Bonded Forever

PROPOSAL

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After the party ended, Ananya changed into her comfortable T-shirt and shorts, tying her hair into a ponytail. Feeling relaxed, she started running towards the kitchen, calling out, "Maa..." But as she stepped into the kitchen, she saw her mother, Sumitra, gesturing for her to be quiet with a finger to her lips.

"Shhh, don't shout," Sumitra whispered softly.

"Okay, shhh... I won't shout," Ananya replied, her eyes wide as she exaggerated her quietness. She walked slowly toward her mother, hugging her from behind.

"If your Dadi hears us, she'll start saying things again that will hurt you, so be quiet," Sumitra warned gently.

Ananya hummed in response, resting her chin on her mother's shoulder. "Mumma, is the gulab jamun ready?" she asked, her voice filled with the excitement of a little child.

Sumitra chuckled, trying to sound strict. "Can't you see what I'm doing? I didn't even change and started preparing this for you! It's almost done, and let me tell you, this is the last time. From now on, you'll learn to cook yourself."

Ananya mocked her, playfully imitating, "Blablablablablabla..."

Sumitra huffed, though a smile tugged at her lips. "You never change," she muttered, serving her daughter a bowl of gulab jamun.

Ananya eagerly went to the dining table, moaning in delight with each bite. Sumitra stood nearby, admiring her daughter's cuteness. "Mumma, it tastes so good!" Ananya said, her face lighting up.

Sumitra smiled warmly. "Haa, it should. What sweet doesn't taste good?"

Suddenly, Ananya froze in her place. The spoon she was holding slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor. At that same moment, they heard another spoon drop in the kitchen. Both of them quickly turned toward the sound and saw Dev bending down to pick up the spoon.

"What are you doing here at this hour?" Indrani's sharp voice cut through the air as she entered the kitchen.

"Dadi, I came to get a water bottle," Dev replied calmly.

"Oh, is it a water bottle?" Indrani said, snatching the bowl of sweets from Dev's hand.

Dev might be a ruthless man in his business, feared by many, but when it came to his mother and sister, he was kind and gentle, his love for them making him look innocent.

"Go to your room," Indrani ordered, her voice stern.

Dev, without another word, nodded and left. Sumitra and Ananya stood frozen in their spots, fear evident on their faces. Sumitra felt a wave of sadness for Dev, but she was helpless. She hadn't been able to speak up properly in front of Indrani since her marriage.

Indrani turned her attention to Ananya. "And you, listen carefully," she said, her tone commanding.

Ananya nodded slightly, her heart pounding.

"Don't go to the office tomorrow. The Singhania family has sent a marriage proposal for you to their son, Vaibhav Singhania. Be ready for it. And you, Sumitra," she added, looking at her sternly, "teach your daughter some manners. She's going to get married soon. I don't want any shame brought to the Khurana family because of her upbringing."

Tears welled up in Ananya's eyes as she listened to her Dadi's harsh words. Sumitra, standing beside her, felt a deep sense of helplessness and guilt, unable to protect her daughter from the pressure and control of Indrani.

Ananya ran towards her room, her tears streaming down uncontrollably. She threw herself onto her bed, sobbing heavily. Sumitra, worried for her daughter, hurried after her. "Annu beta, don't cry," she said softly, trying to soothe her, but her voice carried the weight of her own helplessness.

"Why, Maa? Why shouldn't I cry? How long will she control our lives? How long will she keep ruling us?" Ananya's voice cracked with pain as she sobbed harder. "She didn't even ask me for my opinion. How can I marry someone I don't know, someone I've never even met?"

Sumitra's heart clenched at seeing her daughter in so much distress. The sight of Ananya's broken spirit was too much for her to bear. "Annu beta, please don't cry," she said, her voice trembling. "I will talk to Dev. I promise, we'll find a way."

Without waiting for Ananya's response, Sumitra left the room, determined to find her son. She searched the mansion, her thoughts racing. Finally, she spotted Dev in the garden, speaking on the phone. She stood nearby, waiting patiently for him to finish his call.

"Dev," Sumitra called out softly as soon as he turned around.

Seeing his mother, Dev ended his call and walked over to her. He noticed the bowl of sweets she was holding and gave her a questioning look.

"Come, sit," Sumitra said, her voice calmer than she felt. They sat together on the chairs in the garden, the night air still and quiet around them. She handed him the bowl, and Dev began eating, knowing his mother's quiet gestures always meant she had something on her mind.

After a moment, Sumitra spoke, her voice hesitant but full of concern. "Beta, I need to talk to you about something important," she began.

"What is it, Maa?" Dev asked, taking another bite of the sweets.

"It's about Ananya's marriage proposal," Sumitra said, her voice heavy with the weight of what she was about to ask. "Beta, she doesn't know anything about him. You didn't even ask her opinion. How can we make such a big decision for her? Please, can't you talk to your Dadi? Try to convince her?"

Dev sighed softly, his eyes steady as he looked at his mother. "Maa, you don't need to worry about Vaibhav or his family," he said gently. "I know him well, ever since I entered the business world. Vaibhav is a good man, a really good guy. I'm sure he'll take care of Ananya."

Sumitra listened, but the concern didn't leave her face. Dev noticed and added, "I'll talk to Ananya. I'll make her understand."

With that, they both stood up and began walking toward Ananya's room. The atmosphere in the house was quiet, but the tension was thick. When they entered, they found Ananya sitting on her bed, her face still wet with tears.

Dev walked over to her and sat down beside her, his expression softening as he reached out and gently stroked her hair. "Annu," he called, his voice filled with brotherly affection.

"Bhai..." Ananya responded, her voice breaking as she began to cry even harder, her body shaking with each sob.

"Don't cry, Annu. I know this is hard for you," Dev said, his voice low and comforting. "But trust me. I know Vaibhav really well. He's a good person, and I'm sure he'll take care of you. He'll even let you keep working if that's what you want. I'll make sure of it."

Ananya didn't say anything, but the comfort in her brother's voice started to calm her down. It was rare for Dev to speak to her like this, so his words carried extra weight. Slowly, she nodded, though her gaze stayed fixed on the floor.

"That's my Annu," Dev said with a small smile, relieved to see her calming down. "Now stop crying and get some sleep."

Ananya wiped her tears, still feeling conflicted, but the presence of her brother made her feel just a little safer. Dev stood up, giving her one last reassuring look before leaving the room with Sumitra.

As they walked out, Sumitra glanced back at her daughter, her heart aching, but hoping that Dev's words had brought her some comfort.

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