whispers in DARK

Chapter 5

Krish wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “You’ll never have to find out. I’m not going anywhere.”

Keerthi felt comforted by his words, but a gnawing uncertainty lingered in the back of her mind. She knew that while she was preparing to confront her parents, the outcome was still uncertain.

The following week was a blur of preparation. Keerthi steeled herself for the conversation with her parents, practicing what she would say. She envisioned different scenarios—some where they listened, some where they pushed back, and some where they finally understood. Each possibility made her heart race, but she knew it was necessary.

On the day she had chosen to talk to her parents, she felt a mixture of anxiety and determination. As she walked through the door of her childhood home, memories flooded back—the laughter, the warmth, and the conversations that had shaped her upbringing.

“Keerthi! You’re here!” her mother exclaimed, enveloping her in a tight embrace. “How was your week?”

“Busy,” she replied, trying to keep her tone light. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about… everything.”

Her mother’s eyes twinkled with curiosity. “What do you mean?”

Keerthi took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her decision. “Mom, I need to talk to you and Dad about my future.”

“Okay! Let me just call your father,” her mother said, walking toward the living room. Keerthi’s heart raced. This was it.

Her father joined them shortly, his expression shifting from casual to attentive as he sensed the seriousness in her tone. “What’s on your mind, Keerthi?”

“Um, I wanted to discuss my plans for the future—specifically regarding marriage and what that looks like for me,” she began, her voice steady despite the nerves bubbling within her.

Her father raised an eyebrow, while her mother leaned in closer. “Go on,” he encouraged.

“I appreciate that you both want the best for me,” Keerthi said, choosing her words carefully. “But I need you to understand that my happiness doesn’t necessarily mean following the path you envision for me.”

“What path do you mean?” her father asked, a hint of confusion in his tone.

“I know you want me to settle down, and I understand the importance of marriage and family traditions. But right now, I’m focused on my career and my own journey,” she explained, her heart racing as she spoke. “I’m dating someone—Krish—and he means a lot to me. I want to explore that relationship without the pressure of rushing into marriage.”

Her mother’s expression shifted to one of concern. “Krish? He’s a nice boy, but do you think he’s the right choice? You’re so young.”

“Mom, it’s not just about age. It’s about how I feel. Krish supports my dreams and understands me in a way that I didn’t think was possible,” Keerthi replied, feeling more confident with each word. “I need you to trust me on this.”

Her father leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. “It’s not that we don’t trust you, Keerthi. We’re just worried that you might be making a mistake. What happens if this relationship doesn’t work out?”

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take,” she said, her voice firm. “Life is about experiences and making choices. I don’t want to look back and regret not exploring my feelings because of fear or tradition.”

There was a moment of silence as her parents absorbed her words. Keerthi’s heart pounded as she waited for their response.

Finally, her mother spoke, her voice softer. “We just want to protect you, honey. We’ve seen so many relationships fail, and we don’t want that for you.”