heart sank. She had known this conversation was coming, had dreaded it for days. "Yes, Papa?" she replied, trying to keep her voice steady, though her hands fidgeted nervously in her lap.

Mr. Sharma gestured for her to sit beside him in the living room. He waited until she had settled before he spoke again, his tone carrying the weight of a father's concern. "Priya, you've been through a lot recently, and your mother and I are relieved to see that you are recovering. But I've noticed something that I need to discuss with you."

Priya's stomach tightened further. She knew exactly where this was heading, but she stayed silent, nodding slightly to encourage him to continue.

"This boy, Rohan," her father said slowly, as if choosing his words carefully. "He's been here every day since you've come home. It's good that he's concerned about you, but..." Mr. Sharma paused, his brow furrowing in thought. "I can't help but wonder what this is leading to. You're a young woman, Priya, and people just need a reason to talk. Your mother and I have raised you with certain values, and we want the best for you. Rohan seems like a nice boy, but I don't think it's appropriate for him to be here so often."

Priya felt a lump form in her throat, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. She understood her father's concern. "Papa, Rohan is just a...just a friend," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "He's been supportive, that's all. He doesn't mean any harm."

Mr. Sharma sighed, rubbing his temples as if trying to ease the tension in his mind. "I understand, Priya. But you're at an age where we need to think about your future. You're still in college, but life is more than just academics."

Priya's heart skipped a beat, a sense of fear settling in her stomach. "What do you mean, Papa?"

Her father leaned forward, his voice gentle but firm, like he was delivering a piece of news he knew she wouldn't like. "A proposal has come for you, Priya. A good family, well-settled. They know about your education and have agreed that you can continue your studies after marriage."

Priya felt the ground shift beneath her feet, the words hitting her like a physical blow. "A marriage proposal?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper, her mind struggling to keep up.